If you are looking for an amazing ride at an affordable price, the Ferrari 360 Modena was built in a variety of flavors from 2000 to 2004. It was a clean-sheet design, which gave the stylists at Pininfarina the ability to sculpt a masterpiece that would survive through its successors to 2015.
Ferrari 360 Modena Standout Features
To get an idea of just how revolutionary it was, the Ferrari 360 Modena is 10% larger in almost every dimension. This allows for more interior comfort and even more cargo room. Bigger usually means heavier when it comes to new cars, so Ferrari shocked the world. In an unprecedented move, they decided to build the 360 Modena on a new aluminum chassis. Aluminum is worlds apart from the steel spaceframe used on earlier cars, so they turned to the best in the business.
Assembly and design of the Ferrari 360 Modena chassis were given to ALCOA. The Aluminum Company of America built a dedicated factory near Maranello to supply the new components. This partnership was so profound, many chassis and body panels were used on the F430 and 458 Italia successors. Saying sayonara to steel is how the 360 Modena is 28% lighter than the car it replaced.
Ferrari 360 Engine
In a never-ending quest for more power, the bore and stroke were increased from the F355. The new 3.6-liter V8 was loaded with exotic parts like titanium rods and a flat-plane crankshaft. It made 395 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. As like Ferraris of old, maximum power was achieved at a screaming 8,500 rpm, with the redline being only 200 rpm later. If you need more power, the aftermarket has embraced the Ferrari 360 with a host of upgrades. The intake valve timing is fixed, but the exhaust cams have variable timing. An aftermarket tune will advance the exhaust cams. This offers a mean growl and snappy response.
Ferrari 360 Transmission
Two transmissions were offered. The single-clutch automatic F1 utilized the same paddle shift technology as their F1 cars, and dealers sold it as the gearbox from the future. They can be costly to maintain, so the six-speed manual is the most popular Ferrari 360 for sale. You will pay a premium to shift your own gears, so the F1 shouldn’t be considered a deal-breaker. It utilizes a high-pressure hydraulic pump to operate the clutch and shifting. Excessive clutch wear can be avoided by not slipping or creeping in traffic. If you treat the clutch as an on/off switch, it will offer years of life.
Ferrari 360 Modena Specs:
Horsepower: 395
Torque (lb-ft): 275
0-60 mph (seconds): 4.3
0-100 mph (seconds): 12.1
1/4 Mile: 12.4 @ 111 mph
Weight (lbs): 2,976
Production: 8,500
Ferrari 360 Brakes
Carbon ceramic rotors may be state of the art, but they are too expensive for most owners who daily drive their cars. The Ferrari 360 arrived with traditional cast iron rotors and Brembo calipers. Using more inspiration from their Formula1 team, the rotors were vented and cast with cooling holes. Not only in the swept area, but the rotor hats are also made to conserve unsprung weight. The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale utilized carbon ceramic brakes, which are a popular upgrade.
Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
If you want the ultimate street legal example, the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale offered serious upgrades. Usually, streetcars inspire race cars, but the 360 CS was actually the opposite. The Ferrari 360 Challenge series showed the factory how to build the ultimate street machine. It is 243 lbs lighter than the 360 Modena because engineers began with a goal of 20% track use and 80% street driving. Improvements to the intakes and exhaust yielded 20 more horsepower. The ceramic brakes are shared with the Enzo. Instead of urethane parts on the 360 Modena, the bumpers, rockers and other trim were made of Resin Transfer Molded parts or carbon fiber. Glass was replaced with Lexan, and all luxuries like a radio and cockpit insulation were optional.
Ferrari 360 Styling
Andrea Pininfarina was a talented stylist who carried his Grandfather’s company into the 21st century. The Ferrari 360 Modena is one of their crowning achievements, as it only required mild revisions to become the F430. Another facelift resulted in the 458 Italia, with three models based on the same basic lines. It was initially offered as the 360 Modena coupe. A convertible arrived soon after, the soft top Ferrari 360 Spider.
Ferrari 360 Price
In keeping with cars of its caliber, and staying below the 575 and 612 series, the Ferrari 360 Spider arrived with a retail price of $172,000. If you wanted a convertible with the F1 transmission, the Ferrari 360 Spider F1 added $10,400 to that. A base model Ferrari 360 Modena coupe could be had for $147,988. Given their asking prices today along with inflation, they are a bargain in the world of exotic cars.
Ferrari 360 Interior
We all know the look and smell of 90’s interiors. Molded carpet that looks like a trunk liner has visible edges and barely fits the contours of the floor pan. A center console complete with plasti-dip surfaces that are sticky and peeling. The interior of a Ferrari 360 can make or break your decision to buy. Yes, the peeling plastic can be reapplied, but it looks much better painted or covered in leather. The carpet is easily replaced by a competent upholstery shop, and it will offer more sound and heat insulation than the original tapestries.
Other Considerations
Before you even go for a test drive, get online and talk to owners. You will need a budget for getting the car up to date in service and infotainment, and you will need to find a local shop that you can trust. If you want a daily driver, the Challenge Stradale is much more brutal over broken pavement. The 360 Spider is not as solid in the corners, and the top mechanism involves another set of maintenance concerns. Nevertheless, our dealers are ready to help you, so click the link below and find a great deal on your Ferrari 360.
