360 vs 430 choice?

360 vs 430 choice?

Author
Discussion

bordseye

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

199 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
I'm sold on the idea of a V8 Ferrari - its the nearest thing I've come across to a grown up version of my Elise. Question is which one.

There is a world of difference between having the cash to spare to buy one and finding it easy to shell out 80k or so as a 430 would require. At the same time, my days of struggling with older "classic" cars are over - give me modern technology and reliability every time. So I suppose the question boils down to "what do I get from a 430 for the 20k more than a 360 it will likely cost me"?

As you might guess from my liking of the Lotus, I'm not over bothered about high tech add ons so much as getting right the basics of light weight, good engine, excellent roadholding, comfortable seats and reliability.

bordseye

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

199 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for that - not the first to ask the question then!

The comments are mostly about appearance which doesnt really interest me. I'm wondering more about performance and build quality. They all seem to say that the 430 is an improvement but then it should be shouldnt it.

AmoCS

1,151 posts

226 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Yes, performance and build quality on 430 is better than 360 and there are no cambelts to change on the 430 biggrin
Best to get an 2008+ 430, as most of the niggles have been sorted and it comes with Carbon Ceramic brakes.
Manuals are rare.

JayK12

2,354 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
You have to go drive them, and drive manual and F1 boxes of both, then drive coupe's and spiders of both, then you'll know, whichever one gives you the biggest grin, thats the car you buy, simples smile

topless360

2,763 posts

225 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
The 360 is about as reliable and low running cost as any Ferrari will get but be under no illusions, it's still a very high maintenance car. There is always something that needs doing to make the car perfect.

I have heard that the 430 is a much better drive, but the sound is definitely different. I prefer the scream of the 360 as you get into the exciting end of the rev range.

Nero44

194 posts

153 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
quotequote all
I've had a 360 and nearly recently bought a 430. But I didn't.

The 360 was bulletproof in the year and 6000 miles I had it for. Is a truly wonderful car. Looks are subjective but I prefer it to 430. Best advice I can give you is to give Tim Walker at Walkersport a call and chat to him about your budget/choice etc. He'll also do inspections should you need them. He knows everything there is to know about V8 Ferraris.


F355spider

1,395 posts

238 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
quotequote all
Had 3 x360 and 2x430. The 360 is a more involving car with better driver feedback in my opinion.

red_duke

800 posts

188 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
quotequote all
Drive them both then buy the F430.

I did smile

The F430 is hopefully at the bottom of its depreciation curve so you can ride it on the way back up?

Edited by red_duke on Wednesday 22 April 20:23

LukeyLikey

855 posts

154 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
quotequote all
Had both in Spider form. The 430 is a big improvement in speed and tech, but both are Ferraris. The 360 was my first and I loved it. Very similar running costs. Better to buy a nice 360 comfortably than struggle to a mediocre 430.

Simon T

2,136 posts

280 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
bordseye said:
The comments are mostly about appearance which doesnt really interest me.
Have you no soul? smile

Surely the design, style and appearance are a huge part of what makes a Ferrari a Ferrari, there are far better all round sports cars out there

Simon T

2,136 posts

280 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
bordseye said:
The comments are mostly about appearance which doesnt really interest me.
Have you no soul? smile

Surely the design, style and appearance are a huge part of what makes a Ferrari a Ferrari, there are far better all round sports cars out there

Mike Brown

585 posts

194 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
If looks don't bother you and the passion of ferrari, buy a high powered saloon, ferraris are about much more than 0 to 60, many cars are faster than 360 or 430 but they will never be 1 % of what a ferrari is,mike

Mike Brown

585 posts

194 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
If looks don't bother you and the passion of ferrari, buy a high powered saloon, ferraris are about much more than 0 to 60, many cars are faster than 360 or 430 but they will never be 1 % of what a ferrari is,mike

bordseye

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

199 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
Simon T said:
Have you no soul? smile

Surely the design, style and appearance are a huge part of what makes a Ferrari a Ferrari, there are far better all round sports cars out there
Of course they are important but they arent the only issue or even the most important to me. Which are the far better all round sports cars?

Cerberaherts

1,651 posts

148 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
bordseye said:
Of course they are important but they arent the only issue or even the most important to me. Which are the far better all round sports cars?
But that's such a subjective question. If you want something you can park in town and go shopping then take out for a track day, then a 997 turbo might be a good choice. If you want something you will find yourself staring in at in the garage, that gives you a sense of occasion every time you drive it, get will have rock-solid residuals, then a Ferrari would be a better choice. There are way too many variables here...