360 Buying advice

[MarlonM]

Hi guys

I currently own a Porsche 997, but I feel the time has come to realise a childhood dream and purchase a Ferrari.

Specifically I would like a 360 as this was the V8 as I was just about learning to drive (Im 26), and Ive always found it a gorgeous car.

My budget is circa £80,000 - is this enough to pick up a decent example? I would like an F1 gearbox - however I understand the earlier F1 boxes were awful?

Is it best to buy exclusively from a main dealer, or would someone like Verdi Ferrari be a decent bet?

Im aware that running costs will be significantly higher than my 911, how much will servicing be per year?

Is there any colour that makes a big difference come resale time (predictably Id like a rosso red one).

Also - Spyder or Modena?

cheers guys....

[Gassey]

£80k will definately buy you a tidy 03 car. Personally i would go for the spider, better looking car IMO. As for servicing look back through the search facility and you'll see its been covered many times but from what ive read 2k per year.

[Harsh]

i paid around that for my low mileage 03 spider.

I find the 360 to be excellent, the only problem is when you get out of into into a 'normal' car!
i've done two long furball tours of between 2.5-3k each in the last 6 weeks and it's not missed a beat.

Great handling once you get used to the width, easy to place and the sound from behind you is fantastic...carried our luggage for 10 days too!

not sure where in the country you're based, but i used Italia Autosport in Meltham to buy mine.
(I'm in London)
i gave him the spec i wanted, the sort of price i was looking to pay and what i intended to use it for.
he gave me lots of advice and was more than happy to answer my myriad of silly questions.

PM me if you want his contact details, i cant recommend him highly enough.
He also services the car and pays excellent attention to detail.

[V8 BYE]

£80k will cirtainly get you a nice one. Paid £83k for 53 plate 360 spider. Black and crema from main dealer in swindon with 7k miles. Looks beautiful. Handles well in dry and is used every day and never played up. I too heard that the F1 gear box was not up to much which is a shame but the manual box is so much fun to play with and i believe they normally cost about £1-2 k less that F1 box cars.

Good luck in your hunt!!

[WIJ933]

I bought a 360 Modena from Maranello ( Sevenoaks) after owning Porsches for a few years. Dreaded the servicing costs but found the car totally reliable and flawless.My car was serviced @ Maranello and for a annual full service 1k.I chose manual over F1 as in confined situations I feared the missus would over gas the throttle and doggy style the car in front.Once you get on open road though F1 comes into its own - still went for good old manual though. After moving Italian cars there's no going back, and you also come to learn that the more you spend - the less you care about the bits that periodically fall off as the cars simply a part of the family. Then you find you want more! - now have a Murcealago - not as nimble as the Ferrari but SO PLEASURABLE to drive!!!. Still get to drive my Modena as my cousin now owns it - happy days!

Do it. You really won't regret it!!

Neil ( WIJ933)

[taaffy]

4 Months ago I moved from being a Porschephile culminating by trading my 997C2S to a 360 modena and I have not regretted it one bit.........open the garage door=a big smile .....start her up=a bigger smile.....drive it as it should be driven=a permanent grin.

Absolutely fullfilling as a driving / owning experience , you will not regret it.

Edited by taaffy on Friday 10th August 20:55

[Freewheeler]

Thought this thread would be one for you Taaffy.....

[MarlonM]

Guys

Thanks for all the replies, Im now even more tempted, especially as the common theme seems to be huge enjoyment and reliability!

I will keep you updated.

Im also considering a 996 TT, but even though its incredibly fast, just doesnt have the immense character of a 360!

[Paracetamol]

I have to admit that I enjoy "owning" the car more than driving it. Its definatley like no other car I have owned (owned over 40 at the last count

But there is a certain misty eyed romance...thats dispelled each time you need to go somewhere in it. You have to plan where to park well in advance.

[MarlonM]

Interesting you say that about being so careful where you park the 360. I have two cars, a 997 and a Jaguar XK8, and I will park the Jaguar practically anywhere, but the Porsche isnt allowed anywhere remotely dodgy, and when in a public car park, if there is room, I will park on a floor with hardly any cars, and usually across two spaces. Many have criticised this, but at the end of the day Id rather be called a wa*ker, than be left with an annoying parking dent!

I guess Im looking for a car that is an 'event' everytime you drive it (the 911 is, but not like a Ferrari!).

My other option was a Gallardo, but after an interesting conversation I decided against that. A friend bought one for £120k, and looked at a trade in after 2 years and just 3000 miles, and was offered £72K by a Ferrari dealer, almost £50k in two years is horrendous.

Interestingly Im going to look at a 996TT and 997TT today and will maybe pop along to look at 360s. Im hoping I hate the TTs!

[klm]

I've had TT Porsche and they are quick but they are defo not an event, the 360 on the other hand IS

[taaffy]

Before I bought the 360 I was looking at a 996TT and a 996GT2 ....neither instilled the feeling that the Fezza did when I looked and drove it ....and as it is only for high days and hols it really does the job handsomely .......Lambo I would imagine also does this too.

Main dealer purchase ...no problems to date bar 2 new ball joints which I knew about anyway.....all in all a truly fullfilling experience whether you drive it or just look at it.