Anyone gone from a GT3 to a 360?

I have had an itch for years, and I think it's time.

I have found a Red 1999 360 F1 with 20Kms and in perfect condition. Just had a full service this week in prepration for the new owner. Inside all mint and had a PPI with no issues at all.
They have done the upgrade for the F1 where it changes smoother or faster.

My dilema is I have owned 8 x 911's inc 3 Turbo's, and trust the reliability 100%.
The Ferrari running costs don't bother me because I have read enough here to know there aren't any real time bombs.......unless I am real unlucky. Belt service is around $1500 without surprises.

So has anyone done the GT3 to 360 swap? Love to hear your thoughts if you have.

Thanks

 

I've had 5 porsches and loved them all.

360 is a great car, but if you're coming from a 997 GT3, it might leave you a little empty.

Before the 430, I had an Aston Vantage. I traded my Turbo for the Vantage, because I got seduced by the brand and look of the car. Overall I liked the Vantage, but coming from the Turbo, it felt so underpowered. Now going from the Vantage to the 430, the 430 feels like a rocket ship.

Not trying to dissuade you from the 360, but I think a more comparable jump from the GT3 would be the 360 CS.

 

Mine is a 996, but still a rapid car. CS 360's are very rare here, plus I have a budget.
Believe it or not I am not after sheer speed. There are plenty of cheaper cars that are faster.
I am after the experience, if that makes sense.
The Porsche is a hard act to follow for sure, and in reality it's a car I will never be able to use to its full potential. My nuts aren't big enough!
Thanks

 

lol!!
I met a guy with a 997 Mk I GT3. He wanted to race with my Modena. The result: GT3 will be on sale soon...
I ride with him at his GT3 after a hot ride with my 360. I was not impressed at all. Boring at low rpms, better on high but not what i expected. Plus i dislike the plastic interior and the cheap look bucket seats. And ofcourse the sound...nothing to do with even a standard 360

 

Yeh the interior is not like the older air cooled cars for sure.
Was your 360 quicker, just out of interest? Because the 997's are pretty fast I thought.
Thanks

 

Well, when we reached 200 kmh i almost touched his rear bumper, so i kept following him quite easy. Altough i made no attempt to pass him he realised that my car was faster. He couldnt be conviced that my car was not modified, note that the guy used to own two Modenas in the past.
On the other hand, i suspect GT3 has a bit higher top speed, maybe faster on a track too. But we are talking for a 90.000€ comparing to a 45.000€ car.

 

I came directly out of a 6 GT3 into a Stradale.

While I still believe the GT3 was a more finely engineered car I have been happy with the transition for the most part.

The GT3 was in my stable for seven years, and now this Strad has been here for over a year.

The GT3 (for me) is a more capable track car, but I was very in-tune with it after those many years. However in the public the GT3 was viewed as just another red 911 when driven about. The Stradale is a rock-star no matter where you take it.

Power feels very much the same. Braking does too. Weight was/is nearly identical.

I am honing the drive on my Stradale and may dial it in so it will be as capable as my GT3 was. But it was not "right out of the box" as good as the GT3. And that goes for ergonomics & build quality too.

However, both must be experienced... So please forge forward.

 

Still Stradale has much more things to offer...
I think it was far beyond its age, comparing even to modern cars.
Titanium suspension, carbon - alcadara interior and seats, race mode and that sound that only 2-3 Ferraris can match with...

 

I went from a 997 mk2 to a F430. I think, generationally, the 996 and the 360 are from the same era.

I used the 997mk2 as a track/street car, but it was set up more biased towards track use.

I decided to get a dedicated track car, and, at that point, I went to the F430.

I find that the F430 is a much better street car. The experience is not only about speed (let's face it, you never can really go fast on the street), but about looks, sound, feel etc.

The Ferrari experience is a true "exotic." Be prepared for looks, cameras, questions etc. Be prepared to give rides to neighbors and friends. Even though I drive mine a lot (7k miles for the first year), each drive is an "event."

If I only cared about "speed", then the GT3 had more of it. It also offered better interior build quality (with the exception of the leather. Ferrari leather is much nicer.)

The Ferrari sounds better, looks better, and to me, is more of a special car.

I think if you can, why not have a Ferrari once in your life. IF you don't like it, sell it and move on. There are always cars out there.

Cheers,

Ron

 

The 997 GT3 is a pretty quick car, although these are professional drivers pushing to the edge.

http://www.fastestlaps.com/comparisons/porsche_997_gt3-vs-ferrari_360_modena.html

 

Hey thanks for all the comments.
My mind is pretty well made up now and I am going to take the next step.
People already think I'm a prick for owning a Porsche as it is, so I can only imagine what they'll think of me when I take a 360 out and about.

I know it's easy to say, "tell them to go **** themselves", but it is still an issue in a small place.

This is exciting!

 

Unless you give them a reason (and driving a Porsche isn't) what they think about you is their problem. Not the point of your post, but I go out of my way to NOT be a prick, opening up the hood, answering questions and even taking the occasional photo with them by the car.

The 360 is a looker, and a fun, reliable car from most accounts. Have fun in your search!

 

You are perceived as a prick for owning a Porsche, and will likely be perceived as more of a prick in the Ferrari.

This weekend I spent nearly an hour giving rides to some of the neighborhood kids 3-7 yr range, also known as "de-pricking".

Who cares just be yourself, prick or not, and buy, drive and enjoy.

 

I think if you have the proper attitude when you drive it, you will be pleasantly surprised at how the other people act towards you when you are driving a Ferrari. I was also afraid that people would automatically assume the drivers personality based on the car. I've only owned it about 3 months but so far it's been all positive attention from it. Don't worry about that stuff. If you are a cool guy, you will not have a problem. Good luck!

 

It's just coming down to the change over price now. So by all accounts I might be an owner this weekend.
I'm sold!

 

Hahaha, De-pricking..nice one!

 

Currently have both a .1GT3 RS and 360 CS and I'm getting rid of the CS. Why?

- CS shifting is for the birds. I find that I really do prefer a proper 3-Pedal experience
- RS is a far better all-around car for me. I've put almost 5K miles on the RS since May and about 800 on the CS.
- CS doesn't feel different enough from the 99 360 I previously owned and in some ways not as much fun (99 was a 3-pedal euro car)
- I never got in the CS and thought "I love this thing". Got in the RS and thought it sounded like an angry VW and loved it right away.

I loved my 99 360 for all that it was, which was a useable, reliable low maintenance sports car that I enjoyed driving. I bought it from a fellow F-chatter who had put 40K miles on it and the car is now owned by another F-chatter and has 67K miles on it with little cost outside of normal wear items and regular maintenance. It comes down to preference and what you're looking for in a car. Because in the end, when you're spending your hard-earned money the car has to "do it" for you.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

I have a 996 gt3 cup and a 360 6spd. I've driven a few street gt3's as well. Engineering on the gt3 is better, and it is a superior track car, and has a smoother shift setup. The 360 is roomier inside, better ergonomics, nicer interior, and feels more special. They are both amazing cars. The 360 has a great road feel, and feels very light. The lightweight flywheel is really cool, and feels very similar to the thrust bearing setup on my cup. The gated shifter is a little clunky though. I definitely prefer the involvement of it over the F1. If you have the opportunity, I would definitely try a 360. If you don't like it, you can always sell it.

That's an interesting take on the CS..... I thought about trading up to a CS or 430, but couldn't justify the price difference. Instead I'm thinking of spending that price difference on a 550 or 997.1gt3 and using it more as a daily driver.

I live in a small town as well, and the 360 does get more attention. I used to feel like people were always watching me, but that wears off and you forget about it.

 

I have a 996 gt3 cup and a 360. I've driven a few street gt3's as well. Engineering on the gt3 is better, and it is a superior track car, and has a smoother shift setup. The 360 is roomier inside, better ergonomics, nicer interior, and feels more special. They are both amazing cars. The 360 has a great road feel, and feels very light. If you have the opportunity, I would definitely try a 360. If you don't like it, you can always sell it.

 

I am looking to add 996 Gt3 as a stable mate to my 360 Spider at some point.

 

"Hey thanks for all the comments.
My mind is pretty well made up now and I am going to take the next step.
People already think I'm a prick for owning a Porsche as it is, so I can only imagine what they'll think of me when I take a 360 out and about.

I know it's easy to say, "tell them to go **** themselves", but it is still an issue in a small place.

This is exciting!"


It finally took me about a year to get over the what will other people thing syndrome and finally bite the bullet to buy the 430 I currently own... at the end of the day if that is what is going to make you happy buy it! Don't let other peoples opinions bother you... if you are confident in yourself and feel as though the car isn't going to hurt your business then buy it. My issue was that I am an attorney and I didn't want people I do business with to stop referring me work... I found it was just the oposit I think other people that possibly doubted by capabilities began to look at me as someone who must be good at what he does since he drives a car like that!!! And in many ways they are rite

 

Good point you have.
Small towns are all the same. What makes me laugh is some twit gives me grief about owning a Porsche. They really get into me. Then you find they have a 40ft boat the marina that gets used once a year, and it's worth three times the amount of a decent car.
Thats rich coming from them!

I am at the point I dont really care anyway. Life is for living for yourself, not others.

 

I went from 993 > 996 I regretted it on day 1, a 360 the buzz was back.

And that's all I need.

 

Ferrari for the win. I am from a town of 1000 and they all thought our family was rich when we had a new Mustang GT 5.0. I was like are you serious? Your truck costs twice that.