Side by side-355 and 360

OK, to Nick and Mike and others who have asked for the rest of the tale, here goes.
This is one sequal(360) that is, from my personal standpoint, every bit as good as the thrilling (355)original.
It is very interesting to see how different these two models are. I have had friends over and shown them the set of pics and each person notices and appreciates different aspects of the cars. Very interesting study.

One thing I know for sure, today, is I appreciate those who are lucky enough to have more than one Ferrari and wish dearly I could keep both!! And I only want what I have time to drive, not to be greedy or anyting.

Well, the first impression, and each time I get in the 360, is how well it fits. For those of you who are tall AND long limbed, you become conscious of having things too small, i.e. one size fits all(not). This car is like a shirt that allows proper posture and movement whereas the 355 was like a shirt that had shrunk just a bit too much. Close but restrictive nevertheless.

The second thing that was very striking is the difference in sound. The 355 has tubi and "test" pipes(thats the way it came and although I am one of the minority that does believe in having cats even at the expense of sound and a few ponies, I just never changed over on this car. My bad!)
((Btw, I am working with a trusted hot rod shop, that has done some gorgous work for me in the past, on some very reasonable stainless hi flo cats for the 360. PM me if you are interested, should be ready by summer))
and the 360 has Fuchs, which is much deeper, with a strong and wild growl or snarl but not the same high end, stand your hair up wail that the 355 has.
I am looking forward to hearing different exhausts in Vegas, esp anyone with Capistro 3.
So styling, interior space and sound are the first major differences that struck me.
Next was performance. I have always heard the 360 to be a bit faster per lap but straightline is only subtley different. Well here is where the euro model comes to play. This 360 smokes the 355 in every aspect. Not just by a bit but by a really detectable margin. The main reason, I believe- weight. While the euro 360 does not have the precats and may have more horsepower, this particular car is very light. I was amazed at how much faster this car was, not only than the 355 but other 360's I have driven or ridden in. So I stopped at a scale on the way home and the car weighed 3035lbs with a bit over 1/2 tank of gas and some things still in the car. Now according to some of the books, thats about right, but according to Brian Stradale, who seems to have done a lot of research into the 'true" weights of these cars, that is about the same or a bit less than most US stradales. At any rate, the car is a screamer.
On the twisties coming home, I found the 360 to exhibit much less understeer and inspired higher corner speeds even though it was my first real drive in the car. This is not to say the 355 is not a blast in the twisties, because it is, just that the 360, or at least this particular one, handles the turns, be it tight or open, with more balance and a greater sense of "lightness". I am also unsure about 355 weight as I never did weigh that car unfortunately, but my butt scale tells me it is 200 or 300 lbs heavier. The 360 turns in with more purpose and agility as well.
Now I know a lot of folks here find the 355 to be more direct and immediate and I can feel that also, but in this case, it is overwhelmed by the superior balance and torque of the 360.

As the pictures so clearly show, both are so very beautiful and both sound and handle as nicely as they look. I really believe it comes down to personal preference, needs and conditions. For me this has been a very positive exchange, but thats just me. For those who have em'ed or messaged me, I can only advise to try and get equal conditions seat time in both and decide for yourself. If anyone wants to come for a ride and drive in my car, come on up. I am enclosing a few pics of her new home, hope you enjoyed the ride.
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And lastly, rolling into lovely Mendocino, home sweet home and all the more with this titanium beauty to roll in.
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Hey Jason, heres a couple, one with the 5pt belts in. There is a harness bar that attaches to the factory roll bar for the harnesses.
Sparky, thanks,we sometimes get up into s. oregon on drives. We should get together sometime.
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Ferrari lord, I actually like them both, but have to say the titanium is so rich with all the metalflake and it shows so differently in different light that it is a very entertaining color. I had a car in it previously and have always loved it. The silver is a great color too and really suites the 355. Pops nicely in the sun and almost glows in low light.

 

Jerry, thanks for the feedback and glad it has been informative and helpful. It has been a pleasure for me to share with fellow fcar addicts.

Just got back from a nice long test drive down the coast. Had the opportunity to run the 360 through a nice variety of curves and some fine deserted straighaways too. The roads have a lot of undulation and the 360 just sucks up the changes with so much grace and stability. Very impressed and at 140(the pedal got stuck, honest) she was cool and calm even with the road changes. I am just in awe of the chasis dynamics at play on this car and I can't wait to go for the next drive!!
Heres a before and after my Sunday project. The Italians may know passion, but the Japanese sure know engineering and quality construcution. Very fine piece of work.
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Word.
Beautiful garage FULL.