360 & 430 OR 458

Hmmm…..this would be a tough call. I’ve had an F12 too and it’s one of the best all around cars out there imo. It’s an absolute monster. Problem is, with V12 thrills come V12 bills. A manual 360 was a better financial choice for me long term. To the OP, if you’re considering a 458, look at an F12. A little more money but a different experience.

 

The thing that gets me with the 458 (and Speciale) is that the throttle response is horrible. The 360/430 throttle response is lightning fast. This is part of what makes them seem like race cars to me.

 

I think the Speciale is a good balance of "tech" and "mech", if you will. I much prefer the steering ratio, dual clutch, and the braking of the speciale to the F430. He has an aftermarket exhaust and I will admit the downshifts sounded great bouncing off the canyon walls.

 

This is really interesting as a lot of people feel the throttle response of the 458 is "twitchy" but you feel the 360/430 is "lightning". What is it specifically about the 458 throttle that gets under your skin?

I love the Speciale and that includes the throttle. Not trying to start a fight here, any and all opinions are welcome, just a friendly debate.

 

Would be a 360 gated and an F1 F430. The 458 is like a Honda, very reliable, numerous and easy to drive.

 

What a gentleman! I appreciate your good attitude. FChat needs more folks like you.
Having two engineering degrees, I performed a test on both cars using the same control parameters. I set a verbal cadence and tried my best to duplicate that cadence with the throttle on both cars.
I filmed the experience:

 

Ah, now I see (and hear) your point!

 

I need to dig out the metrics - I've lost them! If we're talking throttle response (the measurement is max acceleration of the rotating assembly) the F430 made the 360 look archaic, and the Speciale was towards the top of the 'best engine' tree topped only by things like the LFA V10. Ferrari had to use Ti rods in the 360 engine to modernise things, whereas the F430 had really short skirt pistons and better geometry and didn't need that to meet design targets - remember the 360 engine was 10's of years old at that point.

The 458 is a totally different ethos: Ferrari used immediate feedback to give the impression of a more dynamic car, whereas the previous generation cars were more forgiving. Really, though, this is not a measure of overall performance: in race cars that's merely a driver setup preference - the fact is however that the 458 has more power, grip, and poise in addition to that setup style.

Analogue and digital are a bit of a cliché but the 458 vs older V8s represent the best fit for those terms.

 

458 unless the others are stick

 

Blimey there is some nerdy stuff going on, if we were out school I think a few would have got a Wedgy by now

Here is a thing, most will say they would have the car they have now, and that could also be extended to colour, gearbox, and even spec!

 

What kind of exhaust do you have on the 360? It sounds great.

 

Thank you! It's a Capristo Level 2.

 

458. 360 and F430 are too similar to justify both IMHO.


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I think most of us here including myself are biased. We are on 360/430 section. Post the same question at 458 section and you will get completely different answers.

 

I want to throw my hat into this ring because I feel some things are not being mentioned which, in my opinion, are pretty important but completely subjective. Maybe these aren't as important to the OP as performance stats though as some people are purely driven by numbers. However, they way the original question was phrased leads me to believe the OP is searching for something more than performance. The most important thing (again, my opinion only) when shopping for something like a Ferrari is the style and the emotions that you get from not just driving it, but looking at it.

I'm not in the fortunate position to have the OP's dilemma, but I was in the position to consider a lower priced 458 (admittedly if I splurged) or an F430, which has been one of my dream vehicles since it came out. I won't lie, the performance numbers, drivability reviews, and other general niceties of the 458 had me thinking long and hard about it. I ended up with an F430 and I'll explain why (omitting the obvious budget savings).

After much thought, it came down to how each car made me feel. As much as I tried, I could not get my mind onboard with the 458's styling. Yes, it's a beautiful car but a few things just didn't cut it for me. The rear end, the lack of a visible engine, the short and wide mouth, the new to Ferrari digital displays, the de-vented profile. The F430, on the other hand, showcased everything I had built up in my mind that a Ferrari should be. The F1 inspired front, the flowing lines that lead to visible intakes on the side which feed up into a jewel case of an engine bay that put the beautiful artwork that is a Ferrari V8 on display for all to see (even if you bought the Spider). Something that is so important to most Ferrari enthusiasts deserves to be seen at all times.

A part of me inside always wants the latest and greatest and I think that's the hardest battle I have internally, as do some others here, which is really what a lot of these questions are about. If you take that out of the equation, you find yourself making different choices. As a litmus test, I showed both cars to my wife (who has no idea which one is newer or more expensive or faster). Without hesitations, she chose the F430. When I asked her why, her response was simple. "It's a more beautiful car."

As a side note on the 360, I always considered that to be a significant car in the Ferrari lineup. I can't think of any era where a Ferrari was the benchmark in so many magazine articles or blogs. I'll agree the 458 has left a similar mark, but my memory recalls reading about the 360 any time a new performance vehicle was released.

Anyway, two cents from someone that feels any of these cars probably have more power than I know what to do with. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

To Mr. Pisano above, unless you were talking about the 458 spider specifically, the engine of the 458 Italia is right there for all to enjoy.

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Sorry, yes and thank you for the correction. My apologies for that. I sometimes forget Ferrari makes anything other than convertibles as that's all that I look at

 

I'm the same mate, must be a convertible!

 

After 6 years with a 360 gated spider, I recently moved to a 458 Italia.
Really enjoying the change. No regrets.
599 is a great value currently….but was just to big for me.

 

If I couldn't have my gated 360, I would definitely have a 458.

 

That would be a tough one for me but not in the way you might think. I personally prefer the F430 over the 458 for my needs. I rented a couple 458’s for some weekends on some trips in the past. At the time I had a new GT4. While I loved the 458 when I rented it. It just never felt as involving or special as my GT4 did especially when I considered it was double the price. It was an absolute amazing vehicle but really only got my blood pumping when pushing it. I personally don’t like to push vehicles on public roads so the majority of the time it was not as exciting as I was hoping. Hope into the F430 and to me it just feels special and mechanical all the time. Now this is purely personal preference as a lot would just look at this is the 458 is much more refined, which it is. To me this is a double edge sword. If I were to be driving the car everyday the 458 would be the clear pick as it’s much easier to live with them the f430. For me though the F430 is an occasion car and it just works better for me.

While I wouldn’t mind a manual 360 and a F1 430 which I may still do one day. I’ve really been leaning more towards an FF and a F430. I don’t get to use the 430 much but the FF could be used quite a bit. You’ll get a better use case and that special V12. The fact that I could bring my son out with me is even more icing on the cake. Whatever way you go you will be happy no right or wrong answer here.


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Well I owned and drove a 430 F1 Coupe for 2.5 years. Loved it. Perfect car when fully sorted. Tuned, headers etc. Lots of performance. Looked at a stunning unique White 458 Spider. Never had a spider. Traded the 430. Tuned 458 for a better throttle response and the burbles. It will absolutely will run Circles around the 430 in shifting speed, RPM range, (9K), raw acceleration and 1 more gear. It can be as much fun and more with top down as the 430. I especially like the ride bumpy road control. No Clutch worries, reverse etc. 430 could jar your teeth out on bumpy roads and it was raw. The 458 can be as raw as you want it in manual race mode with the top down and exhaust valves upon. Re: Styling they are different cars, but I think the 430 is looking a little dated but is still a beautiful car. The styling on the 458 is good except for the front. I wish it looked a little more aggressive like the Speciale, instead of the "catfish" looking front end. It is the last Pininfarina design and the last NA engine. Reliability is great. The infotainment system is a joke so don't put any value in that.

 

glad my scud had a lasting impression

 

The day I win the lottery, I will either buy your Scud from you or pay someone to steal it!! :-O
Kidding. What an AMAZING car.

 

One 458 if I had to pick from your options.

Perhaps a better question would be a CS, a scud, or a 458.

I think unless I had no other convertibles then maybe one convertible and one coupe (360/430 or vice versa). Not the case as we have two, and a third convertible on the way.

Otherwise I don’t think there is enough of a difference in the models for me to want to pay (or in my stubborn case diy) -2x maintenance for two cars that are similar.

-ray