Hi guys, I am seriously considering a 360 and I would like some thoughts on my situation. I am currently driving an 05 CL 600 and a Porsche C4S. I would like to get a new car soon and I have been considering an Aston (db9 or the vantage). However, I can't seem to get over the fact that I have never owned a Ferrari and everytime I look at other cars( Astons,Bentleys, Gallardos... etc) I always think about the 360 even though it is the most illogical one of all. I am sure you guys know what I am on about. For example, for about 130k, I can only get an out of warranty, good conditioned 2001 360 modena. Now If I were to buy a Gallardo, I would get one 3 years younger (2004) or an even younger AM db9 (05-06) or a brand new AMV8. Here is what I have been thinking. If I am getting a 360, I would spare $10k for maintanance. For example, if I have a budget of 130k, I would get a 120k car and save 10k for future maintanance since I wont have any warranty left. Is that a good idea? or should I stick with the Aston which will still have the warranty? another question is that I will be using this car as a daily driver, will this be a problem compared to the AM (F-car too low, too noisy, too much attention that sort of thing)? I live in a relatively small town. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks
Hello Arrowax, I owned 3 of the cars you cite. I would go for the Gallardo considering your actual car. the 360 is too much below in terms of styling, power, technology. if you were hesitating with a F430 or a CS I would say something else, but 360 against Gallardo is no difficult choice for me. (I sold my grigio titanium spider for a Giallo Midas Gallardo for 2005 christmas I then sold it this christmas for a 430) Since you're in a small town, you might consider a Stealth tone, like grey or black. Other colors altough very fun and enjoyable, bring a LOT of attention on you... Galla is a perfect daily driver (front lift up system, sono, gps, open your garage door, all weather drivable etc..) AM those days are glorified ford/jaguar, too many new cars have AM styling cue on them it's almost incredible, look at the Opel Gran Turismo Coupé concept http://www.autoblog.it/galleria/opel-gran-turismo-coupe-concept/4 lateral windows sound familiar
I agree, if you are going for a daily driver, I would pick the Gallardo over a 360 anyday, the vantage is a great car, from what I have heard even better then the DB9 and is really nice so both are good options, it is whether you want it brand new or slightly "used"
Stanou: Is the gallardo a good daily driver? how about maintanance cost on the gallardo? better than 360 (other than the belt change)? Regarding the 430 or the CS... Well, I really2 liked the CS but $200k is not what I want to spend right now, so that will be a question for next time hopefully.
Arrow, no offense but, given the 2 cars you now own (I've owned both and am glad you are parting with them too!), why does this next fun car have to be a daily driver? Couldn't you have a nice 360 for the sun and fun and buy an Audi or Mercedes to drive daily? As far as Gallardo versus Ferrari, the reason you can afford a newer model Lambo versus a 360 is actually the reason for the saying "you get what you pay for" GL, Joe
I too am in the market for a 2002-03 360 spyder. I went and drove an 06 Gallardo spyder last week. Both are great cars. The Gallardo has more gadgets and a little more expensive but as you posted it's new with a warranty. I like the look, feel and color, Rossa Corsa, on a 360 better. I did like the response of the Egear on the Gallardo better that the F1 on the Ferrari. No pedal alteration. Although I will ultimatley choose a 360 spyder manual anyway. It's your choice both are great exotics. Good luck.
If you do get a Gallardo, put a Lambo door system on it. People will expect to see the scissor doors, and be disappointed when they don't.
Thanks for all the great input guys. Joe, I just want something I can use everyday (I don't need boot space, seats). I do not want to buy a $150k car for just a weekend toy. I am aware that 'you get what you pay for' and if I sell the 360 in the end, the amount of depreciation will probably be the same as in the newer gallardo (more so in the AM I believe), But Ferrari's high market pricing is only applicable in the US I think, where the demand is extremely high. many of my friends overseas pay the same money for a second hand 430 compared to second hand gallardos. And I think performance wise, the 430 is more comparable to the gallardo than with the 360. However, I live in the US, as I said above, I do not want to spend $200k on a car yet. so back to the original question, is my idea of sparing $10k off my budget for maintenance a good idea?
Arrowax, concerning the cost of maintenance it is indeed much lower on the Galla. at about 20 000 km, I took her for the traditionnal maintenance and they didn't have to change the Clutch !!! the car was still running on her factory clutch even that she was an E-gear lady... It cost me around 5k, but I installed after market rear view camera + new tyres + tinted windows + repainted 2 wheels on the right side . On the 360 at same mileage it cost me 6k euros ( roof malfunction, + new tires + new Clutch ) The Galla is a good daily driver, but don't choose a dark interior with tinted windows, there will be NO LIGHT at all in the cabin (thanks the small windows surface) The Engine is Audi engineered, so you can expect it has been highly optimised for reliability. You won't have any type of issue with her, she's a 100% sure lady, never had any sort of problem with her, while the 360 spyder was a tricky one. (roof problem, unexpected drift, going neutral while overtaking on the highway...) BUT she's a FERRARI, and once you own one (no matter how many problem you'll have), you want to own others.. while I think I'm done with Lambo, I still have love for Ferrari.
I understand. As I mentioned above, even though getting a 360 is the least logical, but it is a Ferrari. And the dillema is that even though i wanna own one badly, I don't want to spend that much money on maintenance. But not ever having a ferrari makes me missing something you know. Just like not ever owning a porsche. Those 2 are the greatest auto brand in the world, Lambos, Aston, etc are not in the same league brandwise, Porsche and Ferrari has so much pedigree. and at some point in your life you have to try owning one. However, I found many people been saying that the 360 is not comparable(performance wise) to the gallardo because the 360 was build in a different era. And maintenance wise, a gallardo is not as expensive to maintain. hmm..anymore ideas? will an Aston be more expensive to maintain than a Gallardo?
