Interested in 360 Spider - Please Help!

Hello,

I am new to this board and would like to quickly introduce myself. I live in Orlando, FL where I am a publicist for IceLink Watch (icelinkwatch.com) and also do real-estate investments. Currenlty I'm driving a SLK55 AMG, and have a 2006 SL55 on order (due this July!!).

However, I am looking into buying a 360 Spider. The $ difference between a SL55 and 360 Spider is quite a jump, but that's not the issue. I'm looking for the exposure, and that's why the Ferrari jumps out!

What can I expect to pay for a 2003 / 2004 Spider (preferably red) with very low miles?

I am still leaning towards the SL55 because of the power (& torque), and if the 360 is purchased what are some mods I can do to increase the power & torque?

EDIT: This car is also intended as a daily-drive... how does it put up for daily use?

Thanks!

 

Mods for the 360 will not affect performance all that greatly, unless you want to do something crazy like turbos (and that's not a good idea). The 360 will not compare to the SL55 in terms of torque or straight-line performance. For daily driver, the 360 is not bad, but the SL is better. The 360 is a far sexier car, far more rare, and the engine is more sonorous. As you said, you are looking for exposure, the 360 Spider will give you that. But don't expect power/torque to be on par with the SL55, or the daily drivability.

 

03/04 spiders are going not between 160-180 K, maybe less,but with the introduction of the F430 spider due this summer or fall in the US, prices will drop. i think.

The SL55 is a tremendous car with tons of power and torque, definately the daily driver because it can be used in wet and dry and the engine may be more reliable. The 360 will give you the more drivers experience and definately get you some looks. Dont bother getting any mods to the 360 other than a Tubi and straight pipes if you really want to be seen AND heard. If you do get the 360 DONT LET IT SIT, it may not be as reliable as the AMG but it wants and needs to be driven. maybe alternate weeks or days even. that would be nice.


just my .02 cents

 

You gotta love this kind of advise coming from a young man born in 1988 (profile)! I don't think it's going to sit too much if he uses it as a daily driver. BTW coolestkidever, what are the ramifications of letting it sit for a couple of weeks? And with the build quality of MB (Chrysler) these days, I'm not so sure the MB will be any more reliable.

 

I sold my SL 55 recently and now I own a 05 spider. The 55 is a great car, but lacks the WOW factor for the money. You can only go 155 mph in the benz. The 360 will take you way past that. Enjoy your new cars.

 

from what ive been reading on this site for the year and some change ive known about it is that the later models should be driven more frequently because thats what they are made for. I have heard of zero problems with the Sl55 and i know a few owners. As bob said, the 55 just doesnt have that wow factor.

 

The build quality and reliability of the Mercedes are greater than Ferrari. The engineering and handling of a Mercedes is greater than a Ferrari too, for the simple reason that they sell more cars, have larger budgets, and thus more resources to investigate every facet of auto manufacture. Since the gross sales and R&D (et al) budgets of Mercedes is so much greater than Ferrari, it would be about as unfair to compare the two as it would be to compare, say, Ducati to Honda. None of this is to say a Ferrari is a bad car. Just the opposite in fact. The Ferrari is also the more beautiful and desirable of the two, if only for intangible reasons. All I'm saying is the implication that a Mercedes is less reliable is certainly incorrect.

You seem like a dude with a lot of money (God bless ya). If the tremendous difference in maintenance costs between a '55' and a 360 are of no consequence to you -- and you are looking for flash -- you HAVE to get the Ferrari. Its a simpe decision if you look at it that way.

For the would-be flamers out there, I've owned several Benzes and currently have an '05 C55 in addition to a '94 348. I love them both equally but for different reasons.

 

Thanks for everyone's replies. I will say that I will not make my decision too soon, but I am leaning just 50/50 of the two.

A simple chip can change that I've already got Kleemann planned for the SL with a few minor tweaks

Are you talking about a 05 F430 Spider? If so, did you pay sticker?

 

i recently drove an SL55 (over spring break) for a show on UthTV (www.uthtv.com). it is a truly amazing car, and can be used every day. i havent driven a 360 (yet, i hope to sometime), but i'm sure that it's just as good. but the exhaust noises are very different. the SL55 sound like an old WWII fighter, and i laughed hystarically when my friend blew by me and i got my first real taste of the note. but the 360 sends shivers up you spine on full throttle. but when you buy a ferrari, you're buying more than a car, you're buying 50+ years of history. I loved the SL, but wouldn't let a chance at a Ferrari pass me by.

hey, another insightful comment form someone born in 1988!

 

Where specifically can you buy a 2004 U.S. 360 Spider priced at $160K to $180K, particularly low mileage?

The real "buy" numbers on a 2004 low mileage 360 Spider start at $200K.

 

i knew i was close, wouldnt u say that they will be in that range after the 430 spider comes out

 

Don't mean to flame you, but don't MBs have more than a hundred years of history behind them?

 

I think you'll see them hold firm for about a year after the 430 Spider starts to trickle in; similarly to how the F355 Spider held firm, if not appreciated, in 2000 to 2001.

Hey Pat, I suppose the Jesuits don't teach a course on "Ferrari Economics".

 

ahhhh see i dont remember what the prices were on 355 spiders when the 360 spider came out


nah, just regular intro to eco which im taking first semester next year.

 

They were asking, and getting, big money up through 2001. If you look in the FML at the time, there were cars approaching $200K!

 

Is there any difference between 1999 - 2002 360's compared to 2003 - 2005?

 

How is that possible?

 

Ferrari made 120 05 360 spiders. It's my third 360 and I still get a rush every time I drive it. I paid sticker. I will get the F430's when It's my turn. I totaly agree that there is no comparison between the benz and any ferrari. Ferrari ownership is in a whole class of it own. Besides everyone with a few $$ has a benz , I still have 2. good luck.

 

yea, but not racing history.

 

How can I pick up a 360 Spider for sticker? It seems like many are FAR above sticker.

 

Just wait another year, and you'll be able to pick up a 360 Spider for sticker. ;-)

 

I know this page is short, but it may give you a hint that "not racing history" is incorrect.

http://www.gpracing.net192.com/teams/24.cfm

 

'04 with low miles, asking 2 and a quarter but can be bot in low 200's.
430 spider will be over 300k so dont even compare yet.

 

Not to to be redundant (sp) but where the hell can you get an 03-04 spider for $160,000.00...You barely can get a 20k mile 01 for that. 03-04 will start at 200k and up...but then again you can take the word of a kid born in 1988. i think he dreaming of a 04 at $160..

 

An O3 spider should be $185,000+. I just bought an 02 spider and had looked everywhere. The best deal I saw was an red/tan 03 spider F1 loaded, 3000 miles and sold about two months ago on eBay for $182,000. A Ferrari dealer in AZ bought it and resold it for close to 200K. Look around, there are some deals but I agree that "retail" is well over 200K. I try to buy between retail and wholesale.
Al