F355 vs F430... thinking of changing..thoughts

I am selling my F355 for the same reason.
On top of that, prices are high at the moment and I don't believe they will remain high.

the ride in a 430 is much better and the F355 still looks a bit dated.

 

I would keep the 355. I absolutely love that car.

There are plenty of good 430s around, not too sure how many good 355s are left as they are 20 years old now.

Looks alone, I would keep the 355. But that's just my preference.

I have driven both cars and the 430 is a faster/better car. But the 355 is still very capable for any driver.

Would be nice to own both and that is my plan. To keep my 348 and step into something newer down the track.

The choice is yours, if you want the newer car then go with the 430 as the interior of it is very very nice and the shape is modern, but the 458 has since dated it very quickly IMO.

The 355 looks classic and will still look amazing in another 20 years time.
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the good thing is that the prices for 355s are high now and for sure they will drop within 5 years when there is another market crash and people want to get rid of it.
sell at an upgoing market!

 

Why not consider something other than a Ferrari? Particularly if you want reliability.

 

I owned a three pedal 430 coupe for about a week this summer.

I decided I would daily drive it while it was in my care, and I must say, I was not impressed. Getting back into the 355 felt so right afterwards. Sure, the 430 was bigger, more comfortable and faster, but for me, it felt too refined.

Getting back into the 355 felt like putting on an Italian suit. It just fit me better. The size, the sound, the visibility. All better in the 355 IMHO

 

I wouldn't swap a 355 for a 430...but for a 458 I would consider it.

 

Getting into a later F430 from a 355 will cost you easily $90K (plus your 355) and those maintenance savings will probably be offset by higher insurance costs ...and then seem minor once you factor in F430 depreciation.

 

keep the 355
skip the 360/430
buy a 360 CS

This is the only car I would sell my 355 for thats in reason

 

Not at all tempted by the 430, 355 is perfect for me. Of course this is personal preference so do whatever will make you happy.

 

What is the break-even on the maintenance vs. purchase price difference? 120 years? Remember to factor in the 430 manifolds, increased cost of clutch changes, F1 system maint, etc...

If it's a financial decision to pretend it will be "cheaper" to buy a 430 is missing the point. Only do it if you want the different and more modern experience/faster performance of the 430, and realize you are paying for that as they are a lot more money to buy. I'm not saying don't do it- just saying your analysis should be based on that vs. maint or even reliability. Actually, it sounds like you are leaning in that direction which is fine- every ferrari (or every car) has it's attractive or less-attractive points.

I guess the good news is if either car is in your budget you can't lose The 430 is a great car- just depends on what you are looking for at this moment. As much as the speed and handling capabilities were impressive in the 599 and 458 I drove (truly amazing), at the end of the day I can't use all that power as I don't go to a track. Even the bar stool stoplight race talk is only mildly interesting to me- the last time I raced someone at a stoplight was maybe 20 years ago... In the 355 I don't care about the speed so much as the amazing sounds the motor makes- very entertaining, and entertainment is why I have the car. The 430 (and 360) are so different from the 355, I do wish I could have one of each (a 360/430 and a 355)- the 360/430 is a whole newer generation.

 

Couple of things to keep in mind. Your major service costs will be lower with the 430. Your annual running costs may be the same. Headers on a 430 still can be fragile and may need replacement. Mirrors on the 430 are fragile and are expensive to replace.

430 Interior is roomy and solid. The 430 has become so fast that you will be unlikely to enjoy on the street without speeding everywhere by 20+mph. The speedometer is pretty small and not the best to read. The center tach is great! They do not sound very exciting. Kind of like driving a Mercedes. That changed with the 458 - where the better sound returned.

Their looks while a bit modern still look a little chunky in the rear shoulders and have lost a lot of refinement.

Their tail lights are great. The start button working with the key seems a little odd to use.

Handling is very solid but does not necessarily feel better than 355 berlinetta.

430 Front challenge style wheels are very fragile to bumps.

F1 transmission suits the car. Maybe it is not as engaging for you - maybe it is.

And they made so many F430 that it is likely to continue to depreciate and depreciate, and yes, depreciate.

You know the benefits of the F355. Looks, Sound, size, etc. it may be the most balanced car that you can drive within legal limits and still have epic fun while keeping your license. It s the best sounding Ferrari made once you add a capristo. Once sorted, the F355 is mostly reliable - but is still 20 years old to be fair.

There are simply not very many cars that can replace what the F355 can do for you.

I looked at 430's but the grass was not greener for most check boxes. Even if prices were a dead tie...

The good news is that they are both Ferrari and there is no real wrong answer.

Robb

 

You think the same way I do on cars financially, must be a Jersey thing


Sell it get a 430 if thats what you like. You want reliability get a Toyota, I have one and love it

 

I have to work on that.... thanks to a very nice police officer yesterday I still have my license

 

Ha! Unfortunately Jersey gets a bad rap from stuff like that show Jersey Shore (the 'sitch had a 430 by the way) and Housewives...there are some of us that have a brain though

 

Im from alpine nj
Not south jersey lol

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Having grown up in New York I'm pretty sure that Jersey had a rap long before those "reality shows" - not that NYC had a great one in the 70's either. Sadly, those shows only enforced the stereotype while overshadowing all the great things.

 

It all depends what kind of experience you're looking for.
For me, the 355 is something I drive on weekends when the weather is nice. Every time I get in the car it feels "special". The sound, gated shifter, etc.

I test drove an F430 F1 a few months ago as I was having the same thoughts as you.
The 430 is a great car. Build quality is much improved and it's much more comfortable, as you'd expect with a car of that generation. I found the F1 tranny to be 'clunky', which came as a disappointment. The biggest thing was that overall, it didn't feel as "special" as the 355 to me.
When I have a car that I only drive occasionally, I want it to be more of an experience....an event. With the 430 I just didn't feel like that was the case.

Hope this is helpful. Like others have said, you can't go wrong either way. It just depends what you're looking for.

 

Of course you'll get a biased view in the 355 section...but heck yeah it has much better styling than the big rounded jelly bean 430! Like Chas I'd possibly sell the 355 if I could get a 360 CS, but those values skyrocketed. For a modern Ferrari...458 would be my next step, much much better styling than the 430 IMHO.

 

There's nothing that can replace the 355 in my opinion. It's very unique...the sound, size, appearance, etc. makes for a unique driving experience.

I don't plan on selling mine for a very long time. As others have said...if the 458 values ever cross with the 355, it would be a good swap.

Hard to replace that exhaust note however.

 

I wouldn't sell my for a 360/430. Technically they are better cars but do nothing for me. The 458 is very nice. I would add one, but wouldn't trade or sell my 355 for it. The styling of the F355 is timeless, just like a 288 GTO, but it is your money so buy what you like.

 

430. It's just better. And cheaper to own in the long run.

 

So you've been with your current girlfriend for a while, she's kind of high maintenance but still super hot. Awesome body, I mean just amazing curves. Petite and gorgeous.

Along comes a younger girl and you think, well maybe it's time to make a change? She is less maintenance but you soon realize not as gorgeous as your current sweetheart. A little chunky, a bit bigger in the hips and a deeper voice (though she can run a little faster!).

Nah, not worth it to me. Current girlfriend is just too damn hot and we've had so much fun together. So what if I have to take her on a shopping spree every few years, she's worth it!