First Ferrari

You posted this on the midwest part of the forum. If you are from here, I could help go over a 360 for you as I know the platform rather well. Maintenance on the 360 isnt that bad. Every major you just have to do belts too, unlike the F430. I won't touch a 458 even though I think my tool has full diagnostics with it. Too computerized for me. (And that's from.a millennial lol). I'm a blue collar DIY guy, so my opinions differ greatly from most. If you are from the midwest and need help with 360s, message me. If you aren't from the midwest and were just looking for opinions, you posted this on the wrong sub forum.

 

Brake fluid flushes are important, although I still have yet to do mine. The coupe and spider prices are roughly the same. It's just a matter of what is on the market. I store my car in a heated warehouse. All I do is turn off the power. I don't see why you couldn't store it in the winter, but I have heard of the door latch mechanisms freezing. If you do your work yourself, it's not that expensive. A major should cost less than a couple grand to do a proper one yourself. If you don't DIY it can get rather pricey. There are 2 places I know of in Wi where I am from and they each said they want $10k for a major IIRC which is ludacris. If you are mechanically inclined, it's an easy car to work on. Make sure to get a workshop manual which can be found on Ebay. I also recommend getting one of the Chinese reverse hacked diagnostic tools. I use a Foxwell NT520. If the 360 is an F1 and has post 2001 (I think that is when they did the overhaul) TCU software, it will give you a lot (but not all) of SD2 capability. To deal with F1 issues, clutch reprogramming, or actuator bleeding, you are supposed to use an SD2, but they are like $20k. My 360 was a mechanical trainwreck when I got it and I've spent like $5k getting it decently reliable. I actually drove it to Minneapolis and back here to Fond Du Lac which was 700 miles total. I've put on roughly 4k miles. I don't know of any Ferrari specialists in Minnesota, but I'm frequently there for family and would be happy to look over a car for you if you can't find one.

 

I agree with the advice given.... I bought my 458 and I love it but I miss a standard shift.... if you get a car it's essential you get a pre purchase inspection but I would also advise you to get a standard... early F1 paddle shifts are to be avoided.... if you can on stretch for the standard as it will hold value much better. With 2000 HP cars I feel the hobby will soon look back to engaged driving experiences over raw number game HP.... in the same way that the hobby values now originality over redone cars... buying in for a first time that is important. That's my two cents also waiting until fall winter will save you some as sellers consider storage costs vs better price today. Good luck and join the FCA great way to get info and new friends see you soon


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Be careful about heating a garage.

Heated garages will speed up the corrosive effects of road salt.

Having an insulated garage reduces how cold it gets, without artificially accelerating the impact of road salt.

 

You might want to reach out to a dealer, or check out what people usually do with their motorcycles.

I’ve never had the combination of having a seasonal vehicle while also living in an area that has real seasons.

Give some thought to the idea of getting winter tires. That way, you can still drive it on relatively clear but cold days.

 

I'm up herre in Duluth and for 20 years I've been storing everything from mid 60's corvettes to 308/348/mondials, S4 Lotus esprit

My basics are

Full tank with premium non ethanol fuel treated with fuel stabilizer (run the car so the treated fuel is sure to be in the fuel pump/injectors)
fresh oil
battery tender (with note on wheel so you dont forget and pull out of the garage still connected...done that
clean interior
cover
Done

You can get fancy with tire cradles for flat spots, but I've never had an issue with that in either heated or unheated space. Tire cradles are a nice little novelty the mail order places like to sell.

I am firmly in the camp of not occasionally starting the car. Random starts build up moisture in oil, and exhaust system.

Heated space is not critical either if you don't have it. It's certainly nice, but not critical. All my cars have at one time or another spent the winter without heat and I've never had an iss related to no heat come spring.

Overall, a 360 would be a great first ferrari and then go from there.

 

All that. Also, check or replace the antifreeze (GO5 or similar every few years) and overinflate the tires. Don't start it, for the reasons Meister states. You can hold the pedal to the floor on first crank to circulate oil in the spring if you wish. Flush brake fluid every other year...

 

Might want to consider a 12 cylinder car as well. 550s and Testarossas may not be out of reach for your budget.

 

360 is one of the most reliable F cars out there, the more miles on it if maintained well the better the car is! (my experience based on manual 6 speed) and if you're looking for a car NEXT SUMMER then this thread is pretty much a waste of time..who knows where the world will be "Next summer"