360 or 512TR? which one would you choose? (yes, ANOTHER one of those threads)

I'm sure the magnet you reference could be integrated into the 512TR's engine management software. Would need a wiring schematic to sort that out.

 

512TR

 

having owned a 6 speed 360 spider and driven my cousins 512tr, i can tell you its apples and oranges...two different cars for two different purposes...the 360 is a comfy everday car, whereas the tr is more of an exotic beast...its very wide, hard to steer in parking lots and more of torque monster high speed car...the 360 is way more nimble and flingable....the 360 is cheaper to service,...guys like the looks of the tr better and chicks like the 360 more...one of each would be nice......

 

Like Bart said...........

"Real men drive 12 cylinders"

 

I like the 512tr and own one and I also like the 360 and owned 2. I have a 430 coming the first of the year and it would be my pick of the 3. The 512tr just has the look and people still think a clean one is a new car. Mine looks and drives new and I really like it a lot. What a great car.

 

This thread is very personal to me...because I'm currently a Testarossa owner and thinking of getting a 360 Coupe. I love the torque of the flat-12, but I also love the curvy sensuous looks of the 360. I may regret the change...I don't know....time will tell. I would love to hear real-world experiences and comparisons of each model.

Acceleration....once the TR catches it's breath it surprises many by it's grunt...how does the 360 do....?
Sound....I LOVE the sound of both cars....both are distinctive and unmistakeable...
Comfort.....how is the 360 for bigger folks over 200 pounds....?
Washing and Cleaning...the TR is a pain in the butt to wash and keep clean....how is the 360?
Maintenance...not an issue as I will do my own.
Long Trips...the TR eats up highway miles easily....how is the 360?

 

I will say that washing the tr is a real job. That is the only thing I hate about the car. It just takes forever.

 

I had the base 1990TR and recognise that the 512TR was an upgrade I currently have a 360 and although I love the TR shape it is classic and it is the car I lusted over when I first saw it I would take the 360 the TR is just not a regular city or short ride car it loves the open road and long runs the no power steering makes it a nightmare at slow speeds.

 

For me it's a 512TR.

If you can't afford either, then how about a 328?

 

As the original poster, I'll answer by saying I have a 308QV But, I was just curious because the 360 prices have fallen into the low 100s or high 90s depending upon the car, while the 512TRs are in the same range +/- (for an early one, 92 or 93).

I was curious as to the different animals and which one would people prefer. Lots of good answers, but if I was serious, I'd try to find one of each to at least ride in if not drive so I could feel the differences meantioned by everyone so far.

James in Denver

 

I too would like to hear more on this very interesting topic....my future Ferrari may hand in the balance! Do I stick with the flat-12 cars or do I cross over to the v-8 cars? I would like to hear overall experiences and just some seat of the pants comparisons. Does the 360 have any mechanically weak points....like the TR/512TR differential issues? What are the two cars like when you punch it off the line? What about fit and finish...any rattles or other issues? What about speedbumps or other obstacles, the 512TR has a lot of nose overhand, but the 360 looks lower...how does this work out? Okay...I'll shut up now....

 

Not sure its a fair comparison and your list could go on for a couple of pages having started my Fcar affair with a TR which I loved I now have a 360 Spider. Technically the 360 is a completely different animal from the operation of the car to the comfort and performance. The TR does have the classic look and the appeal of the Flat 12 but has many of the endearing features plus, that you mention, All cars will have maintainence issues, just read the TR or the 360 sections on the board overall I love the 360 easier to drive more agressive sound better technical package easier to maintain older cars have issues that newer cars dont.I do miss the TR shape but thats realistically all I miss.
Martin

 

My best friend's favorite is the late 80's TR. I keep telling him he needs to look at the 512tr because it's the coolest look and the most refined of that line. I also tell him he could have a 360 for about the same price and that it gets more girls on top of reducing his total cost of ownership.
Me I've got to go with the 360. The main reason being is the traction control and other safety features the 512 doesn't have. I have no self control when it comes to machinery... I fly airplanes aggressively and that goes up expodentially when I get in a helicopter. I push cars to their limits because...well it's fun! I know with my personality a motorcycle would be a death sentence so while I love them, I don't own one.
The 360 is safer at it's limits.

 

I'd argue with that. The traction control on a 360 is not stability control. As a 512 owner, by the time you are out of control, you are in way over your head. You have to really work to get the back out of sorts.

 

The torque in the 512 is fun. I think the 360 is better with the F1 because it is easier to keep in the upper revs, which you need.

The 512 sound in the cabin is one of the best I have ever heard. The 360 is best heard from the outside.

The 360 is bigger inside than the 512.

The 360 is much easier to wash.

You will have trouble doing maintenance beyond fluids on a 360, too much requires SD2 or SD3.

Both are great cars to drive on long trips.

My opinions, anyway!

 

360 easy.....

I'd rather have a more nimble car that has more up-to-date technology........rather than NO power steering, NO ABS, NO TC, CRAPPY AC, as wide as a Hummer........plus it apparently comes with a special magnet the one guy discusses.....

 

I have owned BOTH!!!!

Brief history...03 360, then 04 Stradale, then 93 512TR, then back to the Stradale.

For me it was no comparison!! the 360 was/is the hands down winner.

The 512TR is a BIG heavy car, that is very tough to drive in the city. In order for the car to shine it needs to be able to stretch its legs on the open highway. I disagree with some about the 12's in cabin sound being the best (mine had a Tubi), personally hearing a V-8 scream at 8,000 RPM is a much sweeter sound (again personal taste...very subjective). The exterior look of the TR is AWESOME!! Tires sidewall are bit to tall for me, but overall an absolute gorgeous car. The interior of the car is what is lacking, granted car is some 15 years old at this point, but the interior is dated unlike the exterior. Then there is the reliability/service issues, also when something does go wrong YIKES!!! is it expensive. The gearbox is vintage Ferrari..you have to wait till temps all get up in order to go thru the gears smoothly and easily (my 360 was F-1 so cant compare shift to shift) I thought i would enjoy being able to shift a car as opposed to the paddles, but was dissapointed at how clunky and slow shifting actually is in the TR, it takes practice...but still it is not easy, it is NO HONDA!! It never justs slides into the next gear effortlessly.

Now the 360...Go Kart feel when driving, it is light (compared to the TR) agile, and extremely responsive to all driver inputs. The exterior looks are awesome as well (Hey its a Ferrari), the interior is awesome as well, of course it is new model. Service/repairs on the 360 are never inexpensive, but pale in comparison to the TR. Parts can be found relatively inexpensive if one does a little shopping as well as service, afterall these cars production numbers are the highest of any Ferrari to date, making both parts and service easy to obtain.

For me, the best bang for the buck is the 360, the smell of the Leather interior, the absolutely awesome engine, the effortless shifting of the F-1, the confidence of mechanical reliability, makes it a no brainer!! The 512TR is a great car and has its place, if one has the ability to own more than one F-car at a time, the TR should be in the stable. But if you (like me) cant justify more than one exotic at a time....the 360 is it


DISCLAIMER*********** NOW IF YOU CAN AFFORD THE STRADALE!!! IT IS TO THE 360 AS THE 360 IS TO THE TR!!

IT IS THE ULTIMATE ROAD MACHINE IN EVERY WAY!!! IT IS WHAT A FERRARI SHOULD BE...A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BEAST THAN A 360. UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY DRIVE ONE, YOU WONT UNDERSTAND, WORDS CANT DESCRIBE!! JUST HAVE YOUR CHECKBOOK HANDY.

 

I noticed the vast majority of people here prefer the 512TR to the 360. I'd have to say I wholeheartedly agree. The bottom line is that the 512TR is a more headturning car than the 360. I think this is something to do with the huge cheesegrater vents on the sides of the 512TR along with all those slats all over the body.

 

512TR gotta go with a Ferrari 12 vs the Dino V8