SHOULD I BYE A 355 or a ZO-6

The mechanics are correct about the 355. Take both for a drive. Lose the fact that you are comparing a Ferrari to a Vette, and go on feel alone. Judge the cars without falling into the "It's Ferrari trap". I think the one you will want will be obvious as soon as you punch the throttle.

Every car falls in value as the years go on. But because of the Vettes higher production numbers it will lose value in 2 years. It is very diificult ot say how much it will lose because the car is still very new. I would venture a guess that it will be a fairly stable car due to the demand that will rise on the used car market, becuase it is such a great performance bargan.

The 355 will fall in price but not as fast as it will empty your wallet on repairs (spider has the most issues) So factor in the up keep of the car in a 2 year span then add the falling value over 2 years, and you'll find the 355 will cost you more.

 

drive both around a corner (wich you should do anyway) and we won't have to help you decide.

PS, one is a ferrari and one is a corvette. nuff said.

yes, i have driven both. here is a pic of me in the z06
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well said...........

 

If you have to ask ................ buy the corvette (-:

 

You would have to rebuild the car, for the 355 to cost you as much as the Vette's depreciation.


Check out my name, I know a little bit about this.

 

You say that you're not trying to compare a Corvette to a Ferrari, but you seem to be doing just that.

$80K total budget isn't a lot to get into a 355. Assuming you find a well-sorted one within your budget -- which will be a challenge, because a great late model 355 is closer to $100K -- there's not a lot of financial cushion left over.

If a 360 is beyond your range, and you want one, invest the money and wait a bit. 360 prices are dropping, and you can come back to the Ferrari hunt next year with a thicker wallet. I agree with your 'pay cash' philosophy, although many here will tell you to take out a loan. I can't comment on 360 costs -- I only seriously considered the 328-348-355 generations when I was looking.

The 328/348 can be had in excellent condition for $50K-$60K, and a nearby f-chat'er even picked up a '92 red/black 348tb in the mid $40K range (16K miles on it I think). If you want a Ferrari, I'd recommend looking for these. While it's a bit of a guess on my part, I'd say 328 prices have firmed up as it transitions from 'old car' to 'borderline classic', and 348s nearly so. 355s will probably settle a bit as 360s come down.

New car depreciation is a fact of automotive life, Corvettes included. I suspect routine maintenance costs on a 355 will be less over 3 years than the depreciation on a new Corvette. But unexpected repair costs on a 355 could wash that logic away in a hurry, hence everyone on here telling you to only buy a good Ferrari and to get it inspected.

Figure out if you want a Ferrari or not, then go from there. If you have shiny new Corvette in the garage and feel your stomach drop the next time you see a Ferrari drive by, well...

 

Being the Ferrari lover that I am I would go with the F355 myself. The depreciation will be greater at this point on the Vette since its new. I think the newest F355 you could buy is a 1999? Given that I'd say that the F355 has allready depreciated for the most part. Don't kid yourself on the $$$ it would cost to fix the vette, true it would be under warrenty but it seems like they know how to make parts that last just after it expires. Then look out, as anything that is for a corvette is 2X + more $$$ for anything . Of course I'm stating the obvious here and I'm sure you know all this anyway. The Z-06 is a great car for the $$$, there is no doubt of that, but its still not a Ferrari! Really the best thing for you to do is go drive them both! See which one really does it for you, don't you think? Thats where I'd start. Then perhaps those other issues/questions will sort themselves out? Sure wish I was in your posistion to make that decission. It'd be a no brainer for me! (a 95 F355 Berlinetta for me!) Good luck on your quest and keep us posted!

Cheers!

DT

( WOW 7 posts happened while I was typing this, I need to improve my WPM here for sure )

 

there is a fully sorted black on black tb for sale. check out the southeast forum for 70ish. a spoke to a gent that looked at it and he said he was well sorted and nice.

 

I currently own a '05 Viper and i love it but it is not a Ferrari...
I love ferrari and i have come to appreciate american Muscle on a whole new level since the purchase of my Viper. But, i am currently selling my Viper cause it is not the same feel etc, as a Ferrari and i want another F_car. To each is own.....
You couldnt go wrong buying a Z06 now and then trying out a 360 later....
The engine does have to come out of a 355 for belt service which could cost you upwards of $9k where as the corvette doesnt need that kind of maintenance......

Trust me, once you drive a 360, you'll fall in love with the car......
I did..............

 

If you plan on selling it in 2 or so years from new, my prediction is about a loss of 40 %. A 360 isn't going to fall that far. And even if it did, it'll be an even wash. An 04 zo6 can be had for 40 to 45.

 

C5 Z06 may work out better for you...or if you are interested, I bet you could do very well with a 996 turbo.

 

True!! The 996 turbo is inexpensive solely because of the numbers produced, not because of the quality or performance, The porsche turbo will blow away a 355, 360 and give the "new" Z06 a run for its money.

In my experience the Porsche is more reliable than both ferrari and corvette!

 

Just to clarify, it was a ts model and yes, the purchase price was in the mid 40's with 16.2k miles on the clock. I'll also add that at that price it needed a complete engine-out major service and there were a few other preventative maintenance items I had done so I could enjoy the car and feel confident driving it. All in (with sales tax, service, vehicle registration and first 6 months insurance) I was on the road for a little under 60k. I have driven the car almost every day since I bought it and it brings a **** eating grin to my face every time I'm behind the wheel - like no other car I have owned.

Buying a Ferrari is not a rational decision - if your thought process is based on logic, you will buy the Vette. If your decision is based on emotion, well then, welcome to the club!

 

wow , the logic.

 

Yes Grasshopper, the Ferrari is definatly a more difficult car. But if driving into a parking lot for dinner and seeing 3 others there just exactly like yours, (except mayby the color) even down to the finest detail. If your not bothered in the least by that, a Corvett is definatly your ride. I suspect you may have a problem with that, or you wouldn't even be considering a real exotic.
Best Regards Indy

P.S. I really do like the feel of the Sh*t eating grin on my face when I drive mine. It really is a blast, it may not be the fastest car on the road, just one of the funnest.

 

I sold my F car to buy a Corvette. Havent looked back. Nuff said

 

do you want the latest bang for the buck supercar ?

if not, your in the "has been" supercar territory. skip the 348. skip the 355. buy a nice 308 and save for a 360.

 

You know, I would have to say yes to both. There is hype, there is reality. I have a black 348TS. I really love the car, but if you don't love Ferraris, and are not mentally, and financialy prepared to deal with the ownership. If your looking at them as a passing whim, your asking for more than your probably bargining for.

Vipers & Corvetts are one of the best values on the market, for looks and performance, I'm pretty sure most F-cars will struggle to keep up in the long straights. There great cars.

I've owned 3 Vetts, all good cars. I purchased each one brand new at the very beginning of there respected production runs. The all ran great, my 83 rode to stiff, but was still a good car. My F-car rides to stiff.

I owned each car about 3 or 4 years. Honestly it's been the same thing each time. I buy it, it's really cool, everyone seems to get them, sitting at stop lights with 2 others just like mine, then I usually sell it.

That senaro started to bother me so I tried Porches, Mercedes, etc. I personally like having a pretty personal ride, and don't really like to be grouped with the masses. Maybe it's a personal thing for me, it actually doesn't seem to bother others the way it bothers me.

I think many people just like owning a small part of the legend. But you know how legends are created. Just remember Paul Bunion.

Good Luck with your choice Indy

 

Your really beginning to sound like a Viper kinda of car owner.

 

I have to agree, look at Vipers. A Ferrari isn't a logical car. It's an emotional car.

 

Bang for the buck you can't beat the new Z06. There is nothing out there for that kind of $$$ that runs like that. I have owned Ferraris, Lambos and liked them all( BTW they depreciate too) and yes, a Vette will never draw a crowd like one of those. But when it's all said and done there aren't any affordable Ferraris that perform like that. Even most of the high $$$ ones don't.
I raced a Z06 on the Interstate the other night and blew his doors off but he was very strong.

Karl

 

I can make it simple for you. If you want a fast car that handles well, and has a factory warranty get the Z06.

If you want an exotic car that draws lots of attention, is a lot of fun to drive, and you are the type that really loves the sounds and feel of a car get the 355 or 360.

Don't be discouraged by people saying "if you have to ask, get the Corvette." There is nothing wrong with a new Z06, and in all rights it is a better performing car. In that same breath, it just dosen't have the specialness and rarity of an F car. It all boils down to what you want the car to do, because if it isn't fitting the bill you will never be happy. Personally I love F cars and will have one eventually, but I will most likely have a modded Corvette as well.