F360 vs 996 turbo

[sawood12]

I've got a dilemma. Last year I got a gift of one of those trackdays at Donington and can choose to drive either a Ferrari 360 or a 996 Turbo for a handful of laps and i'm struggling to decide.

The Ferrari appeals becasue it is a Ferrari and I am very unlikely to drive one again let alone own one (not that i'm a Ferrari fancier). However my concern is that the F360 is notoriously tricky to drive and might not be as much fun as the 996 turbo. Also the 996 turbo will probably feel faster as the torque comes low in the rev range wheras the Fezza's power comes in the higher RPM. I can't imagine that the insturctor is going to let me loose with both barrels with either car so i'm trying to decide which one i'll have more fun in given my wings will be clipped.

Has anyone taken part in a similar event or driven both cars so can provide some insight?

Cheers.

 

[MarkK]

I would go for the F360- for a couple of laps, it will have a sense of occasion with its really fruity soundtrack,its rear wheel drive as opposed to 4WD,Both the F1 gearbox and the manual are nice on the Fezza but i thought the manual with its metal gate and clack clack noise as you change is really special,its all good though what ever you choose!

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

I have driven both although not very fast and personally I prefer the 996 turbo the Ferrari does feel a bit more special inside until I saw the bits that had fallen off and that the carpets were peeling away not that that is really any odds (oddly enough a comon problem as the 4 other 360s I drove had the same problem)
I think with this sort of thing it's what car do you really want to drive which one does your heart go for more.

 

[sambaman]

fezza...you will love it..they really do come into there own on a track...took my CS to the ring a month or so ago..jesus..it was such a experience..one i wont forget quickly...

 

[Diver944]

Fezza every time. Much as I love the 996T and would own one in a flash, I would have to choose the 360 for a one off track treat [8D]

 

[zcacogp]

FFS MAN, this is a 944 FORUM - Look at the top of the screen!

Eff-off with these questions about lower-class cars, buy yourself a nice S2 (best of the bunch, natch) and stop wasting our time with daydreams about squashed beetles and over-hyped fiats!

Right, back to plate lift and overly-expensive clutch replacements .... not to mention a goodly helping of rust ...


Oli. >Runs and Hides<

 

[edh]

If you get to use all the revs - go for the 360 - if they make you change up at 5k, go for the Porsche []

I did a corporate day at Prestwold hall years ago - very frustrating in a 355, because you had to change up just as it was really coming on cam [8|]. My favourite car that day was an escort cosworth that had been coverted to RWD.

I wouldn't worry about reaching the limits of the 360 - I'm sure it's very capable, & the instructors aren't going to let you get close to the limits (In my experience it's only the guys at Palmer days that encourage you to push beyond your capabilities)

 

[Hilux]

Both the F1 gearbox and the manual are nice on the Fezza

Believe me the semi auto paddle shift is cr*p, with slow ponderous changes and a lack of engine braking, all it does is make your down changes sound brilliant as it blips the throttle.

Having said that if you never driven either in anger then either will surprise you BUT most of the `drive a supercar` days will leave you disappointed as they keep you in a high gear, wont let you floor the throttle for long and have a max rev limit.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I did one of these. Focus RS, Scooby and a 360.

I'd confirm that a Ferrari that's been completely knackered by thousands of laps with photocopier salesmen banging it into reverse at 80mph, with an instructor who makes you drive like a learner, is a waste of time over a few laps. In hindsight I'd have prefered to do the whole day in the Focus, more time in one car that's fun at the speeds they allow you to do would be better.

 

[Black_JPN]

It has to be the Ferrari.

I once did 3 laps in a Gallardo and thought I'd be going at a snails pace. Not a chance the instructor was a top bloke and after a couple of rides rounds the track in a Scooby I was first up in the drivers seat of the Lambo. I was told in no uncertain terms to give it a good spanking which I did within the limits of my abilities as a track driver. Still he told me it was a good drive and after watching the others I'm sure had it been timed I'd was the quickest!

I did do 3 laps round Goodwood in a 328 once too (Ferrari not BMW), that was seriously dull. I've had more fun through my Volvo estate round roundabouts. Didn't get out of 5th the whole time. Waste of money, I guess they were just looking after the car. It was really designed for people to say 'hey I drove a Ferrari'.

So I guess it all depends on the instruction, the car and the company running it as to what sort of drive you'll get.

 

[morris944s2john]

Ferarri, simply because I already own a Porsche and have driven/ been in many others. Only ever sat in ferarri in a show room and made "broom broom" noises.[]

 

[duncan_956]

Oulton Park do a similar supercar track day, and 3 years ago I went for the 996 turbo experience, and decided that I would pay a bit extra and have a few laps in a 360, as i probably wouldn't have that opportunity to do it again!!

The ferrari sounded fantastic and was a real sense of occassion, however it was actually owned by someone (not by the instructor) and i was tutored accordingly. I was made to change up early on in the revs, and didn't really get to fully appreciate the engine, and like Hilux i wasn't that impressed with the paddle shift. It seemed to take a while to engage the gear after pulling on the lever, and the shift was nowhere near as quick as the 430 that Clarkson drove in Top Gear in the new series. However it's the first paddle shift car i've ever driven so i can't really judge.

The Porsche was borrowed from a garage, i think, and the instructor was a bit more relaxed with how the car was driven, pushing me a bit further, allowing me to get more from the car and change gear a lot further up the revs. The Porsche is a lot smoother and easier to drive, as you'd expect, and i was amazed at how fast you were actually going, when you could look at the speedo.

You are made to drive well within the cars limits, but like Black_JPN says, it depends who you get as an instructor as to how you are allowed to push the car. The Porsche is obviously more a GT tourer, and a very quick one at that, the Ferrari is a lot rawer and louder. For me I would go for the Porsche, but then i've always loved the marque, and it's been a dream for me to drive a 911 turbo. You won't be dissappointed with either...........i spent the whole day with a silly grin on my face!!

 

[sawood12]

Well, went on my F360 experience today. Was good but unfortunately you only get about three laps in the car. Impressions of the 360 are that it is a very nice piece of kit. The flappy paddle gearbox is just rubbish. I've even go as far to say it isn't fit for purpose. It feels like the brakes are slammed on in-between shifts. The VW DSG system are far superior. Even though I was taking it gingerly round the bends the instructor was happy for me to wring its neck in the straights. Must admit the sound of the engine is a real spine tingler but i'd say that the rate of accellaration is on a par and maybe not quite as much as my 944 turbo. It certainly didn't feel much faster. Granted the power is available instantly so no turbo lag, and the engine revs much higher so you can hold gears longer so the car is undoubtedly quicker, but the rate of accellaration didn't feel as brutal. Interesting that the instructor said the 996 turbo is a 'significantly' faster car in all but ideal warm and dry conditions. He also rated 944's and said he used to race them and recommended Cadwell Park as a track that suits them.

Anyway, was a very nice experience.

 

[333pg333]

Good for you Scott. Nice to hear you had a good day out....er well 3 laps anyway. That's a bit rich to only do 3 laps in my opinion, but at least you can say you've driven a Ferrari on the track. Pity about the paddles.[]

 

[Hilux]

i'd say that the rate of accellaration is on a par and maybe not quite as much as my 944 turbo

Its no quicker believe me, I`ve been up against my friends (spyder admittedly) []

 

[Fen]

I was going to disagree having only very slightly reeled one in in my RS6, and believe me that was a lot quicker than a 944T, but then I realised it was a 430 Spyder rather than a 360.

Being not all that interested in red cars nor Italian cars, so really not at all in red Italian cars I have to ask - is the 430 significantly quicker than the 360?

 

[333pg333]

Fen, I noticed here in Sydney recently the local Ferrari club had two meetings at tracks we frequent. I was surprised by how mediocre the times were. I mean they weren't dead slow but not what I was expecting. Not that this is a reflection of the potential of the cars, more of the owners. However it seems to me that Porsche drivers push their cars closer to the edge than there Ferraristi counterparts.

 

[sawood12]

Well on paper the 430 is quicker, but not by a significant margin. I reckon by the seat of the pants feel you'd probably be hard pressed to feel the difference. The problem with the 360 I believe is that it is a bit twitchy on the limit whereas the 430 is a bit more benign and easier to drive. I'm no Ferrari enthusiast - they're OK and I respect them for their heritage etc and this experience hasn't really changed my opinion of them. In fact I got back into my 944 afterwards and it didn't feel like a 20yr old car.

Pat - you are right - 3 laps is pretty rubbish really - however it was a gift so didn't cost me anything (though it cost my dad £220!!! I'll have to big up the experience for his benefit). The track was damp so I must admit I was a bit intimidated so I probably crept round on the first lap, the second lap I pushed a bit harder, and on the third, just as I was starting to get my confidence up and get a feel for the car and thinking "I'm going to give it some stick on the next lap" I was instructed to pull into the pits. I must admit, the way the car felt it did feel like a well polished machine, very precise steering and very composed. However the interior was rubbish. I realise these cars probably see alot more action than the average 360 sold to private punters (i.e. they actually do get out of the garage and get driven) but the interior was just simply cheap and nasty. Not the sumptuous environment of nice leather and quality plastic's that Porsches have. More like a Punto. I'd be a bit dissapointed if i'd shelled out £120k for one.

 

[Fen]

ORIGINAL: 333pg333

Fen, I noticed here in Sydney recently the local Ferrari club had two meetings at tracks we frequent. I was surprised by how mediocre the times were. I mean they weren't dead slow but not what I was expecting. Not that this is a reflection of the potential of the cars, more of the owners. However it seems to me that Porsche drivers push their cars closer to the edge than there Ferraristi counterparts.

I agree - I haven't really seen a hard driven Ferrari on track, though a friend has a good tale of chasing a 456 round Thruxton for a few laps in his 220 Turbo then being confronted by it spinning 180 degrees, spending what seemed like ages looking the Ferrari driver in the eye as he braked from 100+mph, which the Fezza was now doing backwards in front of him before it speared off into the barrier. The incident I am referring to in my RS6 was on a straight dual carriageway though and it was just a case of opening the throttle wide and hanging on.

I assume it's a combination of the type of people who buy them, the cost, the fragility and the relatively unforgiving on-limit characteristics some of them have (used to have?)

 

[TTM]

ORIGINAL: Fen
is the 430 significantly quicker than the 360?

A friend who works as a driving instructor would answer "yes".
He also reckons the paddles work much better on the 430 and are actually truly enjoyable. For what it's worth anyway.