360 Help please
Discussion
Hi guys,
I was looking for some advice.
I'm in the middle of choosing a replacement for my Lotus and originally I was set out on getting an 05/55 plate 997C2s, but a quick look the through the classified just revealed that for the same kind of money I could get a manual Ferrari 360 like this one.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/367179.htm
Does any one have any pointers or buying guides about these cars, what are the major things that I should be looking out for?
I would prefer a manual to the F1 style gearbox but am willing to try both, how do these car's handle I probably won't track it?
What are running costs like?
Does any one know anything about the dealer above where the above car is advertised?
Many thanks
Bing
I was looking for some advice.
I'm in the middle of choosing a replacement for my Lotus and originally I was set out on getting an 05/55 plate 997C2s, but a quick look the through the classified just revealed that for the same kind of money I could get a manual Ferrari 360 like this one.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/367179.htm
Does any one have any pointers or buying guides about these cars, what are the major things that I should be looking out for?
I would prefer a manual to the F1 style gearbox but am willing to try both, how do these car's handle I probably won't track it?
What are running costs like?
Does any one know anything about the dealer above where the above car is advertised?
Many thanks
Bing
Bing,
In terms of the F1 - Manual debate, it's pretty much split. the sage advice is to drive both and see how you feel.
Early F1's will need to have had a software update otherwise i hear they're not that good.
As for common problems, the 360's are pretty reliable in the main, however listen for a clunking from the front..balljoints are known to go.
Servicing on a car that age wil be all about independants...
e.g. Grimaldi engineering, QV, Italia Autosport or somehwere near you.
have a look at the websites and you'll see a fair amount of fixed priced stuff which isn't too scary. more than a porsche but not too bad.
finally, when i bought mine i realised i knew enough simply to get myself into trouble so i had the car inspected by an expert. to be honest i would not buy a car like this without one...the money spent will be worth it either steering you away from a bad one or giving you some peace of mind.
In terms of the F1 - Manual debate, it's pretty much split. the sage advice is to drive both and see how you feel.
Early F1's will need to have had a software update otherwise i hear they're not that good.
As for common problems, the 360's are pretty reliable in the main, however listen for a clunking from the front..balljoints are known to go.
Servicing on a car that age wil be all about independants...
e.g. Grimaldi engineering, QV, Italia Autosport or somehwere near you.
have a look at the websites and you'll see a fair amount of fixed priced stuff which isn't too scary. more than a porsche but not too bad.
finally, when i bought mine i realised i knew enough simply to get myself into trouble so i had the car inspected by an expert. to be honest i would not buy a car like this without one...the money spent will be worth it either steering you away from a bad one or giving you some peace of mind.
Cheers guys,
No I won't buy one without an inspection that goes without saying. Were there any model changes etc Harsh I notice you have one, can I ask what year it is, is it an F1?
As for the Esprit no I've done the lotus thing (well I may still get an Evora in a couple of years), and the not keen on the Noble.... Is there a buyers guide on an 360 anywhere on the web?
No I won't buy one without an inspection that goes without saying. Were there any model changes etc Harsh I notice you have one, can I ask what year it is, is it an F1?
As for the Esprit no I've done the lotus thing (well I may still get an Evora in a couple of years), and the not keen on the Noble.... Is there a buyers guide on an 360 anywhere on the web?
Mine's a 2003 manual spider.
i drove both and settled on a manual because it was more involving.
i had the ball joint issue, been through a couple of sets of tyres after doing about 18k since i picked in up in June 07.
the roof needed hydraulic fluid, the alternator failed but apart from that it's been reliable. even crossing the alps and going across Scandinavia it didnt miss a beat.
A friend bought a car from a main dealer at the same time and because it hadn't been prepped properly he had all sorts of minor niggling issues with it which really spoilt the experience for him.
so in short, get a good one and you will love the experience, get one that's not been looked after and it wont be a pleasant experience
i drove both and settled on a manual because it was more involving.
i had the ball joint issue, been through a couple of sets of tyres after doing about 18k since i picked in up in June 07.
the roof needed hydraulic fluid, the alternator failed but apart from that it's been reliable. even crossing the alps and going across Scandinavia it didnt miss a beat.
A friend bought a car from a main dealer at the same time and because it hadn't been prepped properly he had all sorts of minor niggling issues with it which really spoilt the experience for him.
so in short, get a good one and you will love the experience, get one that's not been looked after and it wont be a pleasant experience
Harsh said:
the roof needed hydraulic fluid,
Did you do the roof hydraulic fluid yourself or did a dealer do it. Im guessing mine needs doing, and I wondered if the reservoir check level is for when the hood is up or down.My 2004 had the front ball joints done and a new air flow meter at 11k, otherwise great. I preferred the manual, but try them both and decide.
900ssduke said:
Harsh said:
the roof needed hydraulic fluid,
Did you do the roof hydraulic fluid yourself or did a dealer do it. Im guessing mine needs doing, and I wondered if the reservoir check level is for when the hood is up or down.My 2004 had the front ball joints done and a new air flow meter at 11k, otherwise great. I preferred the manual, but try them both and decide.
Great car- watch out for clutch issues on both the manual and F1. I had a problem with the clutch release bearing. The clutch fluid leaks past the seals and the clutch stops working- happended at 18k miles and again at 26k (according to the chap that bought the car off me). Otherwise just the usual consumables looking at the service history and invoices for mine. God I miss it!
scoobyc said:
ps i now have your old car paracetamol!
What I really miss is the smell of the leather, the feel of the key as you turn it in the ignition and the massive noise it makes when it catches and the tubi kicks in. Driving it was always an event...in a way that it never can be in any other normal car.
Harsh said:
900ssduke said:
Harsh said:
the roof needed hydraulic fluid,
Did you do the roof hydraulic fluid yourself or did a dealer do it. Im guessing mine needs doing, and I wondered if the reservoir check level is for when the hood is up or down.My 2004 had the front ball joints done and a new air flow meter at 11k, otherwise great. I preferred the manual, but try them both and decide.
(I'm speaking from F355 experience).
jdw1234 said:
Harsh said:
900ssduke said:
Harsh said:
the roof needed hydraulic fluid,
Did you do the roof hydraulic fluid yourself or did a dealer do it. Im guessing mine needs doing, and I wondered if the reservoir check level is for when the hood is up or down.My 2004 had the front ball joints done and a new air flow meter at 11k, otherwise great. I preferred the manual, but try them both and decide.
(I'm speaking from F355 experience).
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