Which Car Would You Buy and Why?

355 for sure! An artistic masterpiece with the best sound. Can't ask for a better 3 pedal car.

 

355, no doubt about it. But why a '96? Most people will say a '95 is the one to own.

 

360. Will be the most reliable daily driver IMHO followed closely by the 328.

IMNSHO (in my not so humble opinion) anyone who uses 355 or 348 for DD must live near bus line with all the gremlins and build quality.. great weekend cars, but DD.. not so sure about that...

 

There is nothing wrong with a cool 348 Factory Challenge car. It is bit more money than regular stock 348, but certainly not in the 50K range. At least not for another 5 years.

 

If I want to combine my current street Ferrari 328 and my Porsche 944 Rothmans race car, a street-legal 355 Challenge would be my choice over the 348 Challenge. I just simply like the look and sound of the 355 much better. From what I understand, the 355 drives better as well.

I have occasionally considered such a two to one car simplification; but other than saving on storage and initial capital outlay, the longer term O&M costs of a 355 Ch seems more expensive. Also, as long as I have the space to store two cars instead of just one, why would I have a compromised street/track car i.e. a properly setup track car is a lousy street car and vice-versa. I suppose I can replace my P race car with the 355, but my capital expense would be higher without necessarily the proportional increase in fun level.

In conclusion, out of the choices outlined, I still pick (and have picked) the 328. But if I have to pick between 355 and 348 Challenge, 355 it is.

 

360, then 355, then c4s, then 911 turbo, then 348, then 328

 

328, cause I own one and it's a classic. Some A/C do work in the 328.
Followed by 360, not for the looks, but for the drive.
355 is great but it may drain the bank account (but you might have a large account?)
Ace

 

I guess I'm late to this thread, but my reaction was "none of the above".

I wouldn't pop $60K for a "concours" 328.
I'd get a "beater" 328 that had everything working you needed to drive the wheels off it.
(E.g. pay low for a basic car, then put the money into the mechanicals --- and making the A/C work. )

(In fact, that's just about what I did back in '99: I bought a "well used" car and put a bunch into an engine-out service to make it run right. It's not pretty, but it drives right. And I don't have to worry about parking it.)
(Oh, and my A/C does work. But I drive it with the top off, most of the time.)

 

Why was there not one single 12-cylinder car on that list (at least that I could see)?

 

348 Challenge. One heck of a car.

 

I voted the 348 CH.

My standard 348 is a fantastic car to drive, so I reckon the CH version would be a BLAST!

I had a big drive in my car yesterday, had a lot of fun and stretched it's legs a little. 348 all the way baby!

 

What he said.

The problem with the 360 (all flavors - Modena, CS, Spider) is that the F430 is better. And the 458 is probably (haven't driven one) better than either. The 308/328 is the old recipe -- three pedals, gated shifter, four tires and an engine. No computers, no driving aids. Literally, they don't make cars like that anymore.

The most appealing cars to me are either modern or classic. The "in-betweeners" are more or less just used cars, and I think the market supports that view.

Ideally, I'd have one of each. I respect cars like the F430 for what it can do, but it's more of a technological accomplishment than anything. I want to set lap times in an F430. But I want to cruise the mountain roads in San Diego with the top removed on the 328 and just revel in the traditional Ferrari stuff -- it's more than fast enough for that, and looks like nothing else.

 

328, as I must choose from your list.

 

Damn, the 360 is a VERY popular choice.

 

First choice (and vote in the poll):

Purely because I fell in love with the Ferrari side strakes during the era of the Testarossa and the 348. Any of the Ferraris are going to be a thrill, but there's a special aura about the 348 for me.

Second choice:

Purely because once I'd gotten a 348, I'd probably want to skip a generation for my next choice. I also prefer the aesthetics of the 360 to those of the 430.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

At minimum want air bags and ABS = 355. But wait the 360 is so much more fun to drive.
And low maintenance. And better looking too.

 

Very well said.... I still vote for the 360 but very well said.

 

Interesting tidbit as I was talking with a dealer just yesterday and he told me that 430 prices are starting to drop faster while 360 prices are now going up.

 

Well if it were me I would first choose the 355, then 911 Turbo, then 360. A street legal race car doesn't sound too appealing to me, I'd rather keep my track car and street car as two separate entities.