I may have an itch....
Discussion
Afternoon chaps, first time poster over here in the Italian section, so go easy pls!
It's too early to tell, but I *think* I may have a bit of an itch that needs scratching. Well, that's not quite true, I know I have the itch, what I don't know is whether I have the balls to scratch the itch!...sounding a bit medical, let me explain...
Have currently got a 996 GT3 Mk2, which I've had for 18mths and which succeeded a 996 C2. Loved the C2 for it's all-round usability and handy turn of pace when needed, but I had that niggle at the back of my mind that at any point, I could become a victim to an intermediate shaft failure or the dreaded middle-cylinder destruction issue that can affect the earlier 3.4's. That, and the desire to want a GT3 prompted a hunt, and after 6mths, I got into a very nice, straight, unabused (un-tracked, even) Mk2. I love everything about it, don't get me wrong - but I don't use it as a trackday car (also have a lairy Westfield for the rare occassions I get time to go on track), and so I do appreciate that I'm missing the bit that makes a GT3 so special.
I guess because I've always assumed it'd be a no-go option, I've never really even looked at values of Ferrari's, therefore it's never been a "problem" I've had to solve...but...and this will sound utterly daft, I'm sure...I've not been able to put down the Evo/Octane bookazine dedicated to the 60yrs of Ferrari. I've read most of the articles before in Evo, but it's still cracking reading to re-visit them.
And now my curiosity has gotten the better of me. Is something like a 550M a realistic proposition? Or even an F360....or the F355? For not a lot of additional £'s versus the GT3, it is conceivable that I could swap over.
In terms of usage, it's a weekend toy. I have a hothatch day-to-day car, plus my company car which the Wife uses.
I think I'm going to have to some serious research, but initial thoughts are:
550M - Well, it's a V12 Ferrari! With Tubi, sounds great, superb for those schleps across to Le Mans, designed to go longer distances by virtues of the fact it's a GT, so better paced servicing schedules?
F355 - Fantastic V8 sounds, always loved the 355 from launch (for me a Berlinetta) and seeing/hearing that video clip (http://www.classicgear.tv/popups/13.html) with the Capristo exhausts was orgasmic.
F360 - Possibly similar money to F355 but with the advantage of being a few years newer. Interested in views on handling vs the 355 - heard they can be tricky in non-CS form, but always wary about mag/tv reviews..
Only ever went in an F360 that a mate owned briefly - massive street theatre, but perhaps didn't quite feel all of the hp that the V8 should have had?...and sounded better outside than from within.
My initial thoughts are around servicing and replacement parts - coming from the GT3 where it really is bullet proof, and where servicing costs are not an order of magnetude higher than VW or Audi, is this going to bring tears to my eyes?
Has anybody got any ready-made links to good background and real-world owners write-ups? I'm about to hop onto fcars.net and have a surf around, and apologies if this is one of those subjects that's been done-to-death, but am genuinely interested in folks opinions if they've come from a GT3 into any of the above.
It's too early to tell, but I *think* I may have a bit of an itch that needs scratching. Well, that's not quite true, I know I have the itch, what I don't know is whether I have the balls to scratch the itch!...sounding a bit medical, let me explain...
Have currently got a 996 GT3 Mk2, which I've had for 18mths and which succeeded a 996 C2. Loved the C2 for it's all-round usability and handy turn of pace when needed, but I had that niggle at the back of my mind that at any point, I could become a victim to an intermediate shaft failure or the dreaded middle-cylinder destruction issue that can affect the earlier 3.4's. That, and the desire to want a GT3 prompted a hunt, and after 6mths, I got into a very nice, straight, unabused (un-tracked, even) Mk2. I love everything about it, don't get me wrong - but I don't use it as a trackday car (also have a lairy Westfield for the rare occassions I get time to go on track), and so I do appreciate that I'm missing the bit that makes a GT3 so special.
I guess because I've always assumed it'd be a no-go option, I've never really even looked at values of Ferrari's, therefore it's never been a "problem" I've had to solve...but...and this will sound utterly daft, I'm sure...I've not been able to put down the Evo/Octane bookazine dedicated to the 60yrs of Ferrari. I've read most of the articles before in Evo, but it's still cracking reading to re-visit them.
And now my curiosity has gotten the better of me. Is something like a 550M a realistic proposition? Or even an F360....or the F355? For not a lot of additional £'s versus the GT3, it is conceivable that I could swap over.
In terms of usage, it's a weekend toy. I have a hothatch day-to-day car, plus my company car which the Wife uses.
I think I'm going to have to some serious research, but initial thoughts are:
550M - Well, it's a V12 Ferrari! With Tubi, sounds great, superb for those schleps across to Le Mans, designed to go longer distances by virtues of the fact it's a GT, so better paced servicing schedules?
F355 - Fantastic V8 sounds, always loved the 355 from launch (for me a Berlinetta) and seeing/hearing that video clip (http://www.classicgear.tv/popups/13.html) with the Capristo exhausts was orgasmic.
F360 - Possibly similar money to F355 but with the advantage of being a few years newer. Interested in views on handling vs the 355 - heard they can be tricky in non-CS form, but always wary about mag/tv reviews..
Only ever went in an F360 that a mate owned briefly - massive street theatre, but perhaps didn't quite feel all of the hp that the V8 should have had?...and sounded better outside than from within.
My initial thoughts are around servicing and replacement parts - coming from the GT3 where it really is bullet proof, and where servicing costs are not an order of magnetude higher than VW or Audi, is this going to bring tears to my eyes?
Has anybody got any ready-made links to good background and real-world owners write-ups? I'm about to hop onto fcars.net and have a surf around, and apologies if this is one of those subjects that's been done-to-death, but am genuinely interested in folks opinions if they've come from a GT3 into any of the above.
For a start... read this thread from last week 
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My personal opinion is DO IT! ...but I'd always encourage anyone out of a German car
and well known for it - so my opinion might not exactly be the most objective! 
Don't forget there is also the option of a Diablo or a Gallardo, for vaguely similar money!
It all depends on what you want from your car but it sounds like you get your "die-hard-hooner" fix from your Westy so perhaps something that's a bit more pantomime than performance can be an option for you?
My personal choices would probably be in the following order:
Diablo (duh!!), 355, Gallardo, 360, 550
However they all have their virtues and their shortcomings. Decide what buttons need pushing to scratch that itch and see which of those fine car will fit the bill best.
Not an unpleasant dilemma to face - a choice of a really awesome thing or one of four other, really awesome things!
There are plenty of guys here who have gone between porkers, 355's and 360's so have a good read back through other threads here too
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My personal opinion is DO IT! ...but I'd always encourage anyone out of a German car
and well known for it - so my opinion might not exactly be the most objective! Don't forget there is also the option of a Diablo or a Gallardo, for vaguely similar money!
It all depends on what you want from your car but it sounds like you get your "die-hard-hooner" fix from your Westy so perhaps something that's a bit more pantomime than performance can be an option for you?
My personal choices would probably be in the following order:
Diablo (duh!!), 355, Gallardo, 360, 550
However they all have their virtues and their shortcomings. Decide what buttons need pushing to scratch that itch and see which of those fine car will fit the bill best.
Not an unpleasant dilemma to face - a choice of a really awesome thing or one of four other, really awesome things!
There are plenty of guys here who have gone between porkers, 355's and 360's so have a good read back through other threads here too
Also... Read my "There's no such thing as an exciting German car" thread! 
In among the humourless invective ( lol), there is some really pertinent first hand experience from guys who have owned both Italian and German cars and their perspectives may shed some light on things for you?
In among the humourless invective (
lol), there is some really pertinent first hand experience from guys who have owned both Italian and German cars and their perspectives may shed some light on things for you?hi, just thought id add a thread, ive been for a ride with a friend in the 355 and was just amazing, the sound is inredible and from what others are saying it seems to be the most fun packed option. i drove a 360 last week and just wasnt the same as the 355 it was quiter and didnt feel well built at all, those thought were backed when the owner told me him and his friend are always having problems with them, and at a big cost! it just isnt the same as the 355. tried the 997 turbo which was amazingly quick but lacked the adrenaline you get from the 355. never touched a 550 although i would say if your looking for fun its probably not the option however if you want a cruiser then this is the best suited to the area you are looking at. as im sure you can see my passion goes straight for the 355 but youve got to do what you want. do what the heart says and forget the head!
pagejobe said:
....i drove a 360 last week and just wasnt the same as the 355 it was quiter and didnt feel well built at all, those thought were backed when the owner told me him and his friend are always having problems with them, and at a big cost! it just isnt the same as the 355.....
Minge!I've owned a 355B and currently own a 360M and they are worlds apart. The 355 has a nice sound granted, but so does the 360. The 360 is far better built than a 355, NO QUESTION. You get good and bad cars from every marque. Check out www.ferrarichat.com for more in-depth advice and check out this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMuv5yLENE
Guys, thanks one-and-all for the posts - am currently hopping onto various forum and clicking the links suggested, just trying to understand the big picture of ownership, as well as getting a feel for which Indy's are out there, which are highly thought of (or not), etc...
I'm sure I'll have many more questions soon!
Cheers
S
I'm sure I'll have many more questions soon!
Cheers
S
DaveyS2 said:
Out of those choices I would stick with the GT3
Hi Davey, haha, larf...No doubt, I do love the GT3 (if I could buy both, I surely would)..but you know what it's like, there are some things that you have to do in a lifetime...I know the "stock" one is that every petrolhead must own an Alfa Romeo, but honestly, I can't be arsed with that one, so may skip straight to the other Italian marques!
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