Psmooth

Thanks for the info guys

Shank- You are a good man, and yes you are right it is a chick magnet

Watt- Coming from someone who owns a GT2 I think I will take your word for what you said, but I have a few questions for you. I am planning on driving my next car not hard all the time, but on the open highways I want to get all I can get out of the car. I wont be the type of person who is going to rip a corner in heavy traffic at 90mph, but I am the type of person who will take this car on the scenic route. Basically what I am asking is, if I do get the 360, will I need to worry about it having problems if I drive it extremely hard once in a while? Or will its reliability be enough for me to go get some grub from the local chinese place, drop my nephew off at school, and then hit 140 on my way home. Will I have to worry about something going wrong?

THanks in Advance

More opinions please!

billhart

I'm not sure about Watt's ownership experience, but i've owned six ferraris so far with nary a real world problem. The only car that gave me any trouble whatsoever was a 550 Maranello that i bought used; the car had been sitting, and after putting about 4 thousand miles on it in as many weeks (local pleasure drives, plus round trip NYC to Maine the first weekend, plus Forza Mille the following week), i had some coolant system problems that were attributed entirely to a hose under the plenum.
What i think you will find is that every model has its issues, but if you buy new, or from a reputable dealer with a warranty, you'll get that stuff sorted out as you drive.

I don't think the ferrari is more fragile, as such, assuming you warm it up before you get on it; the drive trains are pretty amazing. The bodies, particularly those in aluminum, don't like parking lot dents, 360s in particular have a reputation for being a little squirrely if you are driving them on the track (but you are not), and overall, the QC is much better than it used to be (and FNA is pretty good about standing up when there is a problem because they don't want to foster a prexisting prejudice against the reliability of Italian cars).

I think it really goes back to what you want to drive. You will be paying over sticker for a 360 spider, even a used one. I am not a fan of the paddle shifter, but to each his own. The 360, like most of the 8 cyl. F cars, makes its power in revs; it doesn't have the low down torque you'll get from a 12 cyl. car, or from the GT-2 for that matter. Ferraris tend to be very market sensitive to mileage, but as a weekend pleasure car, that's not an issue for you either. I tend to really drive my cars, too, and assuming the car is sorted after you buy it (by driving it to see if something breaks), you should not have to worry as long as you maintain it (and yes, service is tres expensive). But, just as an example, i bought an 83 512 BBi, and after i had it completely gone over (worth say 15k $ in work on the engine, suspension, etc.), i drove it with total impunity, eg, a dash from NY to Florida without a hiccup. This from a car that was never approved for sale in the US and was 16 or so years old when i bought it. PS (I'm also not sure what consistent problems you refer to with respect to the 355; other than some issues with valve guides in the earlier cars, they have to my knowledge been pretty good. I had a 355 gts at the very end of the run, and but for the paddle shifter, i would probably still own that car today. regards. MEA Culpa : I just reread your initial post, where you state that you want the car as a daily driver 4 months a year. While i don't think that changes anything i said, it might be worth your posting the question on the ferrarichat.com board, where there are plenty of 360 owners. Rather than pitching the question as a P v. F car issue (which will undoubtedly generate the expected flack), just ask the question in terms of daily driver experience with the model. good luck.

Psmooth

Thanks alot. That was extremely comprehensive. I just picked up the latest EVO model. I am in LOVE WITH THE STRADALE! Holy Jesus! Thanks for the info and I will be on the ferrarichat.com board. Thanks

Ciao!

Steve N.

I think you have received some pretty good input. From your descrition of how you intend to use the car I am not sure why you are not giving more consideration to an X50 TT. And none of the cars you are talking about are especially good for autocross - but you can still get out there and have fun if you want. Just expect to post times much above some 914's and Boxters.

Sun Ra

BILLHART'S answer serves... go with your heart!!!
you can always change cars... i do every few months! so the decison is not irretrievable.

20C4S

i figured u'd be in love with Challenge Stradale, much as i do.

mjc123

<a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,588-690045,00.html" target="_blank">This Article</a> is pretty interesting. This Stradale car might make a fun alternative to a GT2 - probably still doesn't perform as well overall but looks like it's got that "race car for the street" look/feel down even better than the GT2/3. With only 60 produced a year, I bet they're not easy to find at sticker <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

Joe@Fabspeed

The GT2 is a super great car...................The FERRARI 360 SPIDER is pure wild sex magnet. Its bad ***! I want a RED F1 Daytona seats, shields, red calipers and a set a of catbypass pipes an an O2 simulator and get Shank to floow is his........ and go "SHANK" some hotties in NYC, LA, or SO BE! Try to go through 2-3 chicks in 1 evening just like in college.

Luke

2 f355 tb's

Damian in NJ

I've driven my friend's Spyder a lot, and you feel like a million bucks just being in the car stopped. The limits of both cars I'd imagine are so far above my skill level so that part of the equation is immaterial.

And although I've never driven a GT2, I have lots of seat time in C4S's and other 993's. I would think the choice would be clear for anyone fortunate enough to be able to make such a buying decision-go with your heart, not your brain on this one. Me, I'd go for the Black Horse on the yellow shield.

AWD

No question....
GT2: Daily driven supercar!
360: Looks & Sounds good!

L Rosas

This one is a hard choice? I've driven both cars and it would be hard to choose. Since the roads are pretty crappy in NY I would think the GT2 might be a handful since it sits at least 2inches lower than the 360. The 360 I would believe might be better in NY since it's suspension is not as aggressive or as low as the GT2. On the performance side the GT2 has it hands down! On looks and sex appeal the 360 spyder is the way to go, but if your not on a list expect to wait a year or two at least.

If your interested in a 360 spyder my cousin is looking to sell his 02 spyder. It's silver on black with medium daytona seats (Carbon Fiber Seats) with silver grey stitching. Car also has Tubi exhaust, challenge f/r grills, silver brake calipers, full stongard package and the ferrari badges on the front fenders. Approximate mileage is 1200-2000, car is located in Los Altos California. email me if you are interested lee@ecu-hq.com and I can put you in contact with him.

Cheers
Lee

pig4bill

Hey, I would gladly volunteer to test drive it. I live just around the corner.

msindi

That is how I would spec out my spider except I would get the calipers in red!! Those seats with carbon backs are sport seats NOT Daytona seats (Daytona seats have a retro style leather on the standard shell- very ugly IMO..)
How much is your friend looking to sell this for??
The only reason I got a second TT instead of a Spider is that I did not want to pay 30K over MSRP (I do not believe in paying iver MSRP for cars!!).

Tacet-Conundrum

If you really want a 360 try to.pick one up at an auction. Even if you have to.fly in to another town you can save more than.enough money to.cover expenses.

I keep on.watching these auctions on Speed and Velocity and the prices some of these Ferraris go for at auctions at the Hotrod and old fart Chevy/Ford/Chrysler auctions are silly. Same thing for Porsche's too. Specifically Mecum and Barret Jackson.