355 vs. 360 question

I know you're asking from someone whose owned both, which excludes me, but in my opinion it would be a toss-up.

 

+1

And I have owned both - Pretty much any Ferrari garners "attention".

Cheers,
Ian

 

Sadly My first thought when seeing either these days is : "Real or fake?".

The last thing I want to be doing is giving a thumbs up and congratulating someone in a re-bodied Toyota MR2!.

BTW, just popped down the shops and saw a (genuine) 430 spider!. Sometimes it's like it's just meant to be!.

 

360 is more modern looking and less conservative, so it will get more response from the general public.

The 355 will be worth more long term.

 

I also say it's a toss up assuming the cars are both red..


The general public couldn't tell which one is newer, they just see the red and the horse.

 

LoL...lots of strangers always ask me if my 355 is brand-new...

 

I always though a 360 was a lot more conservative than the F355. The F355 is very close to an "in your face" kind of loud and agressive (visually) than the more sedate "gentleman GT" posture of the 360.

 

i have owned spiders in both. i agree that people always think a modern era fcar is new if it is in good condition. they both drew equal attention to me. both are fabulous but i think the 355 had a nicer look and shape overall and i believe that most reviewers agree with that. i currently have a 430 spider and it is pretty much the same. the only fcar that i had that didnt immediately "break necks" was a 575M. i guess the rednecks and tuners around here thought it was the "new" vette

 

Color is more of a factor than model- I think some of the general public can tell the 430 is the latest iteration-But a black 430 will draw considerably less attention that a Red or Yellow 360.

I can compare 328 to 355 ownership- People "Get" the 328 is a "classic Ferrari"- they think a 355 or newer is the "new one"

This morning getting gas on Rt 9 in Framingham- THREE separate "car guys" (Audi A6, BMW M3 and Porsche Cayman) veered off the road into the Gas Station to stare at the car and each one asked if this was the new model they'd been reading about- Obviously to you and me that's a ridiculous question, but if you're not up to your eyeballs in Ferrari knowledge, a 355 and 360 look very, very contemporary. (Then again later this afternoon I took my black Porsche 928 out for spin and the guy at the hardware shop asked me if I just "picked it up from the dealer".. sure- 20 years ago!)

 

Agreed. Today I almost walked by a yellow 355 spyder parked on the street without noticing it at all. I saw a bunch of young guys taking pictures, I thought it was the harley parked there and it didn't seem special, then I noticed the bright yellow Ferrari convertible next to it. I didn't even see it right in front of me. And who has the balls to park it in the French Quarter during a festival? Gutsy.

 

Funny, I have been asked the same thing several times in my metallic black 308!!! LOL!!!


People in general just dont know - they see the horse and make lots of assumptions.


PDG

 

I own a 360 Spider, which I think is one of the most beautifu "modern" Ferrari's ever. But I think a 355 is even more beautiful, so there you go.

 

If I had a choice.....the 360 looks alot like the 430, but there is nothing that looks like the 355. I would vote for the 355.

 

I have owned both F1s in red/black. The 355 was a GTS and the 360 is a Spider. Both have Tubi's.

The 360 has shields and red calipers.

I would say the attention is about the same. Both get lots of attention. even in Aspen we don't see that many Fcars but are more common than Denver percapita for sure.

(I like driving the 360 much more. turns in better. F1 is smoother and quicker. feels like much more torque to me. and I like looking over the hood better. The GTS roof leaked. the Spider is tight as a drum.)

 

...had an F355 and have a 360. My F355 was a red GTS; and the 360 too is red. I know the OP presents a question about which of the two attracts more attention, but I would still like to take this opportunity to comment on my overall experience in both cars.

I had Hyperflows and a Tubi on the 355. With eight throttle bodies, the sound very much resembled that of an F-1 car. And with its high torque curve, the car would let out its shriek even at lower speeds and would elicit many thumbs-up from bystanders. From behind, the car's low, 46-inch stance and round lights are vintage. Finally, the car's handling felt more predictable to me than that of the 360.

While the 360 by comparison is larger, taller, and bulkier, one of the reasons I changed over was because the F355's pop-up headlights held a very dated appearance. Also, the curves on the 360 look pretty from any angle, while the F355 looks a bit wedgy from the front. The 360's engine note does not quite sound as high pitched/F-1-like as the F355's, but the 360 engine still has the five valve set up enough to release a high pitched wail, especially in the earlier, non pre-cat iterations.

In sum, both cars have a modern appeal and attract plenty of attention. However, keep in mind that pop-up headlights went out of style in the 1990's. If you like the look of either, then what bystanders think should not matter.

 

My humble opinion.

360 - Jellybean

355 - A perfect combination of the most beautiful cars Ferrari and Pininfarina ever made.
Hints of a Dino, 308, 328, 512, 348, F40, F50.
Small, sharp, exotic, fast, modern, edgy, light, and the sound!!!!!

 

Of course all opinions are subject but I strongly believe Ferrari's do not go out of style. No matter if it has pop-up lights, 14" wheels or non-ABS brakes.

 

about the same. 355 sounds better (exhaust note), 360 is better.

 

I've been asked how fast my Testarossa can go

 

HAHA!

 

I agree. What I meant to say was that for purposes of the OP, onlookers will recognize the F355 as an older model due to its lights. But as you pointed out, in the case of Ferraris, older is sometimes better. And personally for me, I think the 360's appearance harkens back to the looks of the sixties. I think the exposed lights are found in many eras and are timeless in design appearance. Lastly, while it is a bigger car, the 360 I also think has curves that resemble those of the Dino more so than do the F355's.

 

Forgot to mention the window over the engine. that attracts attention. I enjoy it as well. the engine cover on the 355 is Dino-esque. Not a bad thing but doesn't draw the attention of the 360.

 

After owning two F355GTS - one red, the other yellow, and two (not counting the Challenge race car) 360s, the most attention is my Stradale by far.

 

Not to be too mean but why do you care about the attention? It shouldn't be about getting attention but which one gives you the most thrills from driving?

I've had the good fortune of owning and driving some pretty incredible cars but nothing drives like a Ferrari. They are simply in a league of their own. Personally, nothing sounds like a 355 at 8,000 RPM through a tunnel but that is my two cents. As PhilNotHill said, either will get you attention but that shouldn't be the reason you're buying a Ferrari.

Get the one that makes YOU feel the best.