Are 430's truly worth DOUBLE the cost of a 360?

I'm currently in the market and have been looking at 360's, 430's, and Gallardos. But as far as the Ferrari's are concerned, I could get a good history 360 for sub $70k, or the same thing in an early 430 for $140k. I'm really wondering if the car is worth that much more?? Personal experience and opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks--Andy

 

Don't forget the 360 CS that fits right in the middle of this budget...

 

What happened to that thread?

OP: Don't let the ribbing discourage you on here. For the most part the guys are just vetting a noobie. Ask all the questions you want as far as I'm concerned. As for this one.....only you can decide that but make sure you get some seat time in both beforehand.

 

Care to explain? The average CS price according to the CS Thread is 144k (which is true).

 

Oh forgive me I was under the impression the 430 was more. I don't pay much attention to modern cars past the CS so excuse my ignorance.

 

I looked at both for some time and ended up buying a 360 which was almost exactly half the cost of a 4 years newer 430. My rationale was that it cost about or less than a new Mercedes or Lexus and thus I would be more comfortable driving it even though it was my first Ferrari. I definitely did not want to buy something and be afraid to drive it. If this experience is even 1/2 as awesome as I think it's going to be then I would like to upgrade to a 458 as paying another 40-50K for an evolutionary car is not worth it to me. If Ferrari ownership is not for me then I figure I will loose less by buying a more depreciated car. Of course if money is no object then I would have bought a 458.

 

Depends on the year of the 430 or if it is a coupe or spyder.

Some are more than the CS, some are less.

 

Depends on what you want but if its performance/fit/finish I'd say that a 430 is definitely worth the extra $$. I just went form a 360 spider to a Scud and IMO a 360 makes more noise ( gotta say with a TUBI the noise is amazing though) than speed where the scud/430 has true supercar performance.
In terms of exhilaration of ownership, however, a 360 will will give you the same stupid grin for half the price so may not be a bad call.

 

Yes

 

newbie questions I love it. If you don't think it's worth "double the cost of 360", then don't buy it. Only you know if u feel it is worth it to you.

Some people think it's worth 2.5 times the cost of F430 to get the F548.. some don't.. some wouldn't want the F355 even if it's 1/3 the cost of the F430.

 

Yes. The F430 is worth the difference, much more advanced car performance wise. However, if you're just in for the looks, get a 360 and call it a day.

You cannot compare a 1999 car to a 2008 car. Your best shot is to compare a 2004 Modena to a 2005 F430, and the difference is not $70k.

 

I thought it was and have been very pleased with the decision. Really comes down to taste on the styling, need for a faster car and whether you desire a car that feels as modern as any car currently being assembled or one that definitely feels a couple generations behind.

 

For me, yes it was.

 

Had one of each. If you're looking for attention, something to cruise, 360 is better than fine. If you like to drive your car, too, and get disappointed by lackluster performance, the 360 is simply not current. The 430 is mechanically superior in every way, and a far more enjoyable drive, faster, shifts better, rides and handles better. If you're looking at long term, cost of ownership is lower as well, though the 360 isn't too bad either.

 

They are not necessarily double the price. A clean 360 can be bought for about 100k and an equivalent 430 for about 40% to 50% more.

Ferrari shopping is fun, Enjoy.

 

The F430 is the right price and the 360 is undevaled. The 360 is the bargain of the century.

 

+1 Some people are deterred from the 360 because it requires timing belt changes every three years, while the 430 has timing chains, so that service is not required. This only adds, however, about $1200+/yr. to the cost of maintenance, depending on local shop charges. The price delta of a 430 more than pays for that.

So then it comes down to your intended uses and expectations. There is no question that the 430 is the better performer, as it has more HP and nearly everything about the car has received some upgrade compared to the 360. That said, are you the type of person who drag races with other cars and would be embarassed at losing such a race to something like a C63 Mercedes or American muscle car? Are you the type of person who would be embarassed at being unable to keep up with a 430 or other similar performing car at the track? If your answer to these questions is "yes," then probably you should budget for a 430 (not that you should ever street race with it, either).

For most of us who don't do these things, a 360 is a perfectly fine choice. Its handling is close enough to a 430's to be hugely entertaining to drive. It has plenty of power (400hp, 0-60 in under 4.5sec). You will be able to keep up with most anything on the road except in track/race conditions. And if you like driving true 3 pedal manuals like I do, the 360 is easily as much fun or more than a 430, as you can use a higher percentage of its performance envelope in ordinary driving. Floor a 430 and wind it up to redline, and you'll get in trouble that much faster! Buy a 360 and save the delta in price to pay for your 458 in a few years!

 

I paid $125K for a nicely optioned, 3 pedal 2005 F430 with 9,600 miles, so it is not necessarily double. For an extra $55K, I think the 430 is a tremendous value.

 

I agree. I went with the 2005 F430 Spider as my first Ferrari.

 

GALLARDO & 430 > 360

 

They are lower maintenance...no belts to change...

LOL

 

if you're gonna bargain hunt.. get F355s.. there's some great examples closer in the 40s

 

I drove both back to back. I went with the 430.

 

Where are these nice 360s for "sub 70K"?

Dave