I think I made a $160,000 mistake!

A 430 is a much better car on a lot of levels of which handling is top of the list. Some spirited driving in the 360 to where it over steers and causes a loss of control and you'd be thinking differently, design aesthetics aside. This isn't just me a friend just got rid of his because he didn't trust it. You now own the safer car IMO. Enjoy!

 

I loved my OSCA MT4 much more than my Lusso. The OSCA was smaller lighter easyer and more fun to drive. I still miss both cars but miss the OSCA more. I found out that I am more of a sports car guy than a luxury cruiser GT guy.

 

Life's too short to live with something you don't want.

Having owned two 360 6 speeds and now a 430 F1, I can say that I certainly preferred the 6 speed cars.

 

So trade it in for a manual 430 or 360. No biggie.

 

Actually if you feel you made a mistake, it will only be for the difference it will cost you.
Next to nothing by my math.
Eric

 

You made no mistake. You made a choice. You're also are a driver who puts some serious miles on your cars! In your case especially I wouldn't call this a "trade down", I would call it a wise choice. Now go get that 360 my brother!

 

I bought exactly what I wanted when it came available, but I've known for years which cars are on my "must buy" list versus being "nice cars for other people to own".

But with regard to the thread title, it sounds like you've gotten a lot of use out of the car and no issues with it, so I agree with the others -- sell or trade and move on. It's not an investment, and it's certainly not worth $160,000 less now.

In fact, six-speed manual 360s have fallen in price right along with the F1 360s, so if you really like the 360 more than the F430, or coming 458, you can probably arrange some kind of deal with not a huge amount of additional cash.

 

I know how you feel. I first bought a "better" model (US 328) and eventually replaced it with the one I really preferred emotionally (Euro 308QV). Although the 328 has slightly more engine hp and is better built, I preferred the 308 for aesthetic (front spoiler, small bumpers, purer flowing shape, more classic interior switches) reasons as well as nostalgic reasons. It got to the point that I didn't like looking at my 328's front end and bottom-weighted exterior, even though it was supposedly a better car. Driving feel-wise, both are close to each other and any performance difference is negligible to me. Besides, the reliability performance experience has been similar as well. One bonus: even as I've now owned my 308 longer than I did my 328, I still enjoy looking at my 308. The peace of mind has been worth making the change by far.

I was talking with some fellow car folks yesterday at an Italian car show and got into a conversation of what car would I get to replace the Euro 308 as my street, sporty convertible. Hard-pressed to come up with one, I came to the conclusion that the 550 (Barchetta preferred) and the F50 would be the closest ones. Both cars are multiples in pricing compared to my lowly but loved Euro 308QV - another illustration of how much I prefer my current car.

As an aside, I also agree with your opinion that the 360 is more elegant than the 430...

 

Chosing the wrong car is a lot easier to rectify than chosing the wrong woman. Follow your heart.

 

I'm with you 100%......I also, much prefer my Euro 308.

 

Buy the 360!!! all maintenance, handling issues asside......why are you buying a Ferrari? to drive it! If you want a race car, buy a race car. I to agree that the 360 is by far a better looking car than a 430 and I could care less that its not as fast or performs as well.
A thought, so before the 430 came out what would you have bought? no one complained of the power or handling then, but now they do because? just like I was told when I was a kid and had probablly the fastest car in town without question, I was told there will always, always be someone faster. So buy what you like, follow your gut.
I am in a similar pickle, I want to sell my 84BBI because I want more of a driver, I love beyond words the 360 spyder, second is the 512TR, a whole differnent car but I love it second.
My pickle is the Ferrari collectors, or guru's, or whatever you wish to call experts all agree do not buy a 360 over a TR. They are reffering to the investment point of view, which I must consider because someday I will want a different F-car and to take a step backwards finacially would be tough, potentially limiting my next purchase do to I only use my "car money to buy cars".
Did I confuse you, Buy what you want. I bought the BBI because it's what I could afford at the time, I wanted a TR. 360's wer'nt out yet.
Daniel

 

+1,


it'd be nice to have this problem

 

Maybe I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, but, honestly, is this the biggest problem in your life?
So you don't like the car you bought. BFD. Sell it and get the one you want. In your case you bought a car with an intrinsic value greater than the car you say you want. Just do it for crisakes!

If you really want to experience a gated shifter car, get something a little older without any power assist anything. The best value out there is a carburretted 308. It will cost you around $30K and you won't believe how much fun it is to drive.

If you want a modern trouble free Ferrari you already have the right car. Please stop whining and just get what you want.

 

I'm going back to the important "which Rolex should I buy" thread where truly meaningful and intellectual discourse may be had.

 

"I followed the logic that when dealing with high end autos you buy the best example of the newest model you can afford."

You followed flawed logic.

You don't buy the best example of the newest model you can afford. You buy the best example of the model you WANT.

 

It's only a mistake if you don't correct it, otherwise call it experience. Best luck with your 6MT 360. Personally I would pick the 360 over the 430 as well. It'll be a tough call between the 458 and 360 spider.

 

IMVHO of course, the only 360 worth anything is the Challenge Stradale. Otherwise the 355 was by and away the best looking of the modern rear engined V8's. The 430 is simply ugly and the Scud is proving to be a dud value wise.

I still believe that if you want a three pedal manual you must go to cars where that was the only option. From the time the paddle shifted cars became commonplace, their development was biased towards the paddles and the three pedal cars in the range were compromised. The 3x8's of any iteration were lovely cars to drive and the transmissions in those cars were purpose built and optimized to make the cars as good as possible. Once you got to the 360 and beyond the three pedal variants were afterthoughts and were simply not developed to be three pedal manuals.

 

Dude - sincere congratulations on being able to (1.) reach a goal to which many aspire, and (2.) admit you believe you made a mistake.

I'm amazed by the hostility of some of these posts. You must know that posting here will bring out the animosity of those who are not in the same financial realm, but you do so in the hopes that those who are there recognize that no matter where you are money-wise, disappointments are still disappointments, and financial losses are hard to swallow.

I'm sure that you are savvy enough to filter the wisdom from those who have actually experienced the cars in question from those who've read about them. I fall into the "reader" class, aside from a short drive in another club member's 360, so I can't help you directly.

Best of luck to you in whatever path you choose.

 

Just realize that no matter which Ferrari model you currently own, you will daydream about owning some other model.

For example, a 599 owner might dream of an Enzo, a 365 GTB/4 Daytona owner may fancy owning a 275 GTB some day, a 456M owner lusting after a newer 612, a 250 TdF owner thinking about how nice a 250 SWB might be, etc.

There are so many great Ferraris to choose from, it is unlikely you'll only crave the one you own. I think this is why so many people end up owning several.

The saddest thing is when you decide to sell or trade-in one and then regret ever selling it. Seller's remorse is worse than buyer's remorse, IMO.

Enjoy your car. It is a great one. Consider just keeping it and saving up for a second Ferrari some day.

 

Though respecting 410SAs opinions, I differ. I don't think anything less of a 6spd which happens to be a modern. I got a F1 for DE and love it for that. Plus it's a lot of fun on streets as well. I wanted to have and experience a F1 and would have regreted not getting it. So I got it and am very happy I did so. I would go older on sticks but I'm fairly sure the 360 is a superb stick.

I say do it! Get your stick. The 360 is prettier than a F430 in the way many first series are a more pure design.

 

+1. Not much to add w/ smiles Jimmy

 

ditto and ditto

 

I don't see anything wrong with "trading down" to a 360. To my eye, the 355 spider is a near perfect design and I would much rather have that than either a 360 or a 430. Thats why there are so many different cars, there is something for everyone.

Do what makes you happy and get that red 360 6-speed. I'm sure you will be more than happy with it for a long, long time.

 

Since you've had the car for a year, and put 11k on it, and still are not convinced or satisfied that this is the car for you, then obviously it is not. Sell it and get that 360 and your problem will be solved.