Some insight for a first time 360 buyer please

The red one has some seriously scuffed leather. That doesn't look like it can be re-conditioned, you might be looking at re-upholstering the seats.

 

No matter what car you choose you HAVE to get a PPI! That being said you have picked a couple of very different cars. 1. The blue car is an F1 US car with a fresh service and a spare tire (I like that) and has lower miles. 2. The red car is a manual and appears to be a Euro (nothing wrong with that if the conversion is done properly/legally) and looks like it has those $900 ebay wheels on it. Neither car has a complete set of keys/fobs. In the end it is up to you but I like the blue car better from the descriptions provided.

Good luck in your search.

 

Don't think I would touch the red one for the money they are asking.

 

Hate to say it but, around this price range, mostly these are the types 360 you will come across.
Both have enough negatives that would keep me away.
My suggestion to you would be look into an immaculate, low mileage, F355 maybe even a spider.

 

As with most things you get what you pay for. I'd keep looking.

 

I don't think either car looks to be a good buy. Of the two choices, the blue one looks better. However, that car has been listed in various places for quite a while and still hasn't sold. That is a bad sign.

As others stated, don't buy without a PPI. Also, read up on the cost to replace the red key fob. Caveat Emptor!

 

I like the blue car and I like the F1.

The 355 and 360 are quite different IMO. A steel w/ stick vs an alum W/ F1. Take the F1.

Good luck!

 

To be fair, an $90K 355 and a $90K 360 should be worlds apart in terms of quality. In the same price range, it is hard to compare the two. You know what they say about cheap Ferraris...

 

I flew out to look at the blue car in Michigan. If you look into that car further, I think you will find that the owner will not be able to document the maintenance claims; neither will a dealer. That said, you may be able to get it at a low enough price that the risk will be acceptable. The blue Daytona seats are nice.

Good luck with your search.

 

I think a common experience here is that there is no such thing as a low cost f-car.

 

+1

In all my research when I was shopping for my 360 proved this point. Each car that looked like a great deal, in end was not as there was always something unseen lurking in the car's past. PPIs are your friend.

Buy with the logical, not the emotional, side of your brain and never be in a rush. In the end you'll be much happier.

Frank

 

During PPI, the condition of the fluid and filters left me questioning the level of care that the previous owner had shown. Given the cost of changing these items, I was surprised that they were not in pristine condition (i.e., newly changed) in a car that was up for sale. Also, when I arrived, the battery was in the passenger footwell and the passenger footwell carpet was wet - curious.

On the plus side, the car (obviously) has Tubi exhausts, CAIs, factory modular wheels, and Daytonas. I did not drive the car. Since this is a 2000 model, the transmission control unit will need to be upgraded. I changed mine over to a CS unit and it made a world of difference.

My intent is definitely not to sour you on this car. Under the right circumstances, it certainly might make sense to purchase it.

BTW, I'm reasonably sure that the smoked tint on the headlights is on the outside of the lens, but you should definitely confirm since those assemblies are quite expensive.

 

I've got an in bound 2002 360 spider F1 red/tan with 28k miles on it which is priced not far off of the car you're looking at now. Fresh 30k service, Skid plates, Challenge grill, All keys, books, & tools, ECU update, leather rear shelf, roll bar in upholstry color, and black top....been serviced on schedule. A little higher mileage than you might be looking for, but it's priced at 125k. Can forward some pics if you like as well?

Let me know please...would be happy to help you.

Kevin
Cats Exotics
425-353-2287 ext 2

 

I've looked at both of these, since I was in the market for the very best value 360 I could find. (mind you, not cheapest) The blue one is a FAR better value. Red one has paintwork all over it. But, I want to respond to your question about the delta between the 90K to 140K. This is just one guy's opinion who's bought and sold cars both as a hobby and as a business. Because no true wholesale market exists for SUPERB examples of these "bargain" Ferraris (99-02 360s) the public more or less gets to dictate the market. These cars do in fact bounce around between dealers - sometimes even Chevy and Ford dealers just trade them as high currency inventory turn. Now, they take a haircut every time they trade, just like me or you.

The main difference is not provenance, condition or records- it's the motivation behind the sale. There is truly no such thing as a cheap Ferrari. There are better "starter" Ferraris, but no cheap Ferrari exists.

Find a guy Iowa who's been developing McMansions along the river real estate- that's your best starter Ferrari.

I don't mind sharing I picked up a monster deal on a 99 360- I picked up my car w/ 20K miles on it for $83,500. I let someone else take a digger, waited patiently for a car with records to come up, and didn't care that it was not exactly the color and options I wanted. I'd suggest taking the same route if you are looking for a bargain F-car. And always, always always do the PPI.

--joe

 

Tamer,

You will like the piping as it saves some wear on a pretty vulnerable area of the interior - driver's outboard seat bolster.

Good luck.

 

Buy it...drive it.....and enjoy it!!