Mark 1 GT3 or F355

[AR]

I know they are very different cars, and perhaps I am asking in the wrong forum, but I ask here as I do like the 355 a lot, and I supposed that there will be some ex GT3 owners in this forums. Budget is will be about £ 45 to £ 50K. This will be a third car and mileage will be no more than 3-5K per year. I would like not to have to spend more than £ 2.5K per year on maintenance ( excluding fuel and tyres ).

Any opinions on how they compare is highly appreciated, specially on the reliability side.

Cheers

AR

[Porsche GT3]

The GT3 is the better car of course but the 355 sure is pretty.

[AR]

Is yours a comfort or a clubsport spec? I like the clubsport, but I am concerned about the seat comfort on long trips? Also how do you find the OEM exhaust.

Cheers

AR

[AL001]

I've previously owned both ('94 355B for a year and 99 Mk1 GT3 CS for 2 years) and enjoyed them equally (perhaps the GT3 slightly more so cos I enjoy fairly raw cars). It's nonsense to say though that "GT3 better of course, though the 355 sure is pretty". What dynamic assessment and experience is that view based on? I expect zero but sadly it's the kind of blinkered opinions you get on both sides from many Ferrari/Porsche owners.

What one you choose depends on your own personal criteria (and I don't know what they are) but it's worth bearing in mind that the GT3 while fantastic on many roads, is not ideal on bumpy back roads.

I suggest you try both and see what you prefer though the 355 takes more time behind the wheel to reveal what it is capable of than a short test drive IMO. Have you driven an open gate g/rbox before? You may find that a little awkward at first also.

In summary, they are both great cars and you would probably be happy in either though the Ferrari will cost a little more to run with cambelt changes taken into account.

[AL001]

P.S. No probs with seat comfort on CS buckets - probably best seats I've had. The only hard part is gettting in/out of them.

[Porsche GT3]

AL001 said:

It's nonsense to say though that "GT3 better of course, though the 355 sure is pretty". What dynamic assessment and experience is that view based on? I expect zero but sadly it's the kind of blinkered opinions you get on both sides from many Ferrari/Porsche owners.

What you "expect" is not very relevant to this discussion. I have owned several GT3s and driven 355s of course, otherwise I wouldn't comment on the subject!

The 355 is an old car by now (first delivered in 1994) and alot has happened since. The GT3 mk1 was first delivered in late 1999. It is correct what you wrote regarding the GT3 though, it is more raw than the 355 (good/bad is up to the buyer).
I repeat:

"The GT3 is of course the better car but the 355 sure is pretty (and sounds great!)"

[AR]

Cheers for the replies lads, now to try them both. Would you say that both are as reliable if non tracked, abused, other than the odd mountain road trip through the Brecon Beacons.

Regarding ease of driving is the 355 easier to master than the GT3?

AR

[360stimo]

AR said:

I know they are very different cars, and perhaps I am asking in the wrong forum, but I ask here as I do like the 355 a lot, and I supposed that there will be some ex GT3 owners in this forums. Budget is will be about £ 45 to £ 50K. This will be a third car and mileage will be no more than 3-5K per year. I would like not to have to spend more than £ 2.5K per year on maintenance ( excluding fuel and tyres ). Any opinions on how they compare is highly appreciated, specially on the reliability side. Cheers AR

355 by a country mile !!