| Author | Message | ||
| Chris Richardson (Boozy)
Junior Member Username: Boozy Post Number: 175 Registered: 11-2001 |
Very well put Brian. To me it's one of those things that if you have to ask... For those of us who couldn't live without the thrill of actually shifting it's an easy choice: get the 6 speed. If you have to ask, get the F1. | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Junior Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 117 Registered: 3-2002 |
Just thought I'd reinforce a few things others have said: 1) You can learn to drive the F1 smoothly. I have no issue smoothly parallel parking, backing into spots (even on an incline), whatever. I occasionally jerk the car... but the same is true of a stick. 2) I bought a 360 partially because of the F1 transmission. Its a lot of what makes it worth the investment... to me. 3) Launching requires very similar learning as with a manual. My advice: do with your right foot what you normally would, and the car will do the left foot for you. Works for most things. Do NOT try to drive it like an automatic and expect it to work like an automatic (even in "auto" mode). 4) The factory tape strips yellow horribly. Worse, on my car, they bonded to the paint. When I removed four of them, they came off fine. But the two on the back bumper ripped off paint... had to have the back bumper painted. Recommendation: get them off your car ASAP. 5) Get Stongard put on; far less noticable than all the nicks, scratches, and gouges you would otherwise get. Ferrari paint isn't the toughest stuff. 6) The F1 is fabulous. But if you particularly enjoy heel&toe or trying to execute great shifts yourself, get the 6-speed. If you, like me, see no point in perfecting skills the car/computer can do better, and would rather focus on mastering the stuff the car can't do, then get the F1. (Very similar to ABS, IMO... its fun to try to threshold brake perfectly... and done perfectly, can slightly beat ABS... but in general, the car does it better. So, I focus on mastering the line around the track given I know I can reliably threshold brake every time, thanks to ABS.) Brian | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Junior Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 114 Registered: 3-2001 |
Tim, It's hard to describe the action to get a performance launch with the F1 box......What I tend to do is give a good amount of gas pedal, let the clutch bite, the car launch, and then increase the gas.....I find that if you give the gas pedal smooth, fast, and increasing depression, the car doesn't get a good clutch bite (it almost feels like a clutch slip)and the takeoff is neither fast nor smooth.....Like I said it is quite hard to describe how to do it, I just know it works for me. | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Member Username: T88power Post Number: 422 Registered: 2-2001 |
Then again, if its reliability you seek, buy a Lexus... Ernesto | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 963 Registered: 9-2001 |
If you're going to keep the car after the warranty is gone, go with the 6 speed. The F1 tranny is an amendment to the Dealership's Retirement Act, right behind the cam belt change. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1082 Registered: 6-2001 |
How do you launch an F1? Just floor it or what? | ||
| Roger Arlen (Rogera)
New member Username: Rogera Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2002 |
I own an F1 and have had a few hours of time in a 360 6 speed. I agree with the comments of others who accurately note that the 360's F1 gearbox is not a "hop in the car and go" transmission. It does take a little practice to get smooth and to learn some of it's quirks. For me, I prefer the F1 because of a) the speed of the upshifts; b) the amazing feeling and sound of the downshifts with the perfectly matched computer controlled throttle blips; and c) the convenience of not having to use a clutch when driving in traffic. My biggest critique would be that the car is a little "balky" from a standing start but I've gotten used to it and believe the overall benefits outweigh the negatives. | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Junior Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 113 Registered: 3-2001 |
Ross, The discoloration you are talking about is the crappy helicopter tape that Ferrari puts on the air intakes and wheel arches.....It's their equivalent to Stoneguard....It goes a disgusting yellow color after a couple of months....worst of all it doesn't stop the stone chips...The paint is fine, its the tape that has changed color Ernesto, totally agree with your F1 comments, a day with an F1 gear shift just isn't long enough to be smooth with the system....I wonder how many people were smooth with a stick shift after 1 day.....I actually get annoyed reading journalists constantly criticising the F1 box...It actually says more about how little time they actually spent in the car..... | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Junior Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 119 Registered: 5-2002 |
If your looking to move into the 21st century, I'd say get the F1.. My 2 cents would be to save the 10 grand on the F1 and get the classic gated shifter. Use that savings towards the options like; 1. challenge grille 2. sheild on the front fender 3. daytona seats 4. racing seats I know you can't get all, but look into each of those and see what suits your needs.... Good luck and let us know what you choose | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Member Username: T88power Post Number: 420 Registered: 2-2001 |
The bottom line is that if you only spend a day with an F1 car, you wont get the hang of it. That is why most people who test drive or magazines testers say it the F1 is clunky and not smooth. I felt the same way at first. But after some practice, they shift very smooth. I guess it all comes down to taste, but I have loads of fun with my 360 F1, and the tranny was one of the reasons why I purchased a 360. I guess some people were against power steering and ABS brakes on Ferraris at first. The most important thing is not to base your decision on a ten minute test drive. You have to really drive it to understand it. | ||
| Kevin Johnson (Jammy)
New member Username: Jammy Post Number: 36 Registered: 3-2002 |
Ross, The discolouration you've seen could be stone chipping, which in this location takes off flakes of paint (glancing blow) leaving a paler base colour behind . The other (related) possibility is a bad paint job. I had the lower sills and intake edges armourfended straight away when I saw what 1000 miles could do to an unprotected 360 (a mess), as well as the front bumper, wheel arches and mirror backs. On topic now, my choice was manual after testing both manual and F1 around Brands Hatch. I have been told, on this board, that the upshift jerk with the F1 (a phenomenon not a description) was due to the car having the wrong piss settings. Anyway, manual and happy! Kevin | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Junior Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 107 Registered: 10-2001 |
If this is your only Ferrari , then get a 6 Spd. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member Username: Ross Post Number: 110 Registered: 3-2002 |
another point against the f1 shifter is parking. i understand that if you have to parallel park, its a bit nerve wracking as it jerks into reverse and during slow movements it tends to fry the clutch. as for the grills, i personally like the front challenge but the rear normal, it looks more finished. one question i have for you 360 owners is that i have seen quite a few with discolorations around the lower side air intakes. what is that from and is it permanent? | ||
| Luigi Gatti (Luigi)
New member Username: Luigi Post Number: 50 Registered: 10-2001 |
I'm another fan of the classic gated shifter, I also find the one on the Modena to be the best gearchange ever fitted to a Ferrari. I find it so much more involving to be able to do your own heel n toe and throttle blips, it helps to really feel part of the car. I think it is really a subjective matter, the F1 system can also have a huge appeal for different reasons. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 747 Registered: 8-2001 |
Definitely order the front and rear Challenge grills. The fronts will keep most rocks and debris from entering the ducts. The standard front grills don't offer much protection. Don't forget to get the front bumper covered with a product like Stonegard. It will save you from doing a repaint. As for the F1 vs 6 speed debate, You'd have to drive both and judge for yourself. What color combo will you be choosing? | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 58 Registered: 6-2001 |
Another vote for a 6 speed--the mechanical metallic click as the lever snicks from gear to gear is the second best sound that the car makes (wait, maybe the intake roar is second, and this is third). I also agree that for frequent track duty, the F1 is likely easier, probably faster, but still not as involving. Having said that, my new M3 will be an SMG, so I appreciate both sides of the argument. Option wise, I would opt for the rear challenge grill as well as the fronts. My 360 had a warranty repair (repaint on the rear flank) where the paint bubbled just above the oil cooler. If the challenge grill keeps things cooler, then it might help. | ||
| Steven J. Solomon (Solly)
Member Username: Solly Post Number: 284 Registered: 6-2001 |
I tried both and bought the 6 speed. Very happy with it, much more involving. Unless you're Schumacher and are racing for money, you don't really need a 5 millisecond shift. Half a second to move the stick is plenty fast and much more fun. I found the paddle shifter unwieldy and clunky. A lot of recent reviews are mentioning this. | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Member Username: T88power Post Number: 419 Registered: 2-2001 |
Go for the F1... you wont look back! Very smooth once you spend more than five minutes with it and super fast shifting. Also, regarding clutch reliability, everything I have seen so far seems to indicate that the F1 treats the clutch much better than the manual, given that every shift is perfect, no burning the clutch, etc etc. No room for error, so longer lasting clutch. | ||
| ELI (Titanium360)
Junior Member Username: Titanium360 Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2002 |
John: I have a 6 speed and had a chance to drive my cousins F1 . All i can tell you is that 6 speed is the way to go. Unless all you want to do is track the car then F1 system is not smooth. It just felt like it was missing something. The gears on the 6 speed are much shorter, quicker and smoother than any past ferrari. just my 2cent. Good Luck. | ||
| Robert Jude Klein (Rjklein4470)
Junior Member Username: Rjklein4470 Post Number: 109 Registered: 3-2002 |
I love the F1 tranny, and I think sometimes I miss grabbing for the iron, but oh those down shifts are so awsome. Put the car in sport mode and enjoy double clutching on the upshift, and down shift. Coming down the gears to the stop light down shifting, and hearing the double clutch priceless. IMHOP, as far as early replacement of the clutch I have heard just the opposite that the standard is more likely to fail | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 746 Registered: 8-2001 |
Not sure about the early clutch replacement part. I just had the 10K mile service done and no need to replace the clutch. | ||
| Becker Cu�llar (Becker)
New member Username: Becker Post Number: 36 Registered: 2-2001 |
My choice is also 6-spd for the reasons others have stated ... also the UK car mag recommends against the F1 trans stating the clutch would need early replacement. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1080 Registered: 6-2001 |
Come on, i'm sure the car cant be THAT bad either way you go. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 114 Registered: 1-2002 |
To me it boils down to a few key points: 1) if you plan on tracking your 360 often-as in 2 or more time a month-then the F1 is clearly better suited. 2) if you prefer the convinence of a semi-AUTOMATIC gearbox, to allow your spouse- who maybe manually imparied- to enjoy the car per se, then again the F1 may be the better choice. 3) If you absouloutly love to have the latest technology available and want to "feel" like Schumacher ripping through the Monaco tunnel everytime you drive through a freeway overpass, then the F1 again is the right choice for you. I know that there are more arguable points to be considered, however, to me these seem to be among the key issues brought up in previous discussions. However, if you enjoy heel/toe driving and want to be totally involved in driving the car, throwing the shifter back, and all that, then the classic gated shifter is for you. One point to maintain is that maintenance costs should be roughly equal b/w the two, considering that both gearbox's are still engaged by a clutch as such. So burning one up is just a likely in either F1 or 6 speed. Although, the F1 tranny may, possibly be more problematic -read: tempermental- as it involves solenoids, acuators and a few added mechanical and elecrical components. -Hubert | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 423 Registered: 10-2001 |
6-speed...the true way to drive a Ferrari on the street! | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1072 Registered: 6-2001 |
read these http://server.ferrarichat.com/~ferrari/ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/21/361.html and http://server.ferrarichat.com/~ferrari/ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/21/4493.html | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Junior Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 106 Registered: 10-2001 |
Most mags now say that the 6 spd is the way to go ..more involving . I would tend to agree with them . i didnt have the chance to drive a F1 like its meant to ..only drove it on the highway. But i think nothing compares to the feeling of passing the gears , clutching ...revving a bit ... Just my two cents.. Sorry for the bad english ..  | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1071 Registered: 6-2001 |
If you search the archives you will find ALOT of discussions about this very topic. I'll link you to one. | ||
| John Cavanaugh (Jcgateway)
New member Username: Jcgateway Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2002 |
My name finally came up on my 360 order. I would like some thoughts on f1 trans or 6 speed. As a past owner of many Ferrari's I have a hard time giving up on going thru the gears and pushing paddles. Give me your thoughts. Also any unusual option ideas that are a must have. Thanks |