Ford GT vs Ferrari 360 Modena F1.


John B

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jan 28, 2006
158
I bought my GT as a replacement for my Ferrari 360 Modena F1 but decided to wait and drive the GT to really make sure I prefer it to the 360 before making a move to sell the 360. Well, the GT arrived Saturday morning. I must say it was even more awe inspiring in person as it rolled off the transporter than it was in pictures. I've put 600 miles on it in the last three days and all I can say is WOW! The GT is the most exciting street car I have ever driven! The GT and the 360 seem to come together from opposite ends of the spectrum. The GT seems like a race car made streetable while the 360 in comparison seems like a street car adapted towards high speed touring and perhaps racing. The 360 definately wins in creature comforts. The cabin is much more spacious, It's taller & feels wider. The GT on the other hand is tight, but not overly so. There is no excess space, the roof is low and perpetually makes you aware of the cars racy pedigree. the 360 trunk can hold hold a suprising amount of stuff while the GT's is virtually worthless, it's effectively the glove box since there isn't one inside the car. Visibility out of the 360 is also far superior, you can really see everywhere. In the GT rear 3/4 visibility is non existent. It is very difficult to make quick lane changes, pulling out from obtuse angles into traffic, and parking maneuvers. On the road The 360 feels darty and twitchy, almost overly so while the GT feels firm and planted, very confidence inspiring. I love how the GT can just rumble down the highway at 80 mph just under 2,000 rpm. The 360 is usually turning close to 4,000 on the highway. The acceleration in the GT is phenominal!! We ran the two cars together in an informal roll-on from about 50 mph on a straight divided highway and it was truely amazing how badly the GT dusted the 360. I actually thought the person driving my 360 didn't go full throttle but afterward found out he indeed was. The 360 is better in all the things that dont really matter much to me in cars like this, but it's the GT that gets my pulse going faster. I plan to take them to a track day together and run them hard back to back in the spring and really have a good comparison. In the mean time it's the GT keys I find myself going for.
 

CHAD

GT Owner
Feb 17, 2006
124
Sarasota, FL
I totally agree and am replacing my 360 with the GT as well. It is a fun car and the only car I have driven that gets as many looks as my yellow Viper. If you haven't had a Viper, you can not even believe the gawk factor those cars produce. Well, if you have a GT, I guess you can.
 

LEMANSZ

Gt Owner
Jan 11, 2006
601
SoCal
DITTO...got rid of my F430 for almost all of the same issues..LOVE IT MUCH MORE...
 

Fast Freddy

GPS'D 225 MPH
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 5, 2005
2,737
Avondale, Arizona
John B said:
I bought my GT as a replacement for my Ferrari 360 Modena F1 but decided to wait and drive the GT to really make sure I prefer it to the 360 before making a move to sell the 360. Well, the GT arrived Saturday morning. I must say it was even more awe inspiring in person as it rolled off the transporter than it was in pictures. I've put 600 miles on it in the last three days and all I can say is WOW! The GT is the most exciting street car I have ever driven! The GT and the 360 seem to come together from opposite ends of the spectrum. The GT seems like a race car made streetable while the 360 in comparison seems like a street car adapted towards high speed touring and perhaps racing. The 360 definately wins in creature comforts.

funny, this is how i would describe the difference between my viper and my vette. with the viper being more like the GT and the vette bein more like the 360.
 

DeaconBlues

GT Owner
Feb 7, 2006
92
New Mexico
"confidence inspiring".......exactly. As intimidating as the exterior is, once you get some seat time the GT feels like an old and trusted friend. But don't lose your respect for that 550 hp!
 

TheCreditMan

Member
Feb 19, 2006
13
Midwest
360 Spider Owner

John B, very well written opinion above. I am looking forward to owning a Ford GT soon. I currently own my second 360 Spider. I love the car.

But the Ford GT is one of the most stunning designs ever built. I was at the Chicago Historic Auto Races at Road America a few years ago and there was a vintage GT. I couldn't stop looking at it. A few years ago at the Chicago Auto Show I must have spent an hour looking at the Ford GT from every possible angle.

When I first learned they were going to make the car, I rushed to a Ford dealer and put down a deposit. Then the fun began as the dealer played games, and later screwed me to the wall.

Anyway, now that prices are finally falling back to earth, I am a buyer again. The hardest part is picking the color. Stripe or no stripe? Every color on this car is beautiful, in my opinion. And stripe or no stripe it still looks incredible.

Decisions, decisions...!
 

SLF360

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
John B said:
I plan to take them to a track day together and run them hard back to back in the spring and really have a good comparison. In the mean time it's the GT keys I find myself going for.

Spare that. It's a waste of time, just take the GT - and get familiar is the objective then.
If, and only if, you would want a comparison, you'd have to take the stradale to the track. And, the Gt is NOT about track, it's about LA to Las Vegas and back in a weekend... Or, just for a celebration cruise to a meet or pub, or club, or or or.

The 360 is a very accomplished car. But the Gt is a very different beast. More fun for the boys, less comfy for the ladies..

Just my POV, permitting...

stefan
 

SLF360

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Forgot one thing: Love the GT, love the Stradale, will change the 360 Spyder for a 430 Spyder in a few weeks...

None of these cars is for sale. They all have a well defined purpose, different to each other for me.. :wink
 

SLF360

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
By the way, the F1 shifter on the regular 360 sucks... It's for granpas and show offs on the parkinglot. Unless you have it on sport, it is shifting like a 70 year old grandma..
regualr car, manual stick. Track car, F1 (stradale).

so much to the red's here...