The looks I can live with. Its the physical driving of the car that is the true let down for a car costing this much money. The engine is strong, with good low end punch, but it doesnt have handling and feel to really exploit the power of the engine. The dials in the center of the dash are "retro" but also I believe there was a REAL reason why they dont put them there anymore...THEY STINK!. I mean when you want to drive hard and match RPMs with downshifting you have to constantly gaze a good ways away to the center console, which really is hindering while turning because you have to take your eyes off the road.

I have come to realize the Z8 is more of a cruising car than a true sports car. It ammusses me when I read magazines that compare the 360 and Z8. Owning both the Z8 can never keep up with a 360. In a straight line maybe, but around turns or under breaking, the ferrari shows its true sports car nature. Overall the 360 is a trully amazing exhilerating ride, there is a great sense of occassion and heritage when you fire the engine up and it reaches a distinctive scream at redline. The Z8 feels more like a oversized M roadster, steering is over-assisted, clutch is rubbery and not notchy enough, and ergonomics do not lend themselves to real sports driving.

The Z8 is exclusive. I have not seen another one on the road. I have actually seen a few 360's in my area. I just wish BMW had made a really RAW (back to basics) sports coupe, roadster. BMW seems to be getting really soft in their set ups. I had the chance to test drive a new M3 last weekend and was really shocked how soft that car is. The steering is so light its sad, it gives you no feel whatsoever. The car itself gives you very little "feel" and its sad that bmw has killed the enjoyment in their 3 series, they used to be a great car for the money.

I used to own porsche over ferrari for the useabilty of porsches and their distincitive driving feel. But a few years ago Ferrari and Porsche went into different directions. Porsche decided to over refine their cars, make them so anyone can drive them fast, and offer automatics in everything. Basically Porsche took the fun out of their cars and replaced it with ECU improvements..but has the car really advanced?? I dont think so. Ferrari on the other hand went back to its roots with the 360. Its a full fledged race car for the road, loud, rough, edgy, BUT REWARDING. Its the most thrilling car I have ever driven, and is packaged very nicely compared to my 355 I used to have.

I think BMW needs to define what direction their cars are going to persue in the future. I hope they arent all soft models aimed at selling to woman who need light steering for easier parking...thats sad. I wish they would produce a car like the Z8 that was more edgy and exciting and more rewarding in the sense of driver feedback. I would definately look into a high end BMW again if they did so. They make great engines, but have kind of loss their great handling characteristics that made them such great cars a few years back. Hopefully they will turn this trait around.

As for me I am selling the Z8. If I wanted just a cruising convertible at this price I would have got the DB7, and thats exactly what I am going to get.