Best value for first timer, ditching the Viper

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-discussion-not-model-specific/432824-opinions-1st-ferrari-under-%2460k.html

 

Opinion? Drive all and see which model appeals to you (as a driver) and don't let this forum decide for you. If you are more concerned about maintenance you may be surprised.

 

judging by what you are coming from, i think you should go for a 360.
just my opinion.

 

I went from a GTS to a Maranello and enjoy the room,ride,handing and sophistication. GTS Bruce

 

Do yourself a huge favor, spend a little more and get the 360. You will not regret it.

 

360, I believe.

 

Budget some more money and go for an older 360; a much better choice than your other options.

 

No question: 360 modena 6 speed.

 

Drive all the models your are interested in and then choose the one that feels right, screw the posing aspect. I love Ferrari yet I dislike the gated shifter but the Ferrari's I love are all gated, ying yang.

 

I think people are recommending the 360 compared to the 328 as the 360 will at least be somewhat closer to your viper in terms of performance and albeit a pretty substantial increase in price is worth paying for in terms of performance per dollar.

I had an 04 viper with some light mods that was a very loud and brutal drive (as Im sure you know) and I recently test drove a 360 and the differences are about night and day. The 360 handling and nimbleness is a whole different world compared to the viper. The handling and feedback you get from the ferrari is razor sharp compared to the viper, but the acceleration in the viper compared to the 360 is pretty disappointing. The 100+ hp/200+ ft.lbs difference is immediately felt when you hit the gas in the 360 compared to the viper. I would imagine the performance difference between a 328 and a viper/360 to be quite substantial.

 

The 3X8 cars are definitely much slower than the Viper, but that may or may not be an issue for you. Definitely drive them all to see for yourself.

I came from a Superformance Cobra (Shelby rep) that was brutally fast and similar to your Viper and went to a Euro 308 QV. I can honestly say that even though the car is about 1/2 the power of the Cobra I really haven't missed it at all.

As has been said many times, the 3x8 cars will likely cost the least money over all especially if you can do your own work. The TR is more of a wild card. Lots more maintenance dollars, but more car as well. The 360's are now attractively priced, modern, decent performance, and cheaper to maintain than the TR. A good one would also be cheaper to maintain than a bad 3x8 which are starting to get pretty needy due to age if they haven't been kept up.

 

Be careful in choosing a legacy car like the 308/328. This is particularly true if you enjoy the quality, reliability, amenities, and performance of more modern cars.

As beautiful as they are (and there's hardly any car ever made, to my eye, that equals the design aesthetic of the 308/328), you have to be prepared to accept the shortcomings of owning an older car.

Good luck in your search!

 

Performance-wise the 360 is definitely going to be a LOT closer to the Viper. What you will probably figure out is that a Ferrari does NOT have the torque that a Viper does - simply due to the size of the engine. But what it does to make up for that is simply REV like nothing else on the planet.

The 308/328 is probably a bit more engaging than a 360, but the 360 is leaps ahead in technology and performance. I admit to having never ridden in or driven a 360, but have about 14,000 miles in my own 308. I absolutely love it.




PDG

 

The 308 and 328 are NOT more engaging. Where did you come up with that one? It's pretty clear you have not driven one.

There's nothing "Viper like" anywhere in the Ferrari line up short of the 599 GTO which is way to expensive to consider. He's not asking for a Viper replacement. He's asking for something to replace the Viper in the 60K price point

Answer:

360 6 speed.

 

308 and 328 are old bucket of bolts junkers. They were built when Ferrari was heavily under capitalized. Seriously 0-60 is what 10 seconds? Those cars are for OCD Ferraristas who love to spend their time keeping the cars running vs actually driving. You'll spend days on the internet searching for parts and then weeks finding a mechanic in your area.

You won't find anything in the Ferrari line up for $60k that will give you the cheap thrills of the viper. Sure the viper is much less refined but at least its somewhat reliable, anything pre F430 era is pretty crappy refinement/reliability. The 360 is unreliable, slow, dated looks etc. A $60k modena will likely have had at least 30 owners, half of the mechanical components replaced, worn out interior. Keep the viper until you can afford a late model F430.

 

I beg to differ. The 360 will be nowhere near the viper in performance. It will be bus lengths behind it. 360 sounds good that's about where it ends.

 

+1

 

I would obviously defer to your judgement and experience - I know you know the more modern cars FAR better than I do. Note that I did say probably - which is based on posts I have read here from others who found the 360 to be more electronic and computer reliant rather than the 3X8s which have so much less technology. Perhaps a leap when I said it would be less engaging based on technology taking some of the driving experience out of it, but I have read that here for years.

And I also agree that there isnt anything that Ferrari has made that is going to behave at all like the Viper does. But of his choices the 360 would be the closest on par with the Viper - thats all I was meaning to say. I agree with you that the 360 6 speed would be an excellent choice.

But as I stated in response to Mayors post - of the choices he gave the 360 is going to be the closest to the Viper in terms of performance - you just have to rev the engines to get there rather than the lazy torque of an 8+ liter engine.





PDG

 

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I think we can ignore the above post as it's factually incorrect in just about every aspect.

 

As the mayor notes above.

Spoken like someone who doesn't know what the ______ he's talking about. Take advice from those competent to give it… owners.

You forgot that it's also likely been a rental, and that the leather will be torn and hanging off the seats.

Remember Lincoln: Its better to be thought the fool than remove all doubt.

 

Ooooo.....signature material!

 

Completely agree with you on this!!




PDG

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