Tuesday 18th February 2014

Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale: Spotted

A £50K saving for sitting on the 'wrong' side? Sounds like a price worth paying!

---

On top of the fact it's a truly fantastic car, the reasons for featuring a 360 Challenge Stradale as a Spotted are twofold. With the emergence of a £60K 996 GT3 last week an investigation into similar stuff seemed appropriate and, with the California T previewing a new era of turbo Ferraris, we wanted to whittle on about a stunning normally aspirated V8 for a while.

Stealthy, relatively speaking, until you fire it up

So then, what does a 360CS cost 10 years on from launch at £133,025? Well this car's £109,995 asking price appears right in line with our 360M buying guide that stated '£100,000 or more for the very best Challenge Stradales' was about right. Indeed, the miles are low, the service history is impeccable and, to these eyes, it actually looks better without the stripe. Kind of suits the minimalist vibe.

All seems in order until you realise this particular Stradale is LHD. Further investigation reveals UK cars are up beyond £150K as the earliest 360 Modenas languish below £40K. The £169,995 being asked for The Supercar Rooms' CS is in fact more than any 430 Scuderia currently in the PH Classifieds (they peak at £149,995). Heck, there are quite a few 458s comfortably below that.

The Stradale is in demand then. Poring over 4 Star's example, it's not difficult to see why. Yes, the front of a 360 remains rather nondescript but the Challenge wheels, black rear panel and diffuser vastly improve the overall appearance. The naked carbon, unadorned wheel and Alcantara of the interior set the tone perfectly.

Sit here, savour the noise and the c. £50K saving

110kg lighter than the standard 360 and 25hp more powerful, every contemporary test of the Stradale raved about it. The response, the feedback, the step up in performance and the noise. Ah yes, the noise. Many an hour could be wasted browsing Youtube for clips of that howling V8, singing out to 8,500rpm and making 120hp per litre in the process. We've saved you the task (it was an arduous process, really) and found this track video for your aural pleasure. Surprised it passed the noise test to be honest...

In fact, the Challenge Stradale's extreme track focus arguably makes LHD less of an issue. Assuming you can get on a track day with that V8 din screaming out the back, the steering wheel's position isn't that important on a circuit. You get accustomed to it on the road also, and surely this just offers up more excuses for European road trips? Don't forget the £50K saving too.

The Stradale is a truly special car, even by Ferrari's standards. It will be interesting to see what the arrival of the 458 Speciale (with another 180hp!) will do the values of the 360. Surely they can't go any higher?

---

FERRARI 360 CHALLENGE STRADALE
Engine: 3,598cc V8
Transmission: Six-speed F1 automated manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 425@8,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 275@4,750rpm
MPG: 15.7 (standard 360M)
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2004
Recorded miles: 14,593
Price new: £133,025 (UK)
Yours for: £109,995

See original ad here.

[CHN]

At this price I'll have 3.

[AyBee]

Not a fan of the 360 at all, give me a 355 (or a 430) over one any day and yet in CS guise, I forget all that I dislike about the 360's looks and it becomes one of my favourite cars. Must be the noise

[LukeR94]

Prefer the stripe on it.


This car is just going to appriciate, it will be worth twice that in 10 years

[Baryonyx]

Staggeringly good looking, incredible N/A V8 making a truly incredible noise. Far better than any current Ferrari!

[Pistachio]

These sound awesome, not keen on fatty body work but the sound is magic.

[neil-f]

This LHD car does not have an "impeccable" (as stated in your article) service history its missed 1/2 of the services it was due to have!

[Davey S2]

I've had the pleasure of blasting down the Route Napoleon in the company of the car being advertised by The Supercar Rooms and can confirm it is a stunner.

I can't think of many better investment cars at the moment than a good 360CS.

[j90gta]

If you can be prepared to travel to the Continent and import one yourself you can pick up an LHD car for something in the 70's! Now that is seriously cheap. RHD ones made up less than 10% of the production run.

[XJR500bhp]

Great cars but 4 star classics would polish a turd and ask £10000

[peter450]

They've gone up in value i'm sure RHD cars were around 100k not so long ago

[Amirhussain]

Nice, but I would rather have the F430 Scuderia, the 360 hasn't aged well IMO, the F430 still looks quite fresh, IMO of course

[stats007]

Matt Bird said:

The Supercar Rooms' CS is in fact more than any 430 Scuderia currently in the PH Classifieds (they peak at £149,995). Heck, there are quite a few 458s comfortably below that.

The Stradale is in demand then

No... it's more likely dealers are artificially inflating prices.

[Motorrad]

Meh, I was disappointed when I was taken round an autotest course in one. Noise was good but it just didn't feel that quick. I was expecting it to be utterly ballistic. The owner seemed to be having a fking great time though.

[soad]

Holding prices well, aren't they? Suppose not that many about.
These sound magical too - music to my .

[911Thrasher]

j90gta said:

If you can be prepared to travel to the Continent and import one yourself you can pick up an LHD car for something in the 70's! Now that is seriously cheap. RHD ones made up less than 10% of the production run.

Good luck to buying and importing for 70kGBP...not one Strad under 100kEuro at the moment that is straight!

[WCZ]

overpriced imo for a LHD car

[davidc1]

I remember someone i know had a new one when they were released , red with the stripe(3k option i recall). Traded it 2 years later for an Aston. He should have kept the ferrari liking at these prices!

[davidc1]

davidc1 said:

I remember someone i know had a new one when they were released , red with the stripe(3k option i recall). Traded it 2 years later for an Aston. He should have kept the ferrari looking at these prices!

[Greenslade]

So its ben driven on average about 2.5 hours a month. Such a waste. A car is only worth what someone will pay for it. No doubt some numpty will buy this. There are far better options out there to spend your dough on. The 360 just doesn't tick any boxes for me i'm afraid

[vz-r_dave]

WCZ said:

overpriced imo for a LHD car

I have no clue why it should be priced any different? What is this mentality that a Left Hooker should be cheaper? I don't get it? I drove left hookers here in the UK and right in Germany and never had a problem. Not being able to overtake (or being a little more cautious) and having to get out of the car to press a garage button justifies this reduction in value?