I'm so fickle.

Just when I'm about to make THE decision on my next car - I make the stupid mistake and come back here...

Prices for the 360 are coming down to a place where it is becoming hard NOT to consider...

The problem I'm now having is that I think I will forever want an F430, and anything less would seem like I'm settling. My entire family knows how I feel about the F430. I actually fear that they will even influence my decision (with good intentions - as if to say "get what you want"), instead of backing me with fiscal responsibility, they will most likely push the 'lust' logic.

I believe that nobody who is money conscious should ever NEED a Ferrari, but I do believe that people who are on a budget should not deprive themselves of what ever makes them happy. We should all be so lucky/fortunate to be in this position.

When it comes down to it - my wife will need to pull the trigger for me, because I will not buy such things (she is the one that practically pushed me towards the Nissan dealership to purchase the GT-R). I normally do not indulge myself, because I'd rather spend the money on my family. But sometimes, personal happiness/satisfaction brings a lot to a home.

What I'd really like to hear about now, from you all, is how right I am, and that I should not get a Ferrari...

(Futile, isn't it?)

 

Ring ring - that is the F430 calling you

 

Jasper, I was convinced, just as you are now, that if I "settled" for a 360 and did not get the F430 or CS, I'd regret it. I was not actively looking for a 360, and was in process of negotiating on the third potential CS (damn it's hard to find a good one reasonbly priced) when I got a sale offer for a 360 with all the mods done for a price I could not say no to, the deal was done as I knew I'd never find another 360 with the existing mods already done, and doing so out of my own pocket would cost $25k (as is I probably paid less than 0.10 on the dollar for them). You can find a great opportunity on a 360, BUT a fully stock 360 is worlds different than a upgraded/modded one where as the F430 and CS are closer to perfect right out of the box. If you want to start adding carbon fiber and exhausts and seat changes, ect, stay away b/c those mods will increase the price close to a F430 and you'll get almost nothing come resale time. To enjoy a 360, there are a couple mandatory mods, really non negotiable: exhaust (and test pipes perhaps), TCU upgrade if it has the older crap TCU version (1999-2002), and that's about it. Most else is cosmetic.

The only other Ferrari I currently lust after is the Scuderia, and it's dramatically too new in the depreciation curve for me to be seriously interested. The 360's exhaust note with the right exhaust is much better, and it's looks are probably better too. The Scud is a powerful beast, a real handful to get the most out of it, and a much more aggressive feel. Similar looking enough, but the track version Ferraris (CS and Scud) drive MUCH different than the base models (360 and F430).

 

Mike, so no lusting after a 430?

I'm afraid if I get the 360 I will lust for the 430 in short time.

I already have a very short affair with the Vantage, as I'm likely trading it for a Ferrari after only a few months of owning the Aston.

 

I do NOT need help pushing towards the F430... Damn you.

Thanks for the very thoughtful and helpful response. I definitely appreciate your perspective. I feel this is worthy of a whole other thread ("360 vs F430" as well as "CS vs 430S").

I, too, feel the 430S is about as perfect as a car can get, but too new for me to consider (market value). I'm not familiar with the CS first hand, and it sounds like I should consider one, or at least test drive. These aren't exactly laying around Fayetteville, NC.

Definitely sounds like you and I do the same amount of prepurchase considerations for EVERY car purchase, not just for a single one. I will continue this line of questioning, probably until the day I actually pull the trigger.

If/when I decide to get one - I will HAVE to take it to VIR or RA for a REAL test drive. (Yes, right now it is still a big "IF" - because of so many other cars that offer more performance, at a cheaper price, and some come with a warranty - waiting for the next NSX, Jag CX-16, maybe even the successor to the R35, etc...)
Mike - please answer this.
Plastique - How long have you had your Vantage? May I ask why you feel the Vantage is inadequate?

 

You'll thank me when you get the F430 - subliminal message start "that is efff fooooour thirty" subliminal message end

 

Absolutely no lusting after the F430, honestly! As I said, I was worried that I would regret "settling", but here are some reasons why not:

1. Looks - The 360 is essentially the same body shape as the F430. For awhile, I thought I prefered the F430's more aggresive styling, but the 360 grew on me after months of looking at both cars and I can truely say now I think the 360 is a better looking car. It is more curvy and gives the appearance of being lower and wider than the F430. I prefer the long CS grill on a 360 more than the F430's higher back, as well as the 360's big classic button rear lights over the F430's enzo style lights. The F430 still is a fantastic looking car, just not in any way over the 360 that makes me feel jealous I'm looking at a 360 in the garage and not a F430.

2. Sound - A stock 360 sounds pretty crappy, while a stock F430 sounds very good, especially when the valves open or you plug them permanantly open. However, I think a Tubi and test pipe setup, or a capristo or Powercraft (if you have $9k burning a hole in your pocket: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydwKy...ature=youtu.be ) sounds better than the F430. The 360 has more of an F1 scream to it, the F430 sounds a little deeper due to the larger displacement. Both are fantastic sounds, but I prefer the sound of a 360 with aftermarket exhast or stock CS to a F430.

3. Power and feel - 400hp to the 360 and 490hp to the F430. Both are light weight, both are plenty fast for the road. My 996tt is probably about 520hp and it's mostly too fast to really enjoy on the road and I feel like I'm driving it 60% most the time, rarely able to wind it out through just three gears (and I try whenever I can!). That is one reason why I really enjoy driving my G35 coupe, b/c I can get close to 100% out of it reasonably on some back roads and it's a blast. The 360 is in the middle, and as it's RWD, it is NOT anywhere near as planted as my AWD 996tt or a GTR. In fact, it can be very twitchy on the limit. However, the 360 has a very light, ballerina like feel that just dances around corners. I absolutely do not feel comfortable WOT in the 360 around corners (at least until summer weather so the tires grip a little) and the only time I could use a little more power is the straights. There will always be a faster car on the straights, always. The 360 hardly feels slow, especially with the sensation of the screaming exhaust note and throttle blips and kicks powering through gears, but I will admit it lacks the torquey "pushed in the back of your seat" my 911 offers. Anyway, chasing power in a Ferrari is a very rich (or foolish) man's game. A Ferrari is more for the looks, feel, handling, excitement, attention, pedigre, lust, and about 75% of the straight line power that can be had in cheaper cars.

4. Value - I'll say it this way: My 996tt and Ferrari 360, both as modified, cost me about $10k less than a single 2005 base F430 would. I am not limited by garage space at the moment, so I prefer this arrangement. I'm also willing to wager a strong guess that the 996tt and 360 will depreciate less combined than the F430 will over the next 5 years. Insurance is probably a wash, maintenance is higher to have two cars (360 and F430 maintenace is pretty similar, other than the 3-4 year $2k belt job on the 360). Overall, and relative value, are very important to me.

If I could only have one car, I'd probably have gotten the F430 or perhaps a Scud at this point. As I said, I was also doubtful I could find the right 360 for me (rossa corsa, nero interior with red stitch, tubi, more carbon updates the better), and that lucky offer I got to buy this one was an outcome I didn't expect. The F430 is a fantastic car, I just think it's a little silly to feel lust after the F430 if you own a 360 since there are so many similarities. If you do, then the F430 won't be enough either and you'll be lusting after the 458 which will beat the stocks off a F430 (although I do not prefer the 458's looks). Then there will be the track model, or next one...this car disease is a wicked thing. The 360 is 85% of the experience of more modern Ferraris for about 1/2 the price upfront, and including depreciation, perhaps 1/5th the total cost of ownership which is really what matters in my book.

Take all this for what it's worth, and keep in mind I'm of course inherently biased as a 360 owner. I'd probably be defending a F430 just as vigorously if one of those was in my garage "the extra money was definately worth it, I'm so happy with the F430 and think I would have still been jealous of the F430 if I only had a 360 ".

 

I like how you think, bravo to you to have both a 996tt and an f360. The 996tt is plenty fast for me. I have trouble enjoying it as a daily , the porsche belongs on a track. Im also looking for my first Ferrari as a weekend driver. Reading your post just made me realize what I'm missing. The Ferrari will definitely fill that void. The 360's price is so tempting right now. I will hold out and find the right one that has been already been modified. Enjoy your cars, you got the best of both worlds.

 

+1 for the 360.

The looks of the 430 has never settled with me since its introduction, whereas the flowing lines of the 360 is just pure beauty.

Again, aura to me is more important than raw #'s. No denying (esp those of us that track our cars) that a Z06 is best value for hp/speed/performance.

But the shrill of a Ferrari is worth every penny, esp since the 360 is so inexpensive nowadays. Hopefully, one will be added to my stable later this year...6M, red/black with Tubis or Capistranos.

Very helpful thread.

ciao.

 

The weather is nice here now, 70's, and I've been playing with a little rear end sliding. The 360 has more than enough power to slide the tail around however you want with CST off (although usually leaving CST on is ample for a little fun too, it allows a little slide in sport mode before intervening typically). For me, that's all the power needed to have fun (and my G35 coupe with a measly 285 hp can slide it's tail around too, so of course a 400hp (maybe 410-415 with exhaust mods) 360 that weighs 500lbs less can play). In a straight line, the sound and fun kicks from F1 shifting make it feel much faster than it really is. To me, I'd rather feel like I'm going faster while I'm really going slower then my senses let on, rather than vice versa.

Honestly, windows down cruising in a 360 with a nice exhuast in spring weather has just been bliss so far. Out of 1500 miles I've put on the car since it was delivered in early Nov, most of the miles are just joy riding miles, just driving for the sake of driving and not for the main purpose of going anywhere in particular .

 

Thanks for all the input guys. Sorry I've been M.I.A.

Currently I am looking to go with a 360 Modena. The 430 is a beautiful car in its own way, but it just doesn't do it for me. I've been able to see enough F430s biweekly at the meets and it just doesn't give me that feeling I'm looking for. I wouldn't want to pay a premium for a car that doesn't make my heart skip.

My future plans will be the 360 Modena (Capristo Exhaust and a tune) and then when I'm ready, I'll trade my Boxster S in for a 997.2 Turbo. I drove one the other day and the Turbo is amazing. The 997.2 will be my project car and will be my go to car when I'm looking for a power fix.