360 vs California
Discussion
Currently weighing up buying one of either. It will replace an M4 DCT.
The dream of owning a Ferrari has been life long and these are my two options within my budget that appeal the most.
The manual 360 as it’s such an iconic car, the noise and experience. However I’m worried I won’t use it that often as a result of it maybe feeling a little fragile and the worry of parking it anywhere etc. Also on longer trips, the DCT in the M4 has been a great balance of fun then a relaxing cruiser, meaning I have used it quite a bit.
The California really appeals with how modern it is, will have all the creature comforts in used to with the M4, the paddle shift is great in them. But I wonder will it lack the fizz I am looking for?
Has anyone owned both and what are your thoughts?
Thanks
The dream of owning a Ferrari has been life long and these are my two options within my budget that appeal the most.
The manual 360 as it’s such an iconic car, the noise and experience. However I’m worried I won’t use it that often as a result of it maybe feeling a little fragile and the worry of parking it anywhere etc. Also on longer trips, the DCT in the M4 has been a great balance of fun then a relaxing cruiser, meaning I have used it quite a bit.
The California really appeals with how modern it is, will have all the creature comforts in used to with the M4, the paddle shift is great in them. But I wonder will it lack the fizz I am looking for?
Has anyone owned both and what are your thoughts?
Thanks
Seeing that nobody has replied with direct experience, I’ll add my indirect experience.
I’ve owned a F355 and my wife currently has a Cali and we test drove an F430 as an alternative to the Cali. So while I have no direct experience of the 360, I can imagine how it bridges the gap between the F355 and F430. The F430 is also probably a reasonable proxy for the 360 given the similarity between the two cars.
So, first up, the 360 is not a fragile car. And if you’re worried about leaving it parked in various places due to vandalism etc then you need to ask yourself if a Cali won’t attract the same attention. At the end of the day, they are just cars and damage can be repaired.
In terms of the comparison between the two, the 360 will feel like more of an event each time you drive it due to the low slung driving position. Performance wise, the Cali will beat the 360 in a straight line but it rides higher so I’d hesitate to make a judgement call on real world performance in the twisties.
The Cali is a much easier car to live with and drive day to day. There’s more ground clearance for sleeping policemen and car park ramps. The driving position is higher with better visibility. There is a ton of luggage space in the boot and in the rear seats. You can fit a person in the back for short journeys but you may have to lower the roof if they’re adults.
Although the Cali is a much better everyday car, I don’t think it’s any better as a GT than the 360. The Cali is unrefined at speed on the motorway (too much engine and tyre noise) so long journeys are just as tiring in the Cali as they would be in the mid engined cars.
I’m biased because I have one but FFs are the ‘bargain’ of the Ferrari world at the moment (especially in the U.K.) Miles better than both the Cali and the 360. If you can get past the looks and size then there’s very little reason not to own one.
I’ve owned a F355 and my wife currently has a Cali and we test drove an F430 as an alternative to the Cali. So while I have no direct experience of the 360, I can imagine how it bridges the gap between the F355 and F430. The F430 is also probably a reasonable proxy for the 360 given the similarity between the two cars.
So, first up, the 360 is not a fragile car. And if you’re worried about leaving it parked in various places due to vandalism etc then you need to ask yourself if a Cali won’t attract the same attention. At the end of the day, they are just cars and damage can be repaired.
In terms of the comparison between the two, the 360 will feel like more of an event each time you drive it due to the low slung driving position. Performance wise, the Cali will beat the 360 in a straight line but it rides higher so I’d hesitate to make a judgement call on real world performance in the twisties.
The Cali is a much easier car to live with and drive day to day. There’s more ground clearance for sleeping policemen and car park ramps. The driving position is higher with better visibility. There is a ton of luggage space in the boot and in the rear seats. You can fit a person in the back for short journeys but you may have to lower the roof if they’re adults.
Although the Cali is a much better everyday car, I don’t think it’s any better as a GT than the 360. The Cali is unrefined at speed on the motorway (too much engine and tyre noise) so long journeys are just as tiring in the Cali as they would be in the mid engined cars.
I’m biased because I have one but FFs are the ‘bargain’ of the Ferrari world at the moment (especially in the U.K.) Miles better than both the Cali and the 360. If you can get past the looks and size then there’s very little reason not to own one.
ANOpax said:
Seeing that nobody has replied with direct experience, I’ll add my indirect experience.
I’ve owned a F355 and my wife currently has a Cali and we test drove an F430 as an alternative to the Cali. So while I have no direct experience of the 360, I can imagine how it bridges the gap between the F355 and F430. The F430 is also probably a reasonable proxy for the 360 given the similarity between the two cars.
So, first up, the 360 is not a fragile car. And if you’re worried about leaving it parked in various places due to vandalism etc then you need to ask yourself if a Cali won’t attract the same attention. At the end of the day, they are just cars and damage can be repaired.
In terms of the comparison between the two, the 360 will feel like more of an event each time you drive it due to the low slung driving position. Performance wise, the Cali will beat the 360 in a straight line but it rides higher so I’d hesitate to make a judgement call on real world performance in the twisties.
The Cali is a much easier car to live with and drive day to day. There’s more ground clearance for sleeping policemen and car park ramps. The driving position is higher with better visibility. There is a ton of luggage space in the boot and in the rear seats. You can fit a person in the back for short journeys but you may have to lower the roof if they’re adults.
Although the Cali is a much better everyday car, I don’t think it’s any better as a GT than the 360. The Cali is unrefined at speed on the motorway (too much engine and tyre noise) so long journeys are just as tiring in the Cali as they would be in the mid engined cars.
I’m biased because I have one but FFs are the ‘bargain’ of the Ferrari world at the moment (especially in the U.K.) Miles better than both the Cali and the 360. If you can get past the looks and size then there’s very little reason not to own one.
Thanks for your reply. I’m pretty lucky that I have driven most of the Ferrari range with my business but never in anger.I’ve owned a F355 and my wife currently has a Cali and we test drove an F430 as an alternative to the Cali. So while I have no direct experience of the 360, I can imagine how it bridges the gap between the F355 and F430. The F430 is also probably a reasonable proxy for the 360 given the similarity between the two cars.
So, first up, the 360 is not a fragile car. And if you’re worried about leaving it parked in various places due to vandalism etc then you need to ask yourself if a Cali won’t attract the same attention. At the end of the day, they are just cars and damage can be repaired.
In terms of the comparison between the two, the 360 will feel like more of an event each time you drive it due to the low slung driving position. Performance wise, the Cali will beat the 360 in a straight line but it rides higher so I’d hesitate to make a judgement call on real world performance in the twisties.
The Cali is a much easier car to live with and drive day to day. There’s more ground clearance for sleeping policemen and car park ramps. The driving position is higher with better visibility. There is a ton of luggage space in the boot and in the rear seats. You can fit a person in the back for short journeys but you may have to lower the roof if they’re adults.
Although the Cali is a much better everyday car, I don’t think it’s any better as a GT than the 360. The Cali is unrefined at speed on the motorway (too much engine and tyre noise) so long journeys are just as tiring in the Cali as they would be in the mid engined cars.
I’m biased because I have one but FFs are the ‘bargain’ of the Ferrari world at the moment (especially in the U.K.) Miles better than both the Cali and the 360. If you can get past the looks and size then there’s very little reason not to own one.
The reason I find myself using the M4 quite often is the fact that the DCT box means when you have had your fun driving you can just then use it to go about your day as normal. So if the misses has a few places to go on a Sunday I can take it and have fun then it becomes an easy car around town etc when I’m done.
My little cayman is bright yellow and modified and as a result it stands out like a sore thumb. With it being manual it’s a very focused drive and I tend to only use it to go and drive.
People tend to think it’s something it isn’t and are constantly taking photos of it, coming over to talk about it etc and I find that quite draining lol
My thinking is a cali will blend in a lot more and with the gearbox be a useable car that I can drive a lot rather than just when the opportunity arises to just go for a drive.
My heart wants the 360, my head says the Cali will get used a lot more.
I should also add, I will modify either that I buy.
I was also looking at FF and 599’s but the v8 cars appeal more for some reason. An F430 F1 is also in budget. Perhaps I need to drive a few other options.
I’ve had an F355 and a Cali but not a 360 (yet).
What’s strange about Cali reviews is that just because it’s got a dazed donkey on the front, people seem to want to compare it to outright supercars in performance. This is completely missing the point, as it’s a GT and should be compared to GTs.
When you do, the performance is pretty stunning, certainly way faster and more entertaining to drive than you’d expect. If you want to drive it ‘spirited’ then you certainly can, or you can treat it as a regular car. I often used to take mine when doing errands locally (in a way I never would with the 355) and it would always put a smile on my face.
Ironically, as noted earlier, where the Cali doesn’t excel is as a long-distance GT. It isn’t brilliantly refined for a long journey, being pretty noisy and with quite firm seats and ride. Personally, I found I’d leave it at home for long motorway journeys, which is why I eventually swapped it for a Maserati and am now back at a 911.
So (prancing) horses for courses I think. The 360 is likely to be more of a weekend drive car - and thoroughly entertaining for that - the Cali much more flexible for actual use as a vehicle. Neither brilliant for long cruises I suspect though.
What’s strange about Cali reviews is that just because it’s got a dazed donkey on the front, people seem to want to compare it to outright supercars in performance. This is completely missing the point, as it’s a GT and should be compared to GTs.
When you do, the performance is pretty stunning, certainly way faster and more entertaining to drive than you’d expect. If you want to drive it ‘spirited’ then you certainly can, or you can treat it as a regular car. I often used to take mine when doing errands locally (in a way I never would with the 355) and it would always put a smile on my face.
Ironically, as noted earlier, where the Cali doesn’t excel is as a long-distance GT. It isn’t brilliantly refined for a long journey, being pretty noisy and with quite firm seats and ride. Personally, I found I’d leave it at home for long motorway journeys, which is why I eventually swapped it for a Maserati and am now back at a 911.
So (prancing) horses for courses I think. The 360 is likely to be more of a weekend drive car - and thoroughly entertaining for that - the Cali much more flexible for actual use as a vehicle. Neither brilliant for long cruises I suspect though.
Edited by 67Dino on Monday 21st March 07:30
I can’t speak for the California, but in terms of cruising the manual 360 spider was great (providing it’s got the stock exhaust - definitely not a Tubi!). It was around town and in traffic that the car became more frustrating. The 360 enjoyed sweeping B roads and was happy on the motorway. Long journeys were no problem, just don’t get stuck in traffic!
I have to agree with much of what has been said here.
I had manual 360 Spider for a few years about 5-10 years ago. Loved it with a passion but found I wasn't getting as much use out of it as I wanted to; it wants to be driven and so you need decent trips to really enjoy it, it doesn't do trips to the shops, or to the golf club (for fairly obvious reasons).
So 5 years ago I made the switch to the California. I commuted in it, easy in auto mode, have done long trips - South of France, up and down the UK, and gone shopping and to play golf (only the driver has to come out of the bag, the rest fits in).
Of late however my lifestyle has undergone some change. A bit more time to get on the road, big trip to Italy planned for the summer. And I got to thinking I really miss the 360. So this week I'm picking up almost a carbon copy of my old Spider (F1 rather than manual, as I've gotten used to the paddles in the Cali) and I can't wait !!
Yes, the Cali has been amazingly usable, but I've got other usable cars in the garage and when I go out in the Ferrari I want it to be special. The 360 feels much more than an event, turns heads, gets sly admiring comments etc. The Cali is far more of a compromise, tries to make being in a Ferrari a bit more conventional, but it shouldn't be conventional.
Compared with the M4 I think you will find both somewhat less nimble, if that's the right word. The Cali in particular is a heavy beast and will not deliver the same off the line punch or ability to weave like you've got in the BM - at least from my experience. Maybe you could eke some of those qualities from it if you worked on it, but my feeling from having been in an M4 as a passenger is that they come with ease - the Cali doesn't feel naturally suited to it. But it does have long legs and mid range acceleration is available in spades when you change down the box (provided you accept the inevitable increased consumption of fuel).
Comparing the M4 to the 360 is bit like asking you if you want steak or an ice-cream sundae. If you want to replace the M4 then there are times you'll be thinking oops, I think I need another car as well. As an addition to the wardrobe it would provide you with the Sunday best to go with your work suits and trackie bottoms.
Good luck making up your mind
I had manual 360 Spider for a few years about 5-10 years ago. Loved it with a passion but found I wasn't getting as much use out of it as I wanted to; it wants to be driven and so you need decent trips to really enjoy it, it doesn't do trips to the shops, or to the golf club (for fairly obvious reasons).
So 5 years ago I made the switch to the California. I commuted in it, easy in auto mode, have done long trips - South of France, up and down the UK, and gone shopping and to play golf (only the driver has to come out of the bag, the rest fits in).
Of late however my lifestyle has undergone some change. A bit more time to get on the road, big trip to Italy planned for the summer. And I got to thinking I really miss the 360. So this week I'm picking up almost a carbon copy of my old Spider (F1 rather than manual, as I've gotten used to the paddles in the Cali) and I can't wait !!
Yes, the Cali has been amazingly usable, but I've got other usable cars in the garage and when I go out in the Ferrari I want it to be special. The 360 feels much more than an event, turns heads, gets sly admiring comments etc. The Cali is far more of a compromise, tries to make being in a Ferrari a bit more conventional, but it shouldn't be conventional.
Compared with the M4 I think you will find both somewhat less nimble, if that's the right word. The Cali in particular is a heavy beast and will not deliver the same off the line punch or ability to weave like you've got in the BM - at least from my experience. Maybe you could eke some of those qualities from it if you worked on it, but my feeling from having been in an M4 as a passenger is that they come with ease - the Cali doesn't feel naturally suited to it. But it does have long legs and mid range acceleration is available in spades when you change down the box (provided you accept the inevitable increased consumption of fuel).
Comparing the M4 to the 360 is bit like asking you if you want steak or an ice-cream sundae. If you want to replace the M4 then there are times you'll be thinking oops, I think I need another car as well. As an addition to the wardrobe it would provide you with the Sunday best to go with your work suits and trackie bottoms.
Good luck making up your mind
GR1FF1F said:
I have to agree with much of what has been said here.
I had manual 360 Spider for a few years about 5-10 years ago. Loved it with a passion but found I wasn't getting as much use out of it as I wanted to; it wants to be driven and so you need decent trips to really enjoy it, it doesn't do trips to the shops, or to the golf club (for fairly obvious reasons).
So 5 years ago I made the switch to the California. I commuted in it, easy in auto mode, have done long trips - South of France, up and down the UK, and gone shopping and to play golf (only the driver has to come out of the bag, the rest fits in).
Of late however my lifestyle has undergone some change. A bit more time to get on the road, big trip to Italy planned for the summer. And I got to thinking I really miss the 360. So this week I'm picking up almost a carbon copy of my old Spider (F1 rather than manual, as I've gotten used to the paddles in the Cali) and I can't wait !!
Yes, the Cali has been amazingly usable, but I've got other usable cars in the garage and when I go out in the Ferrari I want it to be special. The 360 feels much more than an event, turns heads, gets sly admiring comments etc. The Cali is far more of a compromise, tries to make being in a Ferrari a bit more conventional, but it shouldn't be conventional.
Compared with the M4 I think you will find both somewhat less nimble, if that's the right word. The Cali in particular is a heavy beast and will not deliver the same off the line punch or ability to weave like you've got in the BM - at least from my experience. Maybe you could eke some of those qualities from it if you worked on it, but my feeling from having been in an M4 as a passenger is that they come with ease - the Cali doesn't feel naturally suited to it. But it does have long legs and mid range acceleration is available in spades when you change down the box (provided you accept the inevitable increased consumption of fuel).
Comparing the M4 to the 360 is bit like asking you if you want steak or an ice-cream sundae. If you want to replace the M4 then there are times you'll be thinking oops, I think I need another car as well. As an addition to the wardrobe it would provide you with the Sunday best to go with your work suits and trackie bottoms.
Good luck making up your mind
Thank you for the detailed reply.I had manual 360 Spider for a few years about 5-10 years ago. Loved it with a passion but found I wasn't getting as much use out of it as I wanted to; it wants to be driven and so you need decent trips to really enjoy it, it doesn't do trips to the shops, or to the golf club (for fairly obvious reasons).
So 5 years ago I made the switch to the California. I commuted in it, easy in auto mode, have done long trips - South of France, up and down the UK, and gone shopping and to play golf (only the driver has to come out of the bag, the rest fits in).
Of late however my lifestyle has undergone some change. A bit more time to get on the road, big trip to Italy planned for the summer. And I got to thinking I really miss the 360. So this week I'm picking up almost a carbon copy of my old Spider (F1 rather than manual, as I've gotten used to the paddles in the Cali) and I can't wait !!
Yes, the Cali has been amazingly usable, but I've got other usable cars in the garage and when I go out in the Ferrari I want it to be special. The 360 feels much more than an event, turns heads, gets sly admiring comments etc. The Cali is far more of a compromise, tries to make being in a Ferrari a bit more conventional, but it shouldn't be conventional.
Compared with the M4 I think you will find both somewhat less nimble, if that's the right word. The Cali in particular is a heavy beast and will not deliver the same off the line punch or ability to weave like you've got in the BM - at least from my experience. Maybe you could eke some of those qualities from it if you worked on it, but my feeling from having been in an M4 as a passenger is that they come with ease - the Cali doesn't feel naturally suited to it. But it does have long legs and mid range acceleration is available in spades when you change down the box (provided you accept the inevitable increased consumption of fuel).
Comparing the M4 to the 360 is bit like asking you if you want steak or an ice-cream sundae. If you want to replace the M4 then there are times you'll be thinking oops, I think I need another car as well. As an addition to the wardrobe it would provide you with the Sunday best to go with your work suits and trackie bottoms.
Good luck making up your mind
To be honest, compared to my Cayman the M4 doesn’t feel particularly nimble either. I tend to use the M4 a lot more as it has a much better balance of being fun and then being a car. It’s stage 3 so either of the Ferraris will feel slow in comparison. However my daily driver is a Tesla Model 3 Performance so it has kind of ruined being impressed by outright acceleration lol but come the weekend I like having something that makes silly noises and engages your senses.
The California is the car I am being drawn most too out of the two as I feel like I will use it pretty much every weekend.
I think if I buy a 360 it will sit in the garage beside the Porsche and only venture out when I have time to just drive, which the Porsche is already fulfilling the role of.
The heart wants a manual 360 with a capristo though lol I think a Cali is going to be the right choice given the job of what is replacing and what I want it to do.
Hopefully in the next few weeks I’ll have a new members thread up.
I guess the next question is. Is there any particular spec is a must have on either car? Also anything I need to watch out for?
It will be an N/A Cali.
Max budget of 80k
Good call, I’d say. The Cali is quite well spec’d actually, don’t remember being short of anything. Few thoughts:
- The Audio and SatNav of my 2010 model was abysmal though, so antiquated. I found a place that for £5k will replace it with a bespoke unit to fit (it’s quite a non-trivial job) but ended up living with it.
- Mine had after-market shields on the front wings, which you can tell as they don’t sit in a recess in the bodywork but on top. Worth avoiding if you like things to look right. I had them removed which involved some respray.
- Daytona seats were quite firm, not sure if other options were available.
Good luck finding your choice.
PS Here’s a pic…
- The Audio and SatNav of my 2010 model was abysmal though, so antiquated. I found a place that for £5k will replace it with a bespoke unit to fit (it’s quite a non-trivial job) but ended up living with it.
- Mine had after-market shields on the front wings, which you can tell as they don’t sit in a recess in the bodywork but on top. Worth avoiding if you like things to look right. I had them removed which involved some respray.
- Daytona seats were quite firm, not sure if other options were available.
Good luck finding your choice.
PS Here’s a pic…
Edited by 67Dino on Wednesday 23 March 08:07
pmgpete said:
GR1FF1F said:
I have to agree with much of what has been said here.
I had manual 360 Spider for a few years about 5-10 years ago. Loved it with a passion but found I wasn't getting as much use out of it as I wanted to; it wants to be driven and so you need decent trips to really enjoy it, it doesn't do trips to the shops, or to the golf club (for fairly obvious reasons).
So 5 years ago I made the switch to the California. I commuted in it, easy in auto mode, have done long trips - South of France, up and down the UK, and gone shopping and to play golf (only the driver has to come out of the bag, the rest fits in).
Of late however my lifestyle has undergone some change. A bit more time to get on the road, big trip to Italy planned for the summer. And I got to thinking I really miss the 360. So this week I'm picking up almost a carbon copy of my old Spider (F1 rather than manual, as I've gotten used to the paddles in the Cali) and I can't wait !!
Yes, the Cali has been amazingly usable, but I've got other usable cars in the garage and when I go out in the Ferrari I want it to be special. The 360 feels much more than an event, turns heads, gets sly admiring comments etc. The Cali is far more of a compromise, tries to make being in a Ferrari a bit more conventional, but it shouldn't be conventional.
Compared with the M4 I think you will find both somewhat less nimble, if that's the right word. The Cali in particular is a heavy beast and will not deliver the same off the line punch or ability to weave like you've got in the BM - at least from my experience. Maybe you could eke some of those qualities from it if you worked on it, but my feeling from having been in an M4 as a passenger is that they come with ease - the Cali doesn't feel naturally suited to it. But it does have long legs and mid range acceleration is available in spades when you change down the box (provided you accept the inevitable increased consumption of fuel).
Comparing the M4 to the 360 is bit like asking you if you want steak or an ice-cream sundae. If you want to replace the M4 then there are times you'll be thinking oops, I think I need another car as well. As an addition to the wardrobe it would provide you with the Sunday best to go with your work suits and trackie bottoms.
Good luck making up your mind
Thank you for the detailed reply.I had manual 360 Spider for a few years about 5-10 years ago. Loved it with a passion but found I wasn't getting as much use out of it as I wanted to; it wants to be driven and so you need decent trips to really enjoy it, it doesn't do trips to the shops, or to the golf club (for fairly obvious reasons).
So 5 years ago I made the switch to the California. I commuted in it, easy in auto mode, have done long trips - South of France, up and down the UK, and gone shopping and to play golf (only the driver has to come out of the bag, the rest fits in).
Of late however my lifestyle has undergone some change. A bit more time to get on the road, big trip to Italy planned for the summer. And I got to thinking I really miss the 360. So this week I'm picking up almost a carbon copy of my old Spider (F1 rather than manual, as I've gotten used to the paddles in the Cali) and I can't wait !!
Yes, the Cali has been amazingly usable, but I've got other usable cars in the garage and when I go out in the Ferrari I want it to be special. The 360 feels much more than an event, turns heads, gets sly admiring comments etc. The Cali is far more of a compromise, tries to make being in a Ferrari a bit more conventional, but it shouldn't be conventional.
Compared with the M4 I think you will find both somewhat less nimble, if that's the right word. The Cali in particular is a heavy beast and will not deliver the same off the line punch or ability to weave like you've got in the BM - at least from my experience. Maybe you could eke some of those qualities from it if you worked on it, but my feeling from having been in an M4 as a passenger is that they come with ease - the Cali doesn't feel naturally suited to it. But it does have long legs and mid range acceleration is available in spades when you change down the box (provided you accept the inevitable increased consumption of fuel).
Comparing the M4 to the 360 is bit like asking you if you want steak or an ice-cream sundae. If you want to replace the M4 then there are times you'll be thinking oops, I think I need another car as well. As an addition to the wardrobe it would provide you with the Sunday best to go with your work suits and trackie bottoms.
Good luck making up your mind
To be honest, compared to my Cayman the M4 doesn’t feel particularly nimble either. I tend to use the M4 a lot more as it has a much better balance of being fun and then being a car. It’s stage 3 so either of the Ferraris will feel slow in comparison. However my daily driver is a Tesla Model 3 Performance so it has kind of ruined being impressed by outright acceleration lol but come the weekend I like having something that makes silly noises and engages your senses.
The California is the car I am being drawn most too out of the two as I feel like I will use it pretty much every weekend.
I think if I buy a 360 it will sit in the garage beside the Porsche and only venture out when I have time to just drive, which the Porsche is already fulfilling the role of.
The heart wants a manual 360 with a capristo though lol I think a Cali is going to be the right choice given the job of what is replacing and what I want it to do.
Hopefully in the next few weeks I’ll have a new members thread up.
I guess the next question is. Is there any particular spec is a must have on either car? Also anything I need to watch out for?
It will be an N/A Cali.
Max budget of 80k
pmgpete said:
GR1FF1F said:
I have to agree with much of what has been said here.
I had manual 360 Spider for a few years about 5-10 years ago. Loved it with a passion but found I wasn't getting as much use out of it as I wanted to; it wants to be driven and so you need decent trips to really enjoy it, it doesn't do trips to the shops, or to the golf club (for fairly obvious reasons).
So 5 years ago I made the switch to the California. I commuted in it, easy in auto mode, have done long trips - South of France, up and down the UK, and gone shopping and to play golf (only the driver has to come out of the bag, the rest fits in).
Of late however my lifestyle has undergone some change. A bit more time to get on the road, big trip to Italy planned for the summer. And I got to thinking I really miss the 360. So this week I'm picking up almost a carbon copy of my old Spider (F1 rather than manual, as I've gotten used to the paddles in the Cali) and I can't wait !!
Yes, the Cali has been amazingly usable, but I've got other usable cars in the garage and when I go out in the Ferrari I want it to be special. The 360 feels much more than an event, turns heads, gets sly admiring comments etc. The Cali is far more of a compromise, tries to make being in a Ferrari a bit more conventional, but it shouldn't be conventional.
Compared with the M4 I think you will find both somewhat less nimble, if that's the right word. The Cali in particular is a heavy beast and will not deliver the same off the line punch or ability to weave like you've got in the BM - at least from my experience. Maybe you could eke some of those qualities from it if you worked on it, but my feeling from having been in an M4 as a passenger is that they come with ease - the Cali doesn't feel naturally suited to it. But it does have long legs and mid range acceleration is available in spades when you change down the box (provided you accept the inevitable increased consumption of fuel).
Comparing the M4 to the 360 is bit like asking you if you want steak or an ice-cream sundae. If you want to replace the M4 then there are times you'll be thinking oops, I think I need another car as well. As an addition to the wardrobe it would provide you with the Sunday best to go with your work suits and trackie bottoms.
Good luck making up your mind
Thank you for the detailed reply.I had manual 360 Spider for a few years about 5-10 years ago. Loved it with a passion but found I wasn't getting as much use out of it as I wanted to; it wants to be driven and so you need decent trips to really enjoy it, it doesn't do trips to the shops, or to the golf club (for fairly obvious reasons).
So 5 years ago I made the switch to the California. I commuted in it, easy in auto mode, have done long trips - South of France, up and down the UK, and gone shopping and to play golf (only the driver has to come out of the bag, the rest fits in).
Of late however my lifestyle has undergone some change. A bit more time to get on the road, big trip to Italy planned for the summer. And I got to thinking I really miss the 360. So this week I'm picking up almost a carbon copy of my old Spider (F1 rather than manual, as I've gotten used to the paddles in the Cali) and I can't wait !!
Yes, the Cali has been amazingly usable, but I've got other usable cars in the garage and when I go out in the Ferrari I want it to be special. The 360 feels much more than an event, turns heads, gets sly admiring comments etc. The Cali is far more of a compromise, tries to make being in a Ferrari a bit more conventional, but it shouldn't be conventional.
Compared with the M4 I think you will find both somewhat less nimble, if that's the right word. The Cali in particular is a heavy beast and will not deliver the same off the line punch or ability to weave like you've got in the BM - at least from my experience. Maybe you could eke some of those qualities from it if you worked on it, but my feeling from having been in an M4 as a passenger is that they come with ease - the Cali doesn't feel naturally suited to it. But it does have long legs and mid range acceleration is available in spades when you change down the box (provided you accept the inevitable increased consumption of fuel).
Comparing the M4 to the 360 is bit like asking you if you want steak or an ice-cream sundae. If you want to replace the M4 then there are times you'll be thinking oops, I think I need another car as well. As an addition to the wardrobe it would provide you with the Sunday best to go with your work suits and trackie bottoms.
Good luck making up your mind
To be honest, compared to my Cayman the M4 doesn’t feel particularly nimble either. I tend to use the M4 a lot more as it has a much better balance of being fun and then being a car. It’s stage 3 so either of the Ferraris will feel slow in comparison. However my daily driver is a Tesla Model 3 Performance so it has kind of ruined being impressed by outright acceleration lol but come the weekend I like having something that makes silly noises and engages your senses.
The California is the car I am being drawn most too out of the two as I feel like I will use it pretty much every weekend.
I think if I buy a 360 it will sit in the garage beside the Porsche and only venture out when I have time to just drive, which the Porsche is already fulfilling the role of.
The heart wants a manual 360 with a capristo though lol I think a Cali is going to be the right choice given the job of what is replacing and what I want it to do.
Hopefully in the next few weeks I’ll have a new members thread up.
I guess the next question is. Is there any particular spec is a must have on either car? Also anything I need to watch out for?
It will be an N/A Cali.
Max budget of 80k
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13130663
Having said that, have to agree with others - the 360 is more of an event and you could get a very nice manual Spider for £80k (think Bells have a lovely car in yellow, can't remember the price) - absolutely sure you wouldn't be disappointed with either car though, good luck with the search!
Edited to add; just as an aside - we put over 22k miles in less than 18 months on the 1st one with 0 issues - was pretty much bullet proof!
Edited by jwdh1 on Wednesday 23 March 09:14
Regarding spec on the Cali, there's one area where I would lean one way and that's on brakes. Opt for conventional rather than carbon ceramics if possible. Two reasons for this. Squeaky pads can be an issue; they need to be bedded correctly when fitted and the procedure to do that is pretty hair-raising - you basically need to light up the discs on multiple runs, so a race track comes in handy. Secondly, I had an issue with disc bolts rusting and seizing. As Brembo don't sell the bolts separately you then are faced with replacing the discs themselves, even if they are only minimally worn - they ain't cheap.
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