UPGRADE

I went from 348 to 360 . Hated 360 at first because 360'was too refined and I loved rawness of 348

Now, I love 360 because of room style and power. You won't regret it

 

I thought I had to have a stick too but this perfect F1 car (02 with 7000 miles) was too good to pass up. So my advice is welcome to modern day driving ... Shifting like JC Montoya is just as much or more fun. I'll be out shifting you for the rest of my life.

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When I was looking it was a 348 or a 360. Don't regret it one bit! A more modern car in every way. About as reliable as my Boxster. Same as a 348.. if you have a bad mechanic it's going to be expensive versus someone who knows the car it's going to be a nice ride. the big difference is its more computer dependent some things you just need a computer diagnosis. Esp for abs/traction control and suspension lights. You don't need it often, but have someone on hand who has an SD2 or Leonardo. I spent about $2400 for my belts 3 years ago. I do five year belts

Mine is a stick

 

My advice: Drive a 360 F1 and see if you like it. I've had nothing but manual sports cars the last 25 years and moved to a 360 F1 and then a 430 F1. I don't miss the manual at all.
Everyone has a personal preference on this one.

 

I have a 2002 360 Coupe with a manual transmission and a 1994 348 TB Challenge. I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. They're very different cars.

 

The above. Similar to my experience. Either way, manual or F1, you'll love the 360.

 

Don't sell the F1 short until you drive it. I would find a newer one or one with an updated TCU.

 

Alternatively, have you driven a manual 360? I only ask because I have several thousand miles in both versions and it's not even a close comparison for me.

That's not to say that my opinion is correct or even that it matters but it was properly formed. Therefore, I have to ask because I have the feeling that very few people who choose an F1 360 over a manual one have had the chance to drive both cars (in similar condition).

I know that for my money, I spent a lot of time deciding between and F1 360, manual 360, F1 F430 and manual F430 and made sure to spend sufficient time behind the wheel of all.

 

I'm on my 2nd 360 Spider gate shifter and have absolutely no regrets. The raw visceral feel of a rear engine 6 speed manual is a beautiful thing. Having said that if I were you I would drive both the F1 and the manual to make your decision. That's what I did and for me there was no contest. Good luck with finding the right one. You'll love the 360.

 

As for the driving? You will not be disappointed in any way. Imagine my impression stepping from 275GTB to the 360 Modena F1...ditto from my wife who drives the hell out of it, she couldn't drive the 275... Good luck... Free advice replace the battery immediately!

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Is that a pro or con for the F1? LOL!!

 

I get it ...makes the spending on upgrades like Forza exhaust control easier to explain. SHE rejected stock exhaust!

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I agree with this sentiment. Drive an F1 before you decide and remember that it takes a while to get the hang of it.

And yes Sherpa23, my opinion is well formed. I have driven both many times and both are good in their own ways. Personally, I was set on a manual until I drove the F1. It was so much fun I had to go that way. AND my wife can drive manual so that wasn't even a factor; even though she can drive manual she loves the F1.

I think the manual crowd is SO over zealous around here that they jade every conversation. Every question gets turned into a manual vs F1 discussion because the manual users are so focused on driving their agenda. Let's try something: can we not turning every question into an F1 vs manual debate? Maybe that way we can discuss something interesting?

 

I went from a gated F355 to an F1 F430. I always felt like I was sitting ON the F355 but IN the F430, no regrets. After 35 years of manuals I thought I'd try the F1- truly the best of both worlds.

Best advice though is to try the 360 out and see if it works for you - doesn't matter what I, nor the the 1000 foremost Ferarri experts think.

 

I'm not saying that 360 F1 is a bad car in any way. I was only curious as to how many people had the opportunity to choose and chose the F1. FWIW, the F1 in the F430 is a very different experience as is the manual. The manual in the F430 is not as clearcut a favorite in that model as it is in the 360, for me. Again, only my opinion.

 

I have driven the 430's as well, though only in the F1. It is a very different drive from the 360. Even though it is clearly faster I have never felt compelled to sell my 360 to get a 430. Then gain, I really like the smooth lines of the 360. For me the F1 really lets you appreciate the nuances of the chassis because you are so engaged in driving the corners. BUT both F1 and manual are fun to drive.

 

Yes I have. To me a gated car is a pain in the ass. I know that's blasphemy. Everyone here quickly dismisses F1 cars without having any clue what the owner actually wants. That's why I suggested he drive a F1.

 

Well, there is a reason that so many 360s were ordered in F1 so it would be ridiculous to say that no one would want an F1. I was only asking because I am curious as to how many owners choose an F1 because they genuinely prefer it to the manual version. It's clear that some people do and it would be foolish to even think that everyone likes the manual more. There is a long time Fchatter who thinks that many people prefer the F1 cars because they don't know how to drive stick or, probably more accurately, they don't know how to drive a stick properly (heel and toe, rev matching, etc.). The F1 makes all of that very easy for people with no skills.

What's not clear is how many just go with the F1 because they're easier to find and buy as opposed to good manual cars.

As lots of people have said, the F1 equipped 360 is no shabby car.

 

You have to work at it, that is part of the draw. You are more connected to the machine. It isn't trying to be something new.

 

I owned a 91 348 as my first Ferrari. Fun car, but here is what I did not like about the car;

First you had to be a circus midget to fit in the front seat (I am 200 lbs and 6 ft).

Second the electrical connectors and system of the car was a challenge to keep from throwing a CEL.

Third, it was/is a dated car. I heard several times "hey, isn't that the car Magnum PI drives"?

Fourth, the A/C was R-12 which was not big deal, but I had to take an online class to get certified to buy a can of R-12.

Fifth, the b1cht of second gear and sifting into it. It was not cool to have to wind out the car in first to drop it into third gear when the car was cold.

Get the 360.
At first I was bent on the three pedal. But today there is a major premium on a stick. If you plan on driving the car, you will pay more in depreciation for the stick then a F1. The F1 is not that bad if the clutch is still good. Good luck on your search.

 

Whats funny is that the 360 stick is the easiest to use of just about every Ferrari. It's a lot trickier to use in other models.

 

I think a stick is a pain in the ass no matter what car it is. I guess I'm lazy but it's just what I prefer.

 

Others beg to differ. That is those that are of course correct.

I define "pain in the ass" as not going into gear for whatever reason 20 miles from the home garage in the middle of a busy intersection and then having to flat bed it to the shop to find out what the car thinks is wrong in the first place. But that's just MY definition. Of course.. I'm never going to experience that.