Tired of whiney 3 pedal-ers

If I was going to buy a 360 or 430 today to keep in a collection long term, I'd pick up a 3 pedal. Likewise it would be nice to have a choice, say after enjoying a DCT 458 for a few years, to trade it for a 3 pedal version to keep around long term. Same for a Mac 12C, or Merc SLS for that matter. The paddle systems are always going to feel ancient as soon as the next better version comes out, whereas a nicely sorted 3 pedal is future proof in that regard. I think that is part of why guys are holding on to their Ford GTs. Gated Superamericas seem highly sought after, as do even gated 575M. I imagine a gated CS or Scud would be a car in demand in a few years, too. It is a bit sad that the base 430 and 599 are the end of the line. Even if only 5% of Enzo buyers would have taken 3 pedal, can you imagine how coveted those 20 cars would be now? Especially since the Enzo's gearbox already feels slow and outdated, according to some? I think we have to be realistic. Comparing 3 pedal to 8 track cassette is not the same thing. Ferrari stopped offering 3 pedal because not enough buyers spec'd it to warrant the costs of providing it, not because absolutely nobody wanted it. There is a big difference, even if it was the best business decision. The long term desirability and collectibility of the cars suffers somewhat in my opinion.

 

There had been some 360 made with the manual transmission and the number declined along with production and there are even less 430 made with manuel transmission then 360. Some say less than 10% of the 430's have the manual. But if you take a look at the "used car market" you will notice, that manuel cars are quite rare and more expensive ... so there is demand for manual cars perhaps because the new cars don't have the manual transmission any longer?

I really hope Ferrari offers a sequential gearbox, with manual shifting and some kind of electric quickshifter. This kind of gearbox would really improve performance of the car! Think about a nice hewland magnesium box resulting in over 50kg weight saving

 

A manual transmission can also be part of an engine-transmission-suspension package. It would simply be a very different package, ie, a very different car; not as quick, not as integrated at the limit, but offering a certain interaction DCT cars simply aren't designed to offer.

Choice is good. Unfortunately, the choice of a manual transmission will soon be a thing of the past -- especially at Ferrari, whose street cars must be packed with every bit of F1 tech that can be squeezed into them.

And I don't buy the notion that listing all other technologies that have been improved upon over the years somehow proves that those who love manual transmissions are in contradiction. By that logic, the tech obsessed shouldn't buy a Ferrari until it's made entirely of either carbon fiber or nano tubes, the resulting car making the Sesto Elemento seem Bentley heavy.

Happy 2013, Gearheads!

 

out of 4 of our cars 3 are sticks.

so the F1 is more "entertaining". Nice to have a choice.

automatics are not good in the mountains as they do not hold the car back going down hill. the F1 is as good or better than a stick in this regard. It is a manual w/o a clutch pedal.

On the collectability issue I would think the durability of the DCT would be desirable over a stick. Just as timing chain better than belts.

 

Not sure what all the "fuss" i about and why The Mayor is annoyed. I have no issue with those who want a 3 pedal 458. I don't see how that diminishes my enjoyment of my 458 in any way. This is no different then someone wanting colored CF or a different exterior color than red. To each their own and I'm happy for them. I, for one, love the transmission in my 12 coupe and would not be interested in a 3-pedal version but hey....that's just me.

 

I for one like different transmissions based on the car. I like the F355 and 575 as a gated car. I own a Scuderia and love the F1 transmission. My brother has a gated 430 and I actually like the standard F1 better.

 

When paddles came in, transmission failures became a thing of the past in endurance racing. Now it is the 3-pedal street cars that are bulletproof. Check out the 3-pedal and F1 F430s for comparative reliability.

As for me I am lucky to have a choice. Do I feel like shifting with my fingers today or going "arm and hammer?"

 

New cup is not PDK
It's paddle actuated sequential manual

 

Liking what you like is not being "whiny". But I agree the 458 is not a 3 pedal car; the entire car was designed around everything on the wheel like an F1 car. I get that.

But there are plenty of cars that simply come alive with 3 pedals as compared to paddles. The Gallardo comes to mind. I find the 3 pedal version to be much more engaging to drive.

Of course I am definitely a minority that believes that modern sports cars worry too much about absolute performance. But I guess that is part of the game. Hell, I find it hard to ring out my 355. I think it would hard to exploit a car like a 458 anywhere but a track.

 

The Mayor seems to enjoy being provocative... and it works. Look how many posts appeared almost instantly. And it's all about an argument that has no right answer!

 

And not all paddle shifters are created equal. The 458 is wonderful. The SLS with the same transmission is much less satisfying. The 12C has relatively poor paddle action. The R8 is an outright slushbox. And the PDK is not much better. If I were to order an R8, it would be a manual 6 speed -- no contest.

On the other hand the 3-pedal shifters in the last Ferraris to have them are superb. You can't beat them; they will shift as fast as you can move. They got better over the years; my old 512BB required a deliberate touch. Then just as they reached perfection... poof, they were gone. (Sigh)

 

Three pedals FTW.

Mark

 

I stand corrected, you are right. That is going to be interesting, when I see a clutch pedal I'm going to be tempted to use it downshifting, even with auto-blip.

Question - is that rules driven or a performance decision? I'd imagine the former based on series rules I've seen.

 

for the whine?

 

I thought guys that drove paddle cars were thoughtful husbands, so the wife could drive it.




hahahah, kidding...Happy New Year. lol.

 

IDK. The new F1s are hard to argue with. My .02 is that anyone who can afford a 458, FF or F12 where the 3rd pedal is not an option can also afford a real Ferrari like a 355 for the true experience. The only thing better than one is two.

Otherwise, they're just posers.

 

LOL, since it's my only Ferrari at the moment, I might be a poser with over 4k miles on my 12 458 coupe...but I'm a very, very happy poser.

 

No, they don't offer it because nobody ordered it. If people ordered a decent amount of them on the last few models, they'd still offer it. It has nothing to do with whether it adds performance or not or they would have stopped offering it with the 360.

 

Hard to find a good GTS..
When are you selling yours?

 

Agreed, Ferrari is a business, they would make anything that generate profit. The main reason the 3rd pedal is gone is because they don't sell enough to make money.

 

That's why I have 3 flappy paddle gear box cars, and 4 old school stick cars.......best of both. No whining from me

 

PM me if you're interested. I just spent 28k addressing all of the 355 issues with real fixes, so it won't be cheap. . Plus, it's one of only one 95 white on black GTS.

 

Your car is awesome. I congratulate you for driving her. Wish I were as lucky.

 

it's like all the guy does...it's borderline insane

 

Good post... talking about modern exotics technology etc. Is the Aventador only paddle as well?