355 vs 360 vs testarossa

I'm not questioning your love for the 355 . I also love the TR, I still have the poster and I almost went 512TR over my 355 as it's such an iconic car and the allure of 12 cylinders is very strong. However, I do have to disagree on the feeling of speed, but that may be a personal difference. To me, the 355 feels faster than my muscle cars due to the nature of the power delivery. I have driven muscle cars that were drastically faster than my 355 in a straight line but instead of the engine coming on song at 5000rpm like my 355, they start to wheeze and are all done by 6000rpm. The opposite happens in the 355, it comes on at 5000rpm and all hell breaks loose. This, to me, feels faster - it's that top end charge that makes a car feel 'fast' and 'racy' to me, but that's probably because I'm not at all afraid wind it out. The torque on my current firebird is around 200 lbs ft higher than the 355, but has the same power. The 355 feels a lot faster but in a straight line, but they're about the same (at least up to 100mph) by the stop watch.

 

I see now where you are coming from... Make sense to me!

Sorry if I can be a bit dense

 

...for show the TR is the way to go, it is also the worst driving Ferrari (car) I have owned. The controls are very heavy and trucklike (especially at low speeds) and the ergonomics are 80's design (ie afterthought), brakes fade after two laps and it is feels huge at any speed...but does it make a statement? yes, does the 12 sound good (with the right exhaust), yes? Should you get it if you are looking for a driver's car? No... 360 is the "better" car of the lot, more competent in every way than the 355 (and less mechanical issues) though but it does lack the old school charm and that low volume hand built feel...BTW, if you want the raw feel and probably the best engine sound get a 360CS

 

I don't know if I agree with your implication that the Testarossa is just show. It was the fastest regular production car in the world at its launch and the most powerful normally aspirated car too. It was and remains an engineering feat for its day. However, I will readily concede that it does have a unique sensibility about it...a certain character that you either love or hate. I love driving the Testarossa, it is probably among my favorite Ferraris to drive. Then again, I love the Countach too, which some here deride as crude.

FWIW, Most criticisms regarding the Testarossa's mannerisms would also befall the beloved Boxer, which also seems to have a loyal following without having the extroverted personality of the Testarossa.

However, the crux of what you are saying is all the more reason why you can't just throw a dart at a board and say "do I want a 355/360 or Testarossa?"

Among those people I know personally who own or have owned a Testarossa, there seems to be only two camps. THose who had to have one and sold it within a year because they hated the way it drove and those who swear they will be buried with theirs. It is an acquired taste for sure. For that reason, I am always befuddled by those choosing between a TR or any 12 cylinder Ferrari for that matter and a V8. They are different tools for different purposes.

 

Good an interesting debate guys, well articulate views......most unlike some of the rubbish that is hardly debate at all here on F'chat, so well done Joe and Pete.

For the record I have to agree with Joe (though I have a preference for driving a car the way you describe it Pete). In the "real world" torque always wins and feels faster, but on a track the tables are reversed (and my prefernce). I remember years ago test driving a Type R Integra and a turbo Mitsu Lancer GSR prior to purchase. Loved the Vtech of the Honda but the Lancer just felt faster around the roads during the test drive. Had I taken them on the track I am sure my opinion would have been reversed.

 

The two Ferrari's that I've driven the most are a 512TR and a 355 Spider which I own. I think that a 512TR feels faster than my 355. I agree with others on how the extra torque of a Testarossa gives it a wider power band through every gear which makes it feel faster. They are both much more fun to drive than a 360.

I would love to have a 512 TR. I came close to buying one instead of my 355. The feel of the steering is so much better than a 355 or a 360. It has more of a race car feel. More connected. As I previously mentioned a Testarossa gets tiring to drive after a while.

I guess it comes down to your wants and needs? If modern, cheaper to fix and will be used on long drives buy a 360. If pure race car feel for super fun shorter trips and you don't mind big buck maintenance buy a Testarossa. I bought a 355 because I think it is one of the best looking and sounding cars ever. I like the size of 355's. I wish the steering had less power assist and felt more like a Testarossa and sometimes I'd like to take the ugly steering wheel out and substitute it for one out of a 348.

This is all in my HO.

 

Sounds like you should just get a 348 to me

 

On paper, it would seem the 512tr would fit the bill perfectly--but so would scores of other cars from Gallardos to Aston martins to Porsche 911 turbos--especially the 993's.

Your criteria is so broad, anything can fit it--- why buy a Ferrari. A testarossa and a 355 can be extremely expensive to run. Why bother if your heart doesn't scream Ferrari? How much will you love your Ferrari if she takes you to the cleaners for over 10k for a service. Honestly, the only Ferraris I can recommend based on your vague criteria would be the 550/575 or the 360, in large part because they have a reputation for being very reliable and relatively inexpensive to operate.

Personally, I still think you are a Lambo guy

 

+348!

All the best,
Andrew.

 

All 3 cars will do that. Testarossa better on interstate, 355/360 better on twisty roads. Maintenance on all 3 is going to be expensive, but if you buy a well sorted version of any of them, they'll all be similar (355 and TR take more to fully sort than a 360, though, but once done they should all be similar). The 360 can have the belts done in-car, but the clutch is much easier on the 355 and TR. Pick your poison.

If you're not a serious driver, stay away from a 355 or 360 with a stick as you will have to know how to use it properly to fully enjoy the cars. Due to the added flexibility and size of the TR motor it's not as critical, and the f1 trans in the 355 or 360 will take away that necessity.

Based on what you've said, a 360 f1 would probably be your best bet. It's better all around and easier to live with and drive, where the TR and 355 are a little more focused on what they do well.

 

I think it's more a subjective thing. What feels faster to me could be different than you.

 

How could anyone go wrong with either a F355 or a 512TR. I would like to add a 512TR to my other cars someday. I agree with you 100% on the 360 even if they are "supposedly" a better car than the 355. I think that the 430's are stll too close in looks to the 360 for me anyway.