RE: Top Marks for 355
Discussion
Different courses for different horses chaps....
There both great cars..(I personally don't like ferraris, but the 355 and 360 do look great)...
Personally when I buy a car I really don't care what Clarkson or any other o-called tv presenter says, because its down to what I want from a car.
The Noble is a good car, but it does not have the prestige and charisma of a ferrari..(Just ask anyone who can't afford one)..
So lets live and let live guys and gals....
There both great cars..(I personally don't like ferraris, but the 355 and 360 do look great)...
Personally when I buy a car I really don't care what Clarkson or any other o-called tv presenter says, because its down to what I want from a car.
The Noble is a good car, but it does not have the prestige and charisma of a ferrari..(Just ask anyone who can't afford one)..
So lets live and let live guys and gals....
Interesting..Ive driven several Bertie and whilst it was great in certain ways it never really grabbed me...and here is why. (disclaimer : Please understand that these are my thoughts have driven about 5 over a combined distance of around 500miles and at Snetterton twice 
)
They handle wonderfully....but the esprit handles better (IMO) and I found 4 of the ones I drove had a slightly notchy throttle which robbed a lot of the joy for me
The interior was nasty. You just need to look at the 'custom feeling' inside of a TVR, Marcos, Maser etc... to make the ferarri seem very 'cheap'
It also isn't quick enough to justify the price...an Esprit Sport 350 is faster in both straight lines and round corners, a cerbera or Mantis will eat it in straight lines, and all these cost 40K (ish) less.
and that was about it really. There is no doubt that they are great - but I could never say it was amazing/best ever, cos it doesnt excel for me.
cheers
Night
) They handle wonderfully....but the esprit handles better (IMO) and I found 4 of the ones I drove had a slightly notchy throttle which robbed a lot of the joy for me
The interior was nasty. You just need to look at the 'custom feeling' inside of a TVR, Marcos, Maser etc... to make the ferarri seem very 'cheap'
It also isn't quick enough to justify the price...an Esprit Sport 350 is faster in both straight lines and round corners, a cerbera or Mantis will eat it in straight lines, and all these cost 40K (ish) less.
and that was about it really. There is no doubt that they are great - but I could never say it was amazing/best ever, cos it doesnt excel for me.
cheers
Night
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I can respect any opinion based on fact or personal expierence, so fair play to you.
I found it quite quick enough on normal roads, not as quick in a straight line as my Tuscan it's true.
I'd never try and say one is better than the other, they're different beasts altogether, and I find the Tuscan arguably more "fun" but the Ferrari had more finesse to both the power delivery and handling.
And on a track you've never got enough power no matter what!
I found it quite quick enough on normal roads, not as quick in a straight line as my Tuscan it's true.
I'd never try and say one is better than the other, they're different beasts altogether, and I find the Tuscan arguably more "fun" but the Ferrari had more finesse to both the power delivery and handling.
And on a track you've never got enough power no matter what!
When i did the Snetterton thing i remember my brother was in the viper me in the 355 , i was right up his butt after the twisty bit
(sorry cant rmember the names of the corners )then i thought on the long straight i would get my own back , i could not belive it when the viper just pulled away like well
"like a very fast thing" but man the 355 did it for me , i have never sweated so much as i did after the tour in the Viper
(sorry cant rmember the names of the corners )then i thought on the long straight i would get my own back , i could not belive it when the viper just pulled away like well
"like a very fast thing" but man the 355 did it for me , i have never sweated so much as i did after the tour in the Viper
How are the 360's on reliability and do any of you think they can go on for years without costing an absolute fortune, by which I mean outside normal servicing costs.
I currently have a tuscanS and want to hold onto it but if it proves too troublesome I will change it, but if i do i will not get another pricey sportscar so want to hold onto whatever it is.
I currently have a tuscanS and want to hold onto it but if it proves too troublesome I will change it, but if i do i will not get another pricey sportscar so want to hold onto whatever it is.
Servicing is the same as 355, about £1k for an annual/ 12000 mile service and around £3k every 3 years for cambelt service which is an engine out job.
Of course once out of warranty you can go to an independant and the costs are roughly half to two thirds that.
Parts are not cheap but the only parts mine needed in 3 years outside service was a set of spark plug leads (£360)
If you think the Tuscan is expensive to run don't go there, the Tuscan seems very cheap to run by comparison.
And don't believe anyone who says Ferraris don't depreciate. Mine lost £30k in 3 years and a friend lost £9k in 6 months on a 360.
Percentage wise they are good but you're talking big lumps of money here!
Of course once out of warranty you can go to an independant and the costs are roughly half to two thirds that.
Parts are not cheap but the only parts mine needed in 3 years outside service was a set of spark plug leads (£360)
If you think the Tuscan is expensive to run don't go there, the Tuscan seems very cheap to run by comparison.
And don't believe anyone who says Ferraris don't depreciate. Mine lost £30k in 3 years and a friend lost £9k in 6 months on a 360.
Percentage wise they are good but you're talking big lumps of money here!
I had the chance to drive a few laps with the owner of a spyder 355 and he told me to open it up in second and third gear, Oh man, I can see why the guys that drive them are cocky. Yes, the 993tt did beat it but, the 355 is a car to respect. The car has a six speed manual and a gate shifter that you gotta do right. the new modena is faster, I rode in the passenger seat and the car is said to be a little faster but, the out side loses to the 355 hands down. I got a ride in the 550 and all I can say is that this must be the car the god built for himself. 12 cylinder, quiet,top speed almost 200mph, what next??? speed.
It's tru and it's a shame which Ferrari themselves acknowledge and have tried to address by making the 360 more day to day usable like the 911.
I guess it's the same reason as you see Bently and Lamborghini with very few miles on them.
If you can afford them you can usualy afford another car or two so they end up getting little used.
I guess it's the same reason as you see Bently and Lamborghini with very few miles on them.
If you can afford them you can usualy afford another car or two so they end up getting little used.
So I guess you would recommend a 355 over a 996 Carrera 4S? The only thing is that a C4S is going to be brand new and probably cost less on insurance. I was quoted 4500 for the 355 and around 3K for a C4, but dont know if the C4S will cost more (insurance companies dont seem to have it on their systems). Was the 355 completely reliable for you? I mean did it start properly each time etc. What would be your advice?
I do know for a fact that the porsche will be less costly to operate daily and the ferrari { any ferrari } will have a much higher annual cost. I don't want to think about the first 12k mile check up. If I drove a 355 or a 360 the way I drive my RS, I think I would have to rob a bank pretty often. speed.
I had my F355 for just over 3 years and used it to commute to work every day and it always started fine.
As I said, the only problem I ever had was a slight misfire in rain which was an HT lead breaking down.
New set of plug leads was £360 and the service from the dealer (Graypaul in Loughborough) was superb and I'd highly reccomend them.
When you need a service they'd pick th car up in a covered lorry and deliver it back to anywhere in the country you happened to be all FOC.
Sure the 911 will be cheaper to run I agree, but if you're interested in saving money buy a VW Lupo and save loads!
As I said, the only problem I ever had was a slight misfire in rain which was an HT lead breaking down.
New set of plug leads was £360 and the service from the dealer (Graypaul in Loughborough) was superb and I'd highly reccomend them.
When you need a service they'd pick th car up in a covered lorry and deliver it back to anywhere in the country you happened to be all FOC.
Sure the 911 will be cheaper to run I agree, but if you're interested in saving money buy a VW Lupo and save loads!
Hi
I am looking to chop in my Lotus Esprit V8GT for a rrari 355. Anybody got any tips as to what i should be looking for, things that go wrong and seem commmon to all 355's.
I had a spider a few years ago but didn't have it long enough to "get to know it". I've got about 60 -70 grand to spend.
Any feedback would be great.
Cheers
DBW
I am looking to chop in my Lotus Esprit V8GT for a rrari 355. Anybody got any tips as to what i should be looking for, things that go wrong and seem commmon to all 355's.
I had a spider a few years ago but didn't have it long enough to "get to know it". I've got about 60 -70 grand to spend.
Any feedback would be great.
Cheers
DBW
Things to check (as far as I know)
Cambelts - should be freshly changed (every 3 years)
Clutch - engine out job to change
Bodywork where flying buttress meets rear wing - there is a panel join here and they all crack.
£250 per side to fix properly but not many people know how to do a good job. Many of the midlands and north dealers use Stallion in Long Eaton (Notts) who are excellent.
Service history should be immaculate
Exhaust baffles can work loose and a new rear box is £1200.
The seat in light crema leather can look a bit chatty, re connolising brings them back but only lasts about 6 months.
All these should be OK if you're buying from a main dealer on the Formula scheme with a warranty, and at this price level it's the only sensible way to do it.
Cambelts - should be freshly changed (every 3 years)
Clutch - engine out job to change
Bodywork where flying buttress meets rear wing - there is a panel join here and they all crack.
£250 per side to fix properly but not many people know how to do a good job. Many of the midlands and north dealers use Stallion in Long Eaton (Notts) who are excellent.
Service history should be immaculate
Exhaust baffles can work loose and a new rear box is £1200.
The seat in light crema leather can look a bit chatty, re connolising brings them back but only lasts about 6 months.
All these should be OK if you're buying from a main dealer on the Formula scheme with a warranty, and at this price level it's the only sensible way to do it.
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