Buying / owing a 360 convertible

[RT]

I have always been a petrol head - Lotus, TVR and Porsche making up most of my experience to date.

I currently have a Boxster and a 996, but am thinking of chopping both in for a 360 Spider to use as a special occassion / weekend car. I will only do about 3k per year in it probably.

Could you please give me your valued thoughts on:

1) Whether this is generally to be considered a good idea!?
2) Whether I will regret the costs involved in running said beast
3) What I should look out for in venturing to this new marque
4) Whether the cambelt change is a time or just a mileage thing
5) How often I will require a service at that low mileage

Thanks in advance!

Edited by RT on Saturday 17th July 00:47

[FerrariV8]

Feel free to give us a call and have a chat!

T.

[renmure]

Seems like our petrol headedness is similar (apart from that TVR stuff)

My input...


1. Good idea if it is a "special car" feeling you want. In addition to the 360 Spider I have a 996 Turbo S and an Elise and it is the Lotus which is far closer to the Ferrari as being an "event" to drive than the Porsche. On every viceral and subjective level the Ferrari is in a different league to the Porsche. Objectively there may be more to it but if it is "specialness" you want then it's a simple choice.

2. 996 Turbo major service plus brake fluid change in April at an OPC was about £1100. 360 Spider major service and cambelt change was £1450 at an Independent Specialist the same week (yup.. it was an expensive week!!) I think the minor services will be roughly similar at £500/£600 each so there is less in it than you might think. I imagine stuff going wrong will be costly in either.

3. have a read here: http://www.walkersport.co.uk/360-buying-guide.htm
Then take Tim up on his offer and give him a call for a chat.

4. 3 years or 18k miles.. whichever is soonest. IMHO you would be unwise to skimp on this bit since at resale time you would either loose out by more than you had saved in terms of haggling or will for ever be explaining to potential buyers why you missed out on some important servicing stuff.

5. Same as above really. Again IMHO all these cars are over serviced but going by the book, ie serviced every 12 months, means (a) things are less likely to go "bang", (b) you are less likely to worry about things going "bang" (c) Came resale time you are less likely to spend all your time explaing why someone else should buy your car with the patchwork service history rather than one of the ones with a FSH, and (d) you are likely to get more for your car due to not having to do (c)

My car is 2003 and has a ridiculous 8k miles. Service has been done by the book every year tho as per the schedule. I have no illusions that this will make my car worth tons more than any other but it is the sort of expense that comes with the territory when owning them and makes it easier when selling them.

Edited by renmure on Saturday 17th July 19:52

Edited by renmure on Saturday 17th July 22:32

[bad company]

Good advice. If you can't afford to run it properly with Ferrari servicing then probably best not to run it at all.

[RT]

Thanks for the replies so far, particularly Renmure.

I am prety much convonced it's the right thing to do and as regards costs it'll be similar to running / maintaining 2 P-cars I guess.

When I look at the insurance, servicing etc on the 996 and 987 then it'll be similar.

Sounds like the decision's made...

ps - Renmure, you have an outstanding car collection sir. May I ask your line of business??

Edited by RT on Sunday 18th July 23:32

[900ssduke]

bad company said:

Good advice. If you can't afford to run it properly with Ferrari servicing then probably best not to run it at all.

If you are on for a bit of do it yourself, the 360 is an easy car to service including belts. This may affect resale to people that are after the horse stamp.