Newbie - considering 360 or 430 6mt

Tom , I think that you should try to drive a 360 first. Don't even drive a 430 if you like the 360 experience. The 360 is a big jump from your 328 and the 40-50K you save over the 430 goes a long way. If you could find a 430 in MT I doubt you would loose a cent on it though. They are getting rarer and rarer. This is what I did and I am a happy camper. Who wouldn't want a $50K make over of their garage? Add a loft, a lift, an entertainment wing! Nirvana!

 

Review 360 updates as to why choose >01. Again in choosing a 430 review updates from 05 to the last model 09. There are many reviews and opinions on site to direct you to your preference of 360 vs 430. I currently have owned my 03 360 for some time and have found it to be a beautiful trouble free car. My only negative about the car is having a belt vs chain drive thus more expensive service. Both the 360 and the 430 have the "sticky" problems. The 430's have a header problem. The 360 has a potential pre cat problem not seen in the early cars. The 430 has more horsepower, the 360 is better looking. The 3 pedal cars should be equally trouble free. The rest you will acquire via reading on site as to what you find desirable for the money.

 

I had planned on buying a 360. I think the exterior is better looking than the 430 although after this long I consider it closer to equal.
The interior is another matter altogether. It's not even close. No offense intended for any 360 owners but the interior is sparse compared to the 430.

I test drove both. First drive was a MT 430 spider, next a F1 430 coupe. Finally a 360 MT spider.

I didn't buy that day but I have a 430 MT spider in the garage now. That was 4.5 yrs ago.

 

The visual stimulation of the interior on a 430 is incredible but the 360 is so well done that its simplicity is actually a positive characteristic that focuses the driver on the road...at least for this camper. Regarding the interior... it is more of a blunt but well designed instrument than extreme visual assault. It works and works well. Would I rather have a 430 interior to look at as I spend time in the car? You bet, but the 360 interior is pretty classy and simple. Think how long the 911 has had the same dash layout!

 

Kevin, you always make such thoughtful, insightful comments that really go a long way. You have helped me out a ton!
Either car will make you happy in a gated manual 6 speed tranny! There is so much drama around these 360/430s that either will bring a serious smile to your face. I have come from cars with way more power and much less drama (read: visceral excitement driving) and my 430 Spider 6MT just does it for me. I'm not missing a thing with my 430. Fun, fun, fun!!!

 

When I was looking I honestly didnt see the justification for the increased price with the 430. But admittedly I liked the look of the 360 better. As for the interior, I like it. The reason its aluminum and leather as I see it, is because its the first aluminum car that ferrari made. The interior kinda celebrates it in the same way the carbon interior in the Enzo reflects its construction.

Everyone argues for the 02 or later. For F1s this is valid... For manuals its moot. Precat issues affect all the 2000 and later cars. I love my 99.. Totally trouble free.

If you can get the 430 go for it, I not think the 360 will disappoint. Belt services at under 3k every few years (I'm doing 5 personally), aren't a big deal to me. The one difference is the electrical diagnostic will be more challenging than the 328 if something goes.. It's robust, but more complicated due to the computers and systems. Definitely doable IMHO.

 

I love my 360, so I might be biased here... But when I did my searching, it kinda boiled down to this: is the 430 a better car? Sure. Does it justify the 30-50k price difference to the 360? Not for me. The chassis is the same, and the looks are soooo similar. They are both stunning vehicles. I decided to save the additional cash for other things, plus the 430 will probably depreciate more over the 360, which has kinda bottomed out price wise.

 

+1

 

Yes, easily.

 

I don't think so either, but curious why you think so.

 

From a judgmental point of view, I look at the 360 as a no nonsense, simple, sports car. The 430 is a step in the direction of more complexity that of a supercar, just not that many steps.

 

I have not owned a 360, so no comment pro or con. I do own a 3 pedal 430 coupe I bought new 8/05. It now has 24K on it and has been very reliable. Maintenance is cheap. I've taken good care of it and most people would consider me to be mechanically sympathetic in my driving but it does have about 1000 track miles on it as well. I owned 328s for many years and know the joy of just being able to drive it without worries of breakdowns. A 3 pedal 360 is easier to find but 3 pedal 430s seem to actually be rising in value a little no doubt due to rarity. As for depreciation, my car has been worth in the 110-120K range since the spring of '09. If a recession comes, they will all drift lower. Otherwise, values seem pretty stable.

Dave

 

Look at the list of improvements, starting with 80 hp, manettino, e-diff, better F1, etc.

 

Buyer wants a manual. Don't forget timing chain. But for the difference in price you can buy another car... Not worth the price difference personally - understand to others it is.

 

I like this^^^^^

Dave you may be undervaluing your car!

 

Timing chain = 1200-1800 extra bucks every three years. Also for the record I actually think comparable cars, 360 vs 430, is closer to a $50 K difference, maybe more.

 

Yes I forgot about the timing chain vs belt thing. That helped me choose the 430 also plus it was 5 years plus newer technology.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with a 360. I almost bought one. It's one of the most beautiful designs ever along with the 355 which is the best of the three IMO.

Spot on comments about the simplicity of the interior earlier in this thread. I never thought of it that way and yes the 911 had the same interior for a long time. I just like CF. I was already going to change to CF interior along with 430 wheels, new exhaust etc on a 360 purchase. It made more sense all around for me to get the 430.

 

I've had an 1989 mondial t, a 2004 Modena spider f1 and now 2007 spider 6mt. The f1 was great until I bought a new 911 with pdk dual clutch. This made the f1 feel obsolete sadly. Also, parallel parking, backing and inclines kill the joy of the f1, but it's great on the track. I loved the mondial and I love the 430, the f1 in the Modena removed some driver interaction that I ultimately missed and so I traded for a hard to find 6mt 430. The Modena is plenty fast, very reliable, beautiful (mine was yellow) and lots cheaper to run and maintain than the mondial t. So far, the f430 is as cheap, as reliable and saves the belt service over the 360. My impression on driving is that the f430 is noticeably faster, sounds much better stock (my 360 had tubi, so it was a wash), has the manetto which makes a noticeable difference, and is actually just more fun to drive. The ediff is helpful if a less skillful driver drives and it seems useful on the track, but no actual experience there. The styling of the 360 initially appealed more, but I love the f430 rear and the rest now is a little meow aggressive appearing to me. So, very slight advantage to the f430 rear and to the 360 side profile. The price difference was a little over 50k and I bought both cars from dealers. If you're in for the long haul I'd got f430. If you flip every few years the 360 is great and you'll appreciate the subtle and not so subtle improvements on the f430 when you move up. I've driven a 458, it's another performance leap, but I'm saved because there is no 6mt in the spider, yet anyway. What a great problem you have before you!!!

 

I just bought my 360 Modena. This is the 1st "sports car" I've ever owned. I have the f1 in a 2000. Since it was my 1st Ferrari, the 360 is more than enough car for me. I also feel if I want to sell it in a year about the only depreciation will the amount I drive it.

As for the looks of the cars, I think it's personal opinion. I like the 430 exterior but the 360 interior. That's the opposite of most people.

I have always went about things to where if the cheaper option is great choice and the more expensive is a just a little better, go with the cheaper. You will have to decide if more expensive is just a little better or much better.

Either way you still buying an incredible Ferrari, you can't go wrong.

 

PDK or any dual clutch will get boring faster than the shifts. Might as well have an auto.
F1 rules, or any MT.

 

Opposite of most people here, I actually like the interior of the 360 better than the 430. The interior of the 430 looks a bit gimmicky to me. Yeah the carbon bits look nice and modern but those a/c vents really kill it for me, they look like ends of vacuum cleaner hoses, not classy. While the 360 might look dated in comparison it looks classy, something that will still look good in another 20 years. Exterior: 360>430.

Btw...if I were contemplating a 430 vs a 360 I might seriously consider a CS. Thats where I was about a year ago, got the CS and am very happy. Prices though, have been on an upward trend and maybe more difficult to find. Check out the CS market thread, there is a nice but realtively high mileage unique black one for sale for what seems to be a decent price. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

My thoughts exactly. I could easily justify a reasonable premium for a 430 plus another few grand per year for getting a newer car but I couldn't justify paying 40 or 50K more. The cars aren't that much different and I much prefer the looks of the 360. So I got a nice early 360 and I'm quite satisfied. No dealer visits for maintenance yet because so far I've been doing my own work; it's simple for the most part.