Miscellaneous Car News

Coincidentally, in the 'general' thread some folks are bemoaning the lack of 3 pedal options in the new cars...

 

I'm sorry but my holier than thou/self righteous buzzer goes off whenever you post and I can't help myself

 

There would be that option if enough people wanted it, which apparently they don't.

 

As a flappy paddle owner now, I would much rather have a manual. The F1 box removes the tactile pleasure of getting gearshifts just right and only slightly reduces the concentration required - if you don't lift at just the right moment there is an unpleasant surge as the clutch re-engages. It's not as entertaining as a manual nor as relaxing as a full auto. And the downshift throttle blip is a wank - there is no actual double de-clutching going on. Like motorcyclists who blip the throttle for effect as they approach a stop - it serves no purpose but gets them attention.

The DSG 'box in a 458 is much better than the old F1 box, but it doesn't swap cogs any faster than the Hewland in my Indy car and is nowhere near as satisfying to master. Any idiot can drive a 458, but I guarantee you couldn't change gears in a Hewland without practice.

 

That's all fair enough, but apparently not enough people share your view to make the option worth offering any more.

I would say though that driving an early generation F1 (like mine) does take a fair bit of effort and practice to get right. Sure, nothing like a manual but it's not completely brainless either.

 

Sounds a bit like an Alfa silly-speed, uniquely combining the worst features of both manual & auto 'boxes.... at the same time introducing a new level of repair cost. I don't think the Alfa-tising said that though.

 

Can understand what you're saying. The novelty of the DSG box in the Golf dissipated fairly quickly and its pretty much in full auto mode these days.

The thing that is lacking in the C4 and what I enjoyed with the other Ferraris I had is that delicious click clack sound when moving the gear stick through the metallic gate. I reckon its worth buying another one just for that

 

funny you should say that, did you know that the core components are the same? e.g. F1 pump is identical, actuators, relays, etc.

I have a mate with a silly-speed 159 that's done 300K's, so they're not all bad. He commutes from Whale Beach to Lidcombe every day, only ever buys Alfas and swears by them.

 

So are you bringing the NFEHOS to the GG,Ian?

 

and that is a big part of why Daytona's are so different to C4's. The ZF box is a generic thing with zero personality, whereas the Daytona transaxle with gated shift is harder to use but intoxicating fun when you master it.

The other part of course is throttle response, the convoluted linkage for the sidedraft carbs is awful compared to the instant connection you feel in a Daytona. Stupid, stupid, stupid Lambo idea - why on earth did Ferrari copy it?

 

Want to swap some Ferrari 'click-click' for some ZF 2nd gear synchro?

 

I hope so. Driving on Friday night, gave it a bootful in 2nd, flicked the upshift paddle and got neutral. Not good.

This apparently means the clutch is finished. No time to replace, so I'm getting an SD3 connected on Tuesday to find out how much clutch is left, hopefully I can eke another 2000kms out of it - there is a trick to fool the position sensor.

 

A 550 in blue or black would be nice to have alongside the C4

 

shotgun with PP then? I feel sorry for you

 

I'm depressed already. "have I told you about my fuel injection?" repeat ad infinitum.

 

Carl has promised not to try anything but if he does I'll kick him him out and you can ride with me

 

He's welcome in mine.

 

I said the same thing to PP today at funkies, except with the 308. The only modern Ferrari I truly hanker for…in black or Blu Sera/TDF blue.

 

let's go halves!

 

Deal……when will you relocate to Melbourne!

 

here's the deal. We buy a Stag as well and swap every six months

 

I had a Stag once…..in midnight blue……loved it but I have a policy of never going back once i let something go.
Lets put $50k each and make it a GG car. Lets show 'em real style!

its the same with women too. Never a good idea to go back unless its for another free ride ;-)

 

I thought Ferrari copied it so they could the bonnet line of the C4/ 365 GT4/400 series as low as possible. Am I wrong? It may have been a stupid idea but italians are known to do these wacky ideas….I mean look at the 3200Gt engine-belts at the front and a chain at the rear.