In defense of my 355 over a 360 + 430

Paul,
Interesting take. I like the 355 much better than the 360 too and could give a damn about magazine's 0..60 times. Whats interesting about those is that it takes the magazine test driver a while to figure out how best to launch the car and get it 0..60. Frankly, what they should do is take 5 average street drivers and see how easy they do it. That would give you "The Average Joe 0..60". A much better indication. Ever look at Consumer Reports compared to Car and Driver. Larry Webster is consistently able to get .5 seconds better than just about any real human being as far as I can tell and whats it worth? In fact, some cars are much easier to drive at the limit and feel completely different and I'd love to read an article from a magazine that talked about how easy it is for an average driver to get say 9/10ths of a car. But, I digress.

I'm almost with you on the 355 vs. Porsche thing. I have had mine 2 months and its been in a shop for more than half time. I did a PPI and it came out with flying colors. But, it didn't pass emissions in CA (bought it in Louisiana) and therein lied the beginning of my trials and tribulations (still not done yet!). I think I like the car but my 14 year old Lotus is Mr. Old Reliable (still, with 84K miles on it) compared to my 7 year old 355 (2 months old to me). I swear, every time I read these messages I keep thinking that I got myself into the wrong area. The Lotus guys say the same sort of thing - you gotta really love the car to be able to live with it. But, mine has really been as reliable as any Japanese car (ok it does have a Japanese drive train) so I haven't really experienced true Lotus ownership. I knew Ferrari parts/labor would be expensive but I didn't expect so many issues - from the start. I'm not sure I like the car enough yet to want to live with it. My Lotus is my every day car and the Ferrari was supposed to be my "extraordinary" car. Kind of weird, huh? I swear, the new Aston V8 is starting to seem reasonable with a nice warranty. Or, wait for the next Lotus (I was going to but they keep pushing it out). I figured, I could buy a gorgeous well kept dream car (355) and have something really unique that was good performance, unusual, and beautiful. I love the rolling artwork metaphor. But, my experience is jaded so far. Ever read the write up about Ferrari's in pistonheads.com? Well, the guy said its an afflection best cured by buying one. I know what he means now. I'm not sure I want to do it again. Unfortunatley, I'm also not sure I'm willing to take a bath on the car by selling it as I've now put so much extra into it and its barely been in my hands on the roads in the 2 months I've had it (I'd say I could count the time in < 10 hours).

Ugh, what to do?

Scott

 

IMHO, there are two types of drivers-- those that seek the open road, and those that look for a race. If you fall into the former catagory, performance figures are only guidelines... who cares about .3 delta 0-60 when you're diving into your favortie twisty section of a secluded back road early on a Sunday morning?

The 355 is a beautiful and classic sports car, so just keeping stressing the tires and frame, and then consuming that chardonney (in that order!), the rest will work itself out

(btw, Columbia Crest makes some very nice whites)

 

Ahh...yellow 355s are my favorite too

(this is Bellagio, Lake Como btw!)
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i have owned both the 355 and 360 spiders..i loved my 355 spider, but it did have its short comings...including a horrible top mechanism, crappy leather on the seats, shrinking leather onthe dash, terrible ergnomics with pedals too close for big feet and the driver sitting cocked eye in the seat,and cheap looking gauges...the 360 is better more modern car in every aspect, and it is noticably quicker seat of the pants with better handling and much better shifting and steering.....the 360 looks more modern, the 355 looks classic 80s to earily 90s ferrari, which is beautiful and timeless....the 360 is the better and faster car, but you cant beat the 355 for the money....btw, as far as exhaust note goes, with a tubi, which both of my cars had, the 360 sounded better and reved much quicker...

 

beauty is in the eyes of beholders.
i love F355, i think i owned the most beautiful F355 GTB, it looks amazing by itself, or driven in motion. however if u park it next to a 360, i hate to admit it but the F355 looks dated right there.

i think the price on F355 is great now days, a clean '95 can be had at 70's thats a bit more than a new M3 and a bit less than a new '997, I think thats very attracctive buy for Ferrari enthusiast or 1st time buyer. but for repeat owners, moving onto the next better more advanced model is always a good choice.
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I love all three cars but for me the F355 is my favorite Ferrari.

 

When I took delivery of my 360 spider back in 2001, I thought the 360 spider was crap. The fuel gauge didnt work for the entire first year. I thought it was too slow (compared to driving my challenge car) I HATED the new horn - The 355 was the last year of the air horn, I hated the sound compared to a 355 (but in all fairness both 355s Ive owned were 1995s with the bypass and both 355s had radical sport exhausts installed - The 1995 355 has this magical woosh that can be heard at 5000 rpms) and I hated the aluminum trim of the 360 and I hated some of the leather work. I hated the outside door handles, and the radio. But most of all I hated the 360 spider clock. That was a $2.75 afterthought using the lowest grade digital piece of garbage..then putting it in the most useless spot possible in a spider so it could not be seen during the day.

Now that was when I took delivery of the 360 spider. In retrospect having lived with both cars for several years...I like them both. But Im keeping my 355 in Europe and I sold my 360 in the hopes my 430 on order comes faster rather than later!

 

I just want to say that 355 spyder in yellow is uncomparable as I think it looks so sleek and sexy.

 

In terms of you guys worrying about stuff breaking on a 355, I think its better to have a 'just accept it' attitude and put a little money aside for fixes.

Ive had my 355 for over 2 years and done many, many miles. Yes its been in the workshop lots, but that has been more than offset by the three amazing summers with the top down and noise of a TUBI going through a tunnel/bridge everytime I get into the car.

It is a CLASSIC ferrari, and for today's money they change hands for an utter, utter bargain.

Even once Ive sold mine, this car will remain my all time favourite - leagues ahead.... Im not upgrading to a 360 thats for sure... its time to try a Lambo!!

 

As I read these 355 issue posts I realize that buying the right Ferrari is like choosing the correct wife. Make the wrong choice, and it costs plenty of $'s!

The comments about good California wines make me believe that the opinions stated are, so to speak, "slurred"!

I think the 355 spider is much better looking than the 360 spder, but I like the 360 best.

So, what's a guy to do?

I have the correct wife. She is the best. Incredible friend, very reliable, rarely breaks down, starts immediately, great mileage, low maintenance, and is always by my side. No trophy issues or repeated spare parts required.

So, back to the car issues.

As a very well-known and very experienced Ferrari mechanic who frequents this site once said to me, "I make my living off 355's"!

I found that to be a very scary statement. What's the point of spending time and money fixing cars. I've owned enough MG's and Jaguars. I don't need that again.

My M-B's are incredibly reliable, and the 997 S Porsche is becoming very intoxicating. So, why do I need a Ferrari?

I am getting very close to a purchase. What do I buy? This is actually a rhetorical statement-beautiful swatters blue 355 spider, beautiful pozzi blue 360 coupe, or a GT silver 997 S cabrio?

All the spendthrift statements of Ferrari owners are invaluable to me.

I don't want a high maintenance wife so why buy a Ferrari?

Who has the right answer?

 

You do. Each of the cars have something to offer in their own right...and tradeoffs as well. The only person qualified to make the "right" decision is the man that will subsequently derive pleasure from it. You.

 

Vik,

You are one of the reasons I love this site.

The ghost sees through the veil! Amazing!

The squirrels keep calling me cause they think I'm nuts, and this site helps my sanity!

I love it.

Thanks to all who keep me sane, but why are there so many beautiful cars?

 

I've loved my 997s coupe,a giant leap over the 996.What a great all around car.The 997s is great on the track and as a daily driver.But... after (2)996 and a 997s I was ready to try the F car experence.Owning a 911 as a daily driver was a dream that took 20 plus years to realise.Now is the best time for me to drive a 04 pozzi blue 360 coupe and see what it's like.Unlike picking a wife,you can always go on to another car very eaisly if expectations are not realised.I just bought the 360,I hope to put a 1000 miles on it a month.I drive my (Clark Kent car) minivan to shuttle the family and call the 360 my "work car".Best of luck with the search.

 

You guys are killing me....

I'll be back in an hour or so - taking my 355 and future wife (female variety) for a mountain drive

Dave

 

In the words of my 2 year-old daughter...."I want to be happy, I want apple-juice"

It's like looking at 2 different pieces of art from an artist, each from a different period where the artist had varied influences. Each beautiful in it's own right. Pointless to compare.

Not in this case and not always, but I often hear 355 owners rationalizing their not upgrading to a 360, and 360 owners rationalizing paying more for the newer model. Heck, the TR is even more dated in looks but still beautiful and perhaps even more attention-getting then either 355 or 360....course, it depends on how pretty & unclothed the woman driving it is

Honestly, I'm just thrilled to own, drive and enjoy a vehicle that only a tiny fratctional percent of the worlds population will ever experience. It's good.....it's very good!!!!!

I'm into the Reisling at present

 

Greg,

You are not going to get a rational answer to this question, because there isn't one. A 997 was on my shopping list, too. It's a handsome car, reliable, comfortable, even practical. Then for some strange reason, I thought I would see what the same amount of money would buy in a Ferrari. All rationality went out the window when the 355 came into view. I saw beauty. I saw mid-engine. I saw V8, able to scream to its 8500 rpm redline.

I saw a 360 Spyder on the road in Brentwood (West Los Angeles) today. If seeing a Ferrari on the road doesn't move you to some degree, then getting a Ferrari probably doesn't make sense for you.

Alright, if you want a rational reason for getting a Ferrari, I'll give you one. The 997 is not available with a limited slip differential in the US. How can you drive a performance car without limited slip? Now go get a Ferrari.

Michael

 

Good point about rational answers. How many people even need a sports car? Ok, lets say you need a good car to drive on the track and don't want a track only car (or have the money for it)? Then a sports car makes sense. But, a Corvette is probably best bang/buck so once you start to get above that you are into the rarified territory where logic doesn't make much sense. There are comparison tests of 911 turbos to 360 Challenge cars. The price difference between the two is huge. The driving experience is different. The reason to buy one over the other in the end can only be rationalized by thinking outside the box. In other words, most of it can be explained but the bottom line is really that it is primarily an emotional decision.

 

It's past one hour, and Lusso64 did not return after his hour, but the comments have been great.

I guess there's only one rational position- buying the Pozzi blue 360 coupe is in the immediate near future.

And, if it does not work out I can be like every other and blame the guys on this site.

I have to go now, the squirrels are calling again. Nuts!!!

 

My pick is the F355. It sounds so F1. I don't mind that the others are faster, especially the F430, I think that one tries to act like a V12 Ferrari, it's just all bass. But the F355 is also cool for the first 5 valve heads, first F1 transmission, and its hydraulic valve lifters took up their own play, which was apparently a first for engines surpassing 8000 rpm, plus it has those cool c pillars.

 

Came back to Malaysia 2 weeks ago for 'family matters'. I have a 355 and took it for a 50 mile sprint with my 'ricer' brothers and went straight into a Porsche showroom after that. Saw the 997S and I agree with above posts,i.e it's a handsome car and quite practical and fast. Price : USD 216 000 ( we are 'slaughtered' in Malaysia/Singapore/Thailand..)

My brothers agree that the 997 is 'wunderbar' but asked me to check on a TdF Blue 360M about 20 miles away... no harm since we're window shopping...Saw the Modena, 1999, 7250km, TdF on Cream. Price : USD 208 000, negotiable.
Enuff said, took plane back to China, can't wait to finish the job, get the payment and rush back !!!!

Morale of the story : owning Ferraris is an INcurable affliction!

 

Personally I think that the 360 and even more the 430 are (too much in my opinion) like daily cars! I think that the 355 is more exclusive, if you want to take place in it you have to break your back and that's what I'm expecting from a real sport car (F-car).

 

Park a 355 next a 360, and the size of the 360 becomes very apparent. The 360 is a big car..in fact it is almost the same size as an 91-2000 SL500 Benz..if not slightly larger!!

The 355 Berlinetta is by far IMHO the nicest looking Ferrari they have produced since the 308. Even though the 355 does have its EXPENSIVE issues..there is nothing like a well sorted 355B with a Tubi and test pipes at full song. The 348 spider comes a very close second for sound.

 

One sentiment to add.

If your heart aches for aFERRARI, then nothing else will EVER do!

PERIOD!




There are other great cars out there, no question. Some even better in certin areas. But nothing else quite like a 355, 260, or 430 (or a TR or a 288GTO or F40, etc.) NOTHING!

 

WOW, I just lost what little respect for Porsche I may have had.

What, do they think we're going to keep PCM/traction-control on all the time? (do they make you now with the 997?) !!! My 1988 750iL has a bloody LSD. Factory. All 750s did. Porsche is getting cheaper than even BMW (later 750s do not have LDSs, bmw things 'traction control' replaces one! HAH!)