Brand newbie: 360 or 430?

This is a start :

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=137220802#post137220802

So is

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174365&highlight=360+430

Looks like its been asked before !

 

My first Ferrari was a Modena (manual). I really really enjoyed the car and drove about 2500 kms (1550 miles) in less than two months.
My dealer called me then and invited me to test drive an almost new F430 F1 he had just aquired. Man, after that I sooo regretted my previous decision. I immediately sold the 360 and got the F430 F1.

Yes, the difference in price is justified because the F430 is rawer, faster and definitely more stable at very high speeds. I even liked its exhaust note more (many will probably disagree here).

If I were you I'd go for the F430 (at least test drive them both before deciding)

 

Interesting previous post. I say this because I first drove the 430 then the 360 and liked the 360 better. I certainly like the body of the 360 better as I've always loved the curves of the car from afar. How they each drive is matter of opinion as to preference. The more powerful, or the more curvacious? You can't lose either way.

I, too, came from a Porsche C2S Cab. It being a third car, it would likely see little action on the road. I loved the C2S, but sought a more exciting ride. While I could buy either the 430 or the 360 from a financial perspective, it came down to looks, drive, comfort, price, and power--and in that order. Both cars have plenty of power. I felt myself questioning the value of a dollar. I'm in the investment industry. I could not justify the added $100k to go from a 360 to a 430. Maybe it's the poor kid in me coming out, I don't know. Or the value investor raising its head. What it comes down to is what you like, and what you are willing to pay for it. Depreciation will hit both, 430 to a lesser extent (making the 360 an even better value). But we're not talking value here, but preference.

Drive them both and you'll be done. For the record, you can keep your C2S and buy the 360 for the approximate same price as the 430.

Cheers and good luck!

 

I recently bought a 6000k miles 360 Modena. I have not driven a 430 but I have experience in other high performance cars such as Ford GT. The 360 gives me everything I was looking for..looks, performance and most importantly the "Ferrari" mojo. Another $90,000 for a 430 giving me the same things didn't make sense. I love my 360 and have not looked back.

 

I have a 360 Spider and its a fantastic car I have thought about the difference in cost for a 430 and while I would like one the 360 is all the car I need right now. I would start with the 360 and then move up when you are ready

 

"I had a 360 before, it was a disaster"

-Arnold Schwarzenegger to President of Ferrari North America

http://www.socalspeedzone.com/pages/arnold.html



Go with the F430....

 

Go in between and get a CS!!!

 

lol..........

 

If money is a major concern, you are better off driving and buying a 360 (a great car). If you drive the 430 you will be (understandably) comparing and regretting. Best

 

Asthetic considerations aside.. I find with most high tech items that newer IS better.

I just noticed someone else used this exact quote on another thread just yesterday.. Wow - great minds..

"Bruce Anderson used to say this all the time in the Porsche world - buy the newest one you can afford.."

Good Luck!

 

Two months ago I was contemplating the same decision. I went with the 360.

Ferrari ownership is a whole different experience. The reaction of people around you is astonishing. Everywhere you park you have people around the car asking questions. I pulled mine into the job site and the Masonry crew took a break... They were on there belly's looking under the car. My superintendent told me to leave.... It is rather annoying most of the time!! People react to you like they are pissed off because you can afford an F car. I have 9 Porsche's, no one cares. When I bought this F car the reaction was one I do not enjoy... I typically could care less.... but there is something about peoples reaction that is not positive.

As far as the drive, you will like your 997S better daily. The 360 is raw, a little hard to shift and match revs. When you put the power down the Traction Control kicks in. The car feels very fragile compared to the Porsche. It feels dated, more like my 964 than my 997. The 360 has plenty of power and is a wonderful experience....Saying that I think it will get tiresome after a while. Someone on this site asked the question why people buy and sell F cars so much? Hard to say why???

If you are selling you 997 for an F car, I would drive one. Not just for a day. But for a week. Initially you have sensory overload.... After you get used to the car some of that wears off and you understand the long term experience. I for one like it, but don't love it. If I had one sports car choice it would not be an F car.

Another thing to consider is the fit and finish of the F car... No comparison to what you are used to.. The way the doors shut, the gages on the interior.... A compromise in my book.


I am a Porsche guy... I would recommend driving a 997 GT3 after you drive the 360 or 430. It is a far better all around experience in my book... That car does it all very well and very civilized...

If you want the F car experience. Get the 360. It will do everything the 430 will do on the street. You will get the same looks, reactions, depreciation, maintenance costs etc...for $100k less.

If you are looking for a sports car that does it all, you will buy a 997 GT3... There is no substitute.

 

I'd go for the 430. I've seen it and experienced the inherent oversteer of the 360. This does not happen with the 430. Much better car although visually the 360 is arguably better looking.

 

I own both a 04 360 F1 and a 06 F430 F1, the F1 in the 430 is vastly better.

 

Some things are subjective, such as aesthetics. However, these things are more definitive:

The 360 will be a much better value (The savings will be very significant and the difference in drivability will probably be indiscernable to you)

The F430 is a better overall car (It's an updated version of the 360; it has to be better!)

You might want to consider the Lamborghini Gallardo, as well. I enjoy it much more than the 360 I had.

 

I agree.....Having owned a 355 and 360 spider, I was still blown away by the 430....no comparison to the 360....much better handling, steering, interior, stiffer chassis, e- diff,. much better f1 tranny if you go that way and the engine sound is in a different world with the 430...the 360 sounds anemic without a tubi, the 430 sound amazing with the stock exhaust....finally lets not forget the small matter of an extra 88hp!!!! To say the cars give you the same experience on the street is delusional.............

 

C'mon......the 360 will not do anything the 430 will do on the street. The fit and finish on my 430 is first rate. I have owned 3 911's and they are wonderful cars but almost boring compared to my 430. NOT EVEN CLOSE! I also drive my 430 EVERYDAY. 13,500 miles in 11 months! I happen to own several other cars including a Merc CLS55, Range Rover Supercharged, and others that are great daily drivers. What happens when I walk into my garage in the morning?? I hop straight in the Ferrari and grin from ear to ear.

 

I owned a 360 and now have a F430. If you can afford it do the 430. As far as comparisons to porsches (I own one) there really isn't one, apples and hand gernades. None of this makes any sense anyway. The is something about having a Ferrari to drive when you want to. If a 360 was better than an F430 they would not be half the price of an f430.

 

I like my 997GT3 and 430 pretty much equally and for different reasons.

 

I went from an E46 M3 (actually still have it) to an F430.

I thought about the 360 too. In the end...I felt like I would not be fully happy with the 360 and be wishing I had got the F430. So I just bit the bullet in the wallet and got it. Very happy with my choice.

 

I bought my first Ferrari used (a beautiful red 360 with F1 tranny) b/c I wanted to make sure I really wanted the Ferrari lifestyle (it's way more than just owning a car). Having loved every minute of it... when I was offered a brand new F430 at the local dealership I bought the car immediately. While I personally like the looks of the 360 better, the 430 is superior in every other way.

I've owned multiple 911 Turbos and currently use a 993 Cab as my daily driver and my wife drives a Cayenne S. Clearly I love my Porsches, but they're not Ferraris. Like the APE wrote earlier I get like a little kid when I grab the bright red Ferrari keys and head out to the garage.

964rs... it's a bummer your Ferrari experiences have been so negative. I've now had a Ferrari for 3+ years and I've never had any of the issues you've encountered.

I hope your experiences with your 360 improve.

Take care,
Frank

 

I owned a 2003 360 6 speed for 3 years and got my F430 F1 about a year ago. I think both cars are great so you cannot go wrong. The appearance is a personal matter. The F430 performes better and the handling is better. The best part for the f430 is the engine sound. it is just awesome. i find myself playing the throttle to get the tone to suit my mood. The 360 feels alittle light in comparison.
The maintenace sch is less with the F430, no belts as an example.

I also have a new 997 Porsche cab and it is a wonderful car and my daily driver. It does not have the knife edcge handling that both the 360 and the F430 exhibit.

If you go 360 i would recommend the 6 speed. If you go F430 either is okay and the F1 is a delight.

Good luck to you.

My dealer just called to see if i wanted to be on the list for the F430 upgrade. He said about 18 months, which in ferrari speak means 3 years

Good luck on your purchase whatever you chose.

Lee

 

That is how I felt when I first bought my 360, and still do to some degree. I think a lot has to do where you live. When I visit familly in scottsdale, the exotic cars are the norm and people don't really care as much. In vancouver WA however, Fcars are rather rare and sometimes I do get negative attention.


On a side note, I just had the dealer put the 360 Challange TCU into my 99 360 F1, so I am anxiously awaiting how the shifting and engagement feels vs. stock. That was the only negative thing I really noticed when I drive my dads 430 compared to my 360. The engagement and shifting is 10X nicer in the 430. Personally for 100k more I don't think the 430 is worth it, get the 360 with a Tubi, it gives the car an amazing sound!

 

Having only owned my F430 for 3 days now I am still very excited about it. I am moving up from a 996TT and my day driver is a 06 M5 and this car is a whole new experience. It has the handling of the Porsche and the acceleration of the M5. The sounds from the motor just seem to stir your soul. Our town is in Northern Santa Barbara County and more blue collar. I did feel wierd driving it in town today. It gets way more stares and thumbs up then my other cars. I am sure red does not help. I still cannot get the sound of that engine out of my brain. I would vote 430