355 Going backwards

I recently saw the video of the guy who went from a 458 to a 6 speed 355, and wondered: How many of you have had a newer, faster car, but chose to "go backwards" to something a little more usable (on the street), and been happier with the results?

 

I have done this with motorcycles. Used to always have the latest technology in my bikes, then I re discovered the riding pleasures of analog older motorcycles. Still got current bikes, but get just as much out of my new to me old bikes than modern gear.
Ferrari f1 driver Sebastian Vettel drives the cutting edge machines of the era, however can be often seen turning up to his local races on one of his 1970s motorcycles. Says a lot that does.

 

Yes I agree, speed/power and enjoyment don't always go hand in hand.

I had a twin turbo C6 Z06 I sold before getting my F355.

Also had a Panigale V4 and sold it because I have more fun riding my 80's Honda enduro on the street.

 

Link to video?

 

^ ?

 

Here's the video I was referring to:

 

Not a big step backwards, but I went F355 > 360 > F355. It's hard to not mention any cliches, but the F355 experience is definitely more visceral. Drove a 488 for a day, which is great, but I wouldn't make a trade. I do like the 458, but the F355 is my childhood dream car.

 

My daily driver will smoke just about anything on the street in actual street driving conditions, intended purpose not a numbers car. Although I drive it like a grandpa and rarely go in the fast lane.
I get my rocks off on the track

Am looking at a Guzzi and a Ducati Multistrada for quick trips LA to SF or vegas

 

Had a manual F430. Spent a ton fix it up. Wrecked it in an intersection accident... but before that had been driving on street, autox, and on track. I loved a lot about that car, however there were a few things I wasn't a huge fan of. Exhaust, power v. speed, and understeer/DSC. With a fixed exhaust there was still a lot of drone above 70mph making long drives (3+hr) unpleasant. All the power was up top, which on street means you have 2nd gear for power before you're speeding. You could only really experience the power in other gears on track. And in AutoX and on track I found the car very understeery and in some corners the electronic stability control was very invasive.

When I had the funds to replace the car, I opted for a manual F355. Once again, spent a ton to fix it up, and it's been in shops more than my own garage, but at the end I'm hoping for near perfection. The F355 handling in my perspective is better than the F430. It's less understeery and has less need for stability control (also because it's at lower speeds). The power is much more suited to street usage. With the stock exhaust, there's no drone and it's a comfortable highway experience (though the seats aren't as good as the F430).

I'd say I'm quite happy with the F355. It's great for the street and the smell of the leather is just calming, but is it the end all, be all? Nope. During quarantine I purchased a Mclaren 650s and it's just effortless in town and on roads, and ridiculous on track. 25 years of development goes a long way. The goal would be to keep both and swap when each breaks down for whatever reason, best of both worlds.

 

Nice video!

I have to say though, the way he holds that steering wheel makes me extremely nervous.

 

That's taking a driving school, hearing 9 and 3 is the proper position and adhering to that strictly, without hearing 9 and 3 is the rest position so you can get maximum turning without shuffling your hands. The light grip is actually nice though.

 

Your not the only one to mention the way the guy holds the wheel.
I was the one who introduced the video in the original thread a few weeks back and it was mentioned there to. I dont have a problem with it, very few drivers dont have bad habits I suppose.
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/from-458-to-355.630657/

 

F355 is probably the slowest car I've owned in a long time but this forum is the most active I'm on across all forums I'm on because I miss the car more than anything else I've owned.

Just wish I could find a nice replacement...but it seems everyone is hoarding the unique or desirable examples!

 

Never had a 458, but I have had several 700+ cars, including a CTS-v, Z06 and Camaro.
Everyone loves to take it through the gears (except jonkK of course) however, on those high HP cars when you push the right pedal, you almost die of wheel spin, and in a few seconds you're over 100. 1st gear alone in my z06 goes to 62mph, If you were to do a 1, 2 3 pull, your easily over 130mph which can get you into trouble or jail pretty quick.
With the 355, you can blow through the first 3 gears, and only get ~90 and a huge grin on your face.
Its a fun fast car, not a scary fast car

Still IMO, its near perfect, while the 348 is was infact to slow, the 355 is a good balance. User INTMD8 above has shown these can do low 12s. As hard as my buddy with an 2018 SRT8 has tried, he cant beat my 355 in any race

 

No. It makes me nervous because he's not just cruising down some straight boulevard at 30mph. If that car starts to get away from him or something unexpected happens, he's going to lose control.