Wife asks me to get a newer model Ferrari

550.

/thread

 

Robb,

You know your cars well!

I can speak to what it is like to own a 360 or 550 after owning a 328 (I've never owned a 355. I owned a 2001 titanium 360 for a few years and now own a 1998 550).

Both the a/c in the 360 & 550 are similar and are lots better than the one in the 328.

Interior room is similar between the 360 & 550 - 550 might be a tad bigger but not enough to be noticeable IMHO.

Timing belts are easier to do on the 550. It has easily removable covers on the front of the engine. 360 is better than the 3x8/348/355 earlier models - it has an access panel behind the seats so the belts can be changed with the engine in the car.

Horsepower is 400hp in the 360 and 485hp in the 550 but they feel very different. The 360 is a high-revver and the 550 has tons of low-end torque. The 360 is a high-tech engine with 5-valves per cylinder, whereas, the 550 is the classic Ferrari V12 design.

Both the 360 & 550 have nice gated stick-shifts. You'll shift less often though in the 550 because of all that torque.

Your 328 actually has a nice sized trunk. 550 is similar in size to the 328 trunk but not as well shaped (but it stays a heck of a lot cooler in there! ). The 550 also has a rear shelf for two leather duffel bags (my wife uses those tan Coach bags). The 360 is limited in trunk space - very little room behind the seats and the front section is a deep box shape. Packing your stuff in multiple duffel bags works great for the 360.

The 550 is a bit heavier than the 360 but it is still an impressive sports car through the corners. But in all fairness, the 360 is more nimble and has that more aggressive sleek look of a mid-engine car.

Both the 360 & 550 are beautiful cars. Test drive both if you can. You'll know if you're a future 550 owner or not in the first 10 minutes behind the wheel of one. You either love the Italian GT experience or you won't.

Good luck.
BTW, you'll probably end up missing your 328. I know I do.
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I voted 360 but I am to see that at this time the 550/575 is tied with the 360.

I would look at both 360's and 550's and buy whichever one you find first as they are both great cars.

 

As much as I love the F355 (having owned two), I think everyone agrees that the service bills add up. I would get a 360. Plus I too am tall and the 360 just fits better. Now having said 360, I actually prefer the Challenge Stradale. If budget allows, think about a 612. The 612 is the ultimate comfort Ferrari.

 

Personally, I would go with the 550.




PDG

 

You might be able to upgrade the a/c in the 328 -- then you'd have the best car on your list and reasonable comfort.

I wouldn't trade a 328 for the others you're considering. Targa top-off at night with the engine behind you is irreplaceable.

 

I'll watch this thread closely, I have the same dilemma. The 355 is one of my all time favorite Ferraris, but I'll never own one due to the maintenance costs. My biggest problem with the 360 is that there are so "many" of them. It will never be collectible.

 

Mid engined cars drive much differently than front engine. drive them and see which you prefer. you may want something totally different from the 328 or you may decide to stick with it.

Having owned an F355 GTS and a 360 spider here are my observations:
F355 front bottoms out very easily...large overhang.
360 has much more storage room especially behind the seats.
360 much more spacious in the cabin. More comfortable.
F355 roof leaked. No such problems with the 360 Spider.
Belt replacement costs on the 360 are half.
360 has much better torque.
F355 exhaust sounds better.
A/C better in the 360.
360 much more reliable and less maintenance.
F355 is smaller and sportier.

My 360 has never been mistaken for a Vette but my F355 has been mistaken for a Mustang.

You and wife should drive both and see which you prefer.

 

In one word - Horrible. Not that the cabin is bad and in fact I came from a 348 - which is even worse, and found the 355 much better. BUT because you asked to consider the F355 cabin "in comparison" to the 360 and 550, it becomes horrible.

If you use the F355 for daily trips about town, the cabin is a non issue. Dinner and a movie, day drive to Sedona..all no worries. If you and your wife decide to head on up to Monterey for 2 weeks, you might be hating life - as I sure did. The cabin is far too small for long trips (at least for me and my wife). The 360 has done A LOT better on our trips to CA and back.

Never had a 550, should be comparable to a 360?

 

If you want a beautiful car with modern comforts, the Maserati Granturismo coupe is very comfortable, has a Ferrari V8, and depreciates like an Italian car so you could probably get one for not major $ beyond a 328/360/550. I wouldn't rate it up there with the 308/328 in the looks department, but it will tick all the other boxes.

If you can entertain non-Italian, the new Porsche Cayman is IMHO a stunner and available new for the price of a 360.

 

I have a 308 and 355.Cabin in the 355 seems much more spacious. Wife does not really like riding in the 308 but loves the 355. I have taken several 1000+ mile trips in it and it is a good road car. Coming from the 328 you will love the sound and power.

 

I was going to say you should go with a 360 spider for Arizona, but seeing as how your wife's car is a convertible, I voted 575 with an F1 so your wife can enjoy the experience right along with you.

 

Drive both a 360, a 550, and try a 612, and see what you like better. The 360 is a sports car with crisp handling and great feedback, but perhaps a bit tiresome on longer trips. The 550/575 or 612 are GT cars, great for longer trips. Test drive them all, see what you like, and what better fits your use. Though, I voted 360...
Jes

 

I agree with above posters.

If you're not completely hung on the looks and/or sound (I can, for instance, imagine you HAVE to have a 355), then I would select the most modern era (ie 360 and 550) as these cars are a lot more comfortable to drive and the aircon will be a noticeable difference in Arizona.

Then you have to drive them. They feel nothing like each other. The 550 is a big bruiser with lots of torque. Very, very easy car to drive as long as you can drive stick (and if stick is not preferred, go with the 575 F1 as mentioned above). You don't need (or feel the need) to keep the engine on cam all the time. It is a car that a lot of women tend to prefer over a 360 as it is easier on lower speeds and less nervous.

But if you want to get in touch with your boy racer a bit more, then the 360 is the ticket. Lovely engine with lovely sound, much more alive than the 550. For me, the 550 is the ticket because it is a better car to do long trips in and that engine is epic. I love the weight distribution as well. But if you are more the kind of driver that does short stints on back roads, the 360 is a better choice. Some prefer the looks of a V8 as well, with the glass engine cover it has a wow factor. The 550 is more subdued, but in my eyes prettier.

Both are outstanding cars, and IMHO a step up in over finish and feel to the 355. I love the 355 as well, though, particularly for its looks and sound.

Best of luck! And have fun test driving.


Onno

 

V12

POWAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Just kidding, but I'd pick the 550/575, those cars are the perfect cruisers, and they are at a good price point these days.

 

You have to drive them all.
IMO the 360 wins but a front engined 12 is pretty cool as well.
The 550 was too nose heavy for my tastes as I prefer midengined cars.

 

I know you have a specific budget limit in mind, but there is a nice looking 575 Superamerica for sale in Scottsdale, AZ.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=101581354&listingRecNum=7&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26mkId%3D20014%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D22140%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId%26zc%3D20175%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1

A Superamerica would be a good fit for your needs I think.
Comes with an F1 transmission so your wife could drive it too, strong a/c, cruise with the top down or up, good sized trunk, lots of power, and a real collector car for the long-term.
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This was EXACTLY what I was thinking as I read the first page......ticks everything....modern, powerful, top down, comfortable, rare, collectable.

 

My only contribution is one that wasn't asked for. If you are only selling the 328 for space reasons look into off site storage. I did this for a year, 10X20 storage unit fit the bill well. If you already have the right one and may want another in the future, they can be hard to come by.

 

If you do spring for a 360 (this is particular to the 360), make sure you do a very comprehensive PPI - and one that looks for crash damage.

The car is all 100% aluminum and if the car was in an accident, it could have poorly repaired (F355 being steel and the 550 being both steel and aluminum).

Make sure to check all body panel gaps, frame rails. etc. If a 360 was damaged and NOT repaired properly (there were very few body shops to fix them back in 2000), you could buy yourself into a nightmare.