What would you do? Sell M's for 355?

NSX are really not aging gracefully though IMO. I remember 7 years ago I almost bought one, but did not like the euro fornt end look (Canada model) ended up happy with a active autoworks M5.

NSX's are aging about as fine as a a 1980's Alfa...

 

My NSX was a 1991, loved the car, but it was time to move on. FWIW, I never loved the M3, it just did not have enough power for the altitude I live it. Tracked it every opportunity I could, also many track days with the NSX before we got into shifter karts.

 

When the NSX hits 6 digits I want to see the "regrets" thread...

And it will before my 348 does.

 

For my Dad's sake I hope the NSX heads way up soon. He has a 97 Targa with 22k miles. At 68 years old he couldn't fit in very well, at 78 he is forgetting he has it!

I got the call earlier this summer to fix a couple of little things. It had been at least ten years since I had driven it. Front tires had a date code of 1998! Rears were way newer, at 2001. Best I could do was talk him into new front tires as they were on the car when he bought it. He recalls paying a ton for those rear tires, and they didn't even have 1k miles on them! You cant change that generation.

Nice car, well made, fun, but it isn't a 355.

 

Just wanted to give an update on the current situation. I haven't been back in this thread since reading early on in page 2 because I feared I had started a firestorm with my non-manual trans comments and didn't want to face the negative comments! It seems you guys were more reasonable about it than I had suspected, so thank you for that.

I have made the difficult decision to get rid of both M cars. I haven't listed them for sale yet, but I don't think they'll be a difficult sell come spring or summer. However, the reason for selling them is not what you might expect given the content of this thread. I plan to use the proceeds from the cars to supplement a large down payment on a new-to-me home (my first actually!). HOWEVER, an F355 or 348 is still in the cards for 2017.

I have recently come to the realization that I may enjoy a 348 every bit as much as an F355. The styling has even grown on me a lot (not that I care a lot about what it looks like). I might even prefer it to the 355 from certain angles. I'm not someone who needs all-out power, though it is certainly never something I would be upset about having more of. The appeal of the 348 to me is simply for the feel of the car. I like that it's simpler mechanically, especially from a steering standpoint. That, and I feel like I would be more willing to track it than I would be with an F355.

BUT, I think I'd be a little sad not having that wonderful 8500 RPM rev limiter in the 355 as well as the additional 75 hp or so. All I know is that I'm excited to say that there will definitely be a Ferrari in my future now that the Ms are slated to leave.

Anyone with a 348 or 355 who would like to try and convince me one way or another with a test drive or test ride, I'd be ever grateful! Also, if anyone is interested in the Ms, feel free to get in touch with me. They're wonderful cars, especially the M5.


And for the record:

You are right. I do not get it at all and I never will. I simply cannot fathom owning a car like this without the engaging experience and complete control of rowing my own gears. Sure, I can get enjoyment out of a 458 italia with an automated manual gearbox, but it is not as much as I'd get out of any vehicle with a manual transmission. I even like driving manual transmission tractors, forklifts, ATVs, etc. more than I like driving ANY automatic anything. I'm sorry that it offends you (or makes you think I'm ignorant) that I don't share your apathy toward shifting, but I can't help it!

It's not like I haven't ever driven an automatic car. I sure have, and while I still had fun, I have always felt that I'm missing something. It will always be that way for me, and when there are no more new manual transmission cars available from the manufacturers, that'll mark the last new car I ever buy for myself. Even if I lost use of my legs, I'd still have hand controls for gas, brake, and clutch and that's just the way it is for me. If you don't care, then good for you! You have a lot more options for enjoying (*cough* soulless *cough*) ultra-fast, modern cars than I do.

 

Wish Ferrari offered the new model V8's with a gated shifter as well as paddles.

I don't get the automatic gear thing either
Love the clik clak chrome ball and double declutching I try and do in my 355��

 

Why is this thread still alive? If the guy (sounds like a 15 year old ) hasnt figured out by now then F it..why dont you ask what your favorite color should be while your at it.....do whatever floats your boat,,,end,,go away...come back when you own a ferrari

 

Exactly! If you don't know what You like and want: F1/M, GTS/B/Spider, Colors, etc, you should be doing something else. Oops, Sorry, kept it alive again. ---

 

You're welcome to come for a spin in my f355 if you're ever in my area. It's no contest for me 348 vs. 355 - all it takes is one run up to 8750rpm. Regarding the manual vs. auto, I am a firm manual fan, but you honestly have less control of the car overall with a manual vs. an f1 trans. You lose brake modulation ability due to having to blip the throttle on downshifts with the same foot you're braking with to keep the rear under control, you lose some feel in the wheel and ability to make quick reactions by only having one hand on the wheel at times, and even if you're excellent at heel/toe you can't quite match the ability of the computer to match revs exactly every time keeping the rear planted.

Maybe you enjoy being a little more out of control and having more in your hands (I do - it's fun!), but make no mistake that it reduces your overall command of the car when operating at 9 or 10/10ths, and the better a driver you are the more glaring it becomes.

 

You made a dumb ass comment that you rather drive a Prius or a tractor, forklift..Anybody that says they rather drive a Prius or a forklift than any 355 is Ignorant your damn Right!..LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!