1st Purchase Advice

doesnt look like an oem exhaust to me - also doesnt look familiar. if you dont have a relationship with the dealer i wld def get an independent PPI. i can't imagine they wld have used a different header on the right side. replacing the headers with tubi or capristio is worthwhile, at least on the 355 and 430 it is. the 360 needs an aftermarket exhaust so i wld plan on getting a capristo or tubi as well.

looks like a great car - does it have a challenge grill? if not ask the stealer to throw one in.

also where are you located? someone here can recommend a PPI.

 

I suggest checking the alarm module. Is the red led on the switch panel blinking all the time except when the car is running, and then on constantly? If so, then the alarm module has likely died and needs replacing. Do the doors lock and unlock with the remote?

 

You'd be smart to review all the records carefully. Be sure that they are actual repairs done and not estimates of proposed work. I found some of that with my car when I went through the docs.
IMO, I wouldn't be worried about "too many" service records-- depending on what was done. Some folks will bring their car in for a faulty light bulb.

Probably important to see that the variators were done as a factory "recall". Most likely were but I would check to be sure. Trans mount should also be updated. The stick will alleviate the posibility of issues with the car that the F1 cars have been known to have--- However knock on wood, my F1 has been trouble free and flawless in my '03 for over two years now since I bought it with just about the same mileage as the car you are considering. PPI is probably a must but it won't catch everything. Things can simply go wrong even with a great car that passes with flying colors.

And I agree on the exhaust. Not one I recognize. But others here are more of an expert than I on that stuff. Don't forget to check and see when the timing belts were last done. I don't like to let mine go for more than 3 years but there are those here who have let them go way longer than that. I just can't bring myself to gamble on a engine like that.

I'd negotiate all the fluids to be done if you can't find any evidence that it has been done for years. Coolant, trans, clutch fluid, and brake fluid all have a life expectancy.

Good luck. It looks like a really nice car. You won't be sorry once you pull the trigger.

 

Very exciting - looks like a nice car!!!!

 

There is a 360 stick market price thread - have you read it? I’d offer 90k and start from there.

 

They’re asking a really high price for the car, Usually around the 10,000 mileage mark gated 360s are at around $100 K.
Are you budgeted for repairs at that price? 10 to 20% of the car value in the bank for repairs it’s probably not a bad idea.

At the $100k price point I’d absolutely research and find a good independent PPI

 

75 to 80k gets u a 40k mikes stick spider. 85k wld be a great deal I think but I haven’t personally bought a coupe in a while. My friend sold an 03 5k mike stick spider for like 115k 3 years ago and that was the top.


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I'd agree with ttforcefed. I'd start with an offer of $90K. But if it's the car you want... well then it's really what you feel comfortable with. Also good advice is to have at least $10K to $15K in the bank that you can live without--- just in case. These 360s, both the F1 but especially the stick cars, are really good cars. But the truth is all used exotics don't have to have a major problem to cost you a major bill.
After all look at the bill you quoted the dealer showed you --- $17K!

I'd wait until you have the PPI done and then negotiate from there once you determine if there is anything that car needs or may need soon. I doubt that the dealer will go for a year of service with the deal but you never know. Probably giving the asking price may convince them, but would that be worth it to you to give up the additional money as opposed to savings going in on the car at the onset? Probably peace of mind that you really don't need.
If the PPI checks out you probably will have a carefree first year. These 360s are really that reliable. Do you plan on driving the car a lot or just as a pleasure car? As a pleasure car (2 to 3x a week on the road) first year of service will most likely be nill. Of course anything can happen but don't think about that That's life with or without a Ferrari!

 

Quote: He said that he has not heard of 360's eating their pre-cats and that that was more of a 430 problem.
He is lying. Or he is not a good 360 Tech.

Quote: He said he checked the clutch and didn't notice any unusual wear or signs of overheating. He doesn't think it is the original clutch but they don't have any proof that it was changed.
He should have pulled out the caliper and measured the thickness of the clutch plate. It would have taken 2 minutes.

Quote: He said they have pages and pages of service history.
This is not something to be happy about if within 3 years they have reams of service records for a 20K miles car. But, this is a Ferrari so … it cuts both ways. Great to have records, but you too can have reams of service records in the next 3 years.

I would start at 90K, stop at 95K and absolutely walk at 100K

 

When you have done the Fabspeed switch, you will enter the world of never ending CEL with very little hope of getting out. Don't say I did not warn you (like that Taylor Swift song). There is a thread right now that starts with .. "This is ****ing hell" because the owner did just that.

There are SIX cats in the 360: two precats in the headers, two mini cats in the front of the cats, and two main cats in the rear of the cats. They are prone with issues and they are $13,000 a set. Save up your money.

As far as Porsche vs Ferrari. Porsche makes great cars (I own two), but they will never reach that emotional part of you that make you go giddy when you drive it. It rarely makes me turn back to look when I walk away. The Ferraris and the Ducati do that to me.

When you enter a curve with a Ferrari engine screaming behind you at 5,000 RPM, rev match and drop one gear to a 6,500 rpm engine, crank the steering wheel at the apex, smash the throttle to 7,500 rpm as you exit the turn, it makes you howl like a kid that you are.

 

[QUOTE="08bonnie, post: 146960118, member: 219359"...the dealer invoices thousands for small stuff, like it's all just business as usual.[/QUOTE]
yes, it is business as usual. Really, it is with Ferraris.

 

I am just one data point but at my last major service (1 year ago) the precats in my 2002 360 were beginning to come apart. I went with Fabspeed headers (no precats) and Fabspeed 200 cell cats (kept the stock exhaust), have not had any CEL lights and passed emissions with flying colors. Ron Reineke at Sports Car Service in Tucker, GA did the work. Very happy with the results. Just an FYI.

Might want to mention where you are located.

 

Make sure suspension bushings are ok, shocks aren't leaking, all the buttons work, AC blows cold, engine cooling works well, alignment, door handles aren't stiff, tires are fresh and not expired. Make sure car has the three key fobs, no oil leaks from steering, gearbox and engine. If they could run a compression check would be perfect. Otherwise it looks pretty solid. Its a 20yo Ferrari, so don't expect a 997TT reliability. Even with all your due diligence AC compressors can fail, clutch throw out bearings, hoses, modules etc... Keep 15k in a maintenance fund lol for those unexpected repairs
PS quick check on clutch, put it in 5th or 6th gear at low rpm and floor the gas, if it slips clutch is getting weak.. not a fool proof check but an indicator

 

Don't get all wrapped up in the purchase price. If the car is in g

I suggest you forget about the price for a minute. Was the car everything you wanted? Is the dealer reputable and can you see yourself taking the car back there for service? Do you see any other cars you'd like in place of this one for a better price?

Purchase price is just the entrance fee. Don't get too wrapped up in that.

 

Honestly if this car is calling your name and it checks all the boxes, don’t lose it for a few grand. Prices vary widely based on location, supply/demand, color, options, etc. I think most folks are willing to pay more if they find exactly what they want. It’s really hard to compare a typical car purchase with a 20 year old Ferrari. I’m at peace with what I paid for mine bc it was what I wanted. Just my 2 cents.

 

Have you considered the red/black 360 in the classified section? Looks like a well sorted car for about 20k less than the one you posted here.

 

My recommendation. Call Sarasota Italian Garage. David Feinberg 603-493-1696. Big loss when David moved from the cold Northeast to sunny Sarasota!
Experienced Tech. Straight Shooter.