355 GTS or 360 Modena
Discussion
I had kind of set my heart on a 360 but having read a few post on here, I am beginning to worry about residuals! It will be my first Ferrari so I want to make the right decision. I'm looking at spending a max of 60k on the 360; the one I'm interested in is in Silver with Blue Hide.
So now I've also started looking as 355's as I always loved them when they first came out; budget for this is 50k for a GTS, in red with black interior.
It will only be used at weekends. I get bored with my cars quite quickly and usually only have them for between 6-9 months.
As a newbie which do you think would be the best choice for fun, usabilty, reliability & be the easiest to sell?
I am also hoping to go down to Le Mans in it this year so need to take this into account.
Thanks for your help,
David
So now I've also started looking as 355's as I always loved them when they first came out; budget for this is 50k for a GTS, in red with black interior.
It will only be used at weekends. I get bored with my cars quite quickly and usually only have them for between 6-9 months.
As a newbie which do you think would be the best choice for fun, usabilty, reliability & be the easiest to sell?
I am also hoping to go down to Le Mans in it this year so need to take this into account.
Thanks for your help,
David
Hi Dave,
I've owned both a 355 Spider and a 360 Modena. I'm bound to get slated for what I say next but the only plus point to owning the 355 over the 360 are:
It's better looking (my 2nd favourite Ferrari shape)
Residuals are slightly lower (but not much difference)
The 360 is a far superior car in every other way from power delivery to build quality. The known issues / points of failure on the 360 are far less expensive to fix than the 355. If your looking at an F1 the 360 is leaps ahead of the 355 system for performance and reliability.
As far as residuals go, you really should look at a red 360 as they are in your price range and the residuals will be better on a red car. Red with crema or tan is the way to go but red with black is also good. The 360's and 355's are pretty much at the bottom of their depreciations curves but you will loose a touch more on the 360 simply as percentages work it's a more expensive car. The depreciation on a 50k 355 will be higher than a 60k 360 as 50k+ is going into 360 teritory. 40 - 45k is the right money on a good clean 355.
Now is the best time to buy because prices tend to be lower and will increase during the summer months.
The other option is to buy a cheaper 355 now, a good GTS can be picked up for 40 - 45k and change it next year for a 360.
There's loads of more info on this forum and other such as FCHAT and Club Scuderia but feel free to ask anymore questions.
I've owned both a 355 Spider and a 360 Modena. I'm bound to get slated for what I say next but the only plus point to owning the 355 over the 360 are:
It's better looking (my 2nd favourite Ferrari shape)
Residuals are slightly lower (but not much difference)
The 360 is a far superior car in every other way from power delivery to build quality. The known issues / points of failure on the 360 are far less expensive to fix than the 355. If your looking at an F1 the 360 is leaps ahead of the 355 system for performance and reliability.
As far as residuals go, you really should look at a red 360 as they are in your price range and the residuals will be better on a red car. Red with crema or tan is the way to go but red with black is also good. The 360's and 355's are pretty much at the bottom of their depreciations curves but you will loose a touch more on the 360 simply as percentages work it's a more expensive car. The depreciation on a 50k 355 will be higher than a 60k 360 as 50k+ is going into 360 teritory. 40 - 45k is the right money on a good clean 355.
Now is the best time to buy because prices tend to be lower and will increase during the summer months.
The other option is to buy a cheaper 355 now, a good GTS can be picked up for 40 - 45k and change it next year for a 360.
There's loads of more info on this forum and other such as FCHAT and Club Scuderia but feel free to ask anymore questions.
In the same position as you mate and have been looking around for a GTS or spider or GTB (!!) for myself as well.
360's are certainly (and unsuprisingly) superior cars to the 355's. However, as pointed out in the earlier post the 355 is prettier and is likely to lose less (I think a fair bit less actually, depending on what you buy) money through depreciation.
Either choice you make will give you a lot of pleasure. They are both fantastic cars. I am going for the 355 because I think they are beautiful...
50k will get you the very best, low miles 355 - but beware these will share the same levels of depreciation as a 360! I have seen good 355's at just under 40k. Missed out on a gorgeous black GTB at that price... It was the only one I would have shelled out for thus far! Ticked all my boxes!
360's are certainly (and unsuprisingly) superior cars to the 355's. However, as pointed out in the earlier post the 355 is prettier and is likely to lose less (I think a fair bit less actually, depending on what you buy) money through depreciation.
Either choice you make will give you a lot of pleasure. They are both fantastic cars. I am going for the 355 because I think they are beautiful...
50k will get you the very best, low miles 355 - but beware these will share the same levels of depreciation as a 360! I have seen good 355's at just under 40k. Missed out on a gorgeous black GTB at that price... It was the only one I would have shelled out for thus far! Ticked all my boxes!
angelis said:
I'd pick a 355 over a 360 any day (stradale excluded).
Edited by angelis on Monday 8th January 10:38
This topic has been discussed many many times. I agree with Angelis, with the exception of the Stad comment (I wouldn't even make space for one in my garage!) I've had my 355 since new in 99, and it's the last thing I'll ever sell! I had a 360 for 2 1/2 years and it was frankly a bit dull in comparison. Yes it was faster and quicker, but much less involving to drive, and far fewer smiles per mile. BTW the t/c is rubbish, it interferes every time you want to have any fun, and if you switch it off it makes the ride so hard that your fillings will fall out!
The 430 is such a huge improvement over the 360, that if you compared the 2, you'd know you bought 2nd best. Comparing a 355 and a 360 however, you'll realise the 355 is by far the "nicer" car, even if its' performance is a little down on the "wide-mouthed frog"!
I doubt you'll see 355 values fall much further, simply because it was the last pretty Ferrari made, the 360's will continue to slide once 430s become more available at lower prices.
None of these cars are cheap to own, but they need not cost a fortune if you shop wisely for service etc.The key as always is to buy a good car in the 1st place, and have it checked thoroughly by an independent expert, mistakes can be very painful.
If you do buy a 360, budget for a Tubi, or be prepared to have people think you've swapped the engine for a Nissan Micra 1.0 unit until you get above 3500 rpm!
Clive needs to take those rose coloured specs off that clouded his judgement causing him to buy a baby blue 360 spider; that's why he hates 360s 
Seriously tho, while i will never deny the 355's a prettier car , the 360's such an improvement in so many areas; cheaper servicing, better interior build quality, far fewer mechanical issues, improved F1 box - 02 model on. You can buy these cars relatively cheaply compared to original purchase price but maintaining them properly's another thing totally
Seriously tho, while i will never deny the 355's a prettier car , the 360's such an improvement in so many areas; cheaper servicing, better interior build quality, far fewer mechanical issues, improved F1 box - 02 model on. You can buy these cars relatively cheaply compared to original purchase price but maintaining them properly's another thing totally
SpidermanUK said:
angelis said:
I'd pick a 355 over a 360 any day (stradale excluded).
Edited by angelis on Monday 8th January 10:38
BTW the t/c is rubbish, it interferes every time you want to have any fun, and if you switch it off it makes the ride so hard that your fillings will fall out!
If you do buy a 360, budget for a Tubi, or be prepared to have people think you've swapped the engine for a Nissan Micra 1.0 unit until you get above 3500 rpm!
The T/C can be turned off without upsetting the ride quality, I think Clive is talking about putting the car into sport mode which stiffens the suspensions, speeds up gear change on the F1 and desensitises the T/C. There is an ASR OFF button.
Regarding the exhaust, I kept mine standard as I did a lot of motorways miles and wanted it nice and quiet for those trips but when the exhaust valves open it was epic. You can wire the exhaust valves permanently open which solves the problem.
Exhaust note is more of an issue on a 355 as even with the valve open it sounds muted against a 360. I'd recommend a Capristo on a 355 for that real F1 sound but it also retains the bypass valve for sensible noise at cruising speeds.
dasherdiablo1 said:
Wow....DJ Kam,
Thanks for such a detailed response, I have been a little bit worried about the 360 in silver as it doesn't appear to be so popular, so resale would be harder. So I could get a good 355 GTS for 40-45? That would definitely win brownie points with my missus!
Thanks for such a detailed response, I have been a little bit worried about the 360 in silver as it doesn't appear to be so popular, so resale would be harder. So I could get a good 355 GTS for 40-45? That would definitely win brownie points with my missus!
Indeed you could see www.pistonheads.com/sales/95473.htm
or
www.pistonheads.com/sales/88235.htm
Although i'd be tempted by
www.pistonheads.com/sales/104040.htm
H
angelis 
You'll lose plenty on a 50k 355 if you use it.
Buy something in the low 40s, and buy well and you should be OK. Buy a GTB and you definitely will be
Ferraris to me are all about looks and noise. A tenth off the 0-60, a couple more mph and perhaps a second or two around the 'Ring are inconsequential when the "better" car is a significant step backwards in terms of both looks and noise to all but the Stevie Wonders/"insert name of famous deaf person here" (tony - get Ken over here to defend Bella (Emberg's) honour as you don't count, owning a CS - unless you're honestly telling us you would have hacked your old steed in for a normal 360...).
Similarly "cheaper servicing" is also very, very relative. How much cheaper per annum I wonder. And in the overall scheme of things the differences are peanuts.
All that said, you must buy whichever floats your boat the most - I've yet to find anyone whose opinion isn't polarised on this topic.
If you're really worried about residuals, I'd advocate not buying a car at all
Buy something in the low 40s, and buy well and you should be OK. Buy a GTB and you definitely will be
Ferraris to me are all about looks and noise. A tenth off the 0-60, a couple more mph and perhaps a second or two around the 'Ring are inconsequential when the "better" car is a significant step backwards in terms of both looks and noise to all but the Stevie Wonders/"insert name of famous deaf person here" (tony - get Ken over here to defend Bella (Emberg's) honour as you don't count, owning a CS - unless you're honestly telling us you would have hacked your old steed in for a normal 360...).
Similarly "cheaper servicing" is also very, very relative. How much cheaper per annum I wonder. And in the overall scheme of things the differences are peanuts.
All that said, you must buy whichever floats your boat the most - I've yet to find anyone whose opinion isn't polarised on this topic.
If you're really worried about residuals, I'd advocate not buying a car at all
I`v owned both 355 gtb and 360,although the 355 is pretty, park it next to a 360 and it looks old,360 better car in all areas
If you buy a 355 first, you will always be lusting for the 360,and going for the 360 first you only get hit once on depreciation
If you buy a 355 first, you will always be lusting for the 360,and going for the 360 first you only get hit once on depreciation
Edited by ted 191 on Tuesday 9th January 20:37
Kenny Dunn in Edinburgh has a very nice '98 F355 manual in Rosso/nero with 28k miles and FFSH for under £48k. I had a quick look at it last week whilst up there collecting a car. He's a decent bloke to deal with as well. Have a look at www.kennydunn.co.uk. Have to confess not being up to speed on 355 prices so I can't really comment on the asking price.
SpidermanUK said:
360stimo said:
360 over a 355 every day of the week. I think its better looking too.
I know you like exclusive clubs, and that's definitely an exclusive one......you're the only one in it!
No there's at least two
The 355 is soooo 80's with those pop up headlights and all the square angles on the interior. Yuck!t1grm said:
SpidermanUK said:
360stimo said:
360 over a 355 every day of the week. I think its better looking too.
I know you like exclusive clubs, and that's definitely an exclusive one......you're the only one in it!
No there's at least two
The 355 is soooo 80's with those pop up headlights and all the square angles on the interior. Yuck!
c'mon, 355 is best looking modern V8 IMO 
But 355 vs 360 M , no contest Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff