"Paul Duffin" <someone@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:02Sei.288650$YG5.6182@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "James" <giallo355@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote
>
>> Well, my ~10 year adventure with Ferrari's has has some ups & downs.
>> Here's a brief history:
>
> Thanks, James... a few questions.
>> The 348 years....
>> Lowlights: Electrical system "gremlins", unstable at high speeds
>> (>140mph)
>
> In what way was it unstable? I've had my 308 at an indicated 155mph a
few
> times and it always feels pretty well planted - of course I'm only going
> in a (fairly) straight line.
The car felt "planted" up to ~140mph, but tended to "drift" above that.
It
may have just been the pavement on the isolated highway that I was on. I
rarely exceeded 140mph on the track as the straights weren't long enough
(and there weren't enough ponies under the "hood").
>
>> & somewhat underpowered.
>
> Compared to?
The "underpowered" comment is as it related to other cars at the track.
355's & 360's would simply leave me in their wakes on the straights at the
track. That being said, I was even "schooled" by a driving instructor in
a
308. So, it probably had more to do with my (lack of) driving ability at
that time than anything else. In my defense, it was one of my first times
at the track and I've since gotten a little more experienced. But my
survival instincts kick-in long before I could ever be considered a
competitive racer.
>
> Also, Ferrari's just shouldn't be painted white...
>
> True!
>
>> The 355 years...
>
> Did you never suffer the exhaust manifold problem? I thought track days
> would be likely to acelerate that.
I did have a cracked header that caused a catalyctic converted to "fry".
Fortunately, this occurred just outside of 7yrs of age (exhaust abatement
systems are only covered for 7yrs / unlimited miles in the US) and the
dealer split the repair costs with me. The other big issue w/355's: I
didn't have any issues with the cylinder sleeves as mine was a late '95
(July) model.
>
>> The 360 years...uh, months...
>> Only word of caution - 3rd gear and a fully-depressed throttle should
>> only be attempted while in a straight line unless one is wearing
Depends!
>
> Wearing what?
Depends (adult diapers - the car tends to scare the sh*t outta you!).
>
>> Highlights: Absolutely everything about it.
>
> What about it are the main improvements over the 355? particulalrly in
> terms of handling - you use it on the track, but I'm wondering whether
in
> street driving, you would be so far within the envelope of both car's
> abilities that you would not be aware of any significant difference,
> IYSWIM.
You're absolutely correct in that both car's abilities far exceed anything
that can be explored safely on public roads. I haven't had a chance to
fully "exercise" the 360 yet, in terms of handling or high speeds at the
track (can't wait for the next event!). That being said, the 360 feels a
bit more sure-footed around twisty roads and seems to beg to be flogged!
That's where the 3rd gear / full throttle / straight line comments come
about. The wail from the Tubi when pressing the "loud" pedal down induces
a
positive-feedback loop thru the driver -- you just want to push it down
more, but it'll scare the hell outta you if you do when your going thru
3rd
gear corners (anywhere from 50-110mph).
One another big adjustment, particularly after first getting the 360, is
the
car's size. It feels like the massive car that it is. Much, much bigger
than the 355. Not necessarily in terms of being heavy, just large; wide.
In fact, it's stance is significantly (8"+) wider than my C55 and even my
wife's ML! My wife has even gone as far as saying that it has J.Lo's
butt.
I've since become used to it, but it just doesn't feel like you could
"thread the needle" between large trucks, for instance.
Hope that answered your questions. Looking forward to hearing from
others'
experiences with their cars.
James
(former lurker)
>
> -Paul
> --
> http://www.mc-pd.co.uk/
> Vanity, vanity, vanity.... oh, and some a.a.f. stuff.
>
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