Has anyone gone backwards? 360 to 355

I used to have a 04 360 manual and right now I am about to purchase a 99 355 spider manual. I was interested of hearing your impressions on power, ride quality, and etc...

 

You will find that the 355 feels much smaller overall, with a tighter cabin. Top end power is almost the same but the 360 has much more low RPM torque so it feels stronger moving through traffic so you dont have to rev it as high to feel the power. The 355 has lighter steering, but I think it feels more nimble and "toss-able". The rides are comparable but I think you can feel the evolution in quality and modernness in the 360.
It depends on your taste really, they both are fine cars, but I think the 355 retains some "old school" Ferrari character that the 360 and newer cars are missing.

 

I've found the 360 to feel LESS torque-y at low RPMs than the 355. I know the numbers favor the 360, but that's just the way it feels to me.

 

Funny, I was just driving a 360 yesterday. My impression of it has not changed much ...... I generally felt very detached from the sounds, feel and general workings of the car. The paddle shift probably exasperated everything to another level.

The first thing that bothers me is the throttle by wire. It does not feel direct and consistent. It feels as though I am telling 'someone else' to press the throttle for me, evident by the 'time delay' that would be associated with such an arrangement. I believe they went with that servo system, so they can 'program' the throttle to be more or less aggressive/responsive, in relation to the progression travel of your right foot. Maybe to make the car 'feel' faster than it really is. Although the 360 does seem to have a bit more mid range torque. I am working on that for the 355.

Next is the interior isolation from the engine and exterior sounds. One of the reasons I like the 355 so much is that is feels very 'direct' in almost every sense. Sort of the next best thing to a motorcycle . The 360 ....... not so much.

Last was the F1 paddles ........ I don't like 'someone else' pressing and releasing the clutch for me and by the way the machine did it, it makes it obvious why F1 goes through clutches quicker than a manual shift .......... I know that is not a 360 issue ...... but IMO it detracts from the overall experience.

In summation, I do like the 360 engine itself, probably because the core engine is essentially carried over from the 355 . A manual shift 360 would help level my comparison to the 355, even though I have driven a 355F1. The only way I could see myself owning a 360, would be to convert a manual shift 360 into full CS specs. Similar to what 360trev (I think that is his handle) did to his manual shift modena. But that would be a lot of trouble to get 'back' to the experience I already have in the F355 ... .

 

went back to the 355

 

#12
03-12-2013, 08:19 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Full Name: Ralph
Posts: 285
I have also had both..
and I agree with everything thats been voice here, but at the end of the day, the 360 is "Ferrari" enough for me.

Why did you go back to the 355?

 

went back to 355 for the LOOKS & SOUND, most everyone around here knows squat about
FERRARIS always say this is the most beautiful car they have ever seen PERIOD

COMPLIMENTS EVERY DAY they just shout out that.s a beautiful car

that's all, what can I say,what people is saying

 

The previous owner of my 355 had a 430 prior the 355. He bought the 430 and found that it never felt quite right to him....I recall him saying that the 430 just felt too big. He sold the 430 and moved backwards (so to speak) to the 355 and found that he liked the 355 much better than his 430. But to each his own...some people love 430's over the 355 and there's no reason not to respect that.

 

I drove the snot out of a 360 for 800 miles in under 18 hours north of LA through the desert and mountains about 7 years ago (rental). Went with a F355 because it felt more like what I thought a Ferrari should feel and look like, being a kid in the 90's. Also they were a lot cheaper at the time!

Exterior design, interior design, sound, power distribution throughout the rpms, gated shifter,
all scream Ferrari to me. I've had mine for 6 years and 19k miles and I don't think I'll ever sell unless being homeless is the only other option. I might want to add a 458 Italia in the future but the 360 and F430 aren't pretty enough for me.

The 360 felt more like a spaceship than a car. The F355 and 360 are both great cars, but if you like a real analogue "car" feel that is still very fast even by today's standards, you'll love owning the 355. Just make sure you get a good one! Or, if you like a LOT of analogue feel get a 348.

 

I guess we won't be seeing you around any F1 races

Ferrari is all about advances in technology and it makes me chuckle when I read stuff like this. I find my F1 a total blast to drive!!

 

OP,

Why do you think going from a 360 to a 355 is going backwards?

 

............ everyone has their 'preferences' ........... some people prefer the 'advances in technology' of having test tube babies ........ where I would prefer to go the 'old fashioned' method ..........

+355 .........

 

Same question could be asked to our hedge fund manager members here...

Why do you go from an Enzo to a Dino?

Purity.

The 355 is the best of the best of the post modern Ferraris. (1989-2003)

 

I test drove the 355 today. Even though, it lacks power but it felt more lighter and more agile. the clutch is heavier. I am not a fan of spider but this car is and it sounds fantastic. I loved the clicking noise of the gears and I love the color (TDF). I also agree, as most of you mentioned, about the exterior design. This car looks great. The engine felt strong. The buttons were not sticky. The 15K service is done. The interior looks old though. Closing the top is little annoying, the seats have to move forward and it takes a while....
All in all, I liked it. It felt more alive than a 360.

 

You've been bitten. .

Just to note, I copied your profile.

Moving from a 360 to a 355 isn't a step backwards, it's an awakening.

Personal Ferraris
04 360
Wanted Cars
430 scuderia
997 GT2
Enzo
LP640
Other Cars Owned
GT3
C4S
boxster S
944 turbo GTR race car
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racing, soccer