Exploring the idea of buying a Challenge car. I just think these are just a tremendous value for a factory built race car. I assume that most of the comparisons between the road cars holds true for the Challenge cars. Is there anything major in terms of parts availability, cost to run or things like that between the generations. Appears that the 430s are much more rare. Cross shopping with GT3 cup cars as well.
Our shop services several challenge cars and own a couple (360C & 430C) to enjoy at the track as well. I have driven everything up to and including a 458 C, but my least favorite is a 430C. Perhaps I am just used to my 360C, but when I get out of the 360 and jump into the 430C, it feels like a much more modern car --- but not in a good way! I feel disconnected from the 430 - feedback from the chassis is nowhere near as good as a 360. Not to mention that the 430C is basically undriveable if you have ASR on (very intrusive)! The brakes in the 360C also seem to be on another level compared to the 430. Don't misunderstand me, the 430C is certainly a great car and many people love them, it's just not for me as IMO it's much harder to drive at 9 or 10/10th compared to the 360C. Interestingly enough, even though the 458C is next generation and much more sophisticated, Ferrari seemed to do something with the electronics in the car to dial back in some of that "analog feel" that the 430 IMO seems to lack. I am much more comfortable in the 458C so I would recommend you go either 360C or 458C. As for the cup cars, my experience has been that the challenge cars are cheaper to run as everything is pretty much street car components versus cup cars which utilize a lot of bespoke Porsche Motorsports parts that can get very pricey to replace. In a challenge car, no need to send an engine off for rebuild to Porsche Motorsports - in fact many challenge cars have had replacement engines from wrecked street cars!
Interesting information. Had assumed every gen was a step in the "right direction" Will admit to having more of an emotional connection to the 360. Those were the cars I first remember lusting after. At this point I am not looking to do competitive driving, maybe as they become more "vintage" that will change. For right now I am just a passionate person looking for a new toy/adventure. Did not know the cup cars differed that much from the road cars.
I agree. 360 CH is a fun car to drive. I had a 430 Challenge. I did not like it. IMHO. The 430 did not like being on track. It was always fighting you to go fast. It took me a lot of setup time/testing and adjustment to get the car to go fast. The 360 CH is not as fast, but a lot of fun. The running cost of the 360 is much higher. Parts are getting very hard to source. The ECU's are impossible to find or fix.
A tech once told me Ferrari went with a softer rear end in the F430 to cure the snap spin of the F360. Funny thing is the fast guys in the F430 CH were retrofitting the F360 CH rear ends. Damn, I wish you would change your screen name. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
A few guys we were racing against put a 5 liter Maserati engine block in the 430. The 430's were fast and mean. To cure the 360 oversteer racers installed the GT kit with the front splitter and the adjustable rear wing.
My 2 cents. The 430 challenge is more modern/faster but less satisfying. The 360 is fun to drive but more expensive and the parts are impossible to find. The sound of the 360 is intoxicating. Mini F1 car.
Anyone know of a 360 for sale in the USA? Would LOVE something that has been sitting for a while (I actually really enjoy the process of waking up sleeping vehicles)
Still looking. Opened to any to 430/360/355/348 Honestly would prefer a car that has sat and needs some love
