355 vs 360 vs 550
Discussion
Totally understand your dilemma when it comes to buying a Ferrari.
I'm in the trade in a minor way and numerous cars have passed through my hands over the years but when the chance came to buy a 1996 F355 GTS in Feb this year, my car buying confidence seemed to desert me. Like you, I read all the reviews, asked questions on the various forums and lost sleep at night wondering if I was going to have to sell the children and remortgage the house to keep the thing on the road.
My heart finally won, when I could delay the decision no longer and I can honestly say that I shouldn't have worried so much. The ownership experience has been a dream, I have covered over 2000 miles, including a trip to Le Mans and my only expense has been replacing the Pirelli rear tyres at £348. The annual service is due, which I have been quoted £500 at Graypaul Ferrari in Nottingham, so I reckon a years motoring will cost me around £1000 plus insurance & road tax, plus fuel. Depreciation is also minimal if you buy around the £40k mark.
The 355 never fails to put a smile on my face and it always feels a bit special taking it out. I've never had anything but positive responses from other people, unlike the reaction some cars get!. I find myself making excuses to go out to the garage, just to have a look at it!.
If you buy the right car and avoid the poor examples, you'll not regret ownership. It's been the realisation of a car buying dream for me but unfortunately mine is now up for sale, the business side of my brain is telling me that the money needs to be put to better use rather than satisfying my car passion, so regretfully I'm testing the water with an advert in the classifieds to ease my conscience - I hope nobody reads it - and then I can keep it.
I'm in the trade in a minor way and numerous cars have passed through my hands over the years but when the chance came to buy a 1996 F355 GTS in Feb this year, my car buying confidence seemed to desert me. Like you, I read all the reviews, asked questions on the various forums and lost sleep at night wondering if I was going to have to sell the children and remortgage the house to keep the thing on the road.
My heart finally won, when I could delay the decision no longer and I can honestly say that I shouldn't have worried so much. The ownership experience has been a dream, I have covered over 2000 miles, including a trip to Le Mans and my only expense has been replacing the Pirelli rear tyres at £348. The annual service is due, which I have been quoted £500 at Graypaul Ferrari in Nottingham, so I reckon a years motoring will cost me around £1000 plus insurance & road tax, plus fuel. Depreciation is also minimal if you buy around the £40k mark.
The 355 never fails to put a smile on my face and it always feels a bit special taking it out. I've never had anything but positive responses from other people, unlike the reaction some cars get!. I find myself making excuses to go out to the garage, just to have a look at it!.
If you buy the right car and avoid the poor examples, you'll not regret ownership. It's been the realisation of a car buying dream for me but unfortunately mine is now up for sale, the business side of my brain is telling me that the money needs to be put to better use rather than satisfying my car passion, so regretfully I'm testing the water with an advert in the classifieds to ease my conscience - I hope nobody reads it - and then I can keep it.
Murph7355 said:
You do not buy these cars on the cost per mile to run.
Any of the 3 will provide great enjoyment, but the 550 is a very different car to the others.
Which of the 3 do you yearn for the most?
Any of the 3 will provide great enjoyment, but the 550 is a very different car to the others.
Which of the 3 do you yearn for the most?
To be honest, it would have been a 355.
Then the 360 came along and looks MUCH more modern inside - outside I am neutral between the two.
The 550 seems more of an all round every day car (if I can say such a thing)
If ever I can afford it/justify it, It would be 'my' only car (will replace a TVR depending on how long I keep that) and the wife will have a four seater saloon or 4x4, so the Ferrari will be driven two/three times a week plus just for fun, like the TVR is at present!
Whilst I can afford a few grand a yesr to run the thing what I don't want to do is take a HUGE hit on depreciation.
Ultimately the 550 is quicker, faster and bigger, so wins all round on the practical front.
Does that make sense?
Edited by virgil on Thursday 27th July 12:52
Edited by virgil on Thursday 27th July 12:53
virgil said:
Does that make sense?
Kind of.
I found the 550 a bit claustrophobic inside (though I am quite large). Especially for a big car.
355 interior is simple and "plain", but very well executed IMO. Never get bored of being inside it
360 doesn't float my boat outside at all (though the CS is a different matter). Was no surprise to find the designer was Japanese...
And the 355 sounds sooooooo much better than the 360.
Depreciation wise, the 360 is going to hit you hardest. 550 values have firmed up now and the 355 isn't going to drop that much IMO.
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