360 or 997 GT3?

[182Trophy]

Hello all,
For the last month or so I've been increasingly tempted by the prospect of owning a Ferrari, in particular a 360. I've taken one out for a test-drive and I absolutely loved it, the noise the speed the drama and just the sheer thrill of driving a Ferrari. Before commiting to one though I've also taken out a 2004 Lambo Gallardo and a 997 GT3, as they are both within my £80k budget, the latter of which left me amazed by how good the Porsche was. I've had a 993 Turbo and I currently have a 996 C4S that I will be selling, so if I buy the 360 it will be my first Ferrari. Just looking for any advice on owning one, common faults, service costs etc? Throughout my ownership of both the 993 Turbo and the C4S they have been totally faultless and brilliant fun using them both only on dry days but I'm rather worried that if I buy the Ferrari it will be the total opposite as I've heard some expensive stories about running them.
Thanks for reading and any advice will be much appreciated!

[GreigM]

difficult choice - I've done the GT3 thing before and I'd say it depends a lot on your usage of the car - if doing trackdays definitely the GT3, if not then the 360 is an experience on a whole different level. At your budget you're buying with warranty and the 360 is a pretty reliable car (for italian exotica). Servicing is every 6,000 miles and can be pricey (£900 for a minor service at main dealer), belts every 3 years but only 400 quid. Aside from that the front ball joints are a known weakness - 400 quid each to sort (and there's 4 of them) but would be covered by warranty and if out of warranty Hill Engineering have a better solution.

Owning a ferrari is an incredible experience - go for it!

[Craig]

Assume you are talking standard 360 as opposed to 360CS?

Difficult cars to compare really as the 360 is much older than a 997GT3.

I haven't driven either but have had a 355 and 996GT3. Having owned a 993 and 996 you will no doubt find the 360 a tad fragile. They are nowhere near as bulletproof as Porsches IMO and will cost a lot more to run.

Personally I would have the 997GT3 if you intend putting a lot of miles on it and need to use it in all weathers. The Gallardo would be preferable to a 360 if you need to scratch the Italian exotic itch - more up to dat again.

Personally I would have a Diablo 6.0 but then I'm biased

Craig

[Ade355]

If your budget is 80K you could go for a 360 M or even Spider within manufacturer's warranty still. That is what I did. Then you have a good chance to weed out any issues with the car and let them go through the official Ferrari warranty route before the car becomes 3 years old.

I bought a rosso v low mileage '04 spider for about £83K a year ago and enjoyed the remainder of the warranty before selling just before warranty expired.

One thing Im quite surprised about, is the 'market' does not seem to discount for the 'coming out of warranty' effect as it were. Strange.

[northo]

GT3

[JPF40]

360, everyone has to own a Ferrari in their life.

Had a GT3RS and they are awesome, reliable but you'll soon get bored.

[900ssduke]

Follow your heart for a ferrari or your head for a porsche.
I always think if you need to ask the question you should go Porsche.
I have a 360 spider and love it to bits, but its a bit like going out with a stunning tart and waiting for her to ditch you or unload a whole load of grief. I always have a feeling I've got away with it so far but it can only be a matter of time.
Still a great car and exhaust note does it all.

[182Trophy]

Thanks for all the information its just what I needed to know thanks! Well I would approximately be covering around 6000miles a year in whichever I go for, if I was going to do a few trackdays the GT3 would certainly be a better proposition as I think it would be brilliant on both track and road but it is'nt an essential thing to me as I generally use my 182 Trophy for track work.
Coming from two Porsche's I agree the Ferrari will seem fragile as I am kind of used to the usability of the 911's in all weather and the build quality was top notch on the 993 Turbo and again on the C4S, my head says buy the GT3, it almost seems the sensible thing to do, but my heart says just go for it with the 360M, booked another test drive in one tomorrow so hopefully by the weekend I shall have made my mind up! With regards to the Challenge Stradale, my Dad had one from new and it was unbelievable, possibly the best car I've ever driven with an exhaust note to die for but I think it would just be a little too hard to drive in the real world, perfect on the track yes but I think it would just be a bit too hardcore so therefore I would'nt put in an extra 15-20 grand into the budget for one.
Again, thanks for all of your opinions and I shall keep you posted on whatever I end up buying.

[flattotheboards]

go for the ferrari and realise a dream.

[Loz8]

You will find the ferrari is just a whole new experience to having a 911...its an experience that if you have the opportunity to try you must...easy decision

[Kurgen]

997 GT3 is leaps above the 360, IMO

Stretch to a 430, which is in the same class for precision handling and performance.

[Jules360]

Get the Gallardo... less fragile than a 360, more drama than a 997 and all the practicality of 4wd if you intend to use it all year round. Oh, and 500 bhp.