2002 Ferrari 360 Modena 3.6 V8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A beautiful, tuneful, wonderful liability

Faults:

Misfire when cold. Came and went - never properly sorted.

General Comments:

For what it did, I enjoyed the car immensely. Lots of power, a noise that can't fail to make you smile, and surprisingly involving and adjustable handling. Quite happy to be thrown about too, although it's not exactly appropriate to play the hooligan in a car which everyone seems to be looking at even when you're driving sensibly. Miss a gear in this, and it's hideously embarassing!

In 14 months and 6,000 miles I was pulled over six times. Two of those times the officers seemed more keen to sit in it and look at/listen to the engine than give me a ticket. Not that I'm complaining of course, but the phrase "abuse of power" does for some reason spring to mind.

Other than that, it's what you'd expect. Beautiful, musical, shatteringly fast, obscenely expensive to run (10-12 mpg hurts regardless of your income), obsecenely expensive to service (£2,000+ a time), obscenely expensive to insure (£don't ask!) and perhaps worst of all, you simply can't leave it anywhere. I returned to it on a busy town centre street in October to find a brick resting on what was left of the windscreen, having bounced it's way up the bonnet. It was also keyed twice before, again both in so called "nice" areas, in broad daylight and with plenty of people about.

Much as I loved the car, British society had rendered it pointless. When a car can't be parked without being vandalised, and speed obsessed cops are attracted to it like flies to excreta, even the most ardent petrolhead and Ferrari nut would eventually start to ask the simple question. Why. This I did one crisp autumn morning back in October 03, and among the tears (literally) when her new owner drove her away, there came a certain sense of relief too. She went to a good home, and I wouldn't have to worry about her any more. But neither would I enjoy the wail of her flat plane crank V8 as it nudged 9,000 RPM!

Buy one, but be prepared for British society to display its disapproval. People will damage it, council estate kids will spit at you and throw cans as you pass, and the police will harrass you. If I said all of this didn't take the shine off owning it, I would be lying.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd February, 2004

19th Oct 2004, 08:13

This is an excellent review. This individual definitely brings up some interesting, often disregarded points about Ferrari ownership.

Most people are so caught up in the boyhood Ferrari fantasy that they are unable to remember that the price you pay to own one is more than that of the car.

Jealousy or sheer ire are no doubt concerns, and if someone keyed or threw a brick at my (hypothetical) Ferrari, I couldn't imagine a worse feeling.

I suppose that folks who are considering buying one to stimulate their self-esteem will be disappointed, as I can just imagine teenagers in cars laughing and poking fun at you if your top is down.

I am starting to think maybe this hatred of the Ferrari by proles is sensible, and possibly their point holds water. Buying a $200,000 car when so many people are starving just seems to show an unadulterated arrogance, and a dissonant, far removed sense of social responsibility.

But damn it, I can't help loving them, as ridiculous as they are.

View 13 more comments

2002 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 3.6L V8 DOHC 40V from North America

Summary:

A little pricey, but worth it

Faults:

The glove compartment door, opens up on its own when going over speed bump at 10+ MPH.

The car is not that comfortable.

For being 6'3 and 250 LBS, it's not that roomy.

General Comments:

All in all this car screams, very quick and responsive. Eats corvettes and vipers on the 1/4 mile.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd January, 2004

27th Jul 2004, 08:18

You bought a Ferrari to race 'Vettes and Vipers in a straight line?

Tsk, Americans.

20th Mar 2006, 05:34

For just acceleration alone such as in the quarter mile, you're much better off having a cheaper sports car like that Corvette or Viper, and just spending a little extra on souping up the engine, if you don't wanna spend too much on a car with real good performance, if you're not rich.

Extremely expensive cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis, are better off the assembly line with performance than less expensive sports cars off the assembly line, but souping any car up can go a long way. Take the movie "The Fast and The Furious" for example.

2nd Dec 2006, 08:05

Corvette, Viper, Porsche are not in the same league as a Ferrari, and should not be mentioned in the same sentence or paragraph.

Please, go buy a vette then.

27th Nov 2008, 14:43

I am enjoying my ride.. its cool and giving me feel of speed on highways.. try it..

7th Jun 2013, 21:37

I think there is no need to comment on the owner comparison with Corvettes and Co. I don't think the owner intended to put down Corvettes. Ferrari is anyway in another league, and not just on the speed level.

In reply to 2nd Dec 2006, 08:05

8th Jun 2013, 12:24

You are correct. The Ferrari in this review should not be compared. The Corvette ZL1 and even the mid point Grand Sport are faster 0-60 and have a higher top speed. The 2013 shares Ferrari suspension technology on many models as well. My car is rarely ever in the shop and my sons Viper likewise. The Viper is low production (under 5000 annually) with a race inspired frame at 750 HP supercharged, with the Vette at 638 HP. All are super cars in this day and age, not sports cars.

In Europe the Corvette is extremely popular as they are really bulletproof. It is not uncommon to have 2 Vipers or current Vettes residing in the same garage by owners. At any rate, this model will be left viewing the rear ends of our cars without mods required. We are obviously extremely proud of ours.