Discussion
To complicate things even more in the search for my next car, I've now noticed that 456s are going for similar/less money than 355s.
So, questions are:
1) how does the driving experience compare? The 355 is a bit more nippy on paper and must be more agile, but maybe the V12 456 feels quicker on average because you don't have to wind it up to 8k rpm to get the full benefit? Any thoughts?
2) how do servicing/repair costs compare? On the fixed price service menus, there doesn't seem to be a lot in it in the grand scheme of things, but is that misleading?
As always, any thoughts (especially from owners past and present) much appeciated!
So, questions are:
1) how does the driving experience compare? The 355 is a bit more nippy on paper and must be more agile, but maybe the V12 456 feels quicker on average because you don't have to wind it up to 8k rpm to get the full benefit? Any thoughts?
2) how do servicing/repair costs compare? On the fixed price service menus, there doesn't seem to be a lot in it in the grand scheme of things, but is that misleading?
As always, any thoughts (especially from owners past and present) much appeciated!
No comparison, 458 is a barge compared to a 355, it is much more a grand cruiser than a sports car and judging by the issues a colleague of mine had when he ran one as new they are not a reliable Ferrari. Thing like windows and trim kept falling off and the weight of the thing meant it ate ball joints, tyres and brakes.
Go drive one but so different they really don't compare!
Go drive one but so different they really don't compare!
Never owned or driven a 456 but my (rather biased) 2p's worth is that the 456 is a nice looking car (never really been a fan) and the 355 is an automotive work of art. As SpeedYellow said they're poles apart in terms of type of car to drive. They may be similar in cost to service but if something goes wrong (even if minor) it will likely cost a lot more to rectify the 456. Also if you're bothered the fuel costs of the V12 won't make pleasent viewing either. 
No doubt the 456 is a comfy GT with some pace and room for the family but unless you need the extra 2 seats I can't believe you're even considering one over a 355.
Out of interest you talked about high mile 355s in your other thread, what sort of budget are you looking at?
Good luck whatever you decide, a great bit of shopping to have to be doing!!
No doubt the 456 is a comfy GT with some pace and room for the family but unless you need the extra 2 seats I can't believe you're even considering one over a 355.
Out of interest you talked about high mile 355s in your other thread, what sort of budget are you looking at?
Good luck whatever you decide, a great bit of shopping to have to be doing!!
The Milfman said:
Never owned or driven a 456 but my (rather biased) 2p's worth is that the 456 is a nice looking car (never really been a fan) and the 355 is an automotive work of art. As SpeedYellow said they're poles apart in terms of type of car to drive. They may be similar in cost to service but if something goes wrong (even if minor) it will likely cost a lot more to rectify the 456. Also if you're bothered the fuel costs of the V12 won't make pleasent viewing either.
No doubt the 456 is a comfy GT with some pace and room for the family but unless you need the extra 2 seats I can't believe you're even considering one over a 355.
Out of interest you talked about high mile 355s in your other thread, what sort of budget are you looking at?
Good luck whatever you decide, a great bit of shopping to have to be doing!!
Hmm....this has all kinda confirmed my suspicions. It's not surprising really, 456 was £150k new I believe, so servicing and repair costs are going to be commensurate with that.No doubt the 456 is a comfy GT with some pace and room for the family but unless you need the extra 2 seats I can't believe you're even considering one over a 355.
Out of interest you talked about high mile 355s in your other thread, what sort of budget are you looking at?
Good luck whatever you decide, a great bit of shopping to have to be doing!!
I really don't need four seats at all, I'l be running a daily driver: either a cheap hatch back with a bit of poke....I fancy another Clio 172/182, or a long term rental of the cheapest possible car I can find....it'll be doing 80 miles per day for the next few months!
Regarding budget, I think my absolute limit will be £35k, and that'll mean it mustn't need any work doing for a few months! And I'm almost sure it'll have to be a spider, with under no circumstances an F1 gearbox! Finally, ideally I'd like Rosso/Crema or maybe even better, Giallo/Nero
So yes, I'm having fun shopping!
Only downside is I have to sell my current P&J first! Anyone for 52 plate Porsche 996 C4S? (It's not up on PH classifieds yet). Details are on my profile
Mario149 said:
Regarding budget, I think my absolute limit will be £35k, and that'll mean it mustn't need any work doing for a few months!
I was shopping for one with a similar budget 6 months ago and found that some low £30k cars were in better condition with better provenance than some above £40k (I suspect this is due to many being SOR and what the owners think they are worth), like yourself mileage didn't worry me (mine was at 52k miles when I bought her). You will get a mint car for your budget if mileage is not a worry, as many have said a lot of cars at higher mileages are running better than lower mileage examples.Mario149 said:
And I'm almost sure it'll have to be a spider, with under no circumstances an F1 gearbox!
Regards the spider and I know I'll probably get flamed for this - I don't think they are that pretty with the roof up and the way the roof cover "drapes" accross the car (when the roof's down) looks untidy to me (IMO of course). The Spider is also noticeably heavier and slower as a consequence (not certain of the exact figures but I believe it's about 1350Kg vs 1470kg).Mario149 said:
Finally, ideally I'd like Rosso/Crema or maybe even better, Giallo/Nero
Best combination by far! Edited by The Milfman on Thursday 10th December 14:27
Mario149 said:
The Milfman said:
Never owned or driven a 456 but my (rather biased) 2p's worth is that the 456 is a nice looking car (never really been a fan) and the 355 is an automotive work of art. As SpeedYellow said they're poles apart in terms of type of car to drive. They may be similar in cost to service but if something goes wrong (even if minor) it will likely cost a lot more to rectify the 456. Also if you're bothered the fuel costs of the V12 won't make pleasent viewing either.
No doubt the 456 is a comfy GT with some pace and room for the family but unless you need the extra 2 seats I can't believe you're even considering one over a 355.
Out of interest you talked about high mile 355s in your other thread, what sort of budget are you looking at?
Good luck whatever you decide, a great bit of shopping to have to be doing!!
Hmm....this has all kinda confirmed my suspicions. It's not surprising really, 456 was £150k new I believe, so servicing and repair costs are going to be commensurate with that.No doubt the 456 is a comfy GT with some pace and room for the family but unless you need the extra 2 seats I can't believe you're even considering one over a 355.
Out of interest you talked about high mile 355s in your other thread, what sort of budget are you looking at?
Good luck whatever you decide, a great bit of shopping to have to be doing!!
I really don't need four seats at all, I'l be running a daily driver: either a cheap hatch back with a bit of poke....I fancy another Clio 172/182, or a long term rental of the cheapest possible car I can find....it'll be doing 80 miles per day for the next few months!
Regarding budget, I think my absolute limit will be £35k, and that'll mean it mustn't need any work doing for a few months! And I'm almost sure it'll have to be a spider, with under no circumstances an F1 gearbox! Finally, ideally I'd like Rosso/Crema or maybe even better, Giallo/Nero
So yes, I'm having fun shopping!
Only downside is I have to sell my current P&J first! Anyone for 52 plate Porsche 996 C4S? (It's not up on PH classifieds yet). Details are on my profile
Perhaps we could get in touch?
I will be looking to sell mine in the new year and I think we could probably come to an arrangement regarding waiting for your to be sold etc.
PM me if interested.
Just to add some balance to the original question, if you want a sports car buy ther 355, if you want a GT car that can be driven quickly get the 355. 355 sounds utterly gorgeous, the 456 sounds good. Most of the costs of running a 456, for about 10 years now, are in my profile, and no, it's not for the faint hearted!
The advantage of the 456 is 4 seats, and useable ones at that. It is also properly fast. I did consider getting a 355 as a daily driver, but it felt pretty slow; you have to be revving the tits off it to get it going. It isn't slow, it just feels it IMO
The advantage of the 456 is 4 seats, and useable ones at that. It is also properly fast. I did consider getting a 355 as a daily driver, but it felt pretty slow; you have to be revving the tits off it to get it going. It isn't slow, it just feels it IMO
456mgt said:
Most of the costs of running a 456, for about 10 years now, are in my profile, and no, it's not for the faint hearted!.....
.....It is also properly fast. I did consider getting a 355 as a daily driver, but it felt pretty slow; you have to be revving the tits off it to get it going. It isn't slow, it just feels it IMO
Just had a quick look, and £3k p.a. for repairs/servicing/tyres seems quite reasonable for me! I've been bracing myself for £5k p.a. for the same stuff for the F355. It would seem I'm being over pessimistic?.....It is also properly fast. I did consider getting a 355 as a daily driver, but it felt pretty slow; you have to be revving the tits off it to get it going. It isn't slow, it just feels it IMO
The F355 wouldn't be my daily driver....I would be driving it as much as I can on weekends just for the event. It's also why I want a convertible, it may be heavier, and not handle as well but I want the wind in my hair again and to be able to listen to the engine. I've honestly come to the conclusion that anything with over 200bhp/ton and 0-100mph in 11ish secs is absolutely plenty for the road - it's part of the reason why I don't fancy a nice 911 996 Turbo for the same money, even though clearly it'd be the better driving and faster car in every day life
Mario149 said:
jdw1234 said:
Mario.
Perhaps we could get in touch?
I will be looking to sell mine in the new year and I think we could probably come to an arrangement regarding waiting for your to be sold etc.
PM me if interested.
I tried, but it won't let me! Perhaps we could get in touch?
I will be looking to sell mine in the new year and I think we could probably come to an arrangement regarding waiting for your to be sold etc.
PM me if interested.
jdw1234 said:
Mario149 said:
jdw1234 said:
Mario.
Perhaps we could get in touch?
I will be looking to sell mine in the new year and I think we could probably come to an arrangement regarding waiting for your to be sold etc.
PM me if interested.
I tried, but it won't let me! Perhaps we could get in touch?
I will be looking to sell mine in the new year and I think we could probably come to an arrangement regarding waiting for your to be sold etc.
PM me if interested.
The Milfman said:
I don't think they are that pretty with the roof up and the way the roof cover "drapes" accross the car (when the roof's down) looks untidy to me (IMO of course). The Spider is also noticeably heavier and slower as a consequence (not certain of the exact figures but I believe it's about 1350Kg vs 1470kg).
LOL!!! You wont get flamed for that mate As a spider owner we hear that kind of talk all the time from GTB/GTS owners. Its kind of there reassurance mantra to themselves that they made the right F355 model choice As for the extra weight thing and the GTB being faster. This is not something that is noticed at all. Both car types are just as fast, apart fron the 1995/6 2.7 units which are faster than the later 5.2s
ferrari spider said:
LOL!!! You wont get flamed for that mate As a spider owner we hear that kind of talk all the time from GTB/GTS owners. Its kind of there reassurance mantra to themselves that they made the right F355 model choice
As a spider owner we hear that kind of talk all the time from GTB/GTS owners. Its kind of there reassurance mantra to themselves that they made the right F355 model choice Berlinetta is better looking.
ferrari spider said:
As for the extra weight thing and the GTB being faster. This is not something that is noticed at all. Both car types are just as fast,
Traffic light Grandprix coming to a road near you!
ferrari spider said:
apart from the 1995/6 2.7 units which are faster than the later 5.2s
Made sure I got one of these, they sound better too.
Edited by The Milfman on Friday 11th December 09:41
Here is a video I found comparing the 2. Not great quality but might be of help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ENk_bf250&fea...
In my (not biased opinion) you should be looking for a 355. The 456 isn't as good looking, will cost more to fix when it goes wrong and WILL NOT be as fun as a 355.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ENk_bf250&fea...
In my (not biased opinion
) you should be looking for a 355. The 456 isn't as good looking, will cost more to fix when it goes wrong and WILL NOT be as fun as a 355. 456mgt said:
Just to add some balance to the original question, if you want a sports car buy ther 355, if you want a GT car that can be driven quickly get the 355. 355 sounds utterly gorgeous, the 456 sounds good. Most of the costs of running a 456, for about 10 years now, are in my profile, and no, it's not for the faint hearted!
The advantage of the 456 is 4 seats, and useable ones at that. It is also properly fast. I did consider getting a 355 as a daily driver, but it felt pretty slow; you have to be revving the tits off it to get it going. It isn't slow, it just feels it IMO
This is the first time I have ever looked at somebody's profile and been downright jealous of their car collection. Wow. If I had a a CGT all of my other cars would gather dust though, I'd live in the bloody thing! The advantage of the 456 is 4 seats, and useable ones at that. It is also properly fast. I did consider getting a 355 as a daily driver, but it felt pretty slow; you have to be revving the tits off it to get it going. It isn't slow, it just feels it IMO
I've always loved the look of the 456. Its the only gorgeous looking four seater Ferrari have ever made in my opinion. Between that and the 355 though there is no contest - I would get a 355 any day of the week (both if I had the money though!).
Here is a video (from 1994) comparing the F355 and the 456.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ENk_bf250
I found it quite useful.
PS: If I had £35k burning a hole in my pocket I'd go out and get the BMW M6.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ENk_bf250
I found it quite useful.
PS: If I had £35k burning a hole in my pocket I'd go out and get the BMW M6.
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