Ferrari 360 vs Boxster/Cayman

[CRCGuy]

I think I'd look more to F355. Similar or lower price range. One of the best looking and reliable of Ferraris. my group leader at work has one and drives it to work a LOT.

[eightsandaces]

I doubt a Ferrari is poorly assembled, neither would I believe that of a Lamborghini.

[Perfectlap]

^ It's in the Italian DNA to be messy where no one is looking. It's in the German DNA to be meticulus in case someone is looking...
That first hand story about the 360 didn't surprise me one bit. Ferrari came a long way in the early part of this decade but I doubt the transformation was total. Just about everything mechanically speaking from Italy eventually has issues because they don't have that ethic of the Japanese and Germans to make things as water tight as possible. They work to live and not live to work....flame suit on

[ekam]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

I doubt a Ferrari is poorly assembled, neither would I believe that of a Lamborghini.

Oh it's not they're poorly assembled, it's just that every part starts at $1000 so when stuff breaks (and they do) prepare to take out your credit card.

Then again, if you're rich this is not a problem.

[Estranged Kitten]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

I doubt a Ferrari is poorly assembled, neither would I believe that of a Lamborghini.

Poorly assembled may not be the exactly correct choice of words but the parts which are fabricated and brought together as a whole can leave much to be desired for a car that runs mega thousands of dollars. In terms of quality not driveability.

[Estranged Kitten]

There is a crossover point where a savvy Ferrari 360 buyer could justify, financially, it v.s. say a Cayman S 2008.

Find one which has its 30K service
Older 360s typically have had all their bugs out of them
In warranty with new F1 clutch
Drive it for 20,000 - 30,000 miles

If you get the right 360, then the cost of ownership should be close to the same. You have to avoid major mechanical, non warrantied work and hope the electronics stay in place.

Never before could one make this statement but today, it is true.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

[yellowboxster01]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

I doubt a Ferrari is poorly assembled, neither would I believe that of a Lamborghini.

Put a Ferrari up on a lift. Then say whether it's poorly assembled. The build quality on a Ferrari is awful compared with any of its Italian competitors. I've seen a Testarossa, F355, and a 360 Challenge on a lift. The Testarossa was pitiful, I can't believe those cars sold for what they did, not a single weld on that thing is good. The fins on the side appear to be an afterthought, they're held on to the side via a 10mm silver hex head bolt that can clearly be seen. Although they were able to that because the only person to see that would be the guy you just ran over.

The quality got better through the years but, not good enough to drop $100K on one.

You can't really even compare Ferrari and Lamborghini anymore. The Gallardo is German/Italian built. As is the Murcielago now.

An F355 is an amazing car to drive, just think 400hp go kart. Nothing and I mean nothing sounds like a Ferrari and it has a breathtaking exhaust note. Given the choice between Lambo or Ferrari, I'd chose the Gallardo. Gallardo with Egear and a Tubi is a close second.

[eightsandaces]

I doubt I'll ever have the luxury of seeing a Ferrari on a lift, is it possible that some of the variation is due to parts being hand built? Anyhow, while on the topic, my 944 was built like a tank compared to the Boxster. You never, ever heard the glass when you shut the door on the 44 and it closed with that definitive click, solid Porsche sound.

[Porscheburn]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

I doubt I'll ever have the luxury of seeing a Ferrari on a lift, is it possible that some of the variation is due to parts being hand built? Anyhow, while on the topic, my 944 was built like a tank compared to the Boxster. You never, ever heard the glass when you shut the door on the 44 and it closed with that definitive click, solid Porsche sound.

Sure did, I had a 944 then a 944S. The first Porsche took back b/c they could not remove wheel shake at 60mph+, they replaced with a 944S with power steering and all was well. Very neutral handling.

[coreseller]

A fellow I know ended up with a Testarossa in the late 80's (his father had means and unexpectedly passed away) and kept it as long as he could, ended up selling it due to ridiculous maintenance costs. My next door neighbor also owns a Ferrari, bought it used and keeps it up himself. He is a knowledgeable guy, pretty meticulous, bought the manuals and frankly from what I've seen if you're willing to read and learn, they can be kept up fairly simply (he has a 328). Pretty neat cars and GLORIOUS sounds imo.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by coreseller

A fellow I know ended up with a Testarossa in the late 80's (his father had means and unexpectedly passed away) and kept it as long as he could, ended up selling it due to ridiculous maintenance costs. My next door neighbor also owns a Ferrari, bought it used and keeps it up himself. He is a knowledgeable guy, pretty meticulous, bought the manuals and frankly from what I've seen if you're willing to read and learn, they can be kept up fairly simply (he has a 328). Pretty neat cars and GLORIOUS sounds imo.

The 328 is supposed to be a pretty sweet unit, I would think the specialized tools would be expensive too.

[Estranged Kitten]

Originally Posted by CRCGuy

I think I'd look more to F355. Similar or lower price range. One of the best looking and reliable of Ferraris. my group leader at work has one and drives it to work a LOT.

The 355 is a great choice in this comparison but the 360 pricing will soon be at the same entry point. Note the pricing in this thread and these cars are not, repeat, not being sold at $75,000. The market is swelling with more 360s every day. :dance: