328 to 360

The biggest problem that I know of with the 360 is that it is not a 550 ! Get a 550 and save money and a better car. If fact, you can keep the 328 and buy a 550 and still come out ahead. The 550 looks better and has 12 cylinders IMHO !

 

From a depreciation standpoint, the 550 is a better deal probably. However, if someone were to give me one or the other, I would opt for a 360. Fcar store owner told me he thought that's exactly why 550's are in the hopper. People would rather have a 360, even for more money. I'm not planning on either, so I'm just relaying opinions as relayed to me.

Dave

 

I recently sold my 355 and test drove a 550 and 360. To me, it was an easy choice, the 360 was a much better car. The 550 felt heavy and drove like a nice GT although it was rock solid stable at 130MPH. The 360 felt much lighter and faster and the handling of the 360 is just like a go kart. It all depends on what you are looking for... The 360's will also continue to hold value better IMHO.

 

Check the size of your garage!!

I upgraded to a 360 spider and then panicked when I got home to realise how much wider the car is than older models. With insurance stipulations in London being that it must be garaged overnight the wife was told we may have to move house immediately (that went down well..NOT!).

Luckily it fitted (I exit over the door like Dukes of Hazzard) and I remain happily married.

 

RDS, I don't suppose you're getting a straight-up swap, are you? If so, let me know if he has any more 360s he wants to deal!

 

How do you figure? From everything I've seen the opposite is true.

Gary

 

Time has been on your side I believe.

 

So the 360s have been better investments than 550s?

 

In truth they're all pretty great. That's what's so cool about the marque-- even the less-well-regarded cars are still amazing.

 

The (208)/3*8 GTB/GTS cars are an all time classic Ferrari design (and to My mind the most perfect car design ever made! - Find an angle from which they don't look gorgeous! - I swear it can't be done!).

Good as the 360 is, it lacks the sexy, natural feminine curves of the 3*8's and is never going to be an all time classic design.



Don't get Me wrong, I do like the 360, but the 308/328 GTB/GTS is just sex on wheels!
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All 3 are great cars (the 328, 550, and 360).

I own a 1998 550 and used to own a 1988 328 GTS and a 2001 360 stick-shift coupe.

In my humble opinion:

The 328 is the best one for a pleasant drive in the country.

The 550 is the best one for a long overnight trip, carrying luggage and going fast on the open roads.

And the 360 is the better track car out of the three.
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This observation seems to be in direct conflict with the intent and effort of the design team at the time. I always thought of sharp angles and louvers as a masculine quality and part of the attraction of the 3*8 designs.

 

This is the second 13 year old thread you've resurrected in the last few days. That prompts me to ask what kind of trauma did you suffer in 2003 that's prevented you from moving forward?

 

Sherpa, Pokemon cards I hear are a lot of fun.

 

I'm a history major. And this forum archives threads for a reason. The subject matter remains the same. Lessons to be learned. History in flux. Keep an open mind. Don't fear the past. Or the future.

 

I owned an '87 328 - great visceral car. However, realistically, the 360 will rip it to shreds performance-wise. Unless you are a collector, I would think a move to a MT 360 is a good step up in the ownership experience. As mentioned above, the 360 is also a very good track car; although you might want to consider F1 tranny if you track a lot.

I don't understand these prices - they made several thousand of 308s, 328s, and especially TRs. Once the market comes to it's senses, a whole lot of people are going to get burned.

The 550 is a very nice car to get for the V12 experience, but the 612 has the latest iteration of that engine and may be an even better deal if you don't mind the 2+2 format.

Make sure you test drive and get a PPI. Good luck!

 

+1.

Of course, the one nice thing about both models is that you can use the power more than you can with modern sports cars.

 

This! I like that I can wring it out in 2nd and 3rd at least.

 

I never stated the 328 isn't a fun car to drive. I noted the 360 has much better performance and is still available with MT at a reasonable price. And, if your a decent driver, you can use most of what it offers.

In regards to the modern 500+ HP cars, I can assure you very few are capable of using most of that power without ending up in jail or dead. So, it is a wash. For the money, I think most would agree the 360 is a tremendous value, while still delivering the Ferrari mystique in terms of performance and looks. I'm just glad they made lots of them to keep prices in check.

Fortunately, Ferrari has consistently made plenty of 8-cylllinder models in comparison to the V12s (except for the TRs). That ensure all V8 models should be available at a reasonable tariff. The same should be true for TRs (not including the drastically better 512TR or collector-focused 512M).

It seems you are more concerned with investment / collectors. I'm more interested in the enthusiasts side of the house - yes, some of us still manage to stay in this game.