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

I wanted a manual, spider, modern V8 Ferrari. 355 seemed fun and looked cool but felt a bit dated though I know they are collectables. 360s that I drove felt great but 430s felt like a step up, particularly the engine and low end punch, and the interior. Manual 430 spider is also the last of a long line. Also when I bought mine, price difference was less than 20% as it was when 360s had appreciated and 430 manuals not yet. It felt like worth at least 20% more.

Also according to the Ferrari test drivers of the time, the e diff in the 430 makes a significant difference in handling on track and on the limit, but that's not something I have had the pleasure of testing out yet.

 

I planned on buying a 360 because of cost initially. I test drove a 430 MT first, then a 430 F1, then a 360 MT. I knew I had to have a 430. More modern, newer technology, much better interior (to me) and no timing belts. I prefer the 360 exterior lines better however.

It was the latest and greatest 8 cylinder Ferrari you could buy at the time. I bought in Dec 09.

 

Negative. It's fantastic. My GF has a Italia. Smoother than a 430 MT spider for sure, but definitely Ferrari. I don't know how a car can get much better. I have zero desire (or wallet) to purchase a Speciale or Aperta. Not worth it to me. Nor a 488 for that matter.

 

From a maintenance perspective - chains are better than belts!!!!

430s cost a lot more than 360s.

Looks are purely subjective - but I think the 430 has a "video game" over-the-top interior appearance. The 360 is truly unique and one of the most plain/simple interiors in a LONG time.

I love the look of the 348 exterior. The 328/308 is iconic - probably because of Magnum PI.

The perfect one for me would be a 430 motor in a 360 Modena gated manual...

 

Visually, the 360 was more appealing to me, which was the main reason I chose it over the 430. However, the 430 has grown on me now and wouldn't mind upgrading to one. It is technologically the better car. I also like the manettino. A red/cuoio F1 with challenge wheels would be perfect.

 

I rather like that the 360 is a modern car that has some of the feel of a classic.

 

Yes

 

I've driven a 458, 430, and a 360... But all with F1. All of them a thrill to drive, and I wish I could have one of each!!!

But as much fun the f1 is, I've always preferred my left foot to have as much fun as my right when driving

So, at the time the 360 was still an accessible 3 pedal Ferrari but still "21st century" in technology, and timeless in looks.... Very much sealed the deal for me.

Plus I prefer the look of the tushy far more than the 430!

But if I could have bought a 430 3 pedal for the same price as a 360...... Well I might have overlooked the funky bum.

 

Wow. Quite the endorsement!

 

I was shopping 360 & 430 for a rosso on tan 6MT Spider. Bought the first good one after 2+ years - 360..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EF2b-MaMQw

 

I chose the 430 because it has nicer interior (for me) and newer looking headlights. I actually like the 360's side profile more - the lines are better and the shape is more proportionate than the 430, but went with the 430 for the reasons above

 

I couldn't justify the price difference for comparable models, the F430 is (on paper) a better car, I drove one after and yes it is faster but not that much, also the handling was pretty similar, I think both cars are amazing, if money was not object I would get every single mid engine V8 Ferrari since the 308 (and including the Dino V6)
I just love the timeless lines of the 360, the 1999 which is the oldest model is a 17 year old car only to the trained eye, everybody thinks is way newer and way pricier.
The best bang for your buck model even with the more expensive belt service.


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Loved the looks of the 360 more and at my price point of deciding between manual 360 vs f1 f430.....360 was an easy choice for me but may consider adding a 430 f1 later

 

I bought my F430 over a 360 because I like the looks and interior better... chains vs belts was another reason... a friend of mine had a 360 but I never was fond of the F1 lever... and I did not want a manual shift car...to me when the 430 came out the 360 looked to dated for me.... but the 430 looks dated to a 458 so it is what ever YOU like

 

Loved my 360F1 but maintenance costs were high. Always wanted manual but couldn't find one. Then a friend decided he needed my Ferrari more than me right at the same time a manual 430 came available. (very rare in this neck of the woods) The deal was sealed very quickly. Maintenance on the 430...very low, I do it all myself. I couldn't do that with F1. I thought the 360 was nicer looking but the 430 has grown on me. It's a keeper. More power and ease of maintenance and the manual trans sold it for me. I would be almost as happy with a manual 360 though.

 

I bought my 360 because it was a 3 pedal but I love the ass of the 430.

 

For me it came down to price. The 360s were a bargain here so it was a great time to jump in and buy one. I absolutely love my 360 Spider. Here in Spain i could trade mine in for a 430 for not much more money (my 360 has gone up in value in the year that I've had it) but I just love this car. I don't feel any need to change it for anything else. I love its looks and the sound, which is what it's ultimately all about, always puts an enormous smile on my face.

 

I have to say, I am surprised about all of the comments concerning chains vs belts. Ferrari has used both over the years with about equal reliability. The cost of $1700 or so every 3-5 years isn't significant so I am not sure why people keep referencing this. Honestly, if $1700 every 3-5 year is make or break. You probably own the wrong car anyway. Over the long term it will generate random bills MUCH bigger than that.

Another perplexing thing is the difference some are implying in maintenance cost. The cars are very similar and have similar maintenance. The only notable exception is the belts but the 430 has the ediff that has issues at times so I am not sure what everyone sees as so different in cost structure.

 

I bought the F430 for the following main reasons :

1) More aggressive look
2) Timing Chain.
3) Lower cost of regular maintenance

I also understood there could be "other" maintenance issues which could arise. When I heard about a thing called an F1 actuator which would cost $15,000 my first reaction was "Wow". Second was "Will deal with it if it arises".

 

I absolutely agree with this. The F430 also has its "major" intervals with the extra hours, just like the 360. While I won't say that the F430 costs exactly the same to maintain over the long run as the 360, the difference is pretty insignificant.

The only real difference in maintenance costs would be F1 vs manual, which is roughly the same for each model, making the choice of F1 vs. manual a more significant choice in maintenance costs than F430 vs 360.

I think that there are a lot of great reasons to choose an F430 over a 360, particularly if you want an F1 car. Not only is the interior much more modern but the F430 technology was very up to date when it was released whereas the 360, while cutting edge for Ferrari, had 10 year old technology and still pretty basic when it was released. That's a big plus for the 360 to me but it's a huge drawback for a great many people, and I would not say they're wrong.

The interesting thing about F430 is that it has a different architecture than what came before. It's a very torquey motor. I described it as a 360 with my 550 Maranello type of torque. It was really a game changer. As I said earlier, I will probably add an F430 variant at some point. I will admit that the future maintenance of some of the technology, particularly the F1 transmission and the e-diff, scare me a little.

 

Yes. In addition, I chose the 360 stick because it was next to impossible to find a 430 with a stick. I also liked the more rounded looks, and at the time, the 360 was easily less money to buy. As noted above, the 360 has about the same maintenance issues (ball joints, etc.) apart from the timing belt, and besides the e-diff, the 430 seems to have header cracking issues more than the 360.

 

I bought a 360 F1 Modena specifically to use on the track and drive daily. I test drove a F430 F1 hard top at the same time and found much more separated from the driving experience by the additional technology in the car. I just didn't feel as 'connected'.
The additional flattening out of the depreciation rate on the 360 v. the still depreciating F430 also helped my decision (i.e. I could sell the 360 in a few years and not take as much of a loss, all other things equal).

 

I chose the 360 because of it's beautiful/original design. To me, one of the best designs of all time. Low and wide...with curves. SOLD!

 

+1

I bought a 360 manual spider for its looks. Always thought the design was perfect.
I didnt expect modern performance. I have faster cars. I was shocked buy how much fun it is. Its simple and analog like a Porsche 993. Just modern enought. what a great car!

 

I traded my 360 for a 430. Maybe it is just me, but a major service on my 360 cost a lot more than $1,700.