2003 Ferrari 360 Modena F1

Guide price: £60,000 - £70,000

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

● Low mileage (16,900) three-owner car

● Superb condition inside and out

● Challenge Stradale upgrades to exhaust, ECU and TCU

● Novitec suspension

● Service documents detailing over £16,000 of work

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Be honest, who amongst us hasn’t dreamt of owning a Ferrari? For the lucky few, ownership of a Prancing Horse doesn’t involve making hard lifestyle choices: it’s simply a case of registering an interest, putting up a deposit and waiting for delivery. For those of us with more limited means, Ferrari ownership is a lifetime goal that has to be carefully planned, totally committed to and feverishly worked towards.

The first and often most difficult step on this journey is to work out which model you can afford, not just to buy but also to run. Many believe that the 360 Modena comes very close to the ideal of a great ‘starter Ferrari’. Launched at the 1999 Geneva show, it was the first Ferrari road car to use aluminium for both the bodywork and the spaceframe. That recipe resulted in a 28 percent reduction in weight and a 40 percent increase in structural stiffness over its predecessor, the F355, already a great car in its own right.

Many of those fortunate enough to have driven both the 355 and the 360 have commented on the later car’s more ‘planted’ feel. The 360 was also the first Ferrari designed to be fitted with either a manual or, as here, an F1 automated manual gearbox which circumvented the manual’s sometimes heavy clutch. The 360’s bigger 3.6-litre 40-valve V8 engine produced nearly 400hp, which was around 40hp up on the 355 with enhanced torque to boot. That engine gave it a top speed of 175mph, a sub-5sec 0-62mph acceleration time, and a new sense of engineered solidity.

Looking at the sparkling condition of our classic crema leather/Rosso Corsa 2003 car, it’s hard to believe that it celebrated its 20th birthday this year. That shows not only the quality of Ferraris when they exit the factory but also the love that’s been put into this one since it came through the gates at Maranello. The car comes with a big history file and desirable extras including a Challenge Stradale exhaust system and Novitec suspension.

The prices of used 360s on PistonHeads range up to nearly £90,000 for low mileage examples. This sub-17,000-mile car certainly falls comfortably into the preferred low mileage bracket for 360s, but its auction reserve is extremely realistic. If you thought you’d never be able to realise your Ferrari dream, this 360 could prove you wrong.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

This Ferrari was first registered in the UK in May 2003. The last MOT was carried out in February this year (2023) at 16,773 miles, when no defects or advisories were noted. In fact, there has been only one advisory in the car’s entire online MOT history going right back to 2006. That advisory was in February 2022 for a deteriorated ball-joint dust cover, which as you’d expect was immediately rectified.

The vendor has owned the 360 since May 2022 and is only the third owner. The private ‘360’ registration number (which stays with the car) was applied by a previous owner in October 2018.

The HPI check does flag up outstanding finance. This will be cleared after a successful auction and prior to the car’s transfer to its new owner. There’s also a note from the National Mileage Register but that was generated as a result of an incorrect mileage entry by the MOT tester in 2008 – one of those frustrating bureaucratic bungles that’s so easy to do and that can be such a pain to undo.

Actual mileages have all been well under 1,000 a year, with fewer than 200 miles done since the February MOT. The leather-bound book pack is present and contains paperwork for the following work, the vast majority of it at Meridien Modena in Lyndhurst, Hants. The 2019 service was at Lancaster Colchester and the 2022 service was by JCT60 Leeds Ferrari.

Major work was carried out in February 2023 by Ferrari Birmingham on the suspension, exhaust and cats. In addition, one wheel hub assembly was replaced at this time.

2004/4,800 miles: service (£1,573)

2006/9,200 miles: service + new timing belt and tensioner (£1,894)

2007/9,600 miles: all springs changed + full geometry check (£1,276)

2008/13,260 miles: service (£1,249)

2012/14,200 miles: service + new timing and aux belts (£1,155)

2015/14,490 miles: service (£952)

2019/15,319 miles: service (£1,515)

2020/15,700 miles: service (£953)

2022/16,628 miles: service (£1,660)

2023/16,773 miles: suspension, exhaust, cat and wheel refit (£4,435)

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

The owner describes the crema leather interior as perfect.

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

The owner tells us that there are three small stone chips on the front bumper. Other than that, he again describes the car as being in perfect condition, with no rust. The car has recently undergone a full professional detail.

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

As above, the service history is comprehensive with two belt changes. Besides the Challenge Stradale exhaust and Challenge Stradale rear grille, the car has had CS electronic engine and transmission control units fitted. By general consent these CS control units transformed the F1 360 into how it should have been when it left the factory.

The car also has the highly rated Novitec sports suspension and still-meaty Pirelli tyres.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

The owner describes his 360 Modena as ‘perfect’ inside and out. Of course, nothing short of a concours winner is perfect, so let’s just call it superb. Take a look at the images and judge for yourself. One thing you could legitimately categorise as perfect, or near to it, is this 360’s spec. The Challenge Stradale control units might not shout ‘look at me’ but they make a big positive difference to the 360 driving experience.

Even if these and the other suspension and exhaust parts weren’t present, who wouldn’t be taken by the idea of a modern and potentially very affordable Ferrari in Rosso Corsa with crema leather, a comprehensive service history, under 17,000 miles covered and just one MOT advisory in 20 years? Pass us the virtual bidding paddle.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. Once on the Q&A forum thread, you can click through to the seller's profile by clicking on their username and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Straford-upon-Avon.