Before I get behind B the wheel, it is worth my while to stand back and take a good look at the 360. Design is subjective, but one thing is clear: The shape of the 360 has to be one of the most rounded modern/ modern-classic Ferrari there has been. Or let's call it smooth? Its predecessor was the F355, which was pretty in its own right, but still had more direct lines with sharper edges than the 360. Its successor was the F430, which once again offered a sharper design. The result is that the moulded design of the 360 (by Pininfarina) has split opinion, but what you can't debate is what it offers as a package, or its performance.
The Spider was offered with a single clutch automated manual transmission, with 670 units produced as a six-speed manual. Today the manual derivatives (both in the coupé and Spider versions) trade for a significant premium above the automatic models.
The owner of this car has been a car fan his whole life. "I always wanted a Ferrari. However, I first had a Porsche 911, which was a good car. The first Ferrari I drove was a friend's 308. I didn't expect much, but after driving it for a few days I realised it was quite a car. Then a manual 360 Spider came up for sale and I went and drove it. I was blown away. It just exceeded my expectations. I missed my chance to buy it, but when this one came up for sale in Cape Town, I grabbed the opportunity and acquired it. My first drive was in Cape Town and it is truly magnificent. Honestly, I'm still coming to terms with the fact that I own a Ferrari."
Heading out towards the quieter roads around The Cradle of Humankind, I'm immediately impressed with the small footprint of the 360. Modern cars have grown in size and it is a welcoming experience to pilot a car that feels so compact on the road, by comparison. You sit very low to the ground, almost on the floor of the car.
Esta historia es de la edición CAR July 2023 de CAR South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición CAR July 2023 de CAR South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Toyota Fortuner
Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.
MIND THE HURDLE
With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish
KING OF KILLARNEY
For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment
Super C
The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.
Bentley's Brutes
A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...
BAND OF BROTHERS
Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.
TWELVE OF THE BEST
Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT
