355 spyder or gallardo | FerrariChat

355 spyder or gallardo

Discussion in '348/355' started by scuderiafever, Feb 2, 2006.

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  1. scuderiafever

    scuderiafever Karting

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    Im trying to make a decision. A G coupe for everyday, or a 355 spyder + a sedan or something for driving around. I dont know what the maintenance is on the 355 or how reliable they are, but as far as i know, theyre not nearly as reliable as the G car. I would like a convertible for the summer time, but i dont necessarily NEED it, have to give a little to get a little. I dont want to have to worry about something breaking or getting messed up everytime i take it for a drive. Im leaning toward the G car for the most part, but would like some suggestions. Thank you.
     
  2. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    G

    i don't think u can compare old tech to new
     
  3. CornellCars

    CornellCars Formula 3

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    G car has cheaper overall service, and seems to be more reliable, plus you don't need to do belts to make it happily resellable...of course the other side of the coin is the clutch costs vs. the 355 which might offsest the belt vs. chain savings depending on how you drive. Personally I'd go G car as the 355 spiders also have some long term issues with tops, bushings, and pot metal guides for the tops that don't particularly impress me...add to that potentiometers for the seat tracks and top mechanism and I'd avoid the potential extra cost, even if they never really turn into a problem. G seems more like a 'get in and drive' car imho.
     
  4. EnzymaticRacer

    EnzymaticRacer F1 Veteran

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    Why spend so much and not get just exactly what you want? No one 'needs' one of these cars (strictly in terms of food/water, stuff for survival). What about a G-spider?
     
  5. JStone414

    JStone414 Formula 3

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    what kind of everyday driving are you doing? If you can get away with the attention and parking at the end of the lot, by all means get the G. Even if you were looking something more for the weekend I'd still the Gallardo
     
  6. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    you'll have to change your user to "scuderiaweinerschnitzel"
     
  7. alanhenson

    alanhenson Formula 3

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    My 355 SPider did not breakdown in 3.5 years. It was a 99 F1. It ran perfect all the time and I drove it alot. It sounds like nothing else with the top down. Absolutely fantastic. It's quick and evryone recognizes it as a Ferrari. The couple Gallardos that I drove were so tame I almost fell asleep. They're quiet, comfortable and reliable. Kind of like owning an exotic Honda. The only sports car more boring is the Porsche TT. For everday driving the Gallardo will fit the bill. If you are passionate about cars like I am there is no substitute for the beautiful F1 wail of a 355 at 8K rpms.
     
  8. switchcars

    switchcars Formula 3

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    What about a 360 spider? A step up from the 355 spider, much more reliable, and you're still getting a convertible.
     
  9. TopElement

    TopElement Formula 3

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    That right there should be te detemining factor. If you want a fast VW and plan to use it for everyday chores, get the Gallardo. If you're searching for a pure driving experience, and want to hear an F1 car following you around, don't hesitate on the 355.
     
  10. PassionIsFerrari

    PassionIsFerrari Formula 3

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    I will never sell my 348, but later on down the road....permitting of course... I will add a G to my stable....an unbelievable car....

    Go with the G, add a 355 later on if need be.
     
  11. bboxer

    bboxer Formula Junior

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    Easy answer here. After 5 years of 360 ownership, went to a G and don't regret it for a moment. My 430 arrives soon and I am not sure I want to replace the G with it after driving it a few times.
    355 ? That's from another era ! An 3.2 NSX-T would be a better comparison to it.
     
  12. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    355 Spider is one of the most gorgeous cars ever. Id go for that one unless you want to track the car .
     
  13. zjpj

    zjpj F1 Veteran

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    I agree. Though the G will obviously have fewer maintenance issues, and that is one of the considerations you list.
     
  14. Hubert888

    Hubert888 F1 Veteran BANNED

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    i hate to say this, but get the G ova the 355
     
  15. PassionIsFerrari

    PassionIsFerrari Formula 3

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    You know you are getting some honest opinions when everyone on a Ferrari site is telling you to go with a Lambo....I dig it...Guess its a tribute to what a phenomenal car the G is...
     
  16. richard_wallace

    richard_wallace Formula 3

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    Well I have owned and loved my 355 Spider (and probably not much that I don't know about them either). I decided to go with the Gallardo a year ago (and now move to the G Spyder).

    I have seen a few comments on more excitement, louder, etc of the 355.. All this is personal opinion of course. Here is mine:

    The 355 is one of the best looking ferrari's ever made. It is one of those cars that honestly look perfect as a Convertible. They are somewhat quick (for the time they were very quick), they do sound nice - high F1 scream (specifically with aftermarket exhaust). Great looks great fun, etc. I would figure spending on average 2K per year (not necessarily evenly over each year but average) - you may go 3 years without spendng anything - and then you do the engine out every 5 years - and it is 6 - 10K. So go in with your eyes open - depending on who had your car before you - it is not unusual at all to spend 3K per year.

    The Gallardo - is soooooooo much ahead of both the 355 and 360 - and it should be - we are talking 5 years of newer technology then the 360 - not to mention almost 10 years on the 355.

    The G is more refined, faster by a long shot, much more exotic, rarer, more conforts, better handling and response, 10X the attention (which can be a bad thing too). Maintenance is about the same as a porsche (or Audi :) per year.

    I am afraid there really is no comparison if you only have to choose between one. I would love to have kept my 355 Spider and the Gallardo - but I really don't drive enough to justify having them both and letting them sit collecting dust.

    But if you must choose only one - there is absolutely no comparison the Gallardo is the way to go...

    Rich
     
  17. alanhenson

    alanhenson Formula 3

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    So is an F40 but would you rather have a Gallardo than the F40. Newer isn't necessarily better.
     
  18. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

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    To the guy who started the thread, I think that you should consider the 360.
     
  19. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ Sponsor

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    luv the 355--but if I had a choice---Lambo
     
  20. rush109

    rush109 F1 Veteran

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    da gcar id have to say...even though its taring me up inside saying so....love the 355 spider....
     
  21. scuderiafever

    scuderiafever Karting

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    I have thought about a 360, and the coupes are reasonably priced, but I personally think that the 360 spiders are overpriced. If it wasnt for that I probably would get one. But personally when comparing coupes, theres no choice to make, it would be the gallardo. IF, and it seems to be a big if, i could find a 360 spider for a good price i.e. similar to the gallardo, then I might consider it, but all the spiders i've seen are between 160 and 200. I would love to get the g spider, thats the perfect car IMO, but I dont know what they will be going for. I have a deal on a g coupe which is why im leaning towards it. The drawback to me for the choice is the convertible. If i saw a 360 coupe for around 125-150 then maybe I would go that route, but I dont know if i will. On top of that, there are still reliability factors compared to the G car. If it's routine maintenance and only around 2-3k a year, then fine, but I wouldnt want to be bothered with little things here and there all the time. It seems that the G car is free of those troubles. I would be driving the car as often as I can which is another thing to take into consideration. I have heard good things about the 360's reliability, so while I am taking that into consideration, it seems that the g car is an exotic porsche as far as maintenance is concerned, im not sure how the 360 fairs in that aspect.
     
  22. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

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    I owned a Gallardo and have a 360F1 at the moment, every exotic that I buy I use alomst daily and the 360 has been as reliable as the Gallardo, no problems at all. The 360 is more fun to drive but the Gallardo is the fastest of the two. No matter what I recomend you to have a second car just in case anything happens and because is not wise to park or drive exotics into some places. Both cars are about the same amount of money to run, a clutch in a Gallardo will be the just like a major on a 360, theres no way to own an exotic cheaply.
     
  23. davem

    davem F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Im going to guess that the Gallardo is more reliable as well BUT, most of them are barely 2 years old, if? When i read owners talking about how only a few little things needed attention after 1500 miles and 4 months of ownership, i have to chuckle. Next its made by Audi (im just getting warmed up).
    I like the styling and the AWD in an everyday car. I still would never buy an Audi A4/6/8 etc.. Why? they are not known for reliability...To see posters here praise the Gallardo with a price of 150kish that has the reliability of an Audi as a virtue i find amusing. Anyways people buy Range Rovers too...
    Rant over..ahhhh
     
  24. DMOORE

    DMOORE Formula 3

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    Just pulled in atfer a drive in the 355 Spider. Top down, engine note in the ear, sun on the face. Almost 30 k on the car and it drives better than ever. Can't imagine how I ever made it home without that extra 100HP and AWD.
     
  25. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

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    My Gallardo experience was more than 6,000 miles in 11 months of trouble free daily driven miles. The 360 I bought it last december and no problems after 700 miles.
     

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