Which Ferrari?

[G-Rich]

I've been mulling over my 'supercar' purchase for several years (as my thread history will demonstrate!), as we all probably do. I'm lucky enough to be part of a succesful company which is bucking the economic trend and maybe my dream will become a reality this autumn. I've been through looking at TVRs, Nobles, Porsche 911TTs and pretty much decided it would have to be the latter. Yet somehow (well it's obvious really) the Fezza itch is always there. The Porsche is always by far the safer bet (reliability, running and even better performance) but I think there is nothing that could match the drama of knowing you can drive a Ferrari whenever you want - it's something that probably can't be explained. Head = Porsche, Heart = Ferrari.

So with a 40-45K budget the options are:-
355 Hardtop (Berlinetta?)
355 T Top (GTS?)
355 Spider
360 Modena

Of the above, I love the 355 Spider (Verdi has a beautiful black one), but am worried about the roof packing up - a few threads on here make it sound like it's made of china, and about as complex as a Space shuttle - and will lead to financial doom when it fails - maybe the GTS is the best of both worlds? Also, the 360 appeals loads as I think it is a best looking car Ferrari have made over the last few years - worried that a cheap early/leggy one of these might lead to big bills. Are there any good aftermarket Fez warranty specialists?

Anyone have any thoughts, owners opinions are valued - anyone gone 355 to 360 or the other way and regretted it - or not?

Clearly when I have the finance sorted and ready to go I will try to drive a few to guage my own opinon - to be honest, a bit worried dealers may not entertain me for some reason.


(edit to add last para)

Edited by G-Rich on Wednesday 16th July 10:43

[arryb]

355 spider every day of the week - the 360 is just too plain for my liking!!

[cronk-flakes]

arryb said:

355 spider every day of the week - the 360 is just too plain for my liking!!

+1 Wouldn't say it is plain though, but definitely a lot more of them about than the 355.

Plus the 355 is just so amazingly beautiful! A red GTS for me

[RVIANT]

If you want open top driving on a 355 go for the gts(355 spider rood is just a nightmare mecanno set) otherwise the roof on the 360 spider its pretty good so would go for one of those

but then again i am biased

[GreigM]

it comes down to choice - for me the 355 is starting to look very dated so I voted with my feet and fell for the sublime roofline of the 360 modena - to me an absolutely stunning car and its been everything I hoped for - fantastic performance, supreme road handling and (by ferrari standards) modern reliability and maintenance requirements.

My suggestion - go see a few and don't make a decision in your mind beforehand - I saw a lot of very tired 355s and 360s before I bought mine - you might find you aren't particularly swayed one way or the other, but find an individual car which just tickles your fancy and don't discard any purley on model.

[Burba]

not to push my own, but you missed out the formidable 550!

V12 oomph, very solid engineering as far as Italian's go and pretty much bottam of the depreciation curve.

try one and see!!

[G-Rich]

Thanks all for responses so far. As rightly pointed out, without driving either, it's impossible to know which is more suited to me.

I thought about a 550, but I hear V12 Ferrari maintenance is on a different scale to the V8s. Tell me otherwise and they may sneak into the shortlist. Again, to lure of cheaper leggy examples is always a worry here.

With regards to arranging test drives, how best to approach a dealer without appearing to be blagging a drive in a Fezza?

[spidermanUK]

There's one known instance of a 355 Spider roof failing in the UK, it's just that you hear about the same instance time and time again!It's also the same car that's set a precedent that no 355 will ever be worth more than £42,000 :

I've had my car for 9 years, and the roof mechanism has been used hundreds of times without a hitch, whereas my 360 Spider roof mechanism had to be repaired under warranty when the car was a few days old, and frequently refused to operate correctly!

[Bebs]

G-Rich said:

Again, to lure of cheaper leggy examples is always a worry here.

Why?? providing its been looked after its often miles better than a low milage one.
My 360 is on 80,000 miles and is fitter and tighter than most garage queens. Never let me down once.
I'd far rather have a car that's been driven and looked after

[oggs]

Bebs said:

I'd far rather have a car that's been driven and looked after

Even if it is a BRRB

[Bebs]

oggs said:

Bebs said:

I'd far rather have a car that's been driven and looked after

Even if it is a BRRB

Sharrit Oggie

[Forthright MC]

Burba said:

not to push my own, but you missed out the formidable 550!

V12 oomph, very solid engineering as far as Italian's go and pretty much bottam of the depreciation curve.

try one and see!!

i'll second that, one of my all time fave F cars
the passage of time has further emphasised just how beautifully graceful looking they are too IMO
a Tubi is a must, but i'm sure a more clued up Ferrari V12 expert might offer some insight on running costs etc soon...

as for your initial choices, a good 355 GTS all the way!

[G-Rich]

Bebs said:

G-Rich said:

Again, to lure of cheaper leggy examples is always a worry here.

Why?? providing its been looked after its often miles better than a low milage one.
My 360 is on 80,000 miles and is fitter and tighter than most garage queens. Never let me down once.
I'd far rather have a car that's been driven and looked after

I see what you are saying - but the fundamentals of car ownership suggest that the more miles covered, the more likely it will break long term - and also the resale is a bit of a worry. This being said, the way 360 prices are dropping right now, it may not be long before the lower milers start becoming reasonable.

[G-Rich]

Forthright MC said:

Burba said:

not to push my own, but you missed out the formidable 550!

V12 oomph, very solid engineering as far as Italian's go and pretty much bottam of the depreciation curve.

try one and see!!

i'll second that, one of my all time fave F cars
the passage of time has further emphasised just how beautifully graceful looking they are too IMO
a Tubi is a must, but i'm sure a more clued up Ferrari V12 expert might offer some insight on running costs etc soon...

as for your initial choices, a good 355 GTS all the way!

I also love the looks of the 550 and 575 - the bonnet scoop is perfect. The V12 sound is also superb. I think most 550s have sports exhausts on them now anyway (looking at what's advertised anyway).

Anyone wish to comment on 550 reliability / V12 ownership in general?

[Sharief]

Don't like 355 Berniletta or GTS, but for some reason love the Spider.

I'd got for 355 Spider, or 360 Modena.

[Cactussed]

I drove a GTS and a Spider. Very nice but the scuttle shake would have driven me nuts so I bought a 355 GTB.

Its all rhetorical though. go drive them all then buy the one you want.

Simple.

[Cactussed]

Bebs said:

My 360 is on 80,000 miles and is fitter and tighter than most garage queens.

Unlike the owner...

[Bebs]

Cactussed said:

Bebs said:

My 360 is on 80,000 miles and is fitter and tighter than most garage queens.

Unlike the owner...

[here]

spidermanUK said:

There's one known instance of a 355 Spider roof failing in the UK, it's just that you hear about the same instance time and time again!It's also the same car that's set a precedent that no 355 will ever be worth more than £42,000 :

I've had my car for 9 years, and the roof mechanism has been used hundreds of times without a hitch, whereas my 360 Spider roof mechanism had to be repaired under warranty when the car was a few days old, and frequently refused to operate correctly!

That's a good point. I have known of a few 360 spider roofs that have needed repairing due to failure. And like you i have only ever heard of one 355 roof failing in the UK. It belonged to that short bloke, who constantly drones on about it. Time and time again

[Jonty355]

Never ad any problems with my 355s roof. Ive heard that the 360's are actually more tempremental.

If you like the 355 spider, buy the 355 spider, because otherwise you'll always regret your decision.