Seriously considering F430, coming from 911 turbo

Hi there everyone.

I am seriously considering the move to an F430 spyder.

It would replace my beloved 2007 911 turbo 6 speed.

I have never owned a Ferrari but have owned many many other cars including various Porsches, BMW M series cars, Lotus, Nissan GTR, etc.

Since I am new to the Ferrari world, I am considering buying from a dealer and thus having the CPO 1 year warranty. I understand the the F430 has lower maintenance costs than the 360.

Does anyone have any advise or thoughts as to this purchase. I have yet to drive one but will do so in the next week or so.

I love my 6 speed but also love my 2009 M3 DCT so I am torn as to which gear box to get. The dealer says most are F1s and is strongly suggesting the F1 (he does have a 6 speed on the lot).

Thanks in advance.

 

I think if you drive a 430, you're going to want it. It's a fantastic car. The way it accelerates, the sound, the balance, etc. It's a very different feel from your turbo - the 430 feels racier, more exhilarating, IMO. The turbo is very fast car, but it doesn't have a ton of character (I had a 996TT a while back).

As far as F1 or manual, it's really personal preference. I have a manual and like it, though it is a bit notchy. Also, the light flywheel (which is fantastic for blipping the throttle for downshifts) takes some skill to drive smoothly at normal speeds - the revs drop quickly between shifts. The 430's F1 shifter is very good and reliable for the most part, though some owners have issues. The manual is simpler and requires less maintenance. I believe it is also less expensive if/when the clutch needs replacing.

It's best to drive both and then decide for yourself. Good luck.

 

The 430 is more fun with the sound and great response. But the turbo is faster, especially when driven very aggressively around turns. The 430 will slide much easier than the turbo.

 

Our 997tt definitely feels faster then our F430 but the experience the F430 delivers just can't be beat! I say go for it and go for an F1

 

Go for it! And go with the F1.

 

F1 Spider and you'll never look back.

 

i remember seeing your post from six speed.
i made the switch as well. came from a 996 X50 6 speed, it was chipped and had an exhaust, very fast car.
the F430, F1 is a different beast. i say go for it. your obviously a car guy so time to try the next marque. my daily is a 2008 M3 DCT. this is the first time that i have not had a manual but i don't really miss it. i initially looked at the 360's but with the price of 430's it was an easy choice. i also purchased a CPO car from a dealer for a piece of mind. no regrets in going that route.
this car evokes different emotions.
good luck in your quest.

 

Thanks very much for the feedback.

In looking for a car, are there any issues I should be careful to ask about? Problem areas common to the f430s? Also, they have a car that does not have the stock radio head unit. Is that an issue?

Thanks again.

 

Have owned two 997TTs, one a cab and one a convertible, so I speak with that on my resume:

I bought an F430 F1 and didn't like the F1 tranny compared to rowing the gears of my prior cars. I traded it in a month for an F430 with a 6 speed manual. It's a nice gear box. Also I am one who believes the 6 speed F430s will hold its value better.

Tom

 

If you have never had a ferrari then you should try one. I have personally sold my 360 and have bought a 997 TT.

I know what it is like to have a porsche and wondering what a ferrari is like but if it is going to be a daily driver I would think twice.

Good is:

nice looking car, reasonably fast,you will own a ferrari and you will get a lot of attention

Bad is:

slower than the TT, cannot park it anywhere, 2 seats and if anything goes wrong you will get that "ferrari feeling" in your wallet.

 

As someone who owned a 997 (not a turbo), if you are using the 430 as a DD, I would say stay with the Porsche. If it is a weekend car, no car will give you the feeling of a Ferrari. Having owned a 355, 360, and a 430 I can tell you the 430 is the best of the bunch as far as speed, reliability, and refinement. Having said that the 997 was one of the best sports cars in the world. Go anywhere, any time, and it was a flawless car. Hope it helps and good luck in whatever you do.

 

I currently have both cars. When I got the 430 the plan was to replace the 997TT with it, but guess what, it didnt work out that way. The 430 is a weekend car very loud, difficult to take everywhere, lots of attention but also an un believable experience to drive and own.
I ended up keeping the TT which is my daily, its more confortable, faster, dont care much about parking it anywhere etc..the 430 is for the fast weekend runs.
btw, I am a hardcore manual guy and I got the F1 after months of research, why, because regardless of what other people say, the F1 will always be easier to sell and will bring more money, ask any Ferrari dealer.
I also agree with Bill S, driving the 430 fast is much more difficult than the 997TT on a curvy technical road or track.
The 997 TT is the best all around car and I cant bring myself to get rid of mine, now at 4 years and 46k miles.
Go drive both back to back and you'll see what I mean.
Good luck.

 

Time will tell if this is so. Just because a dealer trying to sell a used F1 430 says this doesn't make it true. Look at 355 and 360 values/sale-ability F1 vs stick... Bottom line is get what you want F1 or stick- these are depreciating cars, not investments....Go with what you want, not the next owner.

 

I could not agree more with Andrew on this, if I ever bought another 430 it would not be a F1.

 

Just for the record, the car will definitely not be daily driver. My current 997TT is not my daily either.

Wow, a lot of different opinions regarding the transmission.

 

Interesting. My dealer told, and showed me, quite the opposite. The F1 430's are SO plentiful.... he usually has several in his showroom. He showed my how long the 6 speed 430's sell much faster just because they aren't very plentiful. Fortunately one ended up in my garage :^)

 

Just go over the 430 market (not 360, not 355) and see which transmission is in more demand and easier to sell.
My turbo is 6 speed and I love it and I really really wanted a 6 speed 430 but I saw the market and went with it. I did not want to get stuck with a manual ferrari when 99% of the cars on the street are not.
The 997TT manual vs tiptronic was the opposite, manual was and still is more valuable at resale. PDK is a different story obviously.
If you are looking for a weekend car, the 430 it is. manual or F1 who cares its just a great car.

 

Excellent post. I had a manual 355 loved the gearbox, had a 360 F1 disliked the gearbox, with the 430 the F1 is fantastic. Personal preference, can't go wrong on a 430 either way.

997 go with a manual.

 

Um, I find 6 speeds rare and going for a premium these days.

 

One caveat: Post 2009 (so-called 997.2), the PDK makes a better DD, and I'm a manual kind of guy.

Getreg makes Ferrari's and Porsche's manual boxes. I suspect that the Ferrari dual clutch in the California and the 458 are "related" to Porsche's PDKs. That is, I suspect they are both OEMed from Getreg.

 

OK, so here is a transmission question since I have yet to drive an F430.

I know the F1 is a single clutch unit. I have driven BMW SMG cars and disliked it. My 2009 M3 has DCT (dual clutch) and I love it.

How does the F1 feel? I fear it will be like the SMG. Am I assuming correct that the F1 is superior to the SMG (I would hope so).

 

Had a 2006 Carerra Cab 6 speed with the X51 power kit.
It was a weekend car.
Had a deposit on a TT cab, but just for kicks tested a 430 spider with F1. Made up my mind 5 minutes in to the drive, and bought the car that day.
for a week end car there is nothing more viceral than a Ferrari.. The F1 is fantastic. In race mode mode lighting fast, and IMHO more enjoyable than a manual.

 

The 430 F1 feels (from just a couple of short drives) more like the M3 DCT than the SMG (thank god), smooth, positive, fast shifts. Had 996 TT 6-speed, 360 6-speed and M3 DCT. 996 and M3 do DD and track very well, 360 was a bit more difficult on track and not something I would DD, but a great weekend car and loads of fun. The 430 seems much better at everything that was fun in the 360. Ferrari is something everyone who loves sport cars should do at least once if possible. I grew tired of the attention the 360 got and the cost of maintenance started wear on me as well, but so much fun rowing the gears and that great sound it makes.

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

I am going to get a test drive this weekend.

I can't wait!!

 

Having driven a 500hp/500lb-ft Turbo for 7 years and now a 430 for all of a month:

Turbo: Torque! Torque! and More Torque! Like driving a big block V-8. As reliable as a ball peen hammer.

430: Sound! Sound! and More Sound! More comfortable, but needs a lot of revs to make it sing.

Either car is a great, albeit different driving experience.

Cheers,

Fred R.