You all make me so jealous! I have finally reached the point in my career where I can plan for my first Ferrari (after a lifetime of wishing), so I don't want to "screw it up." I can spend in the area of $120K. I was thinking about a 456MGT (2 little kids), but not sure if it has enough of the magic. Forgetting the kids I really like a 2000-2002 360 Coupe F1 (live in congested area). Is it better to save more and go for the 2002, or is it mechanically similar to a well kept 2000? Is it better to get a terrific 355 as first car and build more slowly? Realizing there is no right or wrong answer your valued insight would be greatly appreciated.
I am a bit surprised you had no responses to your question. Could be due to the fact that similar questions appear regularly. You would do well to intensely study each of the models you mentioned, use the search feature to query each model, and then realistically look at your finances. There is more than just the cost of the vehicle. Maintenance is always an issue, and that can come in many flavors for each of the models you mentioned. They each have quirks. Some are substantially more than others. For example, there is an issue with the 456 about the windows, and a fix can cost $5K to $9K from what I have read here. So, again, you need to be fully appraised, or you'll be shocked instead of being happy with a purchase. If you are stretching financially to afford the car, be very careful and most of all be realistic and honest with yourself. Take your time looking!
I would say a 2001 360 might be the hot ticket. Forget the F1 non-sense. The 99's and 2000's had a few more issues. It seems they cleared most things up around mid 2001 or so. The 2002 and 2003's are still demanding a premium given the higher years. If you have any specific questions, let me know. The 355 is a fine car, but it's no 360. 550's are also nice and in your price range. I would take a 550 over a 456 anytime. Get another car/SUV for when you need to drive the little guys around town Ray
The only issue the 99 and 00 cars have is cam variators. Most cars have already had this recall and if so, there is no reason to not consider the first two years. 99's especially have an advantage because of the lack of the precats in the manifolds and the fact you will pay a little less for one. I would recomend against the F1 if your area is congested. F1's are not as friendly in traffic environments as a 6 speed. 355 is a great first Ferrari, however your budget alows for a 360 purchase so I would definitley go with the latter. Either way you go, make sure you have an experienced shop do a PPI. Good luck with your search!
Thanks guys, really great advice. I think the consensus is go for a 6-speed 360 in 2000-2001. My budget is set to include anticipated costs of maintenance and repairs, as well as keep my wife from murdering me in my sleep! I could afford alittle more, but then probably would be stretching it a bit, and as you rightly point out not a good idea with a Ferrari. I likely will purchase through Steve Barney at SportAuto (sportauto.cc) in NC, he is knowledgeable and honest. Thanks again.
Stretch a little and get a 2001 360 spider or wait till it drops near your budget.You will never regret it.
Newer the better, within your budget. I had an '01 360 and loved it. Stick is probably less risk. IMO don't just rely on that one guy to find your car. Research it extensively on your own to find the best possible car. Good luck.
Try to find a car with a tubi and challenge grill already installed (if you desire those). Installing them later can add $5K+ or so. Same with rims (if you are looking for something specific). When I bought my 360, I ended up buying another $12K in upgrades right away I would also make sure the car has had all the updates taken care of. Most dealers can check to see what is open on the car and/or you can call FNA and they can tell you based off the vin or engine #. Here are a few big ones to keep an eye out for: 1. Seals problem in manual gear box - problem corrected from assembly # 50913 on 2. Bolt length problem in gear box - corrected from assembly # 39019 3. Starter ring changed from 3 to 6 bolts after assembly # 43022 4. Engines below #60769 (VIN's 114015 - 123399) need variator/tension update (ref TSB #1232) Those are some of the big ones to keep an eye out for. The above are from my notes and I believe they are correct. They sell CD's on ebay with all the updates and technical bulletins - might be worth getting one to see what is needed on the different models, etc. There are also websites that track recalls, etc. Here is one example I had in my book marks for the 360: http://auto-recalls.justia.com/FERRARI-360-MODENA.html In my research, I got the impression the 1999 and 2000 model years had a few more issues (which is to be expected). It seemed like a number of them were focused around the gear boxes. I have a 2001 (mid year). The previous owner had most of the updates taken care of, so I was lucky. I think the only thing I have left to do on the car is correct the fuel gauge issue. You might also try for one which has had the belts done recently. My car had them replaced last year, so again, I was lucky. The belts aren't as difficult to replace on the 360 as they were on the 355, but it's something to keep an eye out for nonetheless. Also, the alarm battery tends to die after about 4 or 5 years, so if you are looking for a 2000 or 2001, you might ask if the alarm LED on the dash remains lit while driving. That's a sure sign the siren will need to be replaced at some point. If you check back over my recent posts, you'll see I had to fix that on my car (I used an external battery for it, instead of replacing the entire siren). It's a bit of a hassle, so it's worth checking before you buy. If you look through my old posts, I posted a list of all the different on-line sites I used when I was searching for my car. I'll see if I can dig it up, but it was a pretty handy list for someone shopping for a car. Okay, here it is.. posts #67 and #69: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94217&page=4 Hope some of this info is helpful Ray
Wow, thanks a million! Do you have the coupe (my personal pick)? I would definitely like tubi and challenge grill, though I like the OEM wheels. I will check those posts and save the info to a word file for sure. Thanks again! Rob
I posted some photos of the car here (including a couple of delivery photos) http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108245 I like the OEM wheels also (they grow on ya!), although I recently bought a set of the challenge wheels also and may swap those on at some point to see how I like them. Good luck in your search! Ray
There is no mechanical difference between a 99 or 05 so try to get a well kept low milage car, regardless of year imo. Also the F1 gearbox will cost you alot of more money in the long run. However the 6 spd will at least in Europe be alot harder to sell and therefore alot cheaper to buy. I think about only 10 % of the 360s has the 6 spd gearbox.
Any 99 or 00 that has had a clutch should have the ring gear update. Other than variators those are the only problems with the first two years. You mentioned you want a Tubi, 99's sound better and louder because of the lack of precats, that alone was enough for me to want a 99 only.
