I agree about the torque. A tuned 996tt has bucketloads of seat pushing torque compared to a 360, but the 360 is much more fun to drive even if you don't really feel so pushed back in the seat, but it's also 2x the price as well. Keep in mind that the torque really only comes into play on WOT/aggressive driving, and if you live in any populated area, its not going to be all WOT driving. On a related note, for someone in NYC or LA type traffic, I'd really not want to have a clutch, and I'd want an F1 system even less. Clutchs on Ferrari's are expensive $5-$8k, and stop an go traffic is the worst for them!

 

I think this determination is based mostly on (1) size of your wallet and (2) how easy it is for you to spend cash. Speaking in terms of "overall ownership experience" the 360 is pretty damn close to the F430 in all departments, especially if if has some upgrades. Exhaust is mandatory. I've said it before, but a 360 is probably 90% the overall experience of an F430 for about 55% of the cost. The numbers are even better if you admit (like most ), that the 360 is a better looking car than the F430 is. Took me about a year to finally agree to this, but it really is. Better curves, lower/wider stance, better rear end . But, the F430 is no ugle betty!

 

If you fancy a Ferrari, get the newest one you can comfortable afford, and enjoy. One might only feel inadequate if driven back to back with the next iteration. There are plenty of cars that are faster, but if a Ferrari speaks to you, nothing else will stir you the way it will, no matter the performance numbers.

The 997.2 is one of the great cars of our time, and arguably the best DD available, but it doesn't have the sense of occasion one feels behind the wheel of the Ferrari.

GL with your decision. It's a good dilemma to have.

 

The bottom line is that you need to test drive the cars and figure out what works for you. If you are a performance junkie, you'll likely shrug at the 360 and never seriously consider it. Even a Gallardo to me only seems interesting because it is a good platform for going TT, but as a stock car I know that it won't work. Having a good platform is very important to me - something that can take on an extra 250+ hp. A car that takes $20k for a chip, intake, exhaust, headers and gets you 40 or 50 horsepower is not a good platform. But, you might drive the 360 and walk away with a huge smile knowing you have found what you want.

 

In half of those categories, Lotus would win (as seen in red...), have you thought about a Lotus?

 

Track days, put miles on it, don't want to spend a ton? Why no GT-R? Can't argue w/the sexiness/looks/sound of the Lambos or Ferarris but if you want to drive it hard (a lot) GT-R...or Pcar, since you already like those anyway

 

360 may not be the fastest but i must say theres something orgasmic with the way they sound when you step on the gas...

 

Yep, the sound is just about perfect in a 360 (with tubi) inside and out. Zero drone, just pure exotic notes. My 360 has a Tubi and test pipes (catless) and just screams but is not ever too loud or annoying. One day I might do headers as well (which give about 16 more hp as well by getting rid of the stock pre-cats in the headers) and it'll really scream then. Unfortunately, putting on headers will almost guarantee to cause a CEL that you cannot get rid of without an expensive ECU tune too I think. Not really a priority, but the point is that the 360 really sounds amazing (and the 360 CS sounds even better!).

The 360 is plenty fast for a whole lot of fun. Avoid straight line drag races with Z06's and GTR's and I doubt anyone would have a single disappointment with it. Most cars should avoid drag races with GTR's anyway unless they want to be beaten!

 

On ferrarichat I noticed some members regretting their 360 spiders...any reasons?

 

Never seen such a post, not regretting mine. Get 10,000 more thumbs up and photo requests compared to my GT2 or Esprit.

 

Didn't you recently he a Scud as well or am I completely mistaken.?

 

dude, its a ferrari. I hope to have one someday, I have a 911 right now at 20.. Will have my doctorate soon and start saving for one!

 

The 360 has a soul to it that's not found in all Ferrari's. Many professional drivers adore the 355 as one of the best Ferrari's for it's sound, passionate feel and sheer rush factor driving it but the old school nature of it, it's older body and it's dated electronic shocks hold it back on paper today

However, the 360 was one of the most successful replacements in Ferrari history, which many thought was impossible because the 355 was so good. Even 10+ years later it's shape and performance are world class.

There's something about that tiny 3.6L V8 that just screams what a Ferrari is all about, that the F430 lacks. Sure it's slower, sure it doesn't have the torque but it nails every essential Ferrari ingredient of the past with flying colors. Extracting all of it's revs and 100% of it's capabilities takes talent and is driving at it's most spectacular.

I've had pretty extensive conversation with a Ferrari Club instructor whose owned/tracked everything from F40's to 348's and when asking him why he chose a 360 CS he simply told me, as a true Ferrari know it all and precision racing driver that it's way just more "pure" Ferrari than the newer models. It was everything he deemed necessary in a Ferrari he'd NEVER want to let go, what he mistakenly did with his F40 LM. He also was honest enough to say it's the best F car he's every owned along with his F40.

I hope you follow what i'm trying to say but a 360 is truly one of the great ones. If I had my eyes on a 10 second 99x Porsche as a DD, maybe I wouldn't look for that same recipe for my other car as I find winding out every last RPM to get 100% out of a car far more entertaining than sheer speed and thrust. But some will never be happy without that "low end" thrust i.e all cars of the future.

Some videos..
Great Tiff Needell coverage from one of my favorite Pro Driver/Journalists of all time..

Tiff on the 6 speed 360 "Greatest ever production line Ferrari"

Tiff in the F430. While he says it's less twitchy than a 360, notice how he focuses more on the electronical improvements and gadgets and less on the emotional experience in this review.

 

onurleft, great comments and I whole heartedly agree. The 360 has so much passion and emotion, especially the CS which is just an animal and perhaps the most exciting Ferrari to drive past the F40. I also think it's the most beautiful and classicly proportioned Ferrari. The design truely is timeless. People get too caught up in horsepower numbers and equate "fun" with "more power." I find the truth really to be that getting 100% out of an underpowered car is much more fun than getting 60% out of a supercar b/c you are being overly conservative in order not to crash.

Here's my 360 yesterday after a bath and some spirited driving (windows down enjoying the nice 55 degree January day) with the CS TCU I put in Monday. Wow does the CS TCU transform the car, it blasts through gears crisp and precise and has aggressive throttle blips on downshifts 100% of the time now (prior old 360 TCU only did the blip when downshifting above 4.5k rmp in sport). It's an absolute joy to drive and look at, and there is no way I'm coming close to utilizing it 100% on the streets either....

 

Wow so torn now .... 360 vs 430