Time to have an Affair? Auto or Manual

If yesterday's apparently identical thread does not answer your F1 query then try scrolling down til the next one - its a popular question

 

They made a 355 with an automatic transmission? News to me.

 

According to that button on the top, yes.
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Drive both and decide! This is a personal preference thing. The good news is that apparently it is not difficult to convert an F1 car to a manual since they both use the same transmission (although it might not be cheap). So go get the opportunity to drive one, but one thing is more important than anything else, make sure that you get a PPI by someone who really knows the in's and out's of an F355. You can miss subtle things that in the long run could be costly... very costly. So avail yourself of professional help, the money you spend now can save you thousands later. I might add, that low mileage, in an F355, could be less sorted out... Look for a car that has been sorted out and runs well. I might add that I have a spider, can't see why I would want a GTS, but understand the purity and love for the GTB. Just watch Jeremy Clarkson go on about his GTS and you'll understand why the spider might be the right choice.

M

 

You want an affair? Then you will want to be active while you are sleeping with this beauty, massaging her inner knob and putting your gears in to all the right places, and making her ooh, and aah, and making her gearbox even occasionally grinding a bit against your hand.

Well, if that is you, then a 6 speed.

 

It's a matter or personal preference, nothing more imho. Two different ways of enjoying the same wonderful piece of machinery. I'd recommend trying both out and pull the trigger on whichever speaks to your heart (after a thorough PPI in any case).

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

It will be hard to "test drive" an F355, let alone one of each transmission choice.

The question for you is, do you want a 355, or do you want a manual-transmission Ferrari? If the former, the F1 isn't a deal killer. I've grown to like my 355F1 a lot after failing to find a 6MT F355. It's dead responsive and you still control downshift rev-matching with the throttle pedal. It can be driven very smoothly if you pick up the skills and quirks.

If you desire the latter, try searching for a good 348. There are suspension mods to bring it to near-355 level of handling. Another car to consider is a 6MT 360 modena.

I know at least 2 people looking for a 6MT F355 right now. There are only 1-2 known choices nationwide at this time, and that doesn't even mean those are good cars.

A torque converter auto, however, would be a deal killer. No 456GTA for me.

 

I have test driven the 355, 360 and 430 F1 transmissions.....but full disclosure...I am a manual transmission guy at heart.
In answer to your question "Is the semi-auto (early stage) F1 transmission jerky".....yes it is.
You have to remember that the F1 transmission was the first of its kind for Ferrari in a street car at that time.....and it has some issues to be sorted out under regular driving....although you can reduce the issues by feathering the throttle when changing gears...which comes with familiarity. Under wide open throttle, however it shifts brilliantly.
Even the later 360, although better, suffered from less than ideal driving characteristics.
The 430 however, is refined and if I ever considered an F1 transmission this is the one I would spring for.
Having said that, if and when I get a 430 it will likely be a manual.

And the best thing you could do is to test drive both tranys.....then decide.

 

Not sure why you don't want a spider, but I have one (1997 manual transmission) and love it. With the top down, you can really appreciate the engine/exhaust sound. Unless you are on a track, I think you'd be hard pressed to say the chassis isn't as stiff as a B or GTS. For a convertible, there is very little wind even with the windows down. If you put them up, there's hardly a breeze in the cockpit.