996 Turbo.... time to go

[SIIX TT]

I posted on here last year when I was selling my TVR Tuscan. At the time I was considering buying a 348. I eventually opted for a 996 Turbo, bowing down to the 'we need the 2 extra seats' onslaught from the one who must be obeyed.

That the Porsche has covered about 1000 miles since June has eventully registered with swmbo who has now given the green light for a Ferrari, 'What's the point in having it if you won't use it'

So... we have started looking on tinternet and behold - I have just been told that I want a 360 and it has to be in red. I was thinking of a 355 personally ..... still, mustn't grumble

Heres my question? - Going from a TVR Tuscan to a 996 Turbo was a major dissapointment. I want a car with magnificance in its soul, something for a Sunday, to love, honour and obey in sickness and health etc.. I have a car in the normal sense of the word and don't want another one (IE The Porsche is very capable, fast and well built. I have just spent 1k on the brakes and it is mint, but it just feels like my wifes Golf)

Will I get the same feeling with a 360 ? should I go older? I really like the 355 and 348 shape.
Regards
John

[sone]

I came from 996 GT3 last year to a 360. Enjoying the move very much and as you have said while the Porsche is a very good and in many ways better than the Ferrari. However that said the Ferrari is much more of an occasion. It's seems to be welcomed wherever you go which is not always the case with the Porker and thats if anyone notices you at all.
With regards 355 or 360, personally I prefer the more modern car but they both have strengths I just felt that the newer should be easier to maintain but thats only my opinion.
Go for it you won't regret it!.

Steve

[phib]

I came from TVR's Cerb / Chimaera a few years ago to a 993 great car and a sense of occasion as my every day car.

However I then had two 996's a GT2 which were every day cars but no sense of occasion, then I bought a 355 spider ( looked at 360 and 430 but they felt like the 996 to me)

Then added a 997 cab which was very dull as an everyday car so sold it then had a couple of dull daily drivers and bought another 997 cab which strangely enough was dull again ......

So fast forward 6 months and I still have the 355 and have just put down a deposit on a 996 turbo for everyday use.

I am not sure that makes any sense but in short the 355 feels more like the TVR's of old and the 360 / 430 felt more like the 996

All imho !!!

Phib

[SIIX TT]

If I were better off I'd keep the Turbo for week days and have another car for Sundays as the Porsche is very capable and amazingly frugal if driven normally.

I don't want to end up with a Ferrari that feels like the 996 though, hence the post. With the Tuscan it was the whole sense of occassion. People waving on the motorway, the noise, would it get me home, would it break down or something fall off and would it kill me in the wet.

I want a Ferrari that attacks my senses in the same way. The Tuscan always made me feel like I did on a motorbike - which Ferrari will that be?

I get the feeling that the 355 will deliver more than the 360 - what about the Testarossa or 328? are they useable?

[sone]

SIIX TT said:

If I were better off I'd keep the Turbo for week days and have another car for Sundays as the Porsche is very capable and amazingly frugal if driven normally.

I don't want to end up with a Ferrari that feels like the 996 though, hence the post. With the Tuscan it was the whole sense of occassion. People waving on the motorway, the noise, would it get me home, would it break down or something fall off and would it kill me in the wet.

I want a Ferrari that attacks my senses in the same way. The Tuscan always made me feel like I did on a motorbike - which Ferrari will that be?

I get the feeling that the 355 will deliver more than the 360 - what about the Testarossa or 328? are they useable?

I'd say you be best off with a 355 or 360 Spider with a Tubi exhaust, neither can be compared to a 996 Porsche. I know what you mean about the TVR thing I've had a few myself and half the fun of owning one was the acheivement of completing a long journey, but the Ferrari's are a more technical car and generally more reliable.
You will be pulled on either direction between 355 and 360 on this forum, just go and drive both and make your own mind up!.

Be quick the summers coming

[S1M VP]

Had a Cerb, Then a Tuscan Red Rose, then had a 996 Turbo for 4.5yrs ..... now have a 360.
Do it ... an absolute pleasure to own, look at, drive ....

Better sense of occassion that the Tuscan or Porker could ever manage, seems very well built .... you'll not regret the move IMO.

[MaxAndRuby]

phib said:

I came from TVR's Cerb / Chimaera a few years ago to a 993 great car and a sense of occasion as my every day car.

However I then had two 996's a GT2 which were every day cars but no sense of occasion, then I bought a 355 spider ( looked at 360 and 430 but they felt like the 996 to me)

Then added a 997 cab which was very dull as an everyday car so sold it then had a couple of dull daily drivers and bought another 997 cab which strangely enough was dull again ......

So fast forward 6 months and I still have the 355 and have just put down a deposit on a 996 turbo for everyday use.

I am not sure that makes any sense but in short the 355 feels more like the TVR's of old and the 360 / 430 felt more like the 996

All imho !!!

Phib

In what way did the 430 feel like a 996?

[phib]

In what way did the 430 feel like a 996?

In as much as it wasnt that raw and it seemed pretty easy to drive, when I went from the 993 to the 996 it was easy to drive not that much fun I migh as well have been driving an M3.

With the 355 I just felt although it was lots slower and far less capable than the 430 it was a challenge to drive and more involving like my old tvr's were which is what I was looking for.

I also bought a 2.7rs that was far more fun than any of my 997's partly as I always felt it was trying to kill me !!!

Phib

Edited by phib on Monday 22 March 15:59

[jackal]

MaxAndRuby said:

phib said:

I came from TVR's Cerb / Chimaera a few years ago to a 993 great car and a sense of occasion as my every day car.

However I then had two 996's a GT2 which were every day cars but no sense of occasion, then I bought a 355 spider ( looked at 360 and 430 but they felt like the 996 to me)

Then added a 997 cab which was very dull as an everyday car so sold it then had a couple of dull daily drivers and bought another 997 cab which strangely enough was dull again ......

So fast forward 6 months and I still have the 355 and have just put down a deposit on a 996 turbo for everyday use.

I am not sure that makes any sense but in short the 355 feels more like the TVR's of old and the 360 / 430 felt more like the 996

All imho !!!

Phib

In what way did the 430 feel like a 996?

I think I know exactly what phil means and I think his post was a very good one.

after the 993/355 comes the magic line

There was an obvious big jump with porsche in the way they made cars but also ferrari too. Softened control weights, greater NVH isolation, modern damping. I am sure that the 430 and 996 drive completely different esp. in terms of balance and handling etc.. but the level of feel, sanitisation, efficiency, ability etc.. is probably a lot similar than compared to a 355 or older posrche

[MaxAndRuby]

phib said:

In what way did the 430 feel like a 996?

In as much as it wasnt that raw and it seemed pretty easy to drive, when I went from the 993 to the 996 it was easy to drive not that much fun I migh as well have been driving an M3.

With the 355 I just felt although it was lots slower and far less capable than the 430 it was a challenge to drive and more involving like my old tvr's were which is what I was looking for.

I also bought a 2.7rs that was far more fun than any of my 997's partly as I always felt it was trying to kill me !!!

Phib

Edited by phib on Monday 22 March 15:59

Fair point.

I've had lots of 'old' and 'new' 911s, and understand exactly the point you make with regard to the water cooled cars. My experience of 355 and older Ferraris is extremely limited, as I never got past a test drive. As much as they had an enormous sense of occassion I was over(under)whelmed with just how slow they felt.

The F430 just blew me away the second I started it, I agree with you that it's easy to drive, but I'm no Mario Andretti so a car that's easily controllable when going sideways is fine with me.

I think I need to re-visit the older Ferraris, I always wanted a 355 and I suspect I didn't give it enough time.

The 2.7RS(lightweight) was the first 911 I ever went in, talk about a baptism of fire!

[pdavison]

I had a Cerb then moved onto a few other high performance cars including a couple of Boxster S's (not a 911 Turbo I admit), an E46 M3 & C55 AMG but none delivered the same drama. I then realised a dream and bought a Ferrari 348 GTC (the lightweight version of the 348), the sense of occasion is simply amazing and actually it feels more special than even the TVR did.

Ironically I'm looking at selling the GTC to step into a 996 Turbo or something similar as I've recently had a baby girl which means I just don't get the chance to use the Ferrari as often as I would like. If you'd be interested in a deal drop me a line, but either way definitely go for a 348 / 355 as I'm sure you won't regret it.

Also, I've driven both the 360 and the 430 and whilst they are stunning cars performance wise I would have to agree with some of the comments mentioned already around the 'special' feeling you get from the older Ferrari's.

[Lagerlout]

I have a 355 now and it's a gorgeous, lovely car, but if you want to feel properly involved, take Paul's advice and try a 348 GTC. They handle as well if not better than a 355 (firmer) and they have a wonderful, direct, connected feeling you just don't get with the later power assisted cars. But be prepared to man handle it to get it to flow. If you want raw that's the way to go IMO unless you go for a V12 ie 512TR. If you want refined the 355 is the start of that and might just be the right transition point depending on your viewpoint. Paul's is a great car and was featured in Auto Italia I believe. My old one is also for sale in the classifieds I think as the current owner is selling it.

[Lagerlout]

MaxAndRuby said:

phib said:

In what way did the 430 feel like a 996?

In as much as it wasnt that raw and it seemed pretty easy to drive, when I went from the 993 to the 996 it was easy to drive not that much fun I migh as well have been driving an M3.

With the 355 I just felt although it was lots slower and far less capable than the 430 it was a challenge to drive and more involving like my old tvr's were which is what I was looking for.

I also bought a 2.7rs that was far more fun than any of my 997's partly as I always felt it was trying to kill me !!!

Phib

Edited by phib on Monday 22 March 15:59

Fair point.

I've had lots of 'old' and 'new' 911s, and understand exactly the point you make with regard to the water cooled cars. My experience of 355 and older Ferraris is extremely limited, as I never got past a test drive. As much as they had an enormous sense of occassion I was over(under)whelmed with just how slow they felt.

The F430 just blew me away the second I started it, I agree with you that it's easy to drive, but I'm no Mario Andretti so a car that's easily controllable when going sideways is fine with me.

I think I need to re-visit the older Ferraris, I always wanted a 355 and I suspect I didn't give it enough time.

The 2.7RS(lightweight) was the first 911 I ever went in, talk about a baptism of fire!

Max, as you know 911's have lots of low down grunt, 355's do not. You need to rev the nuts off a 355 to get it to move, when you do it does and it has loooong legs that the Porker can only dream of. Very different cars and totally agree the Porkers "feel" faster but the reality is they're the same just delivered differently.

[Hotblack]

996tt like a Golf! You're doing someting wrong! I have never driven a Ferrari, though I do fancy a 355 and although I could afford to change I just know I'd regret the move. I have a humble 993 C2 cab, nothing like a Golf. I am tempted by a Gallardo but when I think of how much fun I have pushing the Porsche out of a corner the only thing I think will make me happier is a GT3.

[SIIX TT]

The Golf comparison was based on feeling not performance. When Im 'tootling' around in the 911 getting 30mpg its dull, for want of a better word. When its in full flow its totally devastating but its has no soul - most of the time It could be any 'normal' car.

The TVR was always an occasion, Im hoping the Ferrari will tick every sensory box, with a bit more reliability then TVR.

[sone]

The thing that struck me about driving the Ferrari after having a Gt3 was the amount of attention these things get, and to date for me all of it positive. If your a shrinking violet don't buy a Ferrari of any description you cannot be discreet.
I dont think the more modern Ferrari's have lost that specialness, infact when your skimming cross country in your 360/430 at 7-800rpm let me tell you there's no better sound or place to be. I'm inclined to the newer cars because I like to drive my cars and I don't mind putting miles on them. Actually thats another thing don't be put off by cars that are slightly leggy, these cars have strong engines, and the sooner people start driving them more the better for all of us.

[MaxAndRuby]

Lagerlout said:

You need to rev the nuts off a 355 to get it to move

That's where I made the mistake LL, I was driving it like a 911, probably didn't rev it above 6000rpm as it wasn't my car.

Same with my F430. Initially I thought it was slower than my GT2, but as I got used to it, and held on to the gears for longer, I realised it's definitely in the same league.

[Cactussed]

I've not driven a 348, but have tried a couple of 360's and own a 355.
Sadly, not driven a turbo porker either (just a cooking 996).

Different Ferrari's drive differently, its not simply a case of adding more power each time. There's virtually nothing in it between a 360 and a 355 in terms of straight line grunt as the 360 is slightly heavier but has maybe 10bhp more.

they are very different cars to drive though. 360 is more modern, has better driving position and more room in the cabin. that said, I also found them to be a bit more remote and by all accounts twitchy.

I've had my 355 beyond its adhesion limits and its a wonderfully flattering and forgiving drive. Also, the engine note (granted, with a Capristo) really is a thing of beauty. Its not particularly fast by modern standards, but its sufficient to get you in and out of trouble. If you want raw power, stick with the 996tt and spend some cash on mods.

If you want occasion, noise and something that tugs at your heart strings, get a 355.

[sone]

MaxAndRuby said:

Lagerlout said:

You need to rev the nuts off a 355 to get it to move

That's where I made the mistake LL, I was driving it like a 911, probably didn't rev it above 6000rpm as it wasn't my car.

Same with my F430. Initially I thought it was slower than my GT2, but as I got used to it, and held on to the gears for longer, I realised it's definitely in the same league.

Exactly right, this is why you can't test drive a Ferrari for 20 minutes and get a real idea of what they are like. My GT3 took me a good few hundred miles to get to grips with and after 1500 miles in the 360 I'm now getting to know where the power is without having to think about it too much. At first I thought the GT3 was quicker but now I don't think there's much in it, although I would say the GT3 is quicker cross country in my experience.
One other very important point is that you can enjoy a Fezza at 5mph through town and so do most people passing by, it's not always the case in a Porsche for reasons best known by the British public and not me.

[MaxAndRuby]

sone said:

One other very important point is that you can enjoy a Fezza at 5mph through town and so do most people passing by, it's not always the case in a Porsche for reasons best known by the British public and not me.

The irony is that most Porsche owners are enthusiasts that have bought a car for the way it drives, when they could've had something 'flash'. The british public's view seems to contradict that.