355/360/550 owners, I need driving experiences and suggestions

You’re asking ALOT of questions! Where to begin? There are many, many threads comparing the driving experiences of these cars to those of the Porsches.

Understand that the Porsche is a very different animal than the Ferrari. The kinds of roads that you describe would be no problem for the 550. They’re great cars for cruising but also for the twisties- if it’s not too cold and the tires are warmed up. Otherwise, they have so much torque that the car will tend to skitter if you power out of a curve in low gear.

The 550 is a much more intense car than the P-cars with the exception of the GT2 (I found that car scary)- and I’ve driven most of the current Porsches.

I’d urge your Dad to get some seat time in a 550 before he goes too much further in his search. Only by sitting in the seat and driving it for a while will he be able to decide if it’s his cup of tea.

The 360 is a lighter car, with less gravitas but more obvious racing heritage. The styling is definitely not as stealthy as the 550. The car just screams in at high revs and is truly a blast to drive- think of a GT3 on steroids with a bunch of sensuality thrown in. Again, get some seat time.

The good thing about the cars that you’re considering is the pricing. If you go with a 550, there’s not better super car bargain out there. Good examples can be had for close to 110- which you could easily end up paying for a new P-car cab loaded to the gills!

No 550 was made with the F1. For that you’ll need to go to the 575 and that will add another 50K at least to the price. For someone getting into F-cars, I would strongly urge your Dad to try the gated shifter; there’s nothing quite like it and I think it will convince him to forgo the paddles. I’d stick with the 550 (that’s pretty obvious as I ended up buying one). You won’t be disappointed.

Happy hunting.

 

Buy the 360. Its the best of everthing your dad is looking for. It will cost the least to maintain, they are bigger dimensionally than a 355 so more comfort, and more nimble than a 550. I love my 355, but it's more go cartish, not as refined as a 360. I haven't had the pleasure of owning a 550 yet, but I have driven them and want one. I plan on buying one along with my 355 when I can pay cash for one, I just wouldn't want it as my sole sports car. I think the 360 is everthing he wants from both cars, my two cents. Good luck!

 

as teach said, seat time is key. the 550 is very different than the mid-eights. different drive. different feel. different just-about-everything!

even though there's no engine-out on the 550, it is expensive to maintain. my 355 and 550 came up for their majors at the same time. the cost for a major was basically the same between the two cars - one with 8 cylinders coming out, the other with 12 cylinders staying in.

totally up to the type of car he wants - they're too different to make blanket statements, imho.

nice problem to have though

doody.

ps: even though i owned a 360, i never liked the looks of them. i thought the 355 was a more "ferrari looking" ferrari. of course the 550 screams "ferrari" - the maranello will become a classic.

 

Good points here. I haven't driven them enough to be sure but I have had extensive (passenger) seat time in all 3. For the back roads you definetly want a mid 8, better gocart like turn on a dime handling. The 360 is newer more refined, etc but the 355 is such a beautiful car, so its hard to decide. However on a highway nothing can beat the pull from the 550, and when its equiped with a tubi, nothing can beat the sound either, so much torque in every gear. Like everyone else said make sure he gets seat time in all 3, that's the ONLY way to tell which car will suite him best.

Happy Hunting

 

you can do some notable carving in a 550. look for a late model with the Fiorano Handling Package if that's the kind of driving he wants.

i thought the DB9 slushbox tranny was garbage, fwiw. it was no better than the slushbox on my S55, which was damn nice - for a slushbox (damning with barely any praise).

happy shopping!

doody.

 

Hey Joe, I live out on the coast in a land of all curves and no highways. I had a 550 and loved it and will someday probably get another as it is a wonderful all around car with, to my eye, a gorgous and timeless design. LOve the torque.
Traded it on a 355 that I fell in love with but after about 6 months got tired of just not quite fitting in the car. I like an upright driving position and am tall so it was always a compromise to find good driving positions and not be brushing the roof. Shoulder room is tight too, but the sound is glorious and I love the ass end of them, though the front sometimes seemed a bit dated.
So then came the 360 and it was all good. (Well except for the lack of torque!!). I got a euro car, it was a great deal and came equipped with the options I wanted (sports ex, cf racing shells, 6sp and clear bra) and in a color I love, titanium. I have been very happy with the progression, find the 360 cabin roomy and delightful to hang out it, with(drumroll) lots of headroom.
You would think the 550 would have more headroom but it doesn't.
So thats my take, 360 and modded boxster make a perfect couple in the garage, although the poor pcar doesn't get to dance much as the 360 is a seductive tramp with a musky comeon every time the garage opens!

 

Ive ridden in a 550 in the back roads of Chadds Ford and i must say. It was a life changing experience. The 550 is the perfect fit for yours/our area. Long straight roads and highways (202 and 476). And the perfect backroads like 926 and any other road off the main highways. If you can, check out algar right now, they have 2 550s on the showroom floor. A red and black one or if you want i can check them out for you

 

they have a red one with tan interior.

Im 6 foot 2 and i had no problems

 

i'm 6' even and never had a fit problem in mine. the 355 Spider was a tad wonky with the top up (which happened, basically, never) 'cuz the 355 spider seats are crapola - but the berlinetta/gts seats are fine on the 355.

doody.

 

http://www.algarmaserati.com/fer_showroom.php

 

some random advice:

* get the service records for any car you're interested in. if there are no service records, IMO you should move along - there are plenty of 550s out there - fully documented.

* you want to see steady usage of the car year over year. if someone put 18K on that car in 1997 and it's sat since, that's not good. the service records should allow you to paint such a picture.

* a 1997 550 should in theory have had a major by now. depending upon who you believe, maybe even two (crazy, imo, but who am i to say what's right).

* figure 4K or 5K for the major. if you search the archives, i compiled a comparison of different 550 major details - pricing was all over the map - as was what was included.

* search the archives for standard 550 problems.

doody.

 

Qksilver: check with service managers for cars to buy. Check all over the country and don't be afraid of getting a PPI for a car 3000 miles away from you.

I have a '97 and a Dec. 00 550, and a lot of 97s had goofy problems. Build quality on the later car is definetly better, but the early one also feels stronger.

Point is, each car will vary. Doody brought up some good points. If you need help looking at 550s, let meknow and I'd be happy to point out some guidelines.

--Dan

BTW - before Carbon plugs it, check the FML.

 

My vote. The 550 is a monster. As one of the previous posts said, it is THE supercar bargain.

 

Ferrari Market Letter. Basically everything Ferrari

 

Check around with service managers. Call a few around the country. They will know cars that might not be advertised. And don't hesitate to ask for opinions on specific cars here.

--Dan