1999-2004 360's - What's the difference?

Read the Sticky at the top of this forum. The gentleman compiled a lot of useful information and tips re the purchase of a 360. Do a search.

 

How long you gonna stay on the fence??
There comes a time you need to say yay or nay..

Its just a *&^%$()_&*^ car. Its not like you are buying an island..

 

I know Chris quite well, and I'm sure his comment was meant simply in jest like, "come on in, the water's fine !" (or something like that). He's a genuine guy who is (like most of us) head-over-heels for his Ferrari, and probably hopes you'd have the same enjoyment with a 360 like he does.


p.s. Unless things have changed for Chris, I think he still only owns two or three small islands in Bearing Sea.

 

Beanster --- the 6-bolt ring gear, reinforced motor mounts and frame bracing, the cam variator shaft, clutch peddle linkage and throwout bearing on manuals, and several other lessor items were all corrected by launch of the '02 model year. There are a few fairly exhaustive lists on this site which you can easily find by searching.

It's a GREAT car my friend! Just be sure you find a combination of colors and options you really want and have it fully inspected by an experienced expert. Best of luck!!

 

+ And most of these issues can be fixed on early cars with simple upgrades -- or better yet, have already been fixed on many of the 'for sale' early 360's. Service records will tell a whole lot of the story.

 

During my search I didn't find a SINGLE car that hadn't had its FREE variator upgrade done, so this is just a check-off. Don't eliminate a car based on year, foolish. Ring-gear, as mentioned, they've all had this done, or will on their next service (low, low mileage ones may not have had it done yet)--no big deal. I had to do mine. There is no cancer on these cars.

Precats this precats that, who cares--it just really doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things.

Obviously you want to stick to a number as to what you want to pay, smart. So work backwards finding those cars in that price range then eleminate for color (because we all have our preference for red), then drill for service and condition. Oh, I'm assuming you're smart and going for the six speed, but that's just me.

Something I found; the nicer cars were less negotiable.

Post your choices up with options etc and let people weigh-in on them. Then see the ones you like and meet your screens, make an offer "after" the ppi.

Then join the club of a money pit of a car. But NOTHING will be more fun.

 

It was called the push off the fence so you can make up your mind

Once you buy you will understand and thank me.

& you to, will also become a close friend of Daniel (JackRusselRacing) as the rest of us

 

You really shouldn't put much weight into the year...in my opinion. a 2001 might be in better condition than a 2003, so put much more into the condition, miles, records, etc.

If you are looking for a Spider, I have a great deal on a TDF Blue 360...6400 miles!

 

I bought a solid 1999 360 F1 and it has been an excellent car. I had a PPI done and all the updates had been done. I only test drove a 99 and 2000, so can't really tell you if the 2001's and later are slower because of the precats, but my car is pretty fast.

I bought my car because of the options it had. Tubi, carbon fiber seats, rear challenge grill, stereo, 430 rims. I wanted somebody else to take the depreciation hit on options. keep this in mind, as a nice set of rims for a 360 will set you back at least 5k. You may be able to buy a well maintained base 360 for 70, but you can spend 20k upgrading it. The guy who had it before me also put a 2002 Transmission control unit on it, as the pre-2001 TCU shifter slower.

Also, I would consider the miles. My car had 11k miles and had not been driven much in the previous year at all, and only 1000 miles or so the previous two years. It suffered from some "dis-use syndrome" and I had to get the throttle bodies cleaned, clean the mass air flow sensors, runs some fuel injector cleaner through it, and replace the spark plugs. The whole deal only cost around $600. It was the trips to the shop that were more aggravating.

These cars were really meant to be driven. If you look on F-chat or sportscarmarket.com, you can read some stories about what happens to cars that sit around for years not being driven. Fuel tends to dry out in the engine, leaving hydrocarbon gunk on injectors and other parts.

I would look for a car with maybe 1500 or 2000 miles per year that has had all its service done. A 99 360 with only 6k miles would worry me a bit or I would just budget some money to have some work done on it.

 

I agree
the 360 is a great car, prices are at or very near the bottom. You can and should find a great car at a great price.

And yes Chris and Daniel are both stand up guys,

Ask me how I know

 

I can vouch for that. I really liked this 02 360 spider loaded with options but the guy wouldn't budge on his price which was MUCH more than mkt price.

Fortunately my recent purchase was negotiable.

 

"Prices are very near the bottom." Are you kidding? With each new evolution of the 8 cylinder mid engine Fcar the 360 will get cheaper and cheaper. That depreciation curve might start to flatten a bit, but don't even THINK that you are going to buy a 360 today and even put it in a sealed container and get it out in 5, 10 or 20 years and sell it for even what you paid for it (probably not in real dollars even...FORGET corrected for inflation dollars)...

They made WAY TO MANY of them... they are great cars and I think one of the most beautiful and elegant mid engine cars Ferrari has ever made, but an investment they are NOT! Prices will continue to come down and down and down... Maybe eventually to the point where I can afford a nice '02 or newer Spider!

 

most earlier than 02 360's have had all the upgrades.. and honestly the cars are pretty much the same the 360 model didn't have many real differences during it's production.. I would just ask to make sure all upgrades are done.

 

the prices are close to the same so i would go for the latest model that you can afford as long as you can live with the mileage as well

 

My 2000 dropped the F1 program several times. I traded it in but I am sure someone has had it fixed or it would be a chronic problem.
That being said, I would focus on 2002 and newer with the updated F1 system. Beyond that, I loved the car and would love to have another one.

 

I feel you are correct with your statement,it seems the mint 308,328 and maybe the very best 355 have found a bottom but the 360 potential buyer may skip over to the 430[no belt service better quality]which means lower prices for the 360...today saving cash for a used horse is where it's at.

 

Pano,

I implied that I would only be interested in '02 and up, but as you noted, when the time is right any 360 Spider that has been updated would be fine with me...just want a nice car. Just like everyone I guess huh?! LOVE IT! It is great to dream!

 

Not sure what you mean by 'dropped the F1 program" but you understand that the only significant change was the software in the TCU. To my knowledge, ignoring the throwout bearing since they are updated when the clutch is changed, there weren't any changes to the F1 systems' mechanical parts.

What that means is that it is all pretty much the same and can be fixed with a new TCU or a re-flash. In fact, several people have upgraded to the CS TCU.

 

My understanding from Ferrari of Dallas was the computer was not shifting at the appropriate rpms. While driving it would shift gears at the wrong time. Ferrari of Dallas had to update the software.
Thus "dropping the F1 program."