355 to 360
Author
Discussion

priley

Original Poster:

523 posts

217 months

Wednesday 8th April
quotequote all
Just wondered whether anyone has done this? Time for a change so the 355 is going. I’ve been contemplating a 550 (had a LHD one a few years ago and enjoyed it) but a manual 360 Spider has caught my attention. Any thoughts? Thanks!

davek_964

11,211 posts

204 months

Wednesday 8th April
quotequote all
I went 348 to 360. 360 is obviously much more modern, but I think it's also a different era of Ferrari.

My 348 was fine, but generally needed something minor fixing fairly often (e.g electrical connectors by the door hinges).
The 360 was much more solidly put together and most of the time just worked.

The only caveat being, it did total a top end when the cam variator snapped which is apparently a known problem. And no - the official Ferrari fix for it doesn't prevent it.......

supersport

4,628 posts

256 months

Thursday 9th April
quotequote all
I imagine that’s a big change, especially if you’ve had the 355 for a long time,

I increasingly find classics harder to live with, especially over distances. I’ve had my 87 911 for 21 years and last years Le Mans Classic felt like a real slog. Christ maybe I’m getting old.

I couldn’t ever let her go, just gets used less against the modern cars.

I tried a 360 manual and loved it, never got one as a 430 F1 stole my heart. Slightly regretting never getting that click / clack gear change.

I’d driven 355s but never owned, but it felt so much more modern.

If you are happy with the change then I think you’d enjoy it.

priley

Original Poster:

523 posts

217 months

Thursday 9th April
quotequote all
Thanks chaps. Yes, all very subjective I guess. Lots of reasons for the change and as much as I'd love a V12 I think it would be hard to fit into my set-up in terms of space, how the cars get used etc. I'd love a 365GTC4 but funds don't allow and this way I still get the manual modern classic experience with some money left, potentially for an Alfa Giulia QF which I've always wanted.

renmure

4,917 posts

253 months

Thursday 9th April
quotequote all
I did it with absolutely no regrets. F355 Berlinetta, manual, Tubi exhaust, red / crema for 3 years to F360 Spider, manual, Capristo exhaust, red / crema for 18 years.

I loved the 355 but I’m not mechanically minded and every little noise or clunk it made always sounded like it would be an expensive problem. To be fair, there were never any problems but I was always quite relieved to get home after a run. I had an Esprit before and it was a bit like that.

On the other hand the 360 always felt solid, reliable and far more modern. Looks are always subjective but I grew to prefer the 360, particularly with the roof down, and still think they look modern or at least not “classic” or old.

I’d have another 360 but not another 355.

HardtopManual

2,899 posts

195 months

Saturday 20th June
quotequote all
I contemplated this recently given how prices of the two have diverged recently. I decided that I have so many memories in the 355, I've done so much work myself on it and know it so well that I just can't let it go. Plus, I think I'll always be able to get into a 360 if I change my mind, but if I get out of a 355 now, they may do a Dino and I won't be able to get back in.

It's a sorted car and has just been to Le Mans and back without issue, sitting in traffic in scorching heat, being left for days without a trickle charge, taken to the redline whenever the opportunity presented itself, so I don't have the "strange noise anxiety" that some get.

Plus, popup headlights!

That said, I'd love a 458, but it and the 355 have never really reached price parity (I've four young kids so can't justify putting more money into a car)

priley

Original Poster:

523 posts

217 months

Sunday 21st June
quotequote all
I did it in the end. Sale is currently going through via Slades. I also bought their blue 360 Spider. Hopefully leaving some funds left over, potentially for an Alfa Giulia Quadrafoglio…
It took some soul searching to reach the decision but influencing factors included also being lucky enough to own a red 308GTB, which has really got under my skin, and covers the red, pop-up headlights thing. And 16 years is a long time to own a car!
I actually was considering 550’s when I dropped my 355 off but couldn’t quite convince myself. Then I noticed the 360 and the spec just spoke to me. Hopefully the deal will be completed soon.

Kawasaki90

127 posts

8 months

Monday 27th July
quotequote all
Are the £100k+ asking prices realistic on the 355’s?

HardtopManual

2,899 posts

195 months

Wednesday 26th August
quotequote all
Kawasaki90 said:
Are the £100k+ asking prices realistic on the 355 s?
Looks like it: https://355live.com/?tab=sold&variant=%5B%22Be...

Bispal

1,983 posts

180 months

Thursday 27th August
quotequote all
HardtopManual said:
Kawasaki90 said:
Are the £100k+ asking prices realistic on the 355 s?
Looks like it: https://355live.com/?tab=sold&variant=%5B%22Be...
I just don't get it after owning mine. They are not £100k+ cars. A 986 Boxster is better to drive for 10% of the outlay. The running costs are crazy, reliability can be awful, they don't feel that quick, gearbox awful when cold, steering slow, not great on road trips. Suspension is good and they look and sound great. But if you buy and use (3k miles + per year) you will pay the price in maintenance and depreciation. Or buy and don't use and then its pointless, better returns on stock market without any of the maintenance and ownership costs.

The running costs on mine (excluding petrol / tax / insurance) were £2.13 per mile. Cost me £8,500 over 18 months and 4k miles. approx. 6 months of that were spent in workshops or sorting out issues.

I paid £50k for my F355 9 years ago. In the same period SAP has grown 370% with no maintenance or running costs and would be tax free in an ISA.

priley

Original Poster:

523 posts

217 months

Thursday 27th August
quotequote all
I paid £35k for mine in 2010 and paid roughly £55k in maintenance over sixteen years. I ‘made’ circa £40k when I sold it. It always felt a little fragile and now I have the 360 the 355 felt much more closely related to my 308 than the 360. That’s progress I guess.
However the 355 is undoubtedly very pretty and they sound fantastic-though the steering always felt too assisted.
And I guess the argument of their not feeling like a £100k car is the same one aimed at the Dino as their prices rose where things beyond the driving come into the equation.