Is the 360 a "real" Ferrari?

Sure as hell better be. If im gonna pay a grand for an oil change it better get some looks.

 

I'd don't know. That red Modena in my garage sure looks like a real Ferrari every time I go out to the garage. It sounds like a Ferrari when I start it, and sure as hell feels like a Ferrari when I back out of the driveway and drive away. How many people do you know that have pulled up along side a Ford Taurus, and asked the driver, if their son can sit in it, probably zero.

As Enzo once said, "... we are one of the lucky few ...", I feel that way. I doubt if that Taurus driver does.

 

Nope...not worried at all. A single opinion does not make it a fact so "F" the idiot who said it... he probably drives a lemming like a Camry or Accord.

 

I secretly, well not anymore, think that Ferrari made the last masterpiece that has the older company DNA when they made the 360. I think a few things also happened around that time that created these jaded views. They were so confident that the car designed for the new millennium was going to break the stigma of Ferrari maintenance once and for all that they made extra to share around the world. A change in the body and chassis materials also meant that there would be well preserved examples for a good long time.

It would also be nice to know if the prosperity of this time created more people who could get into the marquee but were met with dealer games and "lists" and the hurt feelings or was that always so? I have wondered if perhaps Ferrari started to get more selective and/or create more hoops for potential customers and older customers alike? Things like you had to have purchased a Ferrari in the past or be trading one in to take delivery of the marvelous 360?

Any of you old salts remember how it was for the marquee at this time? Some of the remarks I have read over the years about the 360 sound like isolated butt-hurt to me.

 

It's a real Ferrari. If it wasn't, neither would the 430, or 458, or 488 be.

 

You see, here on the internets... Any idiot can spew their opinion and can post anything they want. Just look at me.

It's usually some 14 year old driving his moms accord that posts it. In which case I laugh and think when I see him next I'm going to order the chai latte please. If it's an actual Ferrari owner that posts it, you can then go to the classic thread that they've posted on (because if it doesn't have carbs and points it's not a car). You'll see that they're trying to find some part that's NLA like a driver light support that's like $8000. Since it must be an OEM part, they haven't 3D printed a replacement nor ordered the reproduction and thus the car has "patina". You can't have the cake without the frosting, and the advantage of high production numbers is the 360 will have parts, used or otherwise far beyond the time they're NLA for prior models.

The rub with this site is you have folks that live in la la land south beach, etc where every other car is a Porsche, Maserati, or Ferrari. When you live in the real world, you realize that no, most people don't take their maybach to Starbucks for a coffee and you can't count Exotics in the hundreds at every stoplight. An opinion on what people see in la la land is only applicable to there.

Take it in context. It's a true Ferrari.

 

"I secretly, well not anymore, think that Ferrari made the last masterpiece that has the older company DNA when they made the 360. I think a few things also happened around that time that created these jaded views."

Exactly. I have owned 10 Ferrari's during the past 30 years. The 360 is the perfect blend of technology and raw drive-ability. Yeah they made a bunch of them. So what.

 

I don't recall numbers specifically but the volume of production for the 360 isn't materially different than newer models, and it's so far south of standard production cars it's not comparable. It's not an Enzo, but it ain't a Taurus. Finally, by that logic the FF would be more of a Ferrari, however it's AWD and a completely new path for Ferrari, so production seems less relevant. BTW, I have a 360 and frankly would love to have an FF, and basically any other Ferrari, love'em all

 

Does it really matter? In doing research and from what I've read, the 360 is a loved Ferrari. The 8 cylinder engine is a robust masterpiece. The lines are beautiful and any review of it's time and later have been only positive. Many Ferrari mechanics give this car 2 thumbs up. Regarding production numbers: Yes, it certainly is a higher production car FOR A FERRARI. However, compare that to any other car manufacturer and it is still quite low. Porsche makes a lot more cars and they still continue to be loved and wanted.

 

The production number is similar the testarossa. So, is the testarossa a 'real' Ferrari? For sure it is, as the 360 is...
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I'd say the 360 with its new shape is more receptive of colors other than the various reds. It is a radical change in design elements and that should trigger a re-evaluation of various accompanying properties - including color.

Personally I love the 360.

 

No, you wasted your money (as did I), but I still lie to everyone and enjoy the hell out of it.

 

Hah! It's not a Dino!

 

You know it might just be the best Ferrari. Modern technology but with a vibrant, mechanical feel. Timelessly beautiful (not something you can say of the subsequent designs or even the 1970s-mid-nineties designs).

 

Timelessly beautiful too, but a Ferrari? 😉
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Never even crossed my mind.
Silly.

 

That is a stupid question of course it's a Ferrari. Don't worry about what others think.

 

Or maybe they're supposed to be.

"... continuing the Dino brand to differentiate non-V12 Ferrari."

 

The 360 is as real as any Ferrari before it or after it... (well maybe with the exception of the California that is really a Maserati with the Ferrari badge)

The 360 was an innovation at it's time due to the all aluminum construction of the space frame chassis...

The design was a departure from the 2D (2 dimensional) 348, 355, Testarossas etc and was a true 3D (design all curves) !!

It had a great WOW factor and showed the future of Ferrari...
See all models after it share almost the same shape... Compare the 360 to a 458 and you will see similar lines... Someone who doesn't know much about cars can even say that they are the same... They cannot tell which is newer design...

The engine is the final evolution of the 308, 328, 348, 355 engine...
It is pure Ferrari magic !!
And that sound !! Amazing !!
The 360 in manual configuration actually one of the last analogue Ferrari junior-supercars !!

So enjoy it, and forget what others say !! You own a masterpiece !!

 

There's a really simple rule here.

If it left the Factory with a Ferrari badge, it's a Ferrari. If not, it's not.

No 246 Dino's left the factory with the Ferrari badge. A few Dino's were sold new with them put on by a few dealers in Europe I understand, most likely in an attempt to boost sales.

/ END

 

I tried to figure out what you're talking about but could only came away with the thought that the last part of your post only proved your first two sentences.

And back to the topic. Yes, of course, the 360 is a "real" Ferrari. Was it built by Ferrari? Yes, then it's a Ferrari - built for all the people who, apparently, don't live in the "real world".

 

All this time thinking my Spider was a Ferrari. Just figured out its a designo pininfarina.
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if its not a Ferrari I sure got over charged in 2004

 

I lift my hat for what you did. One good deed as I see it!
That 10 year old will never forget what you did.

Imagine; He will work hard and save his money. And maybe, just maybe, probably try to buy his childhood dream car (of course a 360 Modena), about 10 years from now.

P.S: You got the right colour too!