Hi, I have begun my search for another occassional driver. I have been looking at Ferrari 360's MY 1999-2001 to fit my budget. Then recently I noticed that I could get a Vantage V8 MY 2006-2008 for about the same money. I love the way both of these cars look but I do think the Vantage is sexier but the Ferrari sounds a bit better (but both sound great!). I am hoping to pull the trigger on this in the next year if things go well. One consideration is maintenance costs, I think the Aston would be much less expensive. Again the car is for very occassional driving. I would appreciate anyone's input. Cheers.

 

Oh snap! This is my dilemma. Went down this path. Could never decide, so I did nothing, saving more money for a F430, but now that is in doubt.

In my opinion, the Vantage is more of a sense of occasion, and the 360, while VERY exciting to drive, garners its fair share of negative attention. The Aston just looks the part, and can be dismissed as just a nice looking car at first glance. Not as much 'haters'. Not sure if this is a concern.

While performance is not going to be on par with your 996Turbo, the Aston will offer a completely different experience. Now, granted, the 360 will as well. I think for selfish driving enjoyment, 360 wins - by a long shot.

So, my answer is completely worthless. Which is why I bought neither.

 

I work at A-M dealer now, used to work at Ferrari dealer when the 360 was still in production. The three words that sum up what I truly appreciate in a car like either of these are "sense of occasion."

The 360 gets a lot of attention, sounds great, and is a hoot to drive when you have an open road and no fear of loosing your license. But if you walk out to the garage and need to choose your ride to go run an errand or go to dinner, some of that initial special-ness wears off. It's not hard to get into, but it's not that easy, either. Visibility is limited, and that concern of admirers not keeping their distance is always present. Driving a 360 slowly, or in traffic, isn't much fun, either. The radio is pretty much crap, and the creature comforts are in short supply.

The Vantage, on the other hand, is also fun to drive when the open road beckons, and sounds great. It also has a usable trunk in case you actually want to do something normal, like shopping, in it. And driving it out to do those normal things will be enjoyable, as the Vantage still feels special and enjoyable even at low speeds. Creature comforts are more prevalent, visibility is better, and the understated elegance of A-M doesn't attract the exotic car papparazzi like a F-car. Maintenance will be less frequent, and probably less expensive long-term.

These are, of course, my opinions, and your results may vary.

 

Funny, this very stand off is happening in my office parking lot lately. I recently got my V8, and on occasion drive it to work where the parking lot is unaccustomed to such exotica. Then last week, a very red 360 showed up. Now the very same thing goes through mine and every other car guy's mind. "Which one...?"

Me? Aston Martin hands down. The 360 is pretty, but not more pretty. The 360 sounds different but not better. These days, I'd say the A-M sounds better. The 360 sounds like a racer but the A-M sounds like internal combustion sex.

The drive? Haven't driven a 360 yet, but have driven a 430. Yeah the Italian is nimble and all that good stuff, but the A-M is solid, smooth and wonderful.

If you want a track car, get the 360.
If you want a great car, Aston Martin.

 

This is great feedback and much of what has been said is what is going through my mind. For all out performance I have my 996TT which is awesome and good for my occassional track days. I am looking more for the sense of occassion car. So far it seems like a draw, please keep the thoughts coming.

 

I found the 360 to be a bit lacking in torque. If you are interested in a Ferrari, I'd try to stretch to a 430 if you can. A big difference between e two.

 

I think a LOT of people go through this progression. But yeah, this describes where I ended up. Unfortunately, I believe I've moved onto something else. It feels like the 360 is 'settling' for something within my price range, when I really wanted an F430. Whereas the Vantage is the car to move to (I don't the DB9 or DBS being an upgrade, rather than a different car altogether).

Just as I don't see the 599 being an upgrade to the F430 - different car.

 

^^^ all good discussion points...my friend's 360 w/ tubi headers, resonators and nuvolari exhaust is one of the best sounding cars I've ever heard! That said the 360 is a bit shy in torque.

I've wanted to add something Italian to the stable for a while, I'm in no rush...if it's a F-car here are my choices (1) 458 Italia (2) Scud or CS (3) manual gearbox F430 (4) Manual gearbox 360 ...in that order of desirability for me.

My two outliers are - (1) Business takes off - Ferrari Enzo (2) business tanks - pair of Piloti walking shoes

 

I wouldn't track a 360 unless you want to trailer it home and want a big service bill, lol

 

I'm similar to you Sunir. If/when I add an Italian I will most likely go 458 or 430 Scud.

 

The 430 is a whole different animal than the 360 in a good way.. Much more reliable, a hell of a lot quicker and sounds fantastic stock but incredible with the proper exhaust... Between the two choices given though I'd take the Aston and that's coming from someone who isn't much of an AM fan. The 360 just doesn't come with the creature comforts you'd want in a "special occasion" type of ride and some of them are incredibly unreliable. Also the engine in it just isn't special enough IMO to warrant purchasing it over the AM. Like it was said in the post i quoted, if you can spring for a 430, then no question go that route or even save up a bit more, give it more thought and go with the 430. It's miles better than the 360 is and without question warrants the extra $$.

 

This could be controversial, for which I offer an anticipatory apology.

I have a 2001 360 spider that I bought new. It's got Challenge wheels and a Capristo exhaust with no valves (I got it before Capristo offered 3 'levels'). Years ago I put $7k into a solid sound system, and more recently I installed an Escort 9500ci.

I also have a 2010 DBS Volante with a Quicksilver titanium exhaust. I put the 9500ci in that, too.

Aside from them both being cool convertibles, they're nothing alike.

The 360 is completely different from DBS. Comparing them is like comparing steak with lobster. To hammer the point home, I have a '63 Corvette Coupe (which I've updated completely in a pro touring way). Which car should I compare that to?

It is not reasonable to compare the 360 with the Vantage. One is an apple--the other, an orange. To suggest that one sounds better than the other is almost ludicrous. That's like saying B&W sounds better than Martin Logan (which, although I believe is correct, many would dispute).

The 360 is more in your face than the Vantage, but that's true for Ferraris versus Astons in general. I get more attention in the 360 than I do in the DBS. But I get even more attention in my '65 Mustang fastback (which, in fairness, is completely pimped).

The F1 in the 360 is clunky and awkward by today's standards, but it was the business in 1998, when it launched in the 355. The 360 lacks torque but is spectacular if you keep it over 5K rpm.

The 360 handles like a go cart. The DBS is a talented cruiser. Completely different. The 360 doesn't have seat heaters, cruise control or navigation, but many (including me) would argue that those things don't belong in a sports car. Power seats? Really? It's nice that my SUV has power seats, since my wife also drives that car. But in any of my other cars, they are dead weight.

I love creature comforts like the next guy, but I don't need them in a sports car.

Comparing the 360 to the 458 is ridiculous. The latter costs four times as much and benefits from 10 years of developments. It's likewise ridiculous to compare the 599 with the 430. Not only are they completely different cars, but the former costs twice the latter.

And, while it goes without saying that there's a huge performance difference between the 430 and the 360, the 360 is almost half the price. You can get a nice 360 for $75K, which is $10K less than a stripped BMW 650 coupe. Really?? Which one has more 'sense of occasion'?

The 430 is still depreciating. The 360 has pretty much found the bottom. The Vantage will continue to slide.

I'm trying to decide between a pristine, no-rust 1981 Toyota FJ40 or a mint 1969 Camaro. The Toyota is better in the dirt, but the Camaro handles better. What do you guys recommend?

 

This isn't controversial at all. In fact, it is what we are all saying.

The OP wants an occasional car - for which types of occasions?

Regarding your non-comparison between the 360 and 430: again, we are all suggesting the same thing (those of us who mentioned it), simply because it is a whole other world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 360 (in fact, I think a lot of us agree it is a wonderful car, in many respects). BUT - there is newer, better, and, unfortunately - more expensive. That is why we are all saying - if you can stretch it - go F430. It costs nearly twice as much, and I feel it is almost twice as better.

All that said - I don't think the Vantage (already years newer) needs to be stretched out into anything (such as a DB9 or DBS). I think it is wonderfully placed where it is (minimum 4.7).

 

Got to be the Aston,.....from the simple process of elimination that if you can afford the likely shocking maintenance and upkeep costs on the 360 then you most likely could afford, and should buy, a much newer Fezza.

...Ooh,I fancy myself as a bit of a philosopher after that one!

FF

 

Been down Both roads before...had a V8N400, beautiful car but sold it in 3 mos. for a 430 spider. Missed the Aston so picked up a DBS. Have both so now satisfied.

Depends on what you want the car for. The DBS is my DD and very comfortable as I use it for its GT purpose. The 430 spider is a weekend fun toy that obviously has the visceral sporty feedback. I sold the V8V because it was just too slow for me.

Maintenance on both are about the same - just annuals, both reliable so far. I initially was on the hunt for a 360 but I think jasper has the right idea- wait and spring for the 430 if you can swing it. The technology is superior and the maintenance is easier (no belts as on the 360). The price differential is NOT twice as much. I'd say average 360 is around 75-80k and a 430 you can get for 115k-120k if you look closely.

The Aston is a graceful elegant car but the engine is Not its strong point. You feel like a stately gentleman.
The Ferrari is a driver's car. You feel like an F1 driver.

(But you are on an Aston forum - try posting this on FCHAT )