Advice

Both great cars but make no mistake, one is vintage and one is not. The 328 is fast enough to be fun but if you want any real power it may not satisfy you.
You need to drive both and buy the one you love driving. Neither is worth the time trouble or expense if you don't love it.

 

There is no one defining feature; you'll have to compare and contrast yourself. They both have their pros and cons. The research/day-dreaming is fun!

To me, the 360/430/458/488 are big modern cars; the 308/328/348/355 are small classic cars. You have to form your own opinion though.

 

Try to stick to stick with the three pedal 360's They are somewhat less mechanically complicated and one of the nice things about a 360 is that they so easy to live with. Keep it simple and if you find a good one, you may be sitting on a bit of value one day. The three pedal cars, I think, will have a great deal more resale value than the paddle shifters in the same model range as time passes.

Just my opinion.

 

You seek the 328. Trust me.

 

Edit: I wasn't urging you to consider a 360 over a 328. I was just suggesting that if you find yourself leaning that way, try to find a manual over a paddle shifter.

( typing on this new phone is difficult, my posts are reading like a third grader typed them )

 

328's are prettier and have a really nice classic Ferrari vibe.

If more performance (speed, torque, lat g's) and livability (cabin space, airbags, etc.) is what you want, a 360 is the right choice.

A 328 is a bit cheaper to maintain. Used to be anyway before the 328 became a destination model, not just yesterday's junk.

-F

 

A 328 will have more power and torque than the DeLorean, probably not as much as the 350Z. Around 260hp, 213ft/lbs.

A 328 is probably more fun to drive than either of those cars. Especially a 328 GTB. Have you considered a GTB?

But if you want something with performance that is on a higher level than the 350Z, the 360 is your choice.

The cons for the 360 are, it's a "common" Ferrari, not very unique, incidentally, where the 328 used to be. And the maintenance and the mechanical issues are generally bigger than the 328 which equates to higher maintenance costs.

-F

 

Also the 328s are worth more than the 360 last time a check.

 

Slightly off subject here but currently, the asking prices for 2Vi's are more than QV's

That makes NO sense (and this is coming from a person that has a special love for the 80-82 models in particular)

 

I, too, have heard some horror stories about 355s. In a fairly recent Forza, one long-time owner of a 355 opined that they were not a good choice, but I haven't driven one yet. They look and sound fabulous, as you probably know.

 

Asking. I know of a great GTB that just sold for under 80 and it took some doing to get that.

 

I agree and I am not a convertible guy. I'd have no need for a 328 without a removable roof.

 

Out of curiosity, which one was that? It wouldn't happen to be an '89 would it?

-F

 

Late 88. Beautiful car.

 

Owning a 308 and a 355, they are night and day. 308 to my eye is prettier. Just rolling art. Whether it is a 308 or a 328, it is predictable off the line and fun to drive through the corners once spooled up. Very reliable cars. Easy to service. Joy to own.

The 355 has enough umph behind it to get you in trouble quickly. It is a pretty car as well. Many get scared off from owning a 355 because of maintenance stories. So choose wisely if you go there. I have found mine to be very reliable, other than the normal issues you would find from any 20 year old car. I think the electronics are a challenge for most checkbook owners. But they are relatively easy to fix correctly. Good support within the community. Good knowledge base. Engine out service required. So more time and money there. Some pitfalls to watch for: leaking headers all years, valve guides on 97 and prior, faulty alarm systems or missing fobs, slow down lights and check engine lights all years, clutch life, and poorly executed aftermarket exhausts.

 

I drove a few 360 spiders when I moved on from my last 308 GTS.

Aside from the general greater complexity (what an understatement), it is the roof mechanism that scared me most. The cars I saw often had wear points to varying degrees where the mechanism hadn't been running properly. It has a dozen or so sensors & microswitches and if the car is stored with the hood down, as is often the case with a fair days & holidays car, the compression affects the mechanism and the hood can give trouble. Compared to the sheer simplicity of the 208/328 targa, that immediately had me concerned.

Then, on my test drives over routes I know well, I found the 360 overpowered. I couldn't enjoy twisty roads and there was little opportunity to punch through gears as speed limits are reached in 2nd if you wind up to the limiter.

Somehow, the 360 didn't feel special. It felt more like driving my Cayenne Turbo S than a Ferrari. I missed the connectivity & the mechanical emotion that comes with the earlier cars. I missed the driving effort that comes when you don't have electronic nanny aids assisting. And it felt big, again it was weirdly more like being back in my Cayenne than handling a nippy little sports car.

So I ended up buying another 308 GTS. I looked at 328s, too, but I much prefer the 308s interior & don't mind a few less HP & a little less grip.

 

I can't speak for the 328, but 308s definitely generate a lot of cabin heat; roofless, I'm fine. Enclosed, it's a sauna.

Many consider the 328 among the more mechanically "bulletproof" cars of the modern Ferrari era. Maintenance will be regular belt services, and major expenses can be the digiplex ignition modules if they fail. The 360s are beautiful and fast, have more expensive belt services, and can be nightmarish by throwing off computer codes for system fixes. I'd recommend driving a 360 first, then a 328. You'll either regret that you feel more cramped and slower, or you'll enjoy that visceral go-kart-like experience.

 

328 does not have Digiplex's. The control unit in the system they did use has been reliable to the extreme. Since 1986 I had one repaired once and its failure was the direct result of human interaction. TR, Mondial also used it and they have never had any reputation for trouble.

Never found 308 or 328 to be a sauna and I live in Texas.

 

One more thing, do you know which car this was?

For the OP, at this point I'd say make friends with 328 and 360 owners and see if you can ride shotgun to get a general feel for each car, as much as you can being a passenger.

-F

 

Best option is owning both...as I did!
First owned 328 then added the 360.
Recently sold the 328. But miss it.

328
Drives like a little go cart.
Super fun to own.
Classic lines.
Easy to service and maintain.
Got more attention and thumbs up than the 360 (less common to see on the road).
I did however, get tired of people calling me Magnum (just me).

360 (mine is stick).
Obviously faster but not over-powered for road use and dealing with traffic.
More comfortable but still a sports car with a little rawness.
Modern'ish...AC works, you can hear the radio, easier to get in and out of, etc.
Glass engine cover (I love it...some don't).

The key is to buy a really good, well maintained example. Look hard and don't settle.
If not, either is going to hurt your checkbook down the road.
But mostly a poor example will let you down...won't start, throws codes, leaks bad stuff, etc.
If so, you will regret the move to an F car regardless of which one you buy.

Both my 328 and 360 have been great cars. No crazy bills, codes or strandings.
Knock on wood.

Go drive at least 3 examples of each before making your choice.
They all drive differently.
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