A "dilema" - Gransport or 355
Discussion
Hi,
After years and years of lusting after a 355 I'm finally in a position to be able to buy one (£35K ish budget). I wanted one since I was about 20 because of the looks and the beautiful noise they make - however I'm yet to drive one (I've driven other Ferraris though). My car journey has been VX220 --> Clio V6 --> S2000 --> Exige --> A3 V6. It's obvious to see which is the odd one out - the 5 door, baby friendly A3. Which brings me onto the "dilema"... a baby
The Boy is 3 months old, which means if we want to travel as a family the Ferrari won't cut the mustard. However, do I want a car for me (and keep the micra run around for me + family car for my wife), or should I be looking at a Maserati Gransport (which I also think will be great)? I've been in a 3200, and loved it, so I imagine the Gransport is like that, but turned up to 11 (or maybe 12!). I don't think it'll be a daily driver - maybe weekend + 1 day a week into the office
So... what should I do? Will the Gransport give me what I'm after? Should I just go test drive both and stop fretting about it?
After years and years of lusting after a 355 I'm finally in a position to be able to buy one (£35K ish budget). I wanted one since I was about 20 because of the looks and the beautiful noise they make - however I'm yet to drive one (I've driven other Ferraris though). My car journey has been VX220 --> Clio V6 --> S2000 --> Exige --> A3 V6. It's obvious to see which is the odd one out - the 5 door, baby friendly A3. Which brings me onto the "dilema"... a baby
The Boy is 3 months old, which means if we want to travel as a family the Ferrari won't cut the mustard. However, do I want a car for me (and keep the micra run around for me + family car for my wife), or should I be looking at a Maserati Gransport (which I also think will be great)? I've been in a 3200, and loved it, so I imagine the Gransport is like that, but turned up to 11 (or maybe 12!). I don't think it'll be a daily driver - maybe weekend + 1 day a week into the office
So... what should I do? Will the Gransport give me what I'm after? Should I just go test drive both and stop fretting about it?
If it's any help I have owned both cars, the GranSport is a lovely car, excellent noise, power, handling and a bit of a wow factor.
However, the 355 was a joy, from opening the garage door and seeing those rear lights and then starting it up and the spell of the engine getting in to the cabin (engine's in he right place too)
I had nothing but complements in the 355 and the handling was superb, I had to sell mind after putting a Capristo on it and making it mint and that is the only car I really regret letting go.
They won't go down much more, get a good one and use it regularly and it will be more rewarding that the GranSport which to my mind is a GT car versus the 355 as a sportscar
355 every time.
PS: if you don need to take grass cuttings to the tip or ferry the kids of to Legoland Windser get a smoker like a Volvo T5 R for 2k like I did, it's not actually a bad car either!
However, the 355 was a joy, from opening the garage door and seeing those rear lights and then starting it up and the spell of the engine getting in to the cabin (engine's in he right place too)
I had nothing but complements in the 355 and the handling was superb, I had to sell mind after putting a Capristo on it and making it mint and that is the only car I really regret letting go.
They won't go down much more, get a good one and use it regularly and it will be more rewarding that the GranSport which to my mind is a GT car versus the 355 as a sportscar
355 every time.
PS: if you don need to take grass cuttings to the tip or ferry the kids of to Legoland Windser get a smoker like a Volvo T5 R for 2k like I did, it's not actually a bad car either!
I would go for the 355 if you can afford it, everyone once in their life should own a ferrari even if its for a short period. You can always sell it in a year time for the same money. Although £35K is a little low for a good one I would expect. The maser is awesome bit of get and has the same power and servicing costs would be the same realastically as I have owned one too, althougha 3200 asseso corsa. Maseratis parts are not cheap, same league as a ferrari.
I would test drive both and see which one gives you the grin factor.
I would test drive both and see which one gives you the grin factor.
markmakak said:
Hi,
After years and years of lusting after a 355 I'm finally in a position to be able to buy one (£35K ish budget). I wanted one since I was about 20 because of the looks and the beautiful noise they make - however I'm yet to drive one (I've driven other Ferraris though). My car journey has been VX220 --> Clio V6 --> S2000 --> Exige --> A3 V6. It's obvious to see which is the odd one out - the 5 door, baby friendly A3. Which brings me onto the "dilema"... a baby
The Boy is 3 months old, which means if we want to travel as a family the Ferrari won't cut the mustard. However, do I want a car for me (and keep the micra run around for me + family car for my wife), or should I be looking at a Maserati Gransport (which I also think will be great)? I've been in a 3200, and loved it, so I imagine the Gransport is like that, but turned up to 11 (or maybe 12!). I don't think it'll be a daily driver - maybe weekend + 1 day a week into the office
So... what should I do? Will the Gransport give me what I'm after? Should I just go test drive both and stop fretting about it?
Quite different cars in my opinion, but both stunningly good looking! I've got a 430 spider and a 355 which is my absolute pride and joy After years and years of lusting after a 355 I'm finally in a position to be able to buy one (£35K ish budget). I wanted one since I was about 20 because of the looks and the beautiful noise they make - however I'm yet to drive one (I've driven other Ferraris though). My car journey has been VX220 --> Clio V6 --> S2000 --> Exige --> A3 V6. It's obvious to see which is the odd one out - the 5 door, baby friendly A3. Which brings me onto the "dilema"... a baby
The Boy is 3 months old, which means if we want to travel as a family the Ferrari won't cut the mustard. However, do I want a car for me (and keep the micra run around for me + family car for my wife), or should I be looking at a Maserati Gransport (which I also think will be great)? I've been in a 3200, and loved it, so I imagine the Gransport is like that, but turned up to 11 (or maybe 12!). I don't think it'll be a daily driver - maybe weekend + 1 day a week into the office
So... what should I do? Will the Gransport give me what I'm after? Should I just go test drive both and stop fretting about it?
. I bought the 430 to use everyday, but despite it being very easy to drive and comfortable etc I still find it hard to use everyday so I'm thinking about buying a Gransport. So hopefully I can help.The 355 is an amazing car, brilliant handling, out of this world noise (if you stick a sports exhaust on) and a future classic in my opinion, but yes it does only have two seats.
I've never driven a Gransport, however it is more of a GT car rather than a supercar like the 355. Another thing to bear in mind is that the Gransport only comes with a flappy paddle gearbox, where as you can have a 355 in manual, I don't know if that makes a difference to you or not. Both cars’ are going to cost a bit to run, but if you can find a good specialist that should keep the costs down. Seeing as you are only planning on using it as a weekend toy then why not just go for the Ferrari and use the wife's car when you need to go anywhere as a family.
If you have any more specific questions on the 355 then fell free to email me.
ferrari spider said:
I am going to throw an ace into the mix. Have you thought about a 456 GT? They are epic cars which cost about the same to run as a 355. Plush with plenty of room in the back even young adults fit. I would recommend one anyday, you have the Ferrari badge, style and practicality of the Maserati. I really think you should have a look at one 
+1Edited by ferrari spider on Sunday 21st March 13:23
Yes but last time I looked the 355 only had 8 cyliners compared to the 12 in the 456.
My came with a 9k service bill in the owners wallet, even a basic service is expensive when it includes 12 plugs and 10 litres of oil
Thats before you get on to the door window issue and so forth, which can be £££££ to sort. Mine had only done 12k miles but popped arious oil seals requiring the cambelts to be taken off 3 times in a year.
If the OP wants a Ferrari then a well bought 355 will hold its value and will be ideal for weekends, if he wants a everyday run around then a 997 or XKR are both much more modern and capable cars than a 456.
Bennno
My came with a 9k service bill in the owners wallet, even a basic service is expensive when it includes 12 plugs and 10 litres of oil
Thats before you get on to the door window issue and so forth, which can be £££££ to sort. Mine had only done 12k miles but popped arious oil seals requiring the cambelts to be taken off 3 times in a year.
If the OP wants a Ferrari then a well bought 355 will hold its value and will be ideal for weekends, if he wants a everyday run around then a 997 or XKR are both much more modern and capable cars than a 456.
Bennno
Judging by what specialist dealers and the mechanics that i've chatted to have said (and also looking at service menu prices), providing you get a decent one, there's not really a lot in it regarding servicing and regular maintenance. The 456 is a tad more expensive, but not by a large percentage given how much difference there was in their original new prices. Problem appears to be if/when you get a major problem which will become increasingly likely as the cars get older 
Mechanics seemed to think that any Ferrari engine with a 12 in required you to have _potentially_ substantially deeper pockets. Interestingly a couple of them seemed especially pessimistic wrt to the future of the most recent V12s and V8s
Mechanics seemed to think that any Ferrari engine with a 12 in required you to have _potentially_ substantially deeper pockets. Interestingly a couple of them seemed especially pessimistic wrt to the future of the most recent V12s and V8sThanks for the feedback so far - keep it coming...
To answer a couple of questions:
456 - I've never really fancied a 456 as they are nice, but don't really get me going (no offence to any owners - just my feeling) and I'd be REALLY worried about the cost to fix
911 - again don't really do it for me as you see so many, and I'm after something a bit more different
Jag - Again, not really me - I'm 31 so perhaps they are a little too grown up for me at the moment.
Keep em coming...
To answer a couple of questions:
456 - I've never really fancied a 456 as they are nice, but don't really get me going (no offence to any owners - just my feeling) and I'd be REALLY worried about the cost to fix
911 - again don't really do it for me as you see so many, and I'm after something a bit more different
Jag - Again, not really me - I'm 31 so perhaps they are a little too grown up for me at the moment.
Keep em coming...
markmakak said:
456 - I've never really fancied a 456 as they are nice, but don't really get me going (no offence to any owners - just my feeling) and I'd be REALLY worried about the cost to fix
I posted a few weeks ago saying i'd take a Gransport over a 456 given the choice at £35k or so (was on a similar thread to this). Notwithstanding what I said there, I think I may be changing my mind (in a hypothetical sense, obviously I'm not actually making a buying choice like you). I think now (even 3 months after I drove a 456) i'd be erring towards it. Reasons are (for me):a) depreciation: 456 has basically got almost to the end of it's depreciation curve. If you offset that cost against depreciation on the Gransport, the Ferrari will prob end up tops
b) handling: straight line performance is v similar (call it a draw), but i don't think anyone has ever complained about the handling on a 456, whereas people have picked holes in the Gransport (albeit quite petty holes!)
c) gearbox: by most accounts, people prefer a Ferrari manual to most things. F1 on the GS (or any car for that matter) is just not going to be as involving
d) the 456 is a Ferrari, the Gransport isn't. I'm shallow, I like the brand and the chat that comes with it. I owned a 4200 and people were like "oooo, you have a Maser, nice", now that I'm getting my F355, people are going "sh!t me, you're getting a Ferrari?! No way! Amazing!". It's not big, it's not clever, but it will be a lot of fun being able to say I own a Fezza to anyone that asks
ETA: just drive a 456 before discounting them. They may grow on you like they have me, and I'm not even bl00dy after one!
Edited by Mario149 on Sunday 21st March 20:59
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Well in all honesty if I could only have one of them it would have to the 355. I really don't know why because in all honestly the 430 is a better car. As you rightly said, all these cars are too fast for public roads and therefore speed is irrelevant, it’s how they make you feel that’s important. I respect the F430 immensely and I think it’s absolutely brilliant, but I just love the 355! I think Clarkson summed it up well when he reviewed the Ford GT. He said all I know is that I love this Ford, more than I love the others. And who can explain love. The truth is there will be very convicting views on what I’ve just said. There’s people out there who say the 355 is slow and dated, but it gives me “that feeling” that the 430 just doesn’t and that’s why in the next few months I’m going to sell the 430 and keep the 355.
I'd also say it has to be a 355, had them on and off for a long time and now still have a nice early GTB with over 50k miles on it, get used all the time, very reliable and so much fun to drive. If you look at my cars on my profile you'll see I've had lots over the years and the 355 stands out as one of the Ultimate. I'd honestly rather have one than the F40 I used to own or the 360CS.
It works as everyday, even when I try not to use it too much, work for weekend blasts, doesn't seem to get up other peoples notice, is great for Euro trips and for track when your track toy (Caterham) isn't available for whatever reason... pic is last week at Silverstone having fun.
I would say having owned all the varieties IMHO you cannot get a better 355 than an early 2.7 (management system) GTB Manual, they are just the 'best' Ferrari for enjoying in the real world I think they've ever made. Still the car I love the most and drive the most out of the collection.
It works as everyday, even when I try not to use it too much, work for weekend blasts, doesn't seem to get up other peoples notice, is great for Euro trips and for track when your track toy (Caterham) isn't available for whatever reason... pic is last week at Silverstone having fun.
I would say having owned all the varieties IMHO you cannot get a better 355 than an early 2.7 (management system) GTB Manual, they are just the 'best' Ferrari for enjoying in the real world I think they've ever made. Still the car I love the most and drive the most out of the collection.
Edited by SpeedYellow on Sunday 21st March 23:28
Which car would your son choose, which one would you like
To show him pictures of in twenty years? The 355
The maser is nice but isn't a ferrari qand the 355 is a legend, an icon and future classic
Get a runaround and go the whole hog on your dream car
You'll be able to sell it more easily too, well you'll be able to find a buyer more
Easily - it won't be easy letting go!
To show him pictures of in twenty years? The 355
The maser is nice but isn't a ferrari qand the 355 is a legend, an icon and future classic
Get a runaround and go the whole hog on your dream car
You'll be able to sell it more easily too, well you'll be able to find a buyer more
Easily - it won't be easy letting go!
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