| Author |
Message |
Angelo Spagnoli (Aspag)
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 5:31 am: | |
Would like to know what is the actual difference
between a Euro 360 challenge and a USA 360 challenge version car I thought they were the same |
Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 10:45 am: | |
I also installed the Challenge grill on mine. Besides the looks, which I do think it looks *MUCH* better, the operational engine temperature is a lot lower with it. The rear body panels, which tend to get extremely hot when driving, dont get as hot now with the grill. The only bad part is that when washing the car or when it rains, that whole rear internal area will get all wet (I just stuff towels back there when I wash it).
Regarding the Tubi, the bottom end is a little slower than stock, but throughout the entire rev range it is an BIG improvement. I can outrun stock 360's with no problem (I also have the air filters). But the biggest improvement is the new sound: NOW it sounds like a Ferrari, the stock system was way too quiet for me. But I suggest you drive one with it, because not everyone likes the louder exhaust note. |
J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 7:46 am: | |
Tenney, thanks for the exhaust tip. I didn't order the Challenge grills (my dealer calls them "chicken wire" he also refers to red cars as "resale red"). I saw a red car with the front grills and it didn't look much better.
The F1 vs 6-spd will be a dilemma until I live with the 6-spd for a couple of years. I am fortunate to be on my dealer's wait list(18-24 months)to order a 360 spider. I may order the F1 then. |
Tenney (Tenney)
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 11:15 pm: | |
Jeff, before you commit to Tubi, you may wish to have techs open the step valve in exhaust. This gives you full sound all the time. If not pleased, then go Tubi. Also, some feel Tubi saps some bottom end on 360's. Though would trust Ernesto's take on this.
F1 vs. Stick is a tough one. If I were doing a lot of track days it would be F1 for sure. Otherwise, would take six-speed, I think. Definitely more F1's produced, though. And higher resale with F1, as well.
Did you order the Challenge grill? Also, front Challenge grills are now offered and improve the look a bit, IMO. Either way, congrads. Cool car. |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 5:16 pm: | |
Great color choice. Some of the other colors are so nice, but like you I still like the red with either tan or black interior. You're gonna have a lot of fun, they're so awesome. |
Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 8:33 pm: | |
YES!!!!!! Of course the Tubi.. I did it four months ago and it is simply amazing - the sound and the added power. Check out www.u12buy.com It was like $1,000 below tubi retail price.
I even installed it myself... check out some of my pictures of the installation at netdial.caribe.net/~ernie |
J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 8:21 pm: | |
Well, you have to remember this is my FIRST Ferrari. I chickened out and opted for RED/TAN. When I grew up, it wasn't Ferrari if wasn't red. The color choice was more difficult than the tranny quandry. I believe there are 16 colors and I think at one time or another I saw all 16. I really wanted the gregio titanium with grey interior. Maybe next time... The car is an April/May build. I was told it would be 132 days or less before it arrives. No spare tire, electric seats, leather headliner and red calipers. Pretty much standard stuff. There must be thousands of cars with this same combination.
Now the next question is: TUBI exhaust or not? |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 6:45 pm: | |
I've heard only F1 from some sources and both F1 and manual from others. I wouldn't be surprised if it was solely F1 though. There are so many sides to the F1 vs. 6 speed, the more I think about it the more confused I get. If it was like in the F60 where it was a 7 speed F1 or a 6 speed manual I would definitely get the F1 because of the total race car appeal. No matter which one you pick though, I'm sure you'd be happy, I mean it's a Ferrari.
So fill us in, what options did you get (color ext&int, seat piping, anything you can think of). And like Ernesto said, Congratulations. |
Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 6:05 pm: | |
I hear that the F60 will only come with the F1 tranny, possibly even a real F1-style 7 speed.
Ernesto
Congrats on your car... when do you get it? |
J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 5:54 pm: | |
This is Jeff. The guy who posed the F1 vs 6-spd question. I thought I had a month to decide but my dealer called today and needed my options on the car. I went with the 6-spd. I figured this won't be my last Ferrari. So if I make a mistake, I get back in a long line and order a car with the F1. Someone said a long time ago "nothing is ever a problem if money can solve it"
It was a tough decision though. The F1 is the tranny of the future. Aston Martin has it in the new Advantage. It's the only tranny available. And BMW is offering it in the new M-3. Ferrari is also working on a faster shifting F1.
But I figure Ferrari has been building the 6-spd for over 50 years and has all the "bugs" out. In fact if you have an extra $700k Ferrari will be happy to put one in in your new F60 |
Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 5:08 pm: | |
Yes, all the 360 Challenge racers have the F1 tranny |
Becker Cu�llar (Becker)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 5:03 pm: | |
>>>> 80% of the 360's sold have the F1 tranny.
I also prefer the 6-spd, but wasn't Ferrari actually pushing the F1, in every test drive I've seen there was an F1, in their brochure also I see the same and I think the Challenge only comes with this(I'm not sure about this).
Cheers |
Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 4:26 pm: | |
Well, we can discuss purity and all that forever, and in the end its like you said Bret, it is a purely subjective term. The important thing here is that people cannot be afraid of change, and that is one of the reasons why I love and respect Ferrari so much. They are not afraid to experiment with new designs, engines, and technologies - unlike Porsche, where all the cars look and feel the same. The F1 is something relatively new. Not everyone will like it or accept it, but I really believe it is the future of sports cars, with Aston Martin, Porsche, and Toyota coming out with their own versions within two years.
Many years ago, all sports cars were front engined. When rear or mid engined cars came out, the "purists" said that this was wrong and wanted to stick with tradition. This is much of the same thing! In the end, it boils down to a matter of personal taste. But you cant ignore that the F1 cars are faster than manuals in acceleration and through a road course, the clutch and tranny internals should last longer, and is better suited for every-day driving. And being faster overall while at the same time being more user friendly is what sports cars will always strive to be.
However, I do concede that problems may show up with the electronics in the long term, but so far the 355's with the F1 have had minimal trouble. Also, about 80% of the 360's sold have the F1 tranny.
I was skeptical of the F1 as well, but after spending six months with mine, I am completely convinced. When I drove my uncle's 355 six speed the other day, although it was nice, it felt like an outdated or obsolete technology. Perhaps it is not as "connected" to the car, but it does push the performance envelope higher for Ferrari. |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 3:46 pm: | |
The F1 has it's advantages with the whole is-this-how-they-do-it-at-Monza thing going on, but I still prefer the 6 speed. I've been in a lot of Ferrari's and in almost everyone there has been a stick in the middle. There is nothing like connecting with a car (especially a Ferrari) and no better way to do it then through a manual transmission. You get better and better everytime always keeping you in tune with the car, it's very satisfying. The F1 is a ball, but not as pure as the 6 speed. I would never get a F1 transmission unless it was the only thing available. I think there is a little bit of a novelty hype over the F1 (or at least to me there is), you'll continue to enjoy a 6 speed as long as you own the car. As far as I know (the last time I read the statistics) Ferrari sold more manuals anyway (they make more so I guess it's logical) so the resale would be greater for the 6 speed. Ferrari is notorious for electrical problems so I would like to see the F1 transmission in 10 years. Everything Ernesto says is very true (especially the downshifting enjoyment-the sound is amazing when you do it quickly under braking), it's just which one you like. I for one am like Mike in that I would go with the 6 speed. I just don't really like the F1, it's just getting more and more into a computer driving the car and you asking the computer if you can do certain things without spinning, overreving, etc. whereas the 6 speed is all in your hands. We can say all we want though, the decision is really yours. If you want cutting edge technology go with the F1, if you want pure sports car feeling go with the 6 speed. |
Mike hughes (Mph)
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 3:07 pm: | |
Automatics are for Honda's. Buy a man's car. Get the 6 speed! |
Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
| | Posted on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 8:52 pm: | |
I have had my 360 F1 for about six months.... I have had ZERO problems, and trust me, it never gets boring. In fact, I find the car much more interesting with the F1. Mechanically the tranny is identical to the manual version, so repairing should be no problem. Also, in my opinion, since the takeoffs from standstill and shifting are all perfect and identical all the time, the clutch and components should last longer than in a manual tranny.
I have also taken the car to some driving events at road coarses, and it is a blast to drive there -- especially the downshifting.
I never use the fully auto mode, but I can see that as being a plus for some drivers. If you have any specific questions, e-mail me at [email protected] |
J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
| | Posted on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 6:46 pm: | |
I'm a month away from placing my order for a 360 Modena and I am driving my dealer nuts. This is my first Ferrari. I still cannot decide on which transmission. I have driven them both and know the +'s and -'s of each. I have spoken to some Ferrari mechanics and they prefer the 6speed. The salesmen opt for the F1. The one negative comment I got on the F1 was "after about 45 minutes of driving it was boring". The 6speed is more involving? Any comments would be appreciated. |
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