Which to buy: 2001 360 or 1998 355? | FerrariChat

Which to buy: 2001 360 or 1998 355?

Discussion in '348/355' started by californiaspyderplease, Feb 15, 2004.

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To buy a 2001 360 or a 1998 355 as described?

  1. 360

  2. 355

Multiple votes are allowed.
Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. I'm a physician who has an older colleague with a "problem": he's wondering if he should buy a 360 red/tan, 6 spd, 6000 kilometers, excellent cond or a 1998 355 with the manual, Tubi, also red/tan, 14500 kilometers, cambelts done and in good condition - seats sides showing some wear, more rock chips than the 360.
    It is in Toronto, Canada and the seller wants $210000 CDN dollars for the 360 vs. $140000 CDN for the 355.
    My own bias is towards the 355. I've never owned any ferrari, just a dreamer, so I'm not really one to tell him definitively which to get, but from what I can tell there's little between the two performance-wise and the 355 is probably the better investment because it is depreciating more slowly and the initial savings are significant.
    Thought I'd post it here and gather opinion.
    Thanks
     
  2. scycle2020

    scycle2020 F1 Rookie

    Jan 26, 2004
    3,477
    potomac
    after having driven both cars on several ocassions.......1)the driving position is much better in the 360 2)the 360s i drove were quicker and better handling 3)the body structure on the 360 is much stiffer 4)the interior of the360 looks and feels significantly better than the 355, which looks cheap to me 5) the 6 speed on the 360 shifts quicker and easier............I do agree with you that buying a 355 is cheaper both intially and with less potential depression....however the maintain costs will be lower with the 360.....so the final choice is not so easy ...as with all ferrari questions, one must throw logic out the window and go with the heart.......
     
  3. rossofiorano355

    rossofiorano355 Karting

    Dec 22, 2003
    210
    NOLA - Bham
    Full Name:
    Ron
    I purchased a 1998 355 F1Berlinetta in Rosso Fiorano with 5,600 miles approximately 6 months ago. I was comparing it to a 2002 360 Modena in Grigio Alloy with 700 miles. My personal preference is for the 355, which I purchased. While the 360 was more expensive, cost was not a factor in my decision, I will assume it is also not a factor for your colleague. After a fair amount of seat time in both, I felt the 355 better suited my expected driving conditions for the car. Little track time, spirited driving on good weather days and evenings out. I also feel the body shape has a certain classic look as apposed to the more modern body shape of the 360. With the belt service done, a car in very good condition, and the economic considerations, I do not see how he could go wrong with the 355.

    Having said all of that, I guarantee he will love either car – can’t make a bad decision here.
     
  4. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,158
    Germany, Bayern
    REM: There is no 360 Targa (GTS) :-(
    Reason enough to vote for a 355 GTS for those who ride fast, open at minor turbulances.

    for the better investment :)

    cinquevalvole
     
  5. ty (360mode)

    ty (360mode) Formula Junior

    Sep 25, 2002
    807
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Tim
    although i own a 360, i would recommend the 355 if this is his first ferrari. the 360 is so refined (almost too refined for my tastes) i feel it has lost some of the "soul" - for lack of a better word. i love the modern look of the 360, but the drive of the 355 is tops IMO. i think a good analogy is comparing the 996 v. 993 - both great car, but very different drive. if he wants the more comfortable driving car, 360 hands down. if he wants more of the "experience", the 355 provides much more.

    but you definitely can't go wrong either way...
     
  6. johnw

    johnw Formula Junior

    Jun 19, 2002
    438
    toronto
    Full Name:
    john
    those prices are on the high side. there are better deals out there. my 02 360 with 8KM would wholesale for $200K.

    i've had both cars. looks aside the 360 is better car in every aspect.
     
  7. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

    Well........IMHO both cars are overpriced by $10K+ in this market......and both still have a lot of downside......in fact I think the downside is equivalent in $$ terms over the next 2-3 years......so, having said that.....

    I'd buy the 360 as it will have a faster resale if and when the time comes to do so and it's the newer car.
     
  8. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 28, 2003
    9,992
    Rocky Mountains
    Full Name:
    Bastuna
    To me the 355 is more "Ferrari" than the 360. The refinements that went into the 360 to make it a better car, imho, brought it further from what I want to feel when I drive a Ferrari and more like a normal car. I don't want to drive something that feels like normal car. If I did I would be driving a P-car. I want a Ferrari and the 355 is what feels like a Ferrari to me. BTW, I think that interior on the 360 looks cheaper than the 355. That silver aluminized plastic is kind of wierd.
     
  9. robert biscan

    robert biscan F1 Veteran

    Jan 17, 2003
    5,066
    Nashville and Palm b
    Full Name:
    robert s biscan
    You can't go wrong with either. The 355 is more of a sportscar. It feels smaller inside and is smaller outside. It is not as fast as the 360 and has good stability on curves. It also sounds great.
    The 360 is the next generation and makes the 355 look older. If you like the styling it is the ticket for most. It is more comfortable and maintenance should be less. It is very precise in the handling if that makes sense.

    Go for the 355 based on value and get a 360 in a couple of years.
     
  10. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2003
    3,637
    Los Altos Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Gary B.
    Well, I disagree with that statement. I think the interior of the 360 is a definite step up from the 355. And that "silver aluminized plastic" is aluminum, and I don't find it weird. To each his own.

    Gary
     
  11. titanium360

    titanium360 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Nov 10, 2003
    3,446
    If price is not an issue the 360 all the way.
     
  12. scycle2020

    scycle2020 F1 Rookie

    Jan 26, 2004
    3,477
    potomac
    What is the ferrari feel anyway?...very poor ergonomics?....a sloppy shifting 6speed with long throws?....pedals that way too close for anyone with bigger than size 10 shoes?...a flimsy leather dash that shrinks like cotton in the dryer when exposed toheat... if this is so then the 355 is mor e of a "true " ferrari
     
  13. 007

    007 Guest

    Feb 18, 2003
    289
    Scottsdale&LasVegas
    Full Name:
    Brad
    The 355 all the way!
     
  14. Thanks for the replies, I'll tune him into this thread. I guess I didn't realize that the 360 was quite a bit more refined to drive than the 355, but most seem to offer consensus on this point. I still believe that the performance difference is less likely to be noticed between the two for someone who has never owned any ferrari previously, and is therefore less of a consideration.
     

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