A little 360 advice

First off....Hello everyone.

I'm currently looking for the lowest priced red, F1, up-to-date serviced, red-keyed, PPI-ok'd 360. I'm a Porsche owner who has had a near-painless experience, other than oil leaks. I love my car, but have wanted a Ferrari since I was in the womb. Any Porsche to Ferrari owners out there? I keep hearing this "unlike any other experience" comment, so I want to see it for myself. Am I expecting too much from this car?

I found this one...I can get an 01' (which is supposedly less problematic) for a similar price, but I want red.
Red 99 F1
http://www.phxcars.com/?go=display&show=5163&shot=photo9

1999 Ferrari 360 F1 Modena
Price: $89,900
Mileage: 23,466
Engine: 3.6L V8
Transmission: F1
Exterior: Rosso Corsa
Interior: Tan Leather
Audio System: Becker Audio
Wheels: Factory Alloys
VIN: ZFFYR51A2X0118057
Warranty: Warranties are available

Options/Features:
* 30K Service
* Scuderia Shields
* Front Challenge Grilles
* Rear Challenge Grille
* Red Brake Calipers
* Full Carbon Interior
* Sport Suspension
* Full Leather
* Power Locks


* Power Windows
* Power Mirrors
* Keyless Entry
* Anti-Theft
* Premium Stereo
* CD Player
* Air Conditioning
* Tinted Glass
* Driver Airbag
* Passenger Airbag
* Premium Package
* Xenon Lights

Cheers....

 

Hi PTARGA,

I flew down to Phoenix from Denver last week to look at the car. They were going to do the 30K service on it this week, which is a big plus. Has one key and all three key fobs. My concerns were/are that there are two paint blend lines on both sides of the roof back by the C pillars. Rory Collins the salesman (nice guy) wasn't able to elaborate on any paint issues the car has. It also has some body damage that is just behind the driver side front fender wheel well (running board area). It was touched-up but not very well, something that didn't sit well with me. The transmission shifts hard, I didn't like that, but I guess that's how an F-1 is suppose to work. It doesn't have the tool kit, jack or anything else you would normally find in the front bonnet trunk area. No owners manual or pouch with all the other paper work. They put new tires on the rear of the car, P-zero Neros, but they are miss matched with the tires on the front of the car and those tires (front tires) were manufactured in week 35 of 2002! There is some slight pulling of the leather dash in the middle up by the windshield and the plastic defroster vent covers (at the windshield) are broken and would need to be replaced to have them seat properly. There are no service records for the car, PERIOD. Rory said they were trying to get the floor mats and another key from the previous owner. That may be difficult because the car was traded in at a car dealer in Southern Calif. The car at first glance looked ok, but as I started looking closer the flaws started to appear. They won't budge on the price, either. I wished the car was the right one, it just wasn't for me. After driving it I know that I would rather have a 6-speed manual transmission instead of an F-1.

My two cents and two days trying to get back from Phoenix.
Good luck in your search (I've been looking since Oct '07)

Erik

 

Ouch. That car has been crashed for sure. obvious front damage and c-pillar paint blend. Sounds like a swapping of ends and front and rear quarter panel damage. No records and no manuals? That means previous owner who crashed it took the manuals and such and sold them on ebay.

Hunter

 

My daily driver is a 1998 993 Cab that I have driven daily for the past ten years and I think there is nothing better for everyday use. Having said that I have had a 2004 Red 360 Spider that I drive for fun as much as I can and the experience of being in the car is beyond description. Buy an F-car, you'll never regret the decision

 

thanks erik for the info, that car piqued my curiosity as well.

 

"I'm currently looking for the lowest priced red, F1, up-to-date serviced, red-keyed, PPI-ok'd 360"

Why does it have to be the lowest priced? Remember you get what you pay for with these cars..pay a little more now and less later..

Oh yeah, and I am looking for a 6' Blonde with a whip

Good luck searching..you will not regret owning a Ferrari!! +/- 10K means nothing when you are behind the wheel smiling ear to ear

 

I'm confused - Erik : why is not having the jack a deal breaker on a car which usually comes without a spare wheel and so would not come with a jack !

 

Be sure to buy the RIGHT one or it will cost ALOT. Make sure it´s never been crashed, if so you should have a discount. Also make sure it´s been repaired the way it should. Some smaller bodywork/ painwork is no issue imo.

Never buy a car without all papers/ service records. Imo a car like that is unsellable.

To answer the question, YES, the difference between a Porsche and a 360 is huge. In looks, sound and overall experience.

 

Welcome!

I went from a 2003 996 Cab to a 2001 360 Spider. I turned down a much faster and much less expensive 997 TT to do so and could not be happier!

The experience is like no other.

If I were you I would clear 4 or 5 hours from your schedule get a cup of joe and cruise through the last 3-4 months of posts here. Then I would go to your local F-dealer and drive a few examples. This will likely be all the research you could ever need! If you have any specific questions please feel free to PM me.

Good luck!

 

Looking for the “lowest priced” 360 puts you in a somewhat vulnerable position. There are probably some nice cars with low prices right now but the risk of winding up with a problem car is much higher. Someone selling a really nice 360 (i.e., no stories, good colors, lots of options, decent records, good condition, etc.) generally knows it and will stick to a price range somewhat higher than the 360 you’re looking at.

My take on the process is here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191837

It’s a terrific (I mean really terrific!) car but you might have a better experience by concentrating on finding a good one rather than a cheap one.

 

Erik-Wow, I wasn't expecting that elaborate of a response! Thank you. I guess their idea of "showroom condition" differs from ours. I found a mint condition 01' for 10k more, but it is silver. I checked out Manheim, but those don't seem to have any records associated with them. None of the 360's or Gallardo's sold at the high-line, so I know this is a buyer's market. Good luck to you, too.

Others....I just meant lowest priced that meets my quality criteria. My friend took a MAJOR beating on his 355 because he made a rash decision and the dealer lied about everything, and I don't want to make the same mistake.

Thanks everyone!

 

Great advice. One thing I know is that you have to put your time in as far as research. Unfortunately my local dealer is the one that messed up my friend's car, so I will have to look elsewhere for service.

 

I wish all boards were this helpful. That post pretty much answers everything! Thanks.

 

Jimmy,

It wasn't the deal breaker. If you re-read my original post you'll see that there are several issues with the car I found that kept me from buying it. The biggest one being the paint blend lines on the roof. No one could answer why or what happened, and damaged Ferrari's are a no go in by book. The other issue for me is this car really needs a 6-speed manual transmission. The F-1 just dosen't work well enough in the 360. Just my opinion, but since I'm the one laying down the dough, it's my call.

 

Where are you from in the Keystone State?

I am originally from West Philly

 

"I checked out Manheim" ? It doesn't matter what a dealer pays for a car, it's what the car is worth. If the dealer buys the car for 30K below book does it mean you can? If the dealer pays 30K above book does it mean that's what you have to pay? NO. Remember, it is always what the car is worth, not how much the seller is making or losing....

 

Love them both for different reasons. Owned a 2004 Challenge Stradale and a 2005 997 S cab for a couple of years & now have a 2006 F430 & a 2008 Turbo Cabriolet. What you hear about the experience is true, there's nothing like driving a Ferrari. The only advise I could think of is - With the type of car you're looking for make sure you understand what the future costs may be. Good luck!
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It NEVER fails to amaze me how much knowledge about these cars is on this forum.......Mindboggling

 

I'm from good ol' Harrisburg. There's a small Ferrari shop here that I may check out. No point in paying dealer prices for Monroe service!

Forza-I just meant I can get an auction car if I want from my friend. I almost bid on a white one, but the dealer knew nothing about the car.

Challenge-Looking to adopt?

 

Auction car, forget it. These cars are pieces of mechanical art and you MUST have the records and an inspection or you're asking for $ome big trouble. Don't fool around, and don't cheap out. Buy a good car with papers.

 

I'm not saying I'd do it, but for less than $100 you can have the car inspected by Manheim after purchase. If they find anything the seller didn't disclose, you get your money back. They did have a red one there before I was looking, and it had all the service records taped to the window. That was the only time I've seen that though.

 

I don't think that every car sold through an auction has to be a bad vehicle. Yes, the risk is there that it might have some issues, but if it has service records and a proper PPI done prior to sale, it might be as good as a vehicle sold by a F dealer. just my $0.02

Ulf

 

The $100 is a "once over" not a proper PPI. You can't get a propper PPI from the same people that also inspect Toyota's, Kia's, Chevy and Ford's.....All for $100......

 

Not sure about the car you asked about, but I did a transition from a 98 Porsche 993 cabriolet to 2002 Ferrari 360 F1 Spider last year. I kept the Porsche for a year while I had the Ferrari and found I never wanted to drive the Porsche that much as the 360 was more fun in all respects. It's quicker, handles better, has more wow factor (eg. rare, exciting to drive), and makes a much bolder statement. It can be a daily driver and I have put close to 18K miles on it in 1.5 years and had no major troubles. I will need a clutch soon however.

 

Sorry to bring the old thread back... but just want to make it clear that we aren't talking about the "common issue of 360" here... my friend is looking for a 360CS and he mentioned the same thing to me... but if you are talking about the joints from the roof to both C-pillars... you will be able to see the bad jobs done by Ferrari from the factory on all the 360s that I have checked out (easier to see on a black 360 than a silver one)... you would see wavey sections at both sides of C pillars where both C pillars join to the roof and they aren't accident related...

cheers,

richie