Am I the only one going back in time?....

Fun post just for feedback and discussion.

Owned 7 Ferraris now. 355, 360s, 458, Cali T, etc. Was gonna get F8 and then actually decided to go back in time instead. Saw a 355 and 360 on the road a few weeks back and got this feeling again I haven't had in years. Reminded me how much I love that generation and time period. So I decided to go buy a 355/360 again and found an incredible 360. Don't get me wrong, I love the new stuff and eventually will get a F12/F8 for sure but sometimes going back is so much fun. I just, at this time, don't have that sizzling feeling when I look at the newer stuff. Was even gonna get a Portofino after selling my Cali T (which was freaking awesome car) but decided to wait. Porto is amazing car but why don't I get that "high school I'm in love for the first time" feeling? Yet, yesterday, when I test drove the 360 I bought on the spot (which my Toyota Camry would beat in a drag race) I felt like a little 9 year old in toys r us.

Anyway, just wanted to share for the love of the cars. Always wonder if anyone else gets the same emotion...

 

Truth is most of us don't want perfection in a fun car. 0-60 in three seconds. 200 mph. Auto DCT. The feeling I got when I drove a F12 was perfection. But I don't mean that in a good way. I'll take fun over perfection.

 

A very large number of long time owners have and are doing the same. Began to dawn on them newest, latest and greatest and fastest is not the most fun.

 

The old driving a slow car fast versus driving a fast car slow.

 

Plenty..across all brands it seems. I think people are getting board of the same old thing. Every car drives the same now. No feeling..video games basicly..old school is fun engaging a little rough and tumble..the new stuff is fast..but boring.

 

Ya know, I went over that hump probably 20 years ago. Bought me a 308 and have never looked back (or is that never looked forward).

 

I get it. There's just something missing from publicly traded Ferrari. I prefer the unforgiving nature of the old stuff. Of course, I'm 42 so the kids nowadays will probably feel the same about the modern cars before they all flew.

 

i had this epiphany long ago....
if you would like a badass 'vintage' car, look no further than a 512bbi. no computers, no tech, no nannies, but mid engined and can be fettled to perform spectacularly.

 

Analog is more fun than digital. Slower, maybe….but more fun for sure.

 

If I was in a financial position to swing a new Ferrari, it wouldn't cross my mind to buy that new Ferrari; I would, however, be looking to see what sort of older Ferrari that money would afford me.

If I could swing a nice 488, I'd be looking for a solid Boxer. If my budget was SF90, I'd be shopping for a nice 330 GTC. And on and on.

 

You can have a depreciating asset to impress your friends and neighbors or you can have an appreciating asset that puts a big smile on your face.

Your choice.

 

Indeed- I'm fortunate enough to have a 1995 355 GTS as well as a 2014 458 Spider. While I absolutely love and cherish the 458- and it is a phenomenal car- I get more driving enjoyment out of the 355 and if push came to shove and I had to choose one it would be the 355.

Additionally, if I were to have or create a financial windfall I would be looking backwards not forward- WADR to F8s, 812s, 296s, Romas etc. - and they are all insanely beautiful fantastic things of beauty and engineering marvels- I would be on the hunt for a 550 <reasonable> or 512 <semi-reasonable> or to the the holy grail 275 GTB <lottery-win> versus the current/future offerings.

 

Quoting this just so it's said twice.

 

The last 2 times I could afford to buy a weekend car, while a newer car was in the mix, I bought older ones instead (1999 & 2005). The only aspect of newer cars I like is better reliability. A good MT car is just what I love.

 

Based on all the DCT failures, turbo failures and battery failures along with the myriad of other hi-tech system failures I constantly read about I am not so sure that can be said. Of the combined 38 years of ownership of our TR and 328 and driving both all over the western half of the US, neither one has let us down one single time.

We we did have a flat tire in Fontana California once but with a spare tire I was back on the road in half an hour and 400 miles back to home by dinner. .

Good luck with that one in a "no spare tire, better not go far from home" modern Ferrari.

 

One the first things I did when I bought a used Maranello was order the spare tire option.

 

In the end, whatever makes you tick is worth buying. A brand new car does not mean it’s perfect fun compared with an older model. You followed your heart, cheers

 

Like remarrying your first wife..

 

Agree. I started feeling like just because I can get a 488 or F8 I have to get it cause people would look at me in a "weaker" way showing up in a 360, etc, to the Ferrari meet. Then I got reminded why I love Ferrari and bought the car that actually makes me smile when I drive it...

 

A question for Brian-between the 512TR and 550 Maranello, in your opinion,
which is better built from a long term keeper quality perspective?
Always appreciate your perspective and experience. Thank you

 

I agree….
I can enjoy and appreciate the more modern cars for different reasons….

But my old 360 fills my heart with a nostalgic joy that is timeless and priceless every time I drive it.
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512 is a much simpler car

 

But doesn't the 512 have a problem with the differential or is that just the TR?

 

Should I list the problem areas of the 550? I like and would happily have either car but fact remains 512 has fewer issues, is a simpler car and if we look back 10 or 20 years from now a 512 will be far more valuable partially because it is more easily kept on the road.

 

True. We both know Ferrari's product testing was nonexistent, probably still is. I just remember a local guy (Grady) who had a hell of a time with his diff in his 512. Then again, he tracked his car so there is that.

I prefer the 500 because I like front-engine cars. But the reality is these are expensive cars to keep running, particularly for a guy like me who doesn't work on them. They are not Toyotas.