355 vs. 360

Given the same condition and miles, a 355 B or GTS is more valuable than a 360 Coupe. The 360 is still depreciating but the 355 has appreciated even though like most is soft right now.

Regardless, I'd suggest you get the car that moves you the most.

 

It's really a personal preference but I'd go with the 355 over the 360 or 430, but not over the CS or Scud. Different cars, the 355s are raw compared to the newer models.. Manual cars already demand a premium over paddle shift but whether this trend will continue no one can say for sure.

 

They're nearly identical in performance and maintenance costs. I think the 360 clutch jobs cost more though (F1 or Manual) since the job is more labour intensive.

As Dave said I think it's more of a personal preference between the two when cross shopping. The 355 is more Enzo era design language whereas the 360 is more the start of a new generation of Ferrari's.

You can't go wrong with eithers exhaust note though. 5 valve V8's for the win.

First car is a 360, second is a 355:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqzb3J3Fic[/ame]

 

Maint is the same- 360 can have pre-cat issues that are pricey, and F1 can have pricey issues, 355 issues have likely been corrected now (valve guides, sticky interior parts)- yes 5 year service on 355 is more money, but based on luck of the draw/actual car you get, a 360F1 may cost more in maintenance than a 355.

I think a 355 stick will hold it's value better, but neither is really an investment sort of car.

I had a 360 coupe for 5 years and now have a 355 spider for about 2 years. Both were stick, and both required a large repair at one point to make things right. Cost of the acquisition is the entry fee- some years you'll have an $800 bill for fluid changes, other years 2-10x that over the course of a decade of ownership.

I'd strongly recommend finding/building a relationship with a competent mechanic that knows these cars before making the jump- you can ask him about a prospective purchase (or do a PPI, but murphy's law is that you won't find the right car in a 20 mile radius) and go into ownership with eyes open.

If you really want a stick, there is no question the 355...you'll regret the F1. If you really want an F1 or are truly indifferent as to transmission (I'll note few people are indifferent on which transmission though), the 360 is a much more modern car. As far as cars go, I really like them both for different reasons- I wanted a 355 spider for a different experience after having the 360 coupe, but if I had an adequate play car budget and space for 2, I'd have both a 355 and 360 in a heartbeat- they are that much different from one another. At times I miss the 360 and think of going back someday, but other times I enjoy the 355 so much I wouldn't think of it!

 

Definitely buy what stirs your soul. I love the 355 and think the 360 looks like a jellybean, but that's just me.

 

Unfortunately though, the answer is that both can cost a lot to maintain, vs saying "the 355 isn't that bad" or "360 isn't that bad"... BUT as a car guy, there is nothing to me more enjoyable than having had the experience of being a Ferrari owner during my life. Either car is great once set up to your liking- I'm 7 years into Ferrari ownership, and it's still a thrill for me. Even if I don't have a Ferrari at some point in my life, I'll always be thankful for the experience!

If you do your homework and budget accordingly, it can be an amazing step to jump on the right car. There is of course lots of useful information on f-chat...but since everyone reports their issues vs when they don't have a question/problem, it can scare you off. Once a few years ago my mechanic told me to stop reading f-chat, drive the car and enjoy- when something breaks we fix it - I've taken that philosophy and enjoy it more now! Of course I still read/post here though- I 've read hundreds of valve guide posts through the years, but they were addressed on my car so can probably just stop reading them (but I can't help myself )

Best of luck with the purchase- the hunt is very exciting and fun!

 

355, I have two. The 360 does not move me. Either one, don't get the F1.

 

As I see it, the 360 is more "polite" and the 355 is more course and vulgar and I like it that way. The performance is nearly identical, and I think the more dramatic looks of the 355 make it my choice.

The F1 and the stick are nearly identical transmissions, one is pedal and stick operated and the other is being operated by a computer controlled hydraulic system, once you understand that it is not such a mystery. If you are up to taking on the F1 system then it may be for you, if not go stick. I generally prefer sticks and have only ever owned one automatic, but I feel like the F1 suits this car nicely.

Either way your buying a needlessly complex car that often uses questionable materials and construction and components that have a ridiculously short service life compared to other manufacturers and you pay a premium price for the experience. But you won't be able to wipe that stupid grin off your face like a kid that just got an F on his report card and thinks it is funny.

 

The 360 has better stereo and AC if thats your thing

 

See, what ****s me off is that this kind of comment is allowed to pass, but if any F1 owner decides to defend their car, it is immediately called out as "oh no, here we go again".

Well, when I was looking for a 355 I genuinely had no preference. I just wanted the best possible car I could find (I did care about body type though).
I considered both manual and F1, but as it turned out the best car I found was an F1.
Five years later, I'm actually glad I bought an F1.
I really don't get why the "stick" guys feel the need to force their views on every prospective buyer - you never see that from the F1 owners.

Just buy the car you like the most, and the best example you can find in your budget.

 

Steve - each to their own but F1 is not seen as a purist choice and was a transitional technology. Has no provenence at all. The F1 in the mid 90s was not well resolved but by say 599/GTO was pretty good.

The only super series with F1 was Enzo, not great.......

Manual will always have value as its sort of authentic and the stick of course looks lovely.

 

Go 355, a more iconic car and shape, 360 is not a craved for car in the way say 355/458 are.

 

That's your opinion. We shall see whether it has "value" or not.
There is no actual evidence that manual RHD 355s are more valued than F1 for now.
Regardless, anyone who buys one of these cars based on future values is being foolish.

Finally, believe it or not, I don't think the stick looks lovely. I never did.
When I was a teenager gawking at new Ferrari 348s, Honda NSXs, and Lotus Esprits I always thought the Ferrari gearstick was ugly. I haven't changed my mind.
The point is; not everyone shares the "conventional" view.

As I have always said, buy the best 355 you can find in the configuration you like the most.
Ignore everyone else (including me).

 

Absolutely, personal choice. Though look how hot eg manual Porsche 911R is......speaks volumes but I do accept purists are few and far between. My wife hates my manual V12 but for me it's rewarding.

 

I think you may be in a minoroty thinking the open gate is ugly versus a plastics sheath.

 

Can't speak for Aus and driving clearly very different there but here manual is far more valuable and sought after.

 

Steve - you do live in the finest country in the world, even I would suffer F1 to live there ��

 

My car is from the UK. I keep a very close eye on the market there.

I haven't seen any evidence that shows that the manual is valued "far" higher than the F1 when it comes to 355s.
430s and 599s for sure, but 355s? Not based on what I can see.

 

I love it here, but it is rapidly heading down the PC toilet unfortunately.

FWIW, London is my favourite city in the world.

 

London is cool, if you are rich. Nothing is free, in Aus there is a lot to access reasonably, minimal government debt and control of your destiny. Plus so assst rich. And GREAT at sport.

Luxury goods tax a negative !

 

I wanted the F1 call me crazy but I have had lots of sticks but ina ferrari I feel the F1 makes me feel more like a formula 1 driver.

The longer you keep them the cheaper the average cost. If you keep it for 15 years it will likely cost you less than 3 grand a year.

 

LoL, you didn't start the fire. It was always burning since the F1 was turning. Don't mind me. I'm just here to add fuel to the fire. When you're on top the hill, everyone wants to knock you down. The F1 is atop the hill. It is the better option to the stick and getting all the attention. Refined or not it in the 355, is the future from there on. The manual on the other hand is yesterday news seeking tomorrow purpose. There are many who truely love the stick for what it is because they're weekend trackers but neglecting the additional maintenance, deep down inside most will admit the F1 is far better for all around driving. Of course they won't admit it in Fchat forum. That's like a mother admitting her daughter is uglier than the little girl next door. And yes the nearly foot long stick shift in center console is painful to the eyes. I am shocked such a contraption passed quality control at Ferrari given the brand reputation. If the 355 didn't offer the F1 option, I would be posting jokes in the 430 F1 sub forum.