360 - 360 Comparison to newer models | FerrariChat

360 360 Comparison to newer models

Discussion in '360/430' started by Steveinfl, Jul 15, 2022.

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  1. Steveinfl

    Steveinfl Karting

    May 14, 2016
    212
    Hilton Head SC and Chicago IL
    Full Name:
    Steven Clayton
    #1 Steveinfl, Jul 15, 2022
    For context, I've owned 6 Ferraris over the years: 328, 355, 430, 458, 488 and currently own an F8 Spider. You may have noticed a gap there - the 360.

    I've long felt the 360 is one of the sexiest car designs ever and always wanted one. This, combined with the lust for a manual gearbox that's been building AND the thought that money sitting in the stock market wasn't going to do much!, set me off on finding a 360 (manual!) to add to my garage.

    I found one, through luck. A car owned previously by an F-chatter who I was able to speak with. He was AWESOME (he had traded it in to Motorcars of Atlanta who I've done biz with in the past and I found it there). In addition, the car had been serviced regularly with Ferrari of Atlanta (where I buy and service my cars) so I was able to chat with them about the car. To top it off, it was an amazing price (for a manual). A well sorted car, with great documentation at a great price. 2003 Spider with 22.5k miles.

    I didn't necessarily want a spider and silver wasn't my first choice...but all else lined up and I pulled the trigger.

    For the last 1.5 months or so, it's been at Ferrari of Atlanta just having things checked out and refreshed...the usual suspects. Plus adding a tubi exhaust. Yesterday, I finally got the car. After a full top to bottom detail with paint correction and ceramic coating - she looks amazing!

    I haven't driven a manual in 10 years (or more!) so I was nervous! That was a non issue. I don't even think it took me more than 1 min. to get that muscle memory back. Just like riding a bike.

    I've done two long rides now and I can say - I'm sorry I waited this long! Wow - what GREAT fun. EXACTLY what I was hoping for. I'm shocked at how "fast" it feels. After being in 710 HP F8, I was thinking it would feel slow...but it really doesn't. The car feels tight, and sorted and that exhaust - oh my. Reminds me of old times.

    I've noticed that the AC (blows cold though...had it refreshed) doesn't come out of the furthest vent to the left when driving...and some wind noise with top and windows up on passenger side...but that's about it. I really like the steering feel and sport mode seems to be the right stiffness for this road car. It's just easy to drive and feels a lot more connected to the road (I am FAR from Jeremy Clarkson in my ability to describe these things) than my newer cars. I simply love it. Being a 6 speed just ADDS to that fun immensely.

    Anyway - Just thought I'd chime in and say that the 360 seems to be that sweet spot. Modern enough so that you don't feel like you're sitting in some kind of antique, yet depreciated enough (maybe not the manuals at this point) that you can get a decent amount of car for the money. Who knows where the market is going in these crazy times...but I certainly don't expect to LOSE money driving this for a few years.

    I think the 360 really holds its own against the more modern cars. I'm too busy driving it to take pics, but will soon.
     
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  2. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    May 20, 2018
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    #2 one4torque, Jul 15, 2022
    Nice review!
     
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  3. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    Dec 13, 2009
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    #3 vrsurgeon, Jul 15, 2022
    I've been DD my 360 for the last week. It's a delicious reliable modern Ferrari.
     
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  4. EastMemphis

    EastMemphis Formula 3
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    May 25, 2019
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    #4 EastMemphis, Jul 15, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2022
    Since you're new to the gated 360, and haven't driven a manual for a while, I'd like to offer a bit of advice given to me when I picked up my car.

    When starting from a dead stop, release the clutch without the normal rev up. Just let it out and then hit the gas. Slipping the clutch on a start with these cars uses a lot of clutch, and the clutch is one of the weak spots in the car. You want to save the clutch for times when it counts. The only time to slip the clutch on start with a 360 is when starting on a steep hill. First gear is pretty low and even at idle, the 360 engine has plenty of torque.

    When using reverse, and trying to backup slowly, instead of slipping the clutch, use the brake. The engine can go down to pretty low RPM's before lugging, so it's better to hold back the engine then burn up the clutch.

    Further, when driving keep in mind the clutch life and be careful to only apply power when the clutch is full engaged. If you smell clutch when driving, curse yourself for torturing your car unnecessarily.

    I used to say "And drive it like you stole it" but in reality, drive it like you love it.

    Including this bit of gratuitous car porn...

    Gated 360 Spider in Azzurro California / Crema
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  5. BrettC

    BrettC Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2012
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    #5 BrettC, Jul 15, 2022
    I really like my 04 gated spider....modern enough, plenty fast, and still keeps you on your toes when hauling a****. More car porn....
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  6. Steveinfl

    Steveinfl Karting

    May 14, 2016
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    #6 Steveinfl, Jul 15, 2022
    Great tips - will try this for sure!
     
  7. FatMike

    FatMike Karting
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    Jul 4, 2018
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    #7 FatMike, Jul 15, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2022
    This thread needs more pictures…

    You might find that a gated silver spider is an excellent choice!

    /
     

    Attached Files:

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  8. FatMike

    FatMike Karting
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    #8 FatMike, Jul 15, 2022
    To my eye, the lines of the 360 have held up well over time. I didn't love the car when it came out 2 decades + ago. It has aged well.

    I particularly like the lines of the spider. I know everyone has an opinion on the coupe/spider thing. But again to my eye, the lines on the spider hold together better than any other Ferrari from the era (F355, etc).

    Good luck with the car.

    RE: GATED - I typically shift from 1st to 3rd until the car warms up a bit. Then 2nd becomes perfectly normal. I don't think it's worth the grind to find it when you first start the car.

    I also try to avoid reverse completely. The only time I smell clutch driving the 360 is in reverse.

    /
     
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  9. No-Subt2

    No-Subt2 Karting

    May 6, 2019
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    #9 No-Subt2, Jul 15, 2022
    The US cars for that year has pre-cats in the manifold. The pre-cats can disintegrate and that material can get ingested into the engine…not good. Changing to an aftermarket manifold would be a good idea.

    For sheer driving enjoyment and connection, I prefer a gated 360 over an F430 F1, 488, F8, Roma, Corvette C8, and two new models from both Lamborghini and McLaren.
     
  10. hessank

    hessank Formula 3
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    #10 hessank, Jul 15, 2022
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  11. Buzzl

    Buzzl Formula Junior

    Feb 13, 2016
    278
    Upstate South Carolina
    #11 Buzzl, Jul 15, 2022
    Congrats, just sold traded my gated 355 for a F430 Spyder with an F1 tranny and I miss it but it’s all good. Just a tip, do not shift into 2nd gear until the car is a bit warmed up. I was told that it’s just better for the transmission in the long run. The car has enough torque to go from 1st to 3rd. Enjoy!


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  12. Evotion

    Evotion Karting

    Feb 5, 2021
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    Adrian Elford
    #12 Evotion, Jul 15, 2022
    What a run!! I think we all know why you missed out the 348!
    What made you miss out the 360 though - at the time?

    What order would you NOW put the 328, 355, 360, 430, 458 and 488 in, in terms of ultimate driver satisfaction (assuming all are auto/F1/DCT)
     
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  13. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,646
    Silicon Valley
    #13 Need4Spd, Jul 15, 2022
    Gated stick in silver! Congrats!

    When it comes time for a clutch, consider a Kevlar. It takes away a lot of the anxiety over clutch usage and wear from the rather under-sized clutch that Ferrari designed into these cars. There is criticism of it because if it’s not broken-in correctly, it will glaze and never hook up well. It works well with a gated because you can control the slip on break-in. Can’t do that with an F1.
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  14. Steveinfl

    Steveinfl Karting

    May 14, 2016
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    Hilton Head SC and Chicago IL
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    #14 Steveinfl, Jul 15, 2022
    Oh crap - I forgot about the 348! yeah, that one never really did it for me.

    What an interesting question.

    The top pick is easy - 458 (I may still buy one of these again. IF they didn't make a 360 manual, I would've done just that) . For the rest, I think it's clusters of cars. But - honestly - they're all amazing.

    I'd say second place goes to f8, 360, 430

    Third place goes to 488, 328, 355 (for sound alone it's #2 ish or so)

    I'm going to get hell for putting the 488 in the third group. I will say though, that a Pista is on my list and it may , one day, end up in my garage.
     
  15. priericky128

    priericky128 Formula Junior
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    Feb 11, 2021
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    #15 priericky128, Jul 15, 2022
    +1 going from 1-3. It just feels so much smoother until the car is warmed up.

    I have to reverse out of my driveway up a hill…thankfully doing a new driveway soon to kill two birds with one stone
     
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  16. Steveinfl

    Steveinfl Karting

    May 14, 2016
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    Steven Clayton
    #16 Steveinfl, Jul 15, 2022
    I forgot to answer that question. Nothing to do with the 360. It was all timing and financial decisions etc. By the time I was ready to spend $, the 430's had arrived and I wanted the "newest" Ferrari I could get.
     
  17. PeterS

    PeterS Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 24, 2003
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    #17 PeterS, Jul 16, 2022
    I was really torn over another 308 and the 360, it was horrible! Safey of driving in general was what pushed me to the 360, both are beautiful cars (a bit bigger, air bags, etc.). The other item was the price was parallel with a good 308 so I guess that was a no-brainer. On my initial PPI which came out pretty well, I was really pleased after taking delivery that upon a second PPI I did here in Phoenix, the mechanic found the exact same minor issues with the car and nothing else. It's been in the garage most of the time for the past 3 weeks as I'm not all that thrilled to drive it in 110 - 115oF temps but I sure like this 360!
     
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  18. disco77

    disco77 Rookie

    May 31, 2022
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    David B.
    #18 disco77, Jul 16, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2022
    Congratulations.

    To drive a 360 with the click clack of a gated shift, accompanied by the boom (in my case) of a Tubi exhaust system, is really one of life’s great pleasures.

    Such a visceral experience and a great sense of occasion even driving at modest speeds.

    Enjoy.

    David.

    p.s My gated 360 Modena.
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  19. Vegas CS

    Vegas CS Formula Junior
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    #19 Vegas CS, Jul 23, 2022
    Congrats on your 360. I’ve had CS’s, Scuds, a 458, and an F12 but this will be my first manual Fcar. I bought this one off of BaT. Should be home from abroad and take delivery in a month.

    https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-ferrari-360-modena-22/

    I’m appreciating all of the tips posted on driving a manual Ferrari. Thx guys!
     
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