I’m relatively new here and considering my first Ferrari. Excuse my ignorance of this question as it probably has been answered many times. Besides price, why do some purchase a 360 over the f430? Is it primarily looks only? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Looks, sound (360 has 5 valve heads), end of an era engine (last v8 with belts), also some ppl might care but the F430’s engine is a Maserati derivative Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
the following is about 360 f1 vs 430 f1. the main difference is the shift speed. If you drive a late production f430 (late 2008 onwards), u'd feel the 360's gear shifting had a problem sometimes.
I'm gonna say budget --mostly. I chose the 360 for the looks. Much more curvy and sensual. The 430 has a lot more angles-- the vents and such and the tail lights look stuck on and not integrated. But with that said the 430 has more HP, cam chains instead of timing belts as in the 360. But it was not enough to lure me away from the 360. For me the 430 was not much of an "upgrade" and seemed more of a visually warmed over 360 and IMO not for the better. Both are great cars. And you cannot go wrong with either for the money.
I have a CS and a late production 430. Compared to the 430, I've always had the illussion of the CS having a problem. That's at low speed rev, of course. At high rev and throttle down, the CS's shifting speed is OK and all good. I hope so much that I could have a CS with a SF2 gearshifting.
Let me summarize. Except for the looks (which is subjective), the 430 is the better car. (And I own a 360).
If you are shopping for a manual (3 pedal ) Ferrari, you would have more choices with a used 360 , so budget aside mechanically and performance 430 is the superior without a doubt.
I'd say price is probably the biggest reason but...newer is often better because less stuff has worn out, possibly less owners and potential for abuse, less rock chips, less interior wear, etc. But the 360 is the new design language for every mid engine since because it spent so much time in a wind tunnel during development. I think the 430 is more striking and less subtle than the 360 which doesn't necessarily mean better depending up on the owner. If a manual 360 is in your budget there are worse ways to connect to the historical significance and mystique of those who have gone before you and they are pretty simple to work on, if you have a good mechanical background. For engine nostalgia the 360 motor is the furthest evolution of the engines before the complete redesign for the 430. I remember cross sopping 360,430 and GT2, GT3 and decided that I liked the 360 enough to keep the extra 20-30K in the bank for repairs and shop improvements. It was the right thing for me to do because I have enjoyed the ownership experience immensely. I've met some incredible people too all because of the car and the network. If you've never had an exotic car before it's a different world. One other thing is that with the older car there is no need to try to be the fastest object on the road so for me it is was an invitation to just enjoy the thing for what it is and appreciate the very fine engineering and feedback of the car. This is a good thing! Especially in a three pedal because there is more to do in the cockpit!
I think both are in the price range of, don’t buy it unless it’s exactly what you want. Wait if exactly what you want is out if the price range. If you want a “better car” buy a Prius.
360 will be slightly lighter 360 will have less electronics to fail 360 has a higher pitched tone which many prefer more than the F430 360 may be slightly cheaper Both great cars, heck I wouldn't mind having both
Well. I have both. Oddly a manual 430 and F1 360 Spider. Full disclosure I have also F12 and 488 spider with a F8 coming soon The 430 is a newer car with more amenities and tech than the 360. It is faster, more spacious, closer to today’s cars. It is the bridge to digital in the 458. 360 is full analog. Both are fun to drive. But...... For a first Ferrari experience, the 360 cannot be criticized for anything. Anything. The sound, smell, seating position, smaller steering wheel, lower position, more go-kart like and the experience.....And I went backwards to buy the 360. At this point I like my 360 possibly the most for real world speed and shifting. If this car will be your car forever, get the 430. If this car will be your first Ferrari of several or many....start with the 360. Get a manual and enjoy it. If your budget is for an F1, get it and learn to use it well. It’s engaging and fun and don’t let the naysayers say nay about the F1. What I said about the 360 is technically incorrect. You can criticize the stereo. Oh and the 360 is prettier. Really. Back to the thread Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
- more HP/torque. If you do track days, the extra 80 hp helps. - better shifting on F1 - no need for belt change - better or more modern interior (although this is subjective) - 360 suspension carried over to the 430 but was improved - e-diff - I have heard (but not consistently) 430 has better brakes (for track)
Looks for me. Mate that to a Gated shifter and it doesn't get much better. All subjective of course but for me 360 Gated all the way.
Initial cost is the only benefit. I have had a 360 and it was the only Ferrari that I wanted to sell soon after purchasing and did so. I have a Scud now and it is a whole world better. Had a 430 Berlinetta prior and it was quite an upgrade to the 360. The two 430's that I have had have been very reliable and enjoyable to own. Don't have any desire to change to a newer car.
Thanks Everyone for your help describing the differences. I have a track toy (2015 Camaro Z/28) so this will be primarily used as a evening /weekend street car. I did own a 2012 Boxster Spyder for a few years and I really liked the go-cart handling and connected feel to the road it gave. I also prefer a manual trans car and a spider too. Again, I appreciate all of the input. Johnny
The 360 is a clean original design; a blank sheet of paper so to speak. Before the 360, it was updated variants of the 308. The 430 is a variant of the 360. Personally I like original designs although the 328 was an improvement of the 308 due to the body colored bumpers over the black DOT influenced bumpers. The 430 is a "sequel" from a static design standpoint.
For me it was between a 430, 360, 550 and a GT3. Already have a 997 so that threw the GT3 out. Wanted the 430 mostly as it's really the better car but when I started looking it was in the $125 range, then went to 150 then 185 for a manual all in the period of a year. Also there were a few things that bugged me about the F439 like the front end and the touch button start. Then I looked at a 550 and really loved it again in the $125 range and pulled the trigger on that but the seller got cold feet. As my window to buy was getting smaller I had a 360 from a good seller. It is hard to find a good Ferrari as I had looked and looked and was shocked with how many bad cars and bad people selling them. I flew to a place e to check a car out once and the seller wouldn't let me drive it unless I gave him a deposit, what ******. So when I found a high mileage 360 was in the 80s range I took it so I took it and haven't looked back. Yes I over paid but I love This car and how analog it is, how raw it is and the pure driving experience it gives.
I have had both, went back to a 360 sound is better interior is more interesting with the all the metal trim and exterior looks are better these are eye of the beholder opinions, both great cars, get the one you like.
Drive both, spend some time with both options and decide what you like. What moves you? What will have you looking back after you park? What will have you up at 5am on a cool Sunday AM for that extra early fall drive? no-one can truly answer that for you......... ======= while they share a similar platform... they are really quite different cars.... different engines (one f car, one maz variant) They make different noises from idle to full rev's dramatically different exterior design..... one is classic Ferrari... the other is an early nod to modern angular design... the interior digital tech..... while it is 'newer'.... 10-12 yr old digital tech ages poorly.... I prefer time-less analog and gated. ======= I close with .... drive both....... spend time around both...... and decide what makes you happy.
Looks and sound for me... Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my LM-V350 using FerrariChat.com mobile app
