About to take the plunge, advice is nice

id go for a 98-00 Maranello, but im v12 biased.

 

Inert, welcome to FerrariChat... Good luck with your search; sorry to hear about your heartbreak... Why not just buy a 308 and have the seat modified...? 355s, 360s & 550s are fun; i'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose...

There are tons of places to look for cars; FerrariAds, right here on this website, eBay, The Ferrari Market Letter & any number of other Ferrari-related publications... Good luck and keep us posted on your search and dream-fulfillment...

 

you can modify the seat rails on a 308 to accomidate a larger framed driver.

Hell, look at magnum pi

 

I've taught him well!

DL

 

Is the next lesson a 997?

 

The former owner of my 328 modified the seat rails for a tall person. Now I, at 5 1, have to undo all that with cutting/welding etc. If its the bolsters that are too tight (you don't have a skinny Italian ass) loose some butt size, or order a custom seat. Recaros are nice.

 

Oh, boy...! That's been discussed here plenty of times...! It's sensitive like religion and politics, so the best advice is to just go with what YOU want... If you've tried both, then go with whichever you like more... If you haven't tried both, then try both, then go with whichever you like more... & welcome to Atlanta...

 

With the 550, there is no F1. If you want an F1, the earliest Ferrari with it was the F355. If you want a 550 with the F1 it's not going to happen, but you could spend and extra $100,000 and get a 575 F1 which is just the modified version of the 550. If you want raw power and tourqe like your CL, get the Maranello or even 512TR, but if you want to destroy all cars on windy roads, go with a 355. If you want all of the above, get a Noble M12 GTO 3R

 

I think you need to make up your mind about V8 v V12. Revs v Torque. If you like the 55 and you want more of the same, but more exciting, get the 550. If you keep the 55 and want a contrast get the V8.

 

Just a word on a 308 before you throw it out the window. I too had difficulty when I first sat in a 308 GTSi. I did not fit at all. I am 6-1, and I just could not find any foot room. The first time I was allowed to drive the car, I found it much easier as I aclimated to a new position forced upon me by the cars layout. The third time, as I was allowed to toss the car over 70 odd miles through twisty back roads in a convoy totalling 5 Ferraris, I became more than comfortable and fell in love with the car. Now I own a 308 GTB, primarily because I just love the looks over almost any other car, but also because I knew it offered more room. But again, at first I found it tight. But upon looking at it deeper, I found the seat was not going back all the way on its track. After I took the seat out and made it work properly, and lubed it, I have more room than I need. With the seat back all the way I cant really reach the pedals fully to push the clutch all the way in! I have to pull it "forward"!!!

Remember, these are older cars and things like seat tracks just dont get lubed. Perhaps the car you drove had limited seat travel? Everyone told me to give it time to adjust, and I have to admit everyone was right on the money, it takes time. Even shorter people find it odd to drive a 308 at first

Tom Sellec drove a GTS, and the seats just dont go back as far in those for some reason. But he is 6-4 so I am told, so they took padding out of his seat, and he drove with the top removed. He loved the cars from what I have read. Some places say they recut the tracks or in some way made the seats travel back farther, but I don't know if that was verified anywhere.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

f-cars are really not suitable for tall people. i really wanted a manual transmition, but had to settle for f1 on my 355 gtb because my right knee sat on the shift knob. i am 6ft 4in and am barely able to sit comfortably despite the f1. it really makes me wonder how big time nba/nfl/nhl athletes fit into the modern f-cars except 550/575's?

 

The 360 is VERY suitable for tall people. I am 6' 2.5" and it has tons of room inside, I don't even put the seat all the way back.

 

Drive each of them. All are very different beasts. Find the one you like and buy the best example you can afford.

 

Find a pristine Berlinetta Boxer and spend the money to get it fettled. It has the looks of the 308, handles like a mid-engined car, has the torque of a 12 and is one of the last of the dinosaurs. It will be far more involving to drive than a modern ferrari, and while its not quite as fast as the current crop, you will be captivated by the driving experience-no power steering, classic gated shifter, good sounds, and lots of oomph. You already have one big powerful car, the 550, while very nice (i've owned two) is in some ways too refined. You won't quite appreciate why its so good unless you've owned a more primitive one; and, as others have said, the 12's are gt cars, while the 8's are far more tossable, more sports-car in size, nimbleness and rev-based power.

 

My two cents....Get a 550 stick. After driving that Bens an older ferrari might seem uncomfortable and slow. The 550 is roomy and fast......It would be my choice if I had 100-120k!

 

If retaining the Benz, my pick'd be a 360 six-speed. If the Benz goes, I'd go 550. As cool a daily as you'll come across, IMO. Rijk's point's a good re:contrast, I think.

 

Actually tom Selleck told a funny story about how they had to rip practically all the padding out of the seats of the earlier ferraris in order for him not to stick out so much.

My 2 cents, 360 Spyder, can't go wrong.

You get the looks, performance, etc, etc....