360 or 430 (or something else)

There are a few 360 & 430 threads recently relating to purchase & common faults which will give some updated opinions but surely the fundamental answer is talk to Voicey (having also read all the recent thoughts on his site) & have him find you a nice car - problem solved

 

Hello

Good Problem to have. I have both in my collection, 360 gated and a 430 F1. They each scratch a different itch. As far as the cars- I prefer the 360 in manual and the 430 in F1. You really have to decide what you are going to do with this car and how it fits into your collection/ world. Best to base your search on the best car that you can afford from these and make a choice. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
Good Luck
You can PM me with any particular questions but I am not expert - I go with my gut !!!

 

Sounds to me based on your description that you actually prefer the 430, but are considering the 360 due to possible better perceived reliability. For me styling is important, which is why I went with the 430. I'd say a 430 with an aftermarket exhaust would probably fit your description, improve the sound while eliminating the most concerning reliability problem of the 430. I've had mine about 2 months now with no issues at all. I've put 1500 miles on it.

 

Good news is you can't go wrong with either choice! 360 gated manual would be my choice if you are okay with the interior / instrument cluster which looks dated to me.

 

It's all a matter of opinion. I always thought the 360 looked better than a 430. I ended up getting a clutched 360. After the first few times driving it I was disappointed in the speed and "thrill" of driving it. Ended up upgrading to a 488. Sometimes I wonder if the 430 would have been more sufficient in the thrill department though. Sorry I couldn't help haha.

 

I think looks alone the 430 is the much prettier car. I also like the fact the car carry's homages of other famous Ferrari's, like the shark nose front, Enzo rear lights, and Testarrosa Mirrors! I think its aged much better as well. I also changed my headers (due to them apparently cracking and piece of mind) The 430 has pre-cats in the manifolds, who knew! and my god does it sound good with them removed. Its like twice as load as standard and sounds like a challenge race car, so for starting up and moving out the estate, I had remote controls put in for the valves as well. Perfect !

Don't think you can go wrong with either, both should prove, fun and depreciation free motoring so enjoy.

 

Aside from styling preference, I would go 430 because the rubber and plastic parts will be significantly newer and the engine has chain driven cams. The power is also better. I used aftermarket headers and the Ferrari Sport exhaust to make the sound what I wanted. These mods also increased the power noticeably. If you want to make a 430 "high pitched", there are many exhaust options for that.

 

With regard to maintenance the 430 is easier to maintain. One of the reasons I picked the 430 over the 360. The one difference is the F1 system does have more potential faults than a gated car. I’ve found the 430 to be a fun car to DIY over almost two years (two full service annuals in that timeframe).

 

360! It would be perfect for London! Image Unavailable, Please Login


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Really tough choice. I really wanted to love the manual 360 enough to buy one. VERY fun to drive, but I just have to say if felt a tad slow. And I'm not all about speed, but I just felt I needed a bit more ooomph. I prefer the looks of the 430 but its close...close enough that looks would not be the deciding factor for me. Most non-ferrari folks would be hard pressed to tell you which one is newer without a side-by-side comparison. And although I do like the f1 system, for me at least, something is lost when you don't have a 6-speed manual. I love my superfast 2 tranny, but it is so damn complex. I love the simplicity of a manual. Not enough to convert mine, but if it ever craps out, I will think long and hard about converting.

 

I bought an F430 with the intent of swapping to manual. However, I'm not afraid to admit that I really enjoy the F1 trans. It's still very fun and engaging to drive.

 

As a road going car (no intentions of tracking it) I feel the 360 is the perfect choice for me. Enough usable HP, great driver input and feeling, and the looks are timeless. IMO the 430 while a nice car: the HP gains are not really adding anything but bragging rights, the timing chains are a plus but with that said the belt maintenance on the 360 is exaggerated, and the look of the car simply looks like a warmed over 360 with more angles on the exterior and minor details changed for the sake of change on the interior-- one mans opinion of course.

I drove a gated 360 but didn't like the long throws and the gated shifter-- And this is from a man that has always driven stick 911s. I decided to look for an F1 360 as the look of the 360 appealed to me more than the aesthetics of the 430. And of course your money will probably buy "more" when choosing an F1 over the significantly higher price of a gated car-- 360 or 430. The 360 F1 was my first paddle shift car--- and I love it. You owe it to yourself to drive both (with and open mind) and then decide. Forget what people will tell you, forget what the markets say, and simply find which car checks all the boxes for you.

 

Great perspective and I agree. Its all so personal and subjective. If there was a universal "best" answer we would all be driving the same car! Its funny and fun how we are all so different. I absolutely adored the shift action in the 360 manual I drove. As in loved it! LOL!

 

F430. Spider. F1. Was is in the same boat as you, and bought mine about two years ago. I will never sell it. Someone before me once stated, “looking at the engine through the glass rear is the stuff of legend”. I don’t know what people are saying about sound, but my 430 sounds incredible. There’s not one thing I would change about it.

That said, the obvious….Get what makes you happy Image Unavailable, Please Login


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Both are great choice. Find the cars, drive them and see which one connects with you. Done.

 

Love the chrome wheels, where they standard in the US ?

 

Thanks. Yes. Ball Polish finish. I kept the OEM stock look. Just love this car


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There's an update spreadsheet regularly posted which should clarify

 

My perspective is very similar to KC's. I went back and forth with 360vs430, F1vsStick (knew I wanted a Spider), I went with a 360 F1 Spider and completely love it. If I had bought any of the other options (even a couple ), I am completely sure I would have loved them also.

The only loss you'll experience, is the time spent between now, and when you purchase AND drive it, so don't delay. Life is short, and all you are doing is 'parking' some money anyways. I drive around all of the time with a smile on my face and happiness in my heart.

 

"parking some money"--- love it. And so true. Cars have never been an investment for me. I make money other ways and simply want to enjoy my cars as a perk from those other investments. As you alluded to, a car well maintained and kept nice always has a decent return of cash if and when you decide to sell it---- not like my GE stock!

Cheers, Ken

 

Great post. I fell for an F1 360 for many of the same reasons!