355 vs 360???

Nice summary goth.

 

Nice write up....

how about production numbers? how many of each.....?

Thats what makes me hesitant.

 

TOO MANY of each!!

 

Good summary!! I have driven the 360F1 cars also and was not impressed with over it the 355 for an extra $25k

 

Thats cheap. Here in Aus, 355 to 360 is at least a AU$50K+ "upgrade".
Same goes for 348 to 355. At least a AU$40K+ "upgrade".

 

Good summary.

I believe that the 360 is a slightly faster and more reliable car than the 355. But the 355 has timeless looks on its side and its 5 valve engine sounds better. The 360 is a bit too wide IMO while the 348/355 are just right.

Having said that, my next Ferrari upgrade (If I am a good boy for the next few years) would be the Challenge Stradale. Somehow, it feels like a totally different animal and not just a 360 derivative. The looks, purity of purpose, divine sounds and fury, make it a sensible F40 alternative. Make mine TdF or Le mans blue.

 

360CS is what I also want to get next!!

 

I'm surprised the throttle feel was that noticeable. I had a chance to drive an Audi TT/DSG a couple of weeks ago, and the throttle felt natural. It doesn't feel as mechanical as in my 328 (or probably any older Ferrari), but I would guess it would be more responsive.

Good write-up, though. The see-through engine cover is brilliant. That part of the 360 design trumps the older cars.

 

I drove a 360 hard about 2 months ago, it may have been a Euro which is why it felt faster than my 355, it was an F1 also, I hated the F1.

The traction control sucks, totally destroyed the handling, with it off the car was a blast, I literally was having power oversteer many times (the salesman was cool with it) in 1st and 2nd from a stop or 10 mph for a 100 yards kicking the rear out sideways all the way, very predictable impressive handling, the car felt very solid as well but much bigger.

I really like the 360 it will be my next Ferrari, don't know when but within a year, 6 speed of course.

 

with owning 2 of each now, i prefer the 355. prettier car. and im just drawn to a 355 more.

 

This might sound weird, but its me talking so...

To me, I feel my 355 is something I have and drive for internal reasons. I love it.

The 360 is something you drive for external reasons. The people you drive past love it.

Having owned my 355 for around five years now and driving a 360 for an hour or so here and there, IMO they are completely different. The 360 feels more hyper and darty, more go kart like. The 355 feels a little more GT. More wine and cheese.

I think Ferraris have demarcations in their time periods. Like the change between the 412 and the 456. The 355 is in a period that I prefer and the 360 is in the next.

IMO

 

Just thought I'd throw this pic in the mix......
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I would stake a 355 any day of the week over a 360, especially if it's a '95. I never really liked the 360, and probably never really will. Though I have seem some modified ones that looked nice. But the 355 is still it.

 

Oz, nice comparison. For those that watched the RSD(Saclam) video which had race prepared 355's and 360's on the track at the same time you will notice that the 360 pulled away(effortlessly) from the 355 coming out of the corners but on the straightaway they appeared to be equally matched. One of the primary reasons for the 360's ability to be so quick in accelerating out of the slower speed turns is the dual runner vacuum operated intake which switches to long intake runners at low rpm and short at higher rpms...this gives strong low end torque which is steady all the way up to full song. This is also a great demonstration of the fact that it's not always peak hp that wins a race but drivabilty and respose..i.e. torque/hp power curve.....something that should come in to mind when selecting exhaust headers for your 355.

 

Thanks for the excellent write-up! Now it would be interesting to document the difference between 360 / 360CS.

 

You're a good man Lamour.........

 

yeah yeah yeah..... hey, is your last name smear ????

 

I think so.......

 

I like the 360 but feel more comfortable with the 355 price point...

 

I have not driven a 355, but the 360 is a great driving car IMHO. Really smooth gearbox, great power, great visibility, overall a great car. The TR is probably my favorite Ferrari that I have driven, followed by the 360, then the 348.
BT

 

I agree with what goth said,i think the 360 lost something Ferrarish if thats a word,if you didnt know what you were driving and someone said it was a fast merc you couldnt argue, and the F1 box just takes that little more away from you.I know people that love them but there usually people who havent had another Ferrari,i also no people that wanted to get back into 355s after 1 month of the 360 ??. There not for me.

PS:- The CS is a great car though.

Andy.

 

I like the 360 and want to upgrade from the 348 at some point. But everytime I pass the new Mitsubishi Eclipse on the street, for some reason it makes me feel someone is trying to steal some of the 360 lines!

 

The only reason to get a 360 is to step into a CS or get a 1999/2000 base 6-spd for as low money as u can and Novitech it! Same end price point, IMO.