Need to learn the tricks before buying...

Even though prices have come down, try to find a shop to get a PPI done. Cost is usually around $550 USD here in the States. Don't know about Down Under.

I had one done and everything checked out fine and the car has been straight. Some other posters here have had them done and uncovered significant problems.

Ferraris seem to have a number of irritating problems that crop up and irritate you, like gas caps that have to be just right, cheap sensors that go on the fritz, gas gauges that are not terribly accurate, etc. But, these are just aggravating and are the nature of Italian cars. The problem comes in when you find out that the car had a major accident, a dodgy transmission or weak compression test. If you have not driven one of these cars much, you will not pick it up on a ten minute test drive. These kind of problems are expensive.

I have had my car about 5 months and feel like I know it, but it has taken awhile. I could tell now if it was not running right pretty quickly. When I first got it, no way. The cars are so fast, that even running poorly, they impress a person, unless they have driven other similar cars (Lambos, etc.)

I would have a professional check it out, as they can tell those kinds of things. Good cars may be selling in the $70k USD range now, but a major transmission repair can set you back $5k. Major engine problem is $10k. F-chat is good, but an experienced mechanic looking at the car is much better.

 

See these two posts. They should give you very good ideas


http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191837

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265844


Best of luck on your search

 

Are you set on the 360? How much are you wanting to spend? There are lots of deals out there right now if you are flexible on what you want.

 

First, decide bt manual and F1. Best way to do this is through a test drive. I knew F1 was not for me right away even though initially I was all for it. Manual transmission cars are much more rare and will make your search more difficult and lengthy.

I started out looking at 360s also but moved on to 430s as the prices have fallen and that's what I recently purchased. The 430 is more cost upfront but maintenance is less; no belts to change.

I never considered owning a Ferrari bc of tales of exhorbitant maintenance costs and poor reliability. That changed with the 360 and the 430 is even better. Still will cost a lot to repair so be ready for that. If my car is constantly giving me a headache with excessive mechanical failures, I will sell it.

I talked with a 360 owner and he told me about this site. The search button is your friend.