Faults:

2nd gear synchros are weak; need to be rebuilt.

Fuel gauge reads 3/4 tank when full.

General Comments:

This is a fantastic car (understating the obvious). Miles better than the 2004 BMW M3 that I drove as my last "Performance" car.

The 6 speed manual transmission is silky smooth (2nd gear needs some work) and a significant improvement over previous Ferrari transmissions I've driven with.

Seats are a little tight for a guy my size, and I'm not all that big (size 45 jacket). Despite that, the cabin is roomy and very ergonomically laid out.

Car is just an all out blast to drive, turns heads everywhere I go, and is a serious exotic that requires serious driving skills to wring the best performance from it.

Faults:

Driver's electric window switch sometimes does not work.

Slight water leak between NSF door glass and roof.

General Comments:

I recently bought my first Ferrari. She's a 360 Spider in silver, with red trim. Like most schoolboys, I grew up with a sheer fantasy for these machines. This car is my toy and not used everyday. It's a shame, but just as other owners comment, I have to plan my route, and decide if it's safe to take the Ferrari.

I live in South Birmingham, England, and if I think I have to leave the car out of sight. I won't take it!

However, when the alarm clock goes off and the sun is shining through the bedroom window, my first thought is ALWAYS, can we take the 360?

There fast, very fast, my other car is a 2004 500SL, and although it is a truly beautiful car, for sheer exhilaration, the Ferrari is just stunning.

It's the only car I've ever owned that I won't let anyone else drive, well other than my partner. I'll gladly take you for a spin, but you won't get the keys!

Performance, handling and of course the sound, make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, but treat it with respect... Even with the perfect manners and the technology... It will hurt you if you get it wrong.

So to sum up, I love this car very much. I've never been a biker, but would imagine it's the same as having your pride and joy in the garage to enjoy when you can.

Though unlike a bike, people have to touch it, lean over it to look in, even try the door handles!

Finally, I would not even begin to compare it to my Mercedes. I do 40K a year in that. It's quick, it's quiet, it's fast and very practical. Plus it has a metal roof that folds away at the press of a button.

For every day use the Mercedes is perfect (unless you have kids), but don't try and compare the two, they are very different creatures!