Experiance with 599 Manual??

Having been told that the 599 with a 6 speed manual transmission is quirky, notchy, not good, designed really for the F!, I am looking for an owner or someone who has actually driven this car with a manual transmission to give me their impression.
Because so few of these cars with a manual transmission were made in 2007, ests about 20, and none (0) were made in 08 I know it may be difficult finding some owner willing to share his experiance. My last contact, a Ferrari Dealer, said that he has sold 3 cars in the past with the manual. One owner loved that car, the other 2 hated it. In fact, those owners who disliked the car with the manual traded them back in to this same dealer. I do remember him having a 6 speed manual car for sale about 6 months ago that he sold again for the second time. Thanks.

 

there is a 6 speed here. maybe they can help?

http://ferrari-maserati-houston.ebizautos.com/inventory.aspx?_search=&_makef=Ferrari&_new=true&_used=true&_cpo=true

 

Also a manual at Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo (Portland, Oregon). I know that owner traded it b/c he decided he wanted the F1, and he is a hard core manual guy. If you call them ask for Greg Theis to get his opinion.

 

I picked up my '08 manual in April and have about 2000 miles, including 100 on the track. Yes, initially it's tricky because, as sopmeone else said the engine revs sooo freely, matching revs up and down is a bit of a challenge. While you do not feel as connected via the transmission link as in a 355 or 550, once you get used to it, understand the dynamics, shifting, heel and toeing, et al, is a real pleasure and incredibly satisfying. When cold you have to do a bit more double clutching, but once warmed up, it is very smooth, and does not require as much effort as a 355. On track there is no doubt that an F1 is a better choice for all the obvious reasons. However, for spirited street/highway driving the F1 just cannot compare with the amount of involvement the manual demands and the pleasure you get from it.

 

Thank you.

 

With super quick F1 shift times as standard on the 599, why go manual?

 

As much as I LOVE the manual Ferrari box, I would go with the F1 in the 599.

Any other Ferrari I would get a manual box, but my 599 would be F1.

 

My sediments EXACTLY!

 

I love the F1 on my 575M, so I can only imagine how much improvement there is with the 599 F1.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Car is so damn fast, you need both hands on wheel driving if using as god intended. Superfast feels like it'll launch torque tube out the back of the damn thing. No stick will do that. Picking and using gears when cornering/setting up for corners can't happen like they do with an F1. Actually accelerates fast enough that it autoshifts. Older F-1s nice, I've had a couple, but the 599 needs it.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197540&highlight=599+miata&page=3

Read post #51. Just in retrospect.

 

As said in Top Gear - F1 for hacks. Yes its faster, but only if you know exactly when to pull, and even then, there is no visceral satisfaction. There is a progressive love affair with your car as you learn to master the manual. Would wear a Rolex if it worked on a battery. F1 is a battery operated mechansim.

 

I adore manual gearboxes in V12 Ferraris, however Ferrari insiders will tell you that Maranello never did ANY development on the 599's manual gearbox. They simply felt it was not going to be sold in significant numbers and therefore it did not merit any development funding. When I bought my 599 in '07 I wanted to get a manual car, but my service agent told me he'd driven the manual version and the car felt pretty strange.
You also have to consider resale value...These days non-F1 Ferraris are harder to sell

 

I have driven a 599 6 speed. Or should I say, 2 speed. It was good at first,but somehow the shifter cam out of adjustment.They upgraded the shifter shaft. The rubber isolator was getting too floppy when warm.

I Highly recommend the F1.

 

I am a die hard 6-speed fan, and spent lots of time finding a 6-speed 360....but I was fortunate enough to drive a fellow f-chatter's 599GTB and Enzo. I will say in the 599GTB, the F1 suits the car very nicely- the generational difference and calibration between the Enzo and 599 F1 was quite noticable, and the 599F1 system is simply amazing. The 599 feels like it was meant for an F1 whereas I'd still want a stick in something like a 360/430/458 (no stick offered as of now in the 458- the bastards!)

Don't get me wrong- personally I'd be happy with either a 6-speed or F1 599, but it's not as much of an issue to me as in the mid-engined cars- I'd be happy with either.

This issue for you is it will be difficult perhaps to try out a 6-speed and see if you like it as there are so few...which I guess is the reason for your post to begin with...I'm sorry for the ramble- it's Friday!

-Andrew

 

There is a Ferrari 599 with a manual transmission for sale on Ebay. You could probably contact the owner and discuss the car with him He states that there were only 33 produced.

Here is the URL

Ferrari 599 599 GTB | eBay

 

The previous post was nearly 5 years ago!

 

Wings, I just left you a PM. I'm happy to chat about my 2008 manual 599 anytime.

 

Hmmm - it seems to me (on eBay, anyway) that manual 430s are selling at prices as high as the Scuderias. Mostly due to there rarity. So, whilst i agree with your points on F1 vs Manual in modern Ferraris, the few manual ones will always sell quickly and at very high prices - for all the wrong reasons, of course.

 

There's a sign post up ahead, next stop, the Twilight Zone!

 

lol. Necroposting ... The practice of resurrecting dead threads!