The toughest question of them all, 355 or 996

johan - as an experiment, make two columns for each car, and list reasons:

355:
For

Against

996:
For

Against

 

You at least don't have to pay a 180% car tax, like we do in Denmark

 

Simple: 355

355 means you decided with your heart.

996 means you decided with your head.

 

If money is not a factor in this decision, buy the car that makes you smile the most.

If you spend that money on a car that doesn't make you smile, you'll really be upset.

And with the car that makes you smile the most, you'll forget about the money and any other hazards of ownership.



Forza,


Cavallini

 

Please don't take this the wrong way, but why don't you ladies and gents in Europe just vote out the lawmakers and the bureaucrats so you can at least enjoy the fruits of your labor. It is your money that supports them, after all.

We have our issues in America with bureaucrats and elected officials as well but the tax-state in so many countries in Europe just seems criminal.

Perhaps there are advantages to it of which I'm unaware.


Forza,


Cavallini

 

Because all the taxes pays for social security, hospitals etc. This is all well and good but it can be a bit much. For instance the check you recieve if you are on welfare is almost as much as what you could earn at the minimum wage. Which of course means that some people don't bother working........at all.

Plus because of the EU, a country can't just change its economy politics without having to ask first......

 

"Without having to ask first"???????!!!!!


Wow. And do the taxpayers vote on who runs or is appointed to the EU's governing body?

If not, somebody needs to revolt or do something because that's sickening.



Forza,


Cavallini

 

Actually they are working on a central EU goverment, but only a certain number of countries will get to be in the EU parliment at a time. Plus the larger the country the larger the influence. Which means that a small country like Denmark have almost no say in whats going on.

The most sickening thing is that every time we vote on to either the euro or more european centralization, if they get a no, they'll just have another round of voting until they get a yes

Im glad im moving to San Fransisco in September....

 

I just got my 355 GTS. For less money, I could have bought a very nice 996 in virtually any flavor (I was looking at turbos). And no doubt, the 996 is faster, more practical, a daily driver, yada yada.

For ME, this car is simply unmatched. I cannot express it. Played hooky a bit and went for a drive yesturday. 2 hours later I felt like I had been gone a weekend at Vegas. Driving this car with the top open is like nothing else. The sound is unmatched, and the driving experience is so involving. Plus, the targa top is absolutely the best of both worlds. The only car Porsche makes that I personally would trade my GTS for is a Carrera.

If you just want a fast car, get the Porsche. If you love to drive and you love Ferrari, you will not be let down with a 355 GTS.

 

Read up on communism and you'll get a better idea of what's going on in the scandinavian countries. People who live there have accepted that way of life. They've accepted to live like sheep in a herd. It's socialism of the worst sort. You can hardly make any money over there, and if you do, rest assured that your hard earned money won't last you long, should you choose to purchase luxury items such as cars, big houses or yachts and the like. Because of these crazy car taxes, people are forced to drive around in 30+ year old wrecks because they can't afford the safer cars of today. Take Norway for example. It's the richest country in europe, yet it's got europe's oldest car park, and because their taxes are largely calculated based on vehicle weight (although hp is an even bigger factor), security installations are expensive. Talk about insanity! On top of this the norwegians pay about $6.50 per gallon of gasoline(!).

I used to live in Norway as you've probably realized by now, and I had a yearly income of about $250k through my own business. Of those 250k I had about $110k left after taxes. A 360 modena '99 is roughly $200k over there, with a '95 f355 at about $100k. The new f430 is $370k. Even with a reasonably high income, my ferrari dreams remained dreams.

If you like meat, cigarettes and booze you'd hate it in Norway. 500% meat taxes (to preserve the national agriculture and remain independent of food imports). A pack of cigarettes is $11k, the cheapest bottle of vodka is around $40-50. It's f'ckin freezing all the time, the roads are crap (you couldn't enjoy your ferrari even if you could afford it) and the food selection is severely limited. You're stuck with bread and brown cheese. It's basically just a ****hole with fjords, mountains and a bunch of jealous socialists with no abilities of their own. Avoid it if you can.

As for the topic in question, 355! The porsche is just another car. The ferrari is a work of art. Also I believe depreciation is less on the f-car, but I could be wrong.

 

Pick the Ferrari, it is a dream car

But be sure to test drive them both, just to be sure

 

Hey, I am a Political Science Major. All EU countries give up sovreignty. EU holds them all by the nuts. But the prob existed b4 EU. EU just locked it down. Bottom line: Free Market Economy may result in a few ppl with nothing but more opportunity for everyone.

BTW, I would go with the 355! If you are smart enough to compare the two the F car is going to be nawing away at you while you drive a car that will never feel special.

 

The 355 won't break down more than the 996. It is more expensive to maintain and repair of it does break down. You have to keep the miles lower in order to sell it. It costs more to buy.
I was faced with this same dilema when I bought my 355 spider. I went and drove a brand new 996TT cab. I almost fell asleep. My wife loved it though. It was so comfy. The nav was so nice. The seats were perfect. Like I said I nearly fell alseep. I took one drive in my yellow 355F1 Spider with HREs and a tubi exhaust and there was no turning back.

If you think you need the 996 for economical purposes buy it. Don't go out and drive both because you will come home with the Ferrari even if you couldn't afford it. Trust me I know.

 

I dont want this to turn into a social discussion but as Creature said

"For instance the check you recieve if you are on welfare is almost as much as what you could earn at the minimum wage."

People soon find out that why should they be a tax payer? when they can just live off the workers. Bjorn Borg recently said in an article that his country needs more babies so they can have more tax payers because they have so many welfare recipients there. Its getting the same way in California. We have so many taxes and yet crappy roads/facilities because of the overwhelming welfare recipients including illegals of all countries. Its the sign of a welfare state.

But back to your question. I am a 996 owner albiet a GT3. I would not get a regular 996 carrera. It was so mass produced that they have already become worth less than a 993. IF you get a 996 make sure its a GT3 (Mk I or II) Mk I should be available there Or an GT3RS, OR a turbo or GT2. They have the good motors the old dry sump racing design. The regular wet sump 996 motor (advertised as integrated dry sump) had problems with rear main seals and arent as hardy as the older 964 air cooled dry sump version.
Heck 96 97 Twin turbo would not be a bad choice. only 3-4 thousand of those world wide.

I think the 355 is a better choice for collectability and looks are more rare.
You will find me defending Porsche if the arguement is right but in this case,
I think the 355 is a better choice. Do your homework get a good pre purchase inspection, and make sure all the service is done BEFORE you buy it. And even after all that keep a healthy bank account for any maintenence you might need. And the NOISE!!! As clarkson says.

 

i've got both (F355 GTS F1 and 996 Carrera cab tip)

i don't drive either that often, but the 996 is "just another car" compared to the 355

if money IS an issue, be smart.. go with the 996 .. you're still getting a VERY nice car

if money IS an issue still, but you will NOT drive the 'new car' too much (i.e. you have 1 or 2 other cars) then go with the F355

bare in mind, both are timeless if you're a true car enthusiast so please don't think of resell BEFORE you even pull the trigger on either

set your mind on a very long term ownership, it will help you decide

 

If you pick a 996,you'd make a more sensible and practical choice.
But you'll always have that nagging thought at the back of your head,"What if???"
You can always go down to P car,get the Ferrari out of your system first,you only live once.....

 

As I was obsessing over my purchase, I pulled up a shot of a nice yellow 996 TT and asked what the wife thought. She said (no exaggeration) "that is the ugliest Ferrari I have ever seen."

 

I could not have said it any better myself. After owning my 355 for 2 years I can honestly say that I will never sell the car...even if you offered me 100k more than I paid for it. I promise you...you will have no regrets!

 

Agree - get the Ferrari. If it just doesn't work for you practically you can always get the Porsche later.

Cheers
Kevin

 

I would personally advise against the F1 -- it's more expensive to repair if it goes faulty, there's more gear to go wrong, and in the 355 it was a very early implementation of the F1 system. PLUS, changing gears yourself in a Ferrari is just so much fun -- why let a computer rob you of that ? If you really want to play with the paddles or are going to the track often with the car, that's a different matter ... but I think the silver H-gate shifter epitomizes what a Ferrari is supposed to be...

 

Ferrari folks tend to revere the 355 as one of the most beautifully styled ferrari's to day, destined to become a classic. And, in terms of quality, it is pretty good, relative to prior ferraris. I now have a 04-360, but will always look fondly back at my times with my 98 355 spider.

Porsche folks tend to regard the 996 as a big disappointment in the Porsche line, certainly never destined to become a classic. If you want a Porsche that has the same kind of appeal in the Porsche line, my Porsche buddies strongly agree the 993 Twin Turbo is the one, destined to be a classic. Or, pile up enough $$ and get the 997 but definitely skip the 996. Regarding build quality, Porsche has always been a standout. Ferrari is only catching up, in my mind, in the 360 and 430.