Now that the 458 has come out,is it me or has the 430 not aged as well as the 360. Seeing the three pictures together, the 360 looks closer to the 458.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I thought the 360 was a softened Dino GT meeting a McLaren F1. It's pretty, but did not break any new trends. Even the glass rear deck to see the motor was done before in the F40. The 430 was more aggressive and therefore more interesting -- at least to me. The 458 has some really interesting new trends (such as no side scoops), flexible front wings, and an intergrated rear spoiler. For that, you have to give the designers and engineers some credit for attempting something new and fresh. That being said, I don't think it looks much like a 360 to me. Actually, it looks a bit more like a Lambo.
I agree. The 360's lines seem to flow more naturally than the F430. I fell in love with the F430 when i saw it at the Paris show in 2004 but with time, it lost its charm. The 360 on the other hand wasn't love at first sight but i now find it very pretty, esp when spec'd right (Modular wheels, shields and challenge grill). The Stradale is just magnificent.
Oxen yoke comes to my mind. One of the ugliest fronts I've ever seen. I thought it in 1999 and still think it in 2009. Dave
I don't like the 360 that much either, much prefer the 430; particularly the rear. 458, rear looks nice but still waiting to see the front in person.
Its interesting how peoples taste vary...I personally dont think there is any Ferrari that looks bad...I personally love the 360 front end ...the 430 took some getting use to but I now like its aggressive styling..the 458 looks great on paper, cant wait to see it in the flesh...really cant wait to drive it
I like F430 more than 360 and 458. The F430 still looks sharp and most complete, much sexier in real life motion. Might change opinion after seeing and hearing the 458...although it's too much "look at meeeee" styling in a Lamborghini kind of way...... I wonder how the 458 will feel to drive, if it is worth upgrading for. On the other hand, if the 458 spider comes with a hardtop like the California, it might just be the sexiest and most perfect sportscar ever created!!
I agree. The 360 has a purity of form that the 430 lacks, mostly because it started as something else and is not an original design. Opinions vary, but it always seemed to me that they tried to throw in a bunch of unrelated previous design cues (including those from the Enzo) thereby losing the design's previous inherent beauty. It's sure good to see them go back to that strength with the 458, a beautiful design I think. But, opinions will vary, and all are legitimate. It's pretty subjective by nature.
For me: CS>16M>Scuderia>F430>Modena I'll have to see the 458 in real life to see where it will situate on that list but from the pics, i really like it.
Mine in the first 5 minutes I saw it. Love at first sight... and still on the honeymoon! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I don't favor any of these cars one over the other. All three are absolutely gorgeous without any peer coming even close to these Ferraris in looks department. Each one is beautiful in it's own way.
Back in the days when American designs had a three or four year cycle, with one or two facelifts (think '55-'57 Chevies), it was commonplace for good original designs to go downhill with each tinkering. American designers even candidly admitted as much. I think that the last two series of V-8 Ferraris go against this example. I was not too thrilled with the 348 when it superseded the 328, but believe that the F355 was a great improvement on what I now believe to have been a good basic design. Likewise, I did not care much for the 360 at first blush, but loved the F430 from the moment when I saw the three '04 Paris Show cars in Maranello. Again, I believe that Pininfarina did a great job of updating a sound design with the F430. I think that one way of judging a controversial design upon its introduction is to view it in silhouette, under very low lighting. I also like to admire a car lightly covered with snow or lightly frosted (it's deep winter here in snow country!). I have every faith that Pininfarina, when facelifting the 458, will make it an even better-looking automobile. Fred
I like all of these models as well, especially the Stradale and Scuderia. However, the 360 and F430 just look bloated compared to a 458. I am glad Ferrari has returned to the svelte, lightweight fighter look, a la 355.
without a trunk / boot like the California, where would a hardtop on a 458 spider fold into? I seems doubtful they could do that
Every design has there pros and cons. As someone said already....its all subjective. All I know is that Ferrari designs.....for the most part.....have stood the test of time. I wouldn't kick any of them out of bed (the garage). I think the 458 (Spider or Lightweight version) can only complement going forward. Image Unavailable, Please Login
there were pics posted a while back... a schematic of ferrari's design...it's pretty slick. a folding variation of the 575 Superamerica top..doesn't need much space.
