Replace F355 with F430

I recently drove a 430 gated and it was ALOT faster than the 355 GTS i recently got.. Overall speed is not my end all motivator and i just dont think the 430 gets the looks that my well shined Targa topped 355 will ever get.. That being said, i plan to keep the 355 till my little one (coming in one week exactly ) is born i'll pass that down to him, and get a 458 spider.. By that time even a working man like me will be able to afford/justify getting one.. (150k entry price or lower).

If you put a 355 alongside a 458 there are TONS of similarities (has anyone done this live?) Lower front nose dam away from the collossal 360/430 one. roof line, etc..
It'll be kinda like having the ancestor.

CG

 

That's the big downfall of the 360/430. They are high off the ground and the front end gives the impression that it is wider than the back end. They were nice cars when they first came out but they lose their appeal fast whereas the 355 does not. The 458 has gotten back to the low profile wide rear end like the 355 and that's where its at for the lasting appeal of these cars. Yes the 430 has more power but once you are around 400 horses, that's all one really needs. The Ferraris that have 480, 510, 600, 800 horses are fast but you will get very little chance to use it all.

 

I think, that leaving the power aside, on the mechanical side the 430 has 2 big advantages over the 355 - the carbon brakes and the Manettino.

 

...and chains instead of belts.

The 430 is a great car but it is a very large car compared to the 355. Just sit them next to each other. It's good that you must deal with this issue

Best of luck on the resolution!

 

I traded in my 355 for a 430 a few years ago and although the 355 is a great car, the 430 is just so solid. They both have a quick light agile feel, but the 430 has a lot more power. Both the 355 and my 430 are sticks, so both a lot of fun to drive. Although my 430 is a lot louder, one thing you may miss is the sound of the 355 ...

Good luck on your decision!

 

I think like Mitch. Just ask him about his 3 position Manettino. That would be his left foot, right foot, and steering wheel.

 

I hear you guys say you all love the sound of the f355 better, looks yes, but the 430's sound is insane the f355 sounds just as good but to say one over the other is very hard. I heard 2 430's today leaving the radnor hunt concours today and I said to the wife I mite need a 430 instead of the 355 and she just laughed they both sound sick. If the f355 moves out of range as of going up like Dinos then a f430 stick will be the one. My 2cents