Why did you choose a 360 over a 430 or vise-versa?

I tend to buy what I like and keep cars for a long time. When I bought the 360 (over 10 years ago now) I couldn't afford a new 430. Over time I could have moved up but I really like the smooth lines of the 360 better. The HP difference is big but the 360 is so engaging to drive that I really don't ever think 'I need more HP'.

 

I went back and forth a lot. My only hard and fast requirement was it had to be a manual, unless I chose a CS or Scud, which were also in the running. On looks alone, the CS was the best looking of them all and regular 360 my least favorite in appearances (I know, I know). Also interesting is that I like the regular F430 in looks more than the Scud. In the end, the biggest additional factor was that I wanted a less complicated car without a lot of electronics and stripped of gadgetry and I didn't mind if it came at the expense of some power, comfort, and other things. I wanted something more simple to use and maintain over the long term.

I made a whole list of pros and cons and in the end, when I looked at it all, it became clear that what I really wanted was a manual CS (or Challenge car that was also street legal). Well Ferrari didn't make either of those so I would have to find something and make it into that. I looked at 360Trev's awesome thread and realized that I could get something pretty much exactly as I wanted. All it would take was a little time patience, and parts hoarding (my specialty).

Ultimately, I found a late manual 360 coupe that was owned by someone with a Ferrari race team that already had a ton of CS and Challenge parts on it, Moton suspension, Brembo big brakes, tons of upgrades, and wouldn't take a lot to turn into exactly what I wanted (and I already owned most of the parts). The one thing that it had that I really could live without was a very, very nice stereo system. I would prefer if it didn't have that but it's such a good system, I am not sure what to do. If I could move it over to my 550 Maranello, I might do that but for now it's still in the 360.

Anyways, fast forward a year and I absolutely love the car. It was one of the best moves I ever made in the car world. However, I like it so much that I think about adding an F430 of some sort as it is so much of that same great package. Of course, I go back to the same list of pros and cons and end up with the exact same car that I have already.

I'll have to figure it all out and see what F430 I eventually add but at the end of the day, they're both pretty great cars. It just comes down to personal preference and what characteristics you value over others.
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I am a F430 Spider owner. I had 348 Spider long ago in 90's and stayed a way from Ferrari for a long time. I went through 8+ different Porsche's, 65AMG's, a 55 AMG, a 63 AMG, M's, Masers, an S8 still have in my garage and others until I bought my Ferrari again.

Why over 360? besides your points mentioned above, I liked the cosmetic side which took lots of part making a decision. I liked the rear look of 430, the interior looked better for me. I know these are all personal preferences but it impacted more on me plus the engineering, technical facts you mentioned. I peronally thoght it was an upgraded version of 360.

I did not like 458's 2 back lights instead of 4, 3 exhuast pipes and for some reasons, it looked like a stingray when it first came out. Now I see more and more and becoming to like it more than before. With my current situation, 430 will be in my garage for a while and if I pick up another F car (Ferrari?), it would be 458 or 488. I am a spider guy and do not track the car so Speciale or Scuderia are too much for me.

 

Sherpa,

Your car looks amazing... Wow... it is outstanding... Keep her at her best... What a nice looking ride.. I bet it performs up to the way it looks...

 

I test drove a 430 manual and put an offer on it but PPI returned evidence of an engine fire. Couldn't find another 430 manual in a spec I liked last year so I bought the best 360 manual I could find.

I honestly don't find the driving experience that different so I'm very happy with the car.

 

Thanks for the kind words, Brian. It's a pretty special car and especially fun to drive.

 

For me it was the lighter weight of the 360 and a manual transmission. Made the car feel more "alive" than the 430 - even though the later is more powerful and slightly more comfortable. I'd love to swap out my heavy electric seats for some Recaros...

 

I have a set of manual 360 seats in my basement. I swapped them out for carbon F430 race seats (same shells as the CS seats but with leather). They're a ton lighter than the electric seats. If you want to try those instead of something aftermarket, send me a pm.

 

I currently have a 458, 430 manual and a 360 manual. If I could only keep one it would be the 360 just more engaging to drive

 

Wow that says a lot! I bought a 430 and never considered the 360 as I wanted something more modern, and I heard the 430 was much easier to maintain and had considerable better performance/refinement

Maybe I should try a 360 manual sometime....

 

cant afford Scud. was able to swing for a CS or a 2005/6 430
IMO (and only MO) 2004 CS > 2005/6 430.

 

I´m a 2008 F430 coupe owner..

it´s my 2:nd Ferrari i own. bought my first F355 GTB at the age of 27 (now 32)

Love the looks of the F430 more than the 360 so that´s a big reason, more hp etc..

only thing i whould like to iwn instead is a F430 Scuderia...

 

When I was looking I didn't think it justified the $60k price differential... plus I wanted a manual car and I like the 360 styling better.. she's prettier!

 

I always liked the lines of a 360 better, then when I saw one in this color, Rosso Fiorano, my mind was made up real quick.........oh, and it's a manual.
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Incredible colour!

 

Sherpa. Post more pictures of your 360 please

 

The 360 was the 1st sports car I've ever owned. It was more than enough car for me. I personally like the interior and the exterior (except the front) of the 360 better. I didn't really like the F430. As I've seen it more and more the F430 is growing on me. I've had the 360 for a couple of years and love it. I'll probably never sell my 1st Ferrari.

I look to move up to a 458 or a Mclaren in the next year or so.

 

I preferred the more aggressive/modern look of the F430 exterior. I also thought the interior looked better and less dated/90s Ferrari.

The lack of timing belts, somewhat easier maintenance, and extra power was a major selling point as well. I also love how the car drives with the last version of the single disc F1 system. I'd been a manual transmission driver since I was 18, but the F1 system in the 430 is fantastic. It's easy to drive around town and the up shifts at 8,500rpm in race mode are visceral and addicting.

 

I bought a F430 spider mainly because there was no timing belt service... annual service of fluids is relatively cheap and easy... all maintenance I can do myself if I so desire.

 

You got the 3 musketeers !!!! Isn't 458 more like a normal sports car than a true F car? That was how I felt.

NY and FL? That sounds like me few years ago. Lived in Weston (Not far from Delray) and Roslyn in LI before coming here in SO CAL.

I like your garage.... Keep all the horses happy.

 

I would rather not derail the thread. There are plenty of pics on my Instagram and in the "My Garage" section of my profile.

 

I owned a an 02 360 and sold that for an 08 430. I like the lines of the 360 better but in the end I liked a younger car with the chain drive. The interior is much improved and the added hp doesn't hurt. The 430 just seems like a more modern car.


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The primary reason was chains instead of belts. I like the looks of both.

 

I have a F1 360 Coupe with Stradale body kit, wheels, carbon seats, capristo, etc, and also a 430Scud.
360 is a prettier car, 360 sounds better and is more comfortable - especially on a long drive.
Scud is much faster and handling better, gearchange amazing,
They are very different cars in many ways, but the overall driving experience (on the road) is quite simliar.

I think the 360s are generally better looking than the 430s, more curves and a shape that may age better (remember its nearly 20 years old now), 430 looks more modern, but to general public they probably cant tell the difference.

cams, belts, , makes no difference, if the cost of cam belts on a 360 is the deciding factor on ownership, then ferrari is the wrong choice,

they are all fabulous cars and everyone has their own opinion,

regards
Scott.