360 Price Spread and other questions

[sone]

I've started considering buying my first Ferrari and I suppose if I do decide to go for it I need to start asking a few questions. I have been reading up about them for the last few weeks and done all the usual searches but still haven't come to any real conclusions. So if you can bear with me on this my questions are.
What are the real no-no's with 360's that greatly affect re-sale, is it colour, numbers of owners, track use, are there any particular issues that I should be careful of. I notice the price spread on these cars is very wide. I will be looking for an early car probably 01/02
My toy at the minute is a Noble which is a great car and quite a quick motor by any standard, I'm wondering if a 360 will be a disappointment comparatively on performance. Fact is I've got an itch for something with a Ferrari badge and I need to scratch it.
Thanks in advance.

Steve

[iandc]

I too went from a Noble (M12) to 360. Different experience. The 360 is not as explosive performance, sounds much better, more practical (it has a boot!!) and I had mine for 2 years (after 3 years in the Noble) and enjoyed every moment. Did Europe twice and 12,000 miles in 2 years with no problems whatsoever. Everyone goes on about colour (it has to be red!!) but frankly it makes little difference if you are buying used as the less popular colours (silver etc) are cheaper to buy, but you tend to get less on resale. I bought a silver 360 spider which had done 24,000 miles after looking at some which had done a lot fewer miles but were not in such good condition. Mileage seems again to be a big deal but frankly go with actual condition of the car and get a good expert opinion. Cambelts are cheap and clutches reasonabe if you go to an independent. The spider is awesome and a good change from the Noble where you did not have that choice. I went for a manual as I prefer manuals but some prefer the F1 which is fine I believe. They tend to be more expensive so I guess at one end of the spread you will get low mileage F1 in red with good spec and at bottom end less popular colours, manual with lower spec. The later models had things like software upgrades to F1 etc but I am sure someone with better knowledge than me can help you on that score. Go for it you will not regret it!!nht

[gritbox]

I went from an Ultima to a 360, I was advised by friends who already had Ferraris to go for red, just for the ease of resale in future, although, to be honest I wouldnt now have chosen any other colour. I really wanted a manual but couldnt find one at the time, but after driving the F1 I was hooked! the speed of changes, the "blip" on downshift and the fact that you can just leave your right foot planted and change without lifting. Sound brilliant at 8500 rpm!! I went for one with cream leather, and front and rear challenge grills. I put a tubi level 2 on it which transfored the sound, and everyone apart from the neighbours loved it! I used Midland Ferrari (was Hollingworth) theyre an independent, and I got a good service from them. they are a lot cheaper than the main dealers. I would avoid dick lovett as I went there to buy a 360 and they wouldnt even drop the price £2k and the sales rep come up with the excuse that he couldnt do anything as his boss was out having his hair cut!! be carefull buying private, follow the normal HPI checks, and consider getting an independent evaluation. things to look out for on the 360s are.. ball joints, tend to weaken and need replacing, athough not always. cambelts need to be changed regularly, and clutch. The F1 can be checked easily to see how worn it is. I needent remind you that a warranty is a definate requirement. I have never regretted buying mine, and I would definately get another. As for mileage.... well, low mileage ones have a better resale value, but to be honest, I dont see any other difference, after all, the engines are built well, and are serviced better than any standard road car. At the end of the day it depends on your budget. whatever you decide on, it will still be a Ferrari, and you will love every minute in it.

[tony993]

Lots more info here: www.fcars.co.uk/forum

& while you're there do a search on Hollingworth, if you're thinking of buying from them.

[sone]

will have a look at Hollingworth seems to be well regarded.

Cheers

Steve

[scoobyc]

sone said:

will have a look at Hollingworth seems to be well regarded.

Cheers

Steve

might be worth doing a search on that one.......

[sone]

scoobyc said:

sone said:

will have a look at Hollingworth seems to be well regarded.

Cheers

Steve

might be worth doing a search on that one.......

Are they still trading then?

[GreigM]

Utterly fantastic cars, and I totally regret selling mine....

As for colour/spec etc - as others have said, buy on condition - I believe the 360 will mark the break point where people realise higher mileages are not to be feared on these cars....I feel they are approaching Porsche territory where 100,000 miles will become commonplace.

Things to look out for - the F1 can eat clutches if driven poorly, ball-joints can be weak, but they can be replaced by uprated replacements from Hill Engineering but even then its less than a grand all in to fix....all in all, nothing huge to look out for, if the car is in all-round good condition, then I wouldn't hold back. Drivetrain seems to be very strong and my mechanic tells me they're relatively good cars to work on compared to modern pork (not enough space) and previous ferrari...

[scoobyc]

sone said:

scoobyc said:

sone said:

will have a look at Hollingworth seems to be well regarded.

Cheers

Steve

might be worth doing a search on that one.......

Are they still trading then?

not to a very high standard from what ive read recently, might just be a one off though but they made a big show of themselves on the above forum.