355 vs 360 ?
I would have to say 355... since I've never owned or drove a 360 plus I like the look of the 355 better.... although the CS is growing on me.
355 for me, I had to make the exact same decision when I was looking, it was made easy by looking at a 360, they are too round and bubbly for a Ferrari IMO. I love the sound and style of the 355, it feels more like a go cart, and I find the style to be the last of an era. So for me this is easy, but at the end of the day it will be YOUR car, who cares what anyone else thinks, buy what you love. Where's Bullfighter to add a 328 to this discussion........
+1 +2 +3 I agree the technical aspects of the 360 are improved..... but IMO, its misshapen looks are what kept me away........
I think the 360 looks good, but as far as what I think a Ferrari should look and drive like, it will be the 355 forever. I've driven both extensively (850 miles in a 360 and about 4500 miles in a 355, guess which one I bought) and the 355 feels much more visceral, like a true wild stallion. The 360 is very fast and easier to drive, but the 355 is more of a race car, with less thought given to driver comfort and ease of ownership and more thought toward raw driving thrill. No offense to the 360 crowd, as I would love to add a 360 to my humble stable, but I have to buy a damn house. If you want to make up your mind, just stand behind both cars while they're idling, the choice will be clear. Take them to redline on a twisty, and you'll have an epiphany. my $.02
I have both. 99 355F1 spider and a 99 360F1 Modena. Both with Tubi. They are both great cars, the 360 has more low end power but the cars are close in performance. The 360 just feels faster from the having more low end torque. The 360 has cost me less to service, engine in the car for belt service. Niether car has ever broken down" knock on wood" !! The 355 seems more rare, I see more 360's on the road than 355's. Also I love the compactness of the 355, when the two are parked together the 360 seems like a giant. I think the 355 looks better but my wife and kids think the 360 looks better. Hands down the 355 sounds better, it has much more of the F1 scream, which I love! The 360 is a bit more throaty, while it still sounds great. Contrary to what you may read on these boards the F1 systems are excellent! Some say the 355 system is "much" worse than the 360 system, a bunch of bull. Both are great in traffic or wide open throttle, you still have to drive them like a stick. You can't just hammer the throttle and brakes and expect the computer to figure everything out. Which one would I choose? For me if I could only have one it would be the 355F1, but in spider form. I think it is the best looking and sounding car ever made by any one, with great perfomance as well. As with any Ferrari make sure you can afford the service and you will love it. My 2 cents!
Which one would I choose? For me if I could only have one it would be the 355F1, but in spider form. I think it is the best looking and sounding car ever made by any one, with great perfomance as well. As with any Ferrari make sure you can afford the service and you will love it. Have to agree. The 360's are great cars, hell all Ferrari's are great cars, but the 355 just has "it". Now "it" can be hard to explain, but for me "it" is Artwork looks and styling, performance, and THAT SOUND!!! even stock... Other Ferrari's (for me) have a few but not too many have all three... And yes, the Spider is the way to go!!! P.S. You have to mis Chaa on these types of repeat topics....
Yes these are the 355 boards, but come on, it's a freakin' 360 dudes! The technology and development is so far beyond 355 levels. It's a beautiful design and uses aluminum! The engine is the ultimate development of the Ferrari V-8 before the 430 jumped to the MAserati block. The cars are absolutely handling exemplars. The take-it-to-the-limit 360CS is the must have version. The only thing better (outside of a 430) is a Novitec 360 - oh yeah, baby, 550 Hp on pump gas, brakes and handling like an F1 car and styling to make the gods lustful. See my avatar? Given the resources, I'd be there in a Modena minute. Now, it is hard to deal with the coming depreciation of the 360 and even the 355, which is thankfully near it bottom (we hope). Value for the money? A 1995 355 Berlinetta of course. That said, any well sorted out 348 is a much better value (and more fun overall) than either of them.
If it were my money, I would pick a 355 B over a 360 B any day. However, I would pick a CS over any 355 in a heartbeat. I think Dan's assessment above hits the nail firmly on the head. The 355 looks better, sounds better and less of aero/techno laden car. Of course from a value standpoint nothing touches the 348 - costs lesser than an equivalent 328, 355 and 360. It sounds great (though not as good as the 355), looks aggressive, drives purer (no steering assistance, ESR, sports suspension nonsense, old school gearbox) and has lots of raw appeal. They want you back on the 328 forum STAT - it's a medical emergency requiring a 24*7*360 appearance by you there.
I have to second that motion... I love the 360, and don't find it 'mis-shapen' at all... I wouldn't hesitate to sell my 348 to buy a 360...especially the spider...I think they are a fantastic car. Mike in Kuwait
the 360 looks like a worn soap bar with some sculpturing in strategic places whereas the 355 is a sculptured classic beauty - like comparing a Mona Lisa (355) to a Pamela Anderson (no insulted intended to the forenamed person). Alto' I have never had the privilege of driving the 360, an old fart like me belongs more comfortably in the womb of a Mona Lisa. I love my Baby 'F'
As I have mentioned in the past........... I love the 360 chassis/engine technology................. its looks........... are not as good ...........IMO ....
For me, I think a lot has to do with the price. I agree with most of the comments here, and IMO, the 360 is a better performer, but the 355 is better looking. I'm not sure how the depreciation on a 360 is going to pan out. And in that price catagory, that is my major concern. I don't mind losing money on the selling side. Afterall, these are depreciating assets. But to lose 30 or 40 k in a year or two makes no sense to me. The 355 has already taken the depreciation, or most of it.
+1. If you do want a 360, wait a couple of years. Or, buy a 355 now, and then get a 360 down the road once they've tanked.
I was looking at the 360 and 355 about 6 to 7 years ago trying to make my mind up which one I liked most. At first look the 360 looked awsome but as a year went by and many more visits to the dealer It started to wear thin on me and the 355 still had the appeal. I can still remember the 355 coming to be in 94 95 and said to myself that this is the best looking car that Ferrari ever made. I couldnt say that about the 360. The 360 is too bulky especially around the rear fenders. The 430 improved on this. I bought a 355B and love it. I have had a few incounters on the road with 360 and the 360cs and have had no problem keeping up and many times slowly pulling away. My Motronic has been chipped to challenge spec and the elimination of the cats along with the tubi gives me that ever so slight an edge. But most of all its the sound......That unbelievable sound in tunnels and underpasses that you just cant get used to. It makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I added the challenge grill and challenge wing this past summer and now enjoy looking at it almost as much as driving it. Just have to find some nice challenge wheels now. Finding a good 355 is not easy as there were only 10,000 or so made of which not even half came to north america. Finding a good 360 is easier as there are around 16,000 of them made and a higher percentage of them came to noth america. Many of these cars can be found on ebay ect ect but the best ones are sold to friends and relatives or found at a reputable Ferrari dealer and dont have their milage fiddled with.
That's not an easy choice. 360 looks better, but hands down the 355 is more fun to drive. Factor in the cost and I think it's a no brainer to get a 355.
I think the 360. Far more responsive, killer performace and perhaps more mean and agressice looking rather than pretty and nice. Just my 2c
