The only people who ask for manual gearboxes are...

I'll take Tubes over SS any day.

Patek over any other watch any day.

"I love stick, but I am aware that most people buying Ferrari/Lambo/McLaren new today don't Know How To Drive... (Fixed)

 

Haha!!!!

 

I'm a huge F1 fan but I must admit, that tube amp analogy really hit home
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I'll play...

train or plane?
dial telephone or Iphone6?
ice box or refrigerator?
carburetors or fuel injection?

metal dashboards!
points!
chokes!
wind up windows!
drum brakes!

 

Thanks! Forza Ferrari!!!

Great points Paul. As to your questions, I will go backwards.

Patek- not even close and I am happy to pay the premium for that over the Apple Watch. More interesting would be another high end or Patek- I would likely still vote Patek- I like their watches.

Kindle or Paper Book- If we can expand Kindle to my iPhone 6+ then I would vote "Kindle". I prefer to read books on the 6+.

Tube or Solid State is an interesting debate for me. I've had both and my opinion is- it depends on the other components in the chain. Amps are just a part of the system. You have to consider the preamp/source, and the speakers as well. But as a general rule I would go towards solid state as I tend to go with speakers that are not so efficient and therefore I like the power of solid state.

To bring this back to the cars discussion, I look at the transmission as part of the system so in newer cars like the 488 and 458, I really can't see these cars with stick shift- the action just happens too fast- I don't just mean acceleration, the suspension/steering is also really fast to react. The prior cars like the 430 isn't as quick in that regard and really can work nicely with stick shift. I have both a 458 and F430 stick shift- I truly enjoy driving both.

 

Sorry to hijack and turn this into an amp discussion but I just have to comment on this:

I don't know what type of music you play but SS amps typically don't sound good under power and their sound degrades with heat where tube amps are opposite but they do come with the baggage of tube replacement and biasing. I've had 3 SS amps, 2 Pevey and 1 Ampeg and nothing compares to Marshall, Soldano, Friedman, etc

Ok, back to arguing over F1 and gates

 

The beer here just got warmer today.

 

Not sure what that sun thing is you mention, but birds are still here and so are my cars! And if everyone leaves, more room to drive. Silver linings eh

 

What is certain is that Ferrari was not pushing sticks in the final decade of their existence. 456M, 575, 430, 612, 599, California media cars in the UK were all two pedal. I asked quite a few times about reviewing a manual and was told that was not what they wanted to publicise. The head of media of Ferrari North Europe, who has been in his job since 2005, and who drives all the cars, recently tweeted about his first ever drive of a stick Ferrari after 11 years in the job - my F512M. This is an indication of Ferrari's priorities; and there was no stick available for his predecessor for about four years before that. So, 15 years since Ferrari last tried to promote a stick shift car. The recent statement was just affirming this.

https://twitter.com/FNEPR/status/735819574969503744?lang=en-gb

 

I STILL say if Ferrari came out with a v6 manual non turbo dino like car with only manual it would sell and sell well.
I think on a 6 or 700 hp car it makes little sense to have a manual but a lower hp true sports car is a blast to run through the gears.. especially with a high winding engine...

 

But what could they charge for it?

Best chance for that is if Alfa can be convinced to put a manual in the 4C.

 

You misunderstood. At the time, the secondary market was paying way over sticker to get cars. They most definitely could afford them and wanted the latest and greatest tech. Tastes have changed.

Dave

 

PM sent.

 

Back at you.

We had a disconnect - I was talking guitar amps, you are talking audio equipment - 2 totally different things

 

Ferrari don't sell manual cars any more because it simply makes no business sense for them to spend the $Millions required to design and engineer manual cars for the 5 prospective owners of each model who would buy one - They would never recoup the cost of manufacturing them, it really is as simple as that!

(From: Lewis Hamilton blames crashing his £1.5m Pagani Zonda in Monte Carlo on "heavy partying" - Mirror Online ) :

Lewis Hamilton says "heavy partying" is the reason he crashed his car in Monaco earlier this week.

The three-time world champion was driving through the streets of Monte Carlo in the early of hours of Tuesday morning when he lost control of his £1.5million Pagani Zonda and crashed it into three parked cars.

He was breathalysed at the scene but tested negative

A Monaco Palais de Justice spokesperson said: "Mr Hamilton’s foot slipped on the brake and clutch pedals and his vehicle struck three parked cars. He was tested for alcohol but the result was negative.”

Oops! - Looks like he needs to stick to the flappy paddles!

 

Well said!! I have found that I like both modern and classic products depending often the situation. Both can be good in particular contexts. Spot on in regards to your thoughts about modern exotics!!!

 

Couldn't agree more!

It will be interesting to see how they execute the new Dino.

 

Exactly!!!

Here is a great article that explains it

Lamborghini R&D Chief Says Stick Shifts Are Dead


As for Pagani, they sold like what.. 100 cars total? Everyone of their cars is a prototype 'one of a kind' at this level.

 

For me it depends on the type of car. Like a bigger GT most are big and heavy for a manual. Even the under C7 and below Vette was too big for a manual. On most GT cars they make the manual too soft to enjoy. Like on the 928's, the manual shifter is so light and the clutch is so soft, it feels broken. An auto is the best option. Same with the 70's and 80's Mercedes SL's. Even a TR could use an automatic. Small lighter sports cars, Id never buy an automatic 911, 308, 360 or 430. These need to be manual in my opinion. One of the reasons I mostly bought 928's, my commute was mostly 30 to 45 minutes in stop and go traffic. Now no commute looking for something more sports car like with some GT luxury, it has to be manual!

 

The only people who ask for manual gearboxes are... the ones NOT going to the Ferrari dealership for new cars.

 

Because we know they don't sell them.