360 Why did you buy a 360?

I had been a lifelong 911 guy. My last one, a 993, started to climb in value. I had just a tad under 50K on the car and it was meticulously maintained and cosmetically absolutely like new. But I thought to myself why not try another marque. I had always loved the mid 60's Ferrari 33o Gt. So I did a search and quickly found out that those bad boys had climbed way, way, out of my price range. So I started my search on what models were available in the "newer' version of Ferarris. I landed on the 360 as I thought it was simply beautiful. And that engine in the rear under glass was knockout. And it sure looked easy access to work on.

After my research on the 360 and lurking on this Forum for about 3 months I decided it was the best choice. After 6 years of ownership, I still love the car and the driving experience. I drive the car as my "pleasure" vehicle at least twice a week, weather permitting. It's my first paddle shift car and I love it.

I will say; the folks here are way more into their cars and working on them than the folks I encountered on the Porsche Forum-- which kinda took me by surprise. I love the car, I love this Forum, and I probably will not be selling my 360 for a long time-- if ever. It still does everything I want in a road going sports car.

 

In 2015 I wanted a Ferrari and I knew that it would be a 348 or a 360. I liked the 360's more modern lines and engineering. The thought of another eighties car with maintenance needs gave me pause (my 928 was driving that thought). The wife said "any color other than red". And then Bellissima appeared from Florida. A euro gated car for the same price as a 348... sold. To me.

For me the 360 is the perfect blend of analog and digital. It's the first car of the new design language of the twenty first century and it's the first Ferrari that was designed to mimic Porsche usability and reliability. I've had her now 15 years and don't have any inclination to sell my factory gated car.

 

In 2006 I was debating between the 328 GTS, 355 GTS F1 and the 360.
For me, my confidence wasn't as positive "heel and toe" with the 328 as I was with my M5, I guess peddle placement.
So, I opted for the 360 with F1, taking out all the guess work.

 

I owned 5 Porsches (still own a widebody Koenig -Specials 928) and was drooling over the F355.
However, the engine-out and $10K every 5 years was not an attractive option in my 'financial' book
and so when a friend of mine bought a 360 and I drove it a few times I was hooked.
I wanted the open top experience as well as a manual tranny.

So the car I have today is the car I wanted years ago. It has enough power for me and appeal

 

Pics and details on the widebody Koenig!

 

Sure


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Because to me the McLaren F1 is PEAK, then the Ferrari F50, then the Ferrari Challenge Stradale. I can only afford the Ferrari Challenge Stradale.....

 

I posted my reasons on IG. Instead of copy/pasting, here's a link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBM6lKWpPRK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

Holy $&*#! That is incredible!

 

I have owned a lot of Porsche’s, BMW’s, Lotus’ over the years but have been a Ferrari guy/kid since I was old enough for Hot Wheels. Very long story short, I spent 8 days in the ICU last summer, culminating in a heart surgery.

While laying on the couch, 4 hours after being discharged from the hospital, I decided “if not now, when?” And made an offer on my 360 and was driving it home from Albuquerque a week later.

I put 3200 miles on it from August thru November. Mostly blasting up and down a local canyon.

 

Strange, my experience has been the exact opposite. We do have some fantastic guys here (@flash32 and @Qavion are the first ones to come to mind), but other than that, this place feels considerably less technically interested than the subforum that i frequent on RL.

As for the threads topic: For me the sports cars of the late 90ies and early 2000s just hit the sweet spot. Particularly the 360CS and the 996 GTs are pure driving machines.

They just dont make em like that anymore.

 

I drove a Porsche 997S, a Corvette Z06, a Audi RS4, a BMW V8 M3. Then I went to the Ferrari dealer and drove a 360 with Tubi. To be fair I knew I would buy it when I stood behind it and heard it start up. Good car other than an expensive F1 issue. Had it for a number of years. 7 years ago I upgraded to a 430 manual. Very happy.

 

I have to agree too. I have owned this car for 24 years now and helped maintained it for the orig owner.
I could not have done it without the 'Shark Tank' as they call it. There are some serious Porsche 928
Techs and owners who know this model Porsche inside out at RL-928 Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

To be fair, it has been a while since I visited RL. I still love the P-cars of the 70's and I loved my 993. Last of the air cooled and a pinnacle IMO for the Porsche 911.

 

“if not now, when?” Absolutely my motto. I spoke to my investment guy who I have known for over 40 years and when I said those words he told me his wife has those same words tattooed on her arm!
To add... I knew a guy when I first graduated College that lived in the apartment next to me. Nice enough guy but, well kind of an underachiever. But he did say one thing that always stuck with me: "your dead a long time"
Enjoy yourself.

 

So far I have been able to keep mine well maintained.
I use common sense when taking stuff apart, such as wiring labels etc. I have books of them.
Also take photos, lots of them. However, nothing beats doing the research from those who have BTDT.

But a more direct answer to your question, is YES.
It is more analog than most exotic cars.
For me, mine is more analog than most . With Trev's help I have no IMMO, none of the Emission system parts do anything (such as Gas Cap). All written off

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I knew I wanted to buy my first Ferrari since I was 10 and throughout my 20s, I set a goal to own it by 30.

I wanted a 360 because a) I grew up with that era, b) love the way they drive and c) it's still an undervalued gated car, relative to the 430.

Unfortunately, it has been a far from smooth ride over the past almost 2 years, and I'll probably be moving on to a 458 in the semi-near future, but a memorable experience with the 360, for sure.

 

Yup. And I think it was an epiphany for Ferrari at the time. It was the complete redesign of their Marque. It feels like to me that they decided to shed the image of finicky, engine out service, and the "unreliable" image they had earned in the past. And IMO, with the 360, they hit it out of the park.

 

I hope you drive the 458 first. While a super looking design, the car is quite different from the 360-- and for me not in a good way. I was convinced that I was going to "move up" to a 458 a few years ago. Then I drove one for an extensive "test drive". I felt so disconnected from the car. Too much tech, digital dash, and other "improvements" left me with a very satisfying drive home in my 360.
Plus with the money I saved I'm able to do the mods to my 360 that make it even better for me. But to each his own...

 

I had the same experience. While I didn't dislike the 458 I was totally numb to it. After driving it once it has never once popped back up in my head. The 360 on the other hand nags my subconscious almost daily.

 

Wanted one of the last manual shift F cars and didn't like the rear of the 430. Simple as that. Stunning cars in coupe configuration. Solid, drives like it's on rails, more power than any sane person will ever need.