456 vs. 355 possibly ready for my firts F car

Depends upon what you want Ferrari wise.The 456 more of a large GT and has more space then the 355 but, the 355 in my mind is more exotic and sexy. Use the search both cars are discussed heavily all over the board. The 996 would be the least hassle and the least cost but, you lose all the "ferrariness".

 

F355.... 456 is probably the highest in maintainance cost per performance.

 

do you want a 12 or a 8?
Coupe or Spider?

 

I own a 996TT, but don't think of it as a weekend car, just the best daily driver on the planet. When I think of weekend cars, top down/off cars are my first priority.

So 355 spider or GTS.

 

The 456 is a wonderful car, especially as a long-distance, grand touring car. So if your idea of a "weekend" car is using it to take a 3 hour jaunt to your place in the mountains or the beach, it's ideal.

I think the 456 looks better than the 355, too, but I realize that's not the conventional wisdom.

If your idea of a "weekend" car is using it for track days or blasting through the twisties, get a 355.

 

I looked long and hard at 456s and even dealers I spoke with somewhat talked me out of going this route. Obviously, a few out there would say anything to sell a car, but several I spoke with were very candid. I wanted to use it somewhat as a daily driver as it has a little bigger back seat than my 996TT and my daughters just turned 9 and 10. I came very close to a 456, had the PPI done and check ready and the Ferrari tech doing the PPI said some things that made me re-think that perhaps this was not the car for me for the purposes I wanted to use it.

I went the 355 route and the car was everything I had hoped. I had four cars fail PPIs though and I took my time finding one that had all of the updates and valve guide work. Take your time and get a PPI and the 355 can be a great car experience.

 

I don't know what your commute is like, but I find the 456 to be an excellent daily driver. In fact, it's hard to imagine what would make it better, other than keyless entry (which the 456M has).

The 456 and the 355 both have typical Italian car issues. They cost more than most cars to maintain, and you will have long periods where it is in the shop. Don't expect to take it to the shop and get it back the same day, unless you are just getting an oil change (and even then, sometimes!).

If something breaks, expect the part to be something they have to order, and expect it to take a long time in arriving, and when it does arrive it will probably be the wrong part, so it will have to be reordered.

If that bothers you, don't buy either car. It's all part of Italian car ownership-- it doesn't matter if it's a Fiat 850 or a new 430.

 

Dream car... makes me think 355, although you need to be familiar with the known issues on 355's.

I bought a 993 as weekend car and ended up selling it because it was too "normal". IMO, the 996TT comes up way short on the exotic factor, and if you plan to go the "safer" route I'd recommend the 993TT which was probably the last Porsche with a satisfying mechanical feel to it.

 

First of you want a large GT v12
or a sexy super car v8 and how old are u
If you are above 40 i strongly sat the 456
but if you are under 30 i say F355 definetely
lol if you are between 30-40 i recommend 360 modena if you can afford it btw
You get best performance from 996TT but not much fun i say. My ex was a 996 4S even if i see a F- car my mind was there

I think 456 is an old styled car. i mean F355 is old now about 7-11 years about same as 456. But i will remember f355 more than the 456
I think F355 GTS is the best F355 for me its like a half convertible and half coupe with T-top. You will have fun with it on summer days you can open T-top have fun and hear the magnificent sound if tubi exhaust on it.
But 456 is not such a car like that you go on highway and safe speeding cruising

For me F355 is a car which you can go a summer party at a Night Club(which has a large open area woot woot) with lot of people nice looking young
people are having crazy fun and you attract all the young girls. You call the valet and tip what you like and driver your car with our Ferre jean and Armani body tshirt

But with 456 it is more suitable car to go an expensive vip french restaurant with your girlfriend and drink wine , have dinner under a moonlight with a slow song. You call the valet and tip 100usd and drive your car with your ermenigolda zegna suits


996 TT go where ever you want do what ever you want but if a F-carnear you with a huge noise your mind.......

 

Why aren't you considering the 550 maranello?

For my money it is the bargain F-car currently. Also, engine stays in for belt service so maintenance is quite reasonable for F car.

Just my $.02

 

if not 2+2 Insist on F355 GTS. You will have fun when t-top is on

if 2+2 456 is ok or

another suggestion for a good and have fun ride

Aston Martin DB7 Volante or DB7

Jag XK8 or XKR convertible

Maserati Spyder


You will have best fun only at F355
but hmmmmm DB7 Volante sound interesting also Maserati sound a little bit Ferrari )
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Hmmm Z8 hmmm bu why did bmw stopped that car produce?
For a limited edition story? or couldnt have a challenge with the Mercedes SL class.
Thats doubicious!!
I saw some videos and test about z8 (if i can find again i'll post here)
That car was slightly beaten by a stock M3 e46 with time track and some acceleration tests. I saw it once near me accelerating and the sound wasnt so loud its like the same old e39 M5
I dont like the Z8 so much cauz it looks so much like TVR type of roadstar. Classic looking car.
But if you like Z8 have fun it but if you hear any v8 Ferrari sound around you while cruising , keep your mind in control.
By the way i really wanna know how old are u? above 35?

 

Here Z8 photo for you
and a f355 GTS


I take GTS
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A 456 sounds like a good car for you, then. Great long distance car, very fast, plenty of trunk space.

You might also see if you can find a 365GTC/4, if you are interested in something a little more vintage. Or, for that matter, a 400 5-speed is a very nice car for that sort of thing, and much cheaper to buy (but not to maintain). A Maserati Coupe would be a good choice also, but if you're worried about depreciation I wouldn't go that direction.

A C/4 or a 400 will probably appreciate a little bit, and the 456 won't depreciate much (won't appreciate for a long time, though!).

A 355 and a 456 are very different driving experiences, so before you make any decisions I'd try to drive both.

 

355 355 355 355 355 355 355 . Did I mention 355? You will love it as a first F-car, no doubt.

 

be careful with the windows on the 456's you might be looking at in the future... alignment gets messed up some some... and it's $$$$


Use the search function to check that out. If you find a niec one however, you can't beat the bang for the buck. Good luck!

 

Buy cars to have fun and don't worry about investment. None of the cars, with the possible exception being the 330, you are speaking of will likely ever appreciate or be a wise investment from a monetary standpoint. This is especially true if you actually want to drive them and put some miles on them. They could be a wise investment from a pleasure standpoint if you realistic about it and buy a car that makes you happy for the right reasons.

The Z8 just does not appeal to a broad array of people and the looks are very subjective to some. 456s are not really moving well even in the $ 60k to $ 70k range for decent sorted cars. I looked at two nice clean cars in this range that are still for sale. I know of another 456 that is a 1995 manual that the guy would take $ 59k for and it has been for sale for 3 months or longer. The windows and seats were just corrected within last 6 months on that car. I have seen some later 456s that have sat on lots for really long periods of time and some of those are still for sale now.

High end car manufacturers are producing higher volumes. There is alot of competition and a lot of choices. The technology, reliability and performance is steadily increasing now due to the compeitiveness of the market. The supply of new high end stuff will saturate a limited demand or limited market of those out there able to afford these types of vehicles. This should work to keep prices down on the used market. Obviously, cars like the Enzo, F50, F40, GTO and some of the older stuff will not really be affected. Cars like the 348, 355, 456, 550 and etc. will be impacted. I am not saying the bottom will fall out, but I doubt there will be any appreciation for a common production car with normal milege.

Just buy what makes you happy and forget about investment unless looking at something high end or classic and rare. If the car appreciates, then it will be an added bonus. If you buy a car because you enjoy the car and the car depreciates, at least you enjoyed driving it and owning it.