Porsche to V8 Ferrari?
Discussion
I've got a 981 Spyder as a weekend toy, which I like very much indeed, but every now and again I get an urge to try something different. I've long considered a V8 Ferrari, probably a 360 or 430, and it would have to be manual. The urge doesn't seem to be going away!
I'm quite keen on a 360, but many years ago I had a bit of 'thing' about getting a 993, when I was into Imprezas and similar. I absolutely love the look and noise of 993s, but after I drove a couple I was massively underwhelmed by them and gave the whole idea a miss. Is it likely that a 360 would be a similar proposition, as it's the noise and the looks that are the obvious hook? I'm less concerned with outright straight-line speed, although clearly that would be good, more the overall experience and, for want of a better term, 'drama' of the whole experience, which I'm assuming comes as standard with a Ferrari?
I might be able to keep the Boxster if I were to get a 360 and run them side by side for a while, but would probably have to sell to justify a 430, particularly a decent manual. At that price point man maths and justification jumps into action and 458s start to come into the equation - I'm very aware that this is a whole quantum leap in terms of performance etc. Am I missing out? Should I shelve years of dithering and just get one?
What sports cars did you have before your Ferrari and what has the experience been like?
I'm quite keen on a 360, but many years ago I had a bit of 'thing' about getting a 993, when I was into Imprezas and similar. I absolutely love the look and noise of 993s, but after I drove a couple I was massively underwhelmed by them and gave the whole idea a miss. Is it likely that a 360 would be a similar proposition, as it's the noise and the looks that are the obvious hook? I'm less concerned with outright straight-line speed, although clearly that would be good, more the overall experience and, for want of a better term, 'drama' of the whole experience, which I'm assuming comes as standard with a Ferrari?
I might be able to keep the Boxster if I were to get a 360 and run them side by side for a while, but would probably have to sell to justify a 430, particularly a decent manual. At that price point man maths and justification jumps into action and 458s start to come into the equation - I'm very aware that this is a whole quantum leap in terms of performance etc. Am I missing out? Should I shelve years of dithering and just get one?
What sports cars did you have before your Ferrari and what has the experience been like?
I ran a 360 for 5 or 6 years - half of which was alongside a 996 turbo.
No - the 360 isn't just about noise. Fabulous car to drive - I loved mine, and it still made me smile 15k miles / 6 years after I bought it. Perfect balance of power for the roads I thought.
If I had to choose the car I had the most fun driving - of all the cars I've owned (including the current ones) - the 360 would win. I think they're brilliant cars.
No - the 360 isn't just about noise. Fabulous car to drive - I loved mine, and it still made me smile 15k miles / 6 years after I bought it. Perfect balance of power for the roads I thought.
If I had to choose the car I had the most fun driving - of all the cars I've owned (including the current ones) - the 360 would win. I think they're brilliant cars.
Don't rule out an F1 til you've tried it - this might also give you more budget flexibility
One more thing that Porsche owners struggle with is there are a very tiny fraction not just of the cars by comparison but also every level of resources in particular specialists so there are large swathes of the country without an indie
One more thing that Porsche owners struggle with is there are a very tiny fraction not just of the cars by comparison but also every level of resources in particular specialists so there are large swathes of the country without an indie
I owned a 355 and still own a 430 (not manual though). For me if you don’t want a 355, then I would go 360 - I think they are aging really nicely and should be much cheaper to run than a 355. The 430 onwards 8 cylinder cars don’t sound all that good imo (engine capacity?). Getting a manual is key for enjoyment imo, the F1 box is (much) more fun that the DCT, but ultimately still a little boring in the long run. I might sell my 430 mainly because it is not manual (or possibly get it converted to manual at some point)
Good luck with your search / 360 seems really good value for money
Good luck with your search / 360 seems really good value for money
This looks interesting, although was told sold when I enquired a few weeks ago
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...
Long term Porsche owner here on the same journey ! Currently own a 981 S PDK and a 987 Spyder manual ( best Porsche i have owned ) Have been thinking to own a B road scratcher Ferrari for a long time and settled on it being an 8 cylinder for similar reasons as original poster. I started thinking 360 as well but now could be 308-488 ! I need to try more ( only driven 328 & 355 a couple of times on Croft ). 360 or earlier for manual but open to trying the later cars to see which model really grabs me. I am used to the great reliability of my Porsches. Finding a good local indies is essential. Correct me if i am wrong , i think any model from 355 needs a shop with the Ferrari diagnostics. I am in Newcastle so not much choice. Over the years i learnt that searching / researching is a big part of the pleasure. Good luck on the journey.
Thanks everyone, really interesting comments! I think that a good manual 360 is probably the sweet spot for me. I'm in North Yorkshire, so I'll have to look around to see where the closest decent indie might be. Jonny, your comments sound like you're mentally in a very similar place to me(and not too far geographically!) - often heard that a 987 Spyder is a great car, I feel the same about my 981 Spyder, and don't want to give it up unless the toy I'm moving to is at least as good.
Sagman - yes, that car looks super and is exactly the sort of thing I'm considering!
From a reliability and costs perspective, I'm not expecting modern Porsche, but are they reasonable - assuming a well sorted and cared for example? I have no idea about Ferrari dealers, what are considered to be good independents, both for sales and PPI/servicing? Having been badly stung by a small dealer on a lemon of a 996 many years ago I've only bought from main dealers or private since then, and the former doesn't seem a likely option given the age of the cars I'm probably interested in.
Sagman - yes, that car looks super and is exactly the sort of thing I'm considering!
From a reliability and costs perspective, I'm not expecting modern Porsche, but are they reasonable - assuming a well sorted and cared for example? I have no idea about Ferrari dealers, what are considered to be good independents, both for sales and PPI/servicing? Having been badly stung by a small dealer on a lemon of a 996 many years ago I've only bought from main dealers or private since then, and the former doesn't seem a likely option given the age of the cars I'm probably interested in.
Have a 360 and a 430 (both Spiders, both manual) in the garage. 360 is lovely, very svelte and a great drive. 430 looks like a 360 that's hit the gym whilst ingesting illegal nutrients, still a great looking car (to me). You won't go wrong with either to be fair. I had a 355GTB and a 360CS beforehand, loved the 355 but prefer the 360/430. 360CS was just so loud you couldn't drive anywhere built up without scaring people - great car though. Driven the newer ones and whilst wonderful cars I don't really want one, I like manuals and the 430 is plenty fast enough. (I'm obviously getting old!)
Flying machine said:
From a reliability and costs perspective, I'm not expecting modern Porsche, but are they reasonable - assuming a well sorted and cared for example?
This was discussed a few months ago - with some rather different opinions.Several of us reckon £2-3k a year is reasonable as an average for maintenance / servicing. Some people reckon double that, and were of the opinion that we were basically running Ferrari badged sheds..........
I found mine very reliable overall - with one rather unfortunate and very expensive engine problem about a year before I sold it.
If you want a decent dealer, well worth seeing if Walkersport have anything - my 348 came from Tim, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again.
Recent servicing thread - many similar https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Many buying threads & links too
Many buying threads & links too
jasonwdh said:
Have a 360 and a 430 (both Spiders, both manual) in the garage. 360 is lovely, very svelte and a great drive. 430 looks like a 360 that's hit the gym whilst ingesting illegal nutrients, still a great looking car (to me). You won't go wrong with either to be fair. I had a 355GTB and a 360CS beforehand, loved the 355 but prefer the 360/430. 360CS was just so loud you couldn't drive anywhere built up without scaring people - great car though. Driven the newer ones and whilst wonderful cars I don't really want one, I like manuals and the 430 is plenty fast enough. (I'm obviously getting old!)
You have to get rid of one. Which goes? 430 or 360?
Like the other posters above, I think the 360 is ageing wonderfully. To my eyes they look great in all sorts of colours, but particularly TDF, or even Verde. The 430 was a car I adored on release but I don't think the years have been too kind to it.
On that analysis, 360 would be the one for me.
Obviously manuals cost more than F1s, but you will always get out the same amount 'more' when you come to sell. I had ran a car with an F1 box for 18 months and it wasn't as bad as I'd been led to believe. If you've driven anything with a DCT however, the F1 box will feel terrible.
Enjoy the search!
P.S. 993s are great
On that analysis, 360 would be the one for me.
Obviously manuals cost more than F1s, but you will always get out the same amount 'more' when you come to sell. I had ran a car with an F1 box for 18 months and it wasn't as bad as I'd been led to believe. If you've driven anything with a DCT however, the F1 box will feel terrible.
Enjoy the search!
P.S. 993s are great
I went from a Lotus Evora Sports Racer to this
The 360 is 14 years older than the Lotus and to my mind that shows how properly impressive it must have been new.
Both cars are an event, Ferrari full of leather, Evora the most comfortable seats and best steering of just about any sorts car ever. But that Ferrari V8 is intoxicating.
The 360 is 14 years older than the Lotus and to my mind that shows how properly impressive it must have been new.
Both cars are an event, Ferrari full of leather, Evora the most comfortable seats and best steering of just about any sorts car ever. But that Ferrari V8 is intoxicating.
Porsche to Ferrari is chalk and cheese imv.... historically Porsche turbos were compared to the v8 Ferrari's... but owning both I just can't see any comparisons... if you want a brutal beast that can carry 4 (ish) and pass by under the radar, you buy a turbo... no one looking for those characteristics would instead end up with a 2 seat mid engined ferrari v8 as the road testers always like to imply with twin tests (430 v 997tt, 360 v 996tt, 488 v 991tt etc)
Each provides an experience that the other cannot.
Re 360 v 430, ultimately your budget will dictate, and whilst you can't go wrong with either, I think the 430 offers an incredible balancing act of offering modern electronics with older school (pre-hyper steering rack) feel, and offers the right amount of speed for a supercar, whereas a 360 doesn't (for me)
Each provides an experience that the other cannot.
Re 360 v 430, ultimately your budget will dictate, and whilst you can't go wrong with either, I think the 430 offers an incredible balancing act of offering modern electronics with older school (pre-hyper steering rack) feel, and offers the right amount of speed for a supercar, whereas a 360 doesn't (for me)
Spyder vs Spider
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-forum/611363-e...
Original posters 981 Spyder is faster and louder than the 987 version. Own them both for a while if you can 👍
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-forum/611363-e...
Original posters 981 Spyder is faster and louder than the 987 version. Own them both for a while if you can 👍
adamellisdj said:
jasonwdh said:
Have a 360 and a 430 (both Spiders, both manual) in the garage. 360 is lovely, very svelte and a great drive. 430 looks like a 360 that's hit the gym whilst ingesting illegal nutrients, still a great looking car (to me). You won't go wrong with either to be fair. I had a 355GTB and a 360CS beforehand, loved the 355 but prefer the 360/430. 360CS was just so loud you couldn't drive anywhere built up without scaring people - great car though. Driven the newer ones and whilst wonderful cars I don't really want one, I like manuals and the 430 is plenty fast enough. (I'm obviously getting old!)
You have to get rid of one. Which goes? 430 or 360?Glad I don't have to make the decision :-)
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