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

Psychologically, its because everyone fancies themselves such a great driver they need that extra performance an F1 provides.

Of course we know the vast majority are fooling themselves.

I wish I could get a newer Ferrari with a stick. Id do it but alas thats not going to happen so I settle for the F1.

However, while Im keeping the F1 Ferrari, Im planning on buying something with a stick later in the year to satisfy the yearning for a more tactile driving experience.

A stick simply is, IMO, way more fun than an F1 on the streets.

 

Much truth there...

 

build both this helps increase corporate fuel economy and total sales they could start it at say 180 in usa with out the door prices around 215 they should still make plenty i assume they look at percentage of sales profit so if they can match the same percentage as the others.. then increase their sale with a non competing product would seem like a good move. ....and the dealers would love it only build say 2000 a year..or whatever..
another Up side it would offset the V12 poor fuel economy and is a win win..

 

I would rather pay $50k over for a manual transmission Ferrari than be given what we are now. The fact that they're faster gives me no benefit in what I want to use the car for.

 

They have to deal with corporate fuel economy as a result of of EU requirements, which is one reason why 2 of the 4 mainstream models are now turbos. (That's also why your standard rental BMW changes up to 8th gear at 30 mph, leaving you with less poke than a 1982 316.)

 

Yeah but they're going to spout the line that their cars are weekend cars and statistics show that a new 488 is driven 2 hours a week and that's a CO2 output of 15 gms.. so they're exempt from needing a 1.5 Liter model. -or- they just say fine us.. we'll package it in the price of the car.

And people pay it with a grin on their face.

I suspect that Ferrari cares more about selling a car for the highest price than what the used Ferrari owner thinks. That's the only place that I hear "build a manual car" is coming from. Lord knows, if enough new buyers actually drove their cars you wouldn't issues at 10k miles popping up 7 years after the new model is unveiled.

 

I will join the gang, as long as the first target is the useless and corrupt organization called the EPA.

 

Anyone following the market can see that the manual 430's aren't selling at these silly ask prices. The same cars have been sitting out there forever. Lots of hype and talk but when it comes down to it no one is paying the $50K+ premiums. All these people here want them so bad but no one is buying them or at least very few. The people who have them want to believe the hype - I would as well but would try and sell it pronto if I could get $200K+ for it but it is not happening.

 

It's not as if the public will rush out, to embrace a depreciating car, with old outdated technology.

Your observation is very valid.

To me, it's just "one less thing to break", and it's more about where, and how, one expects the various controls to fall to hand.

 

Yes, you can trail brake an F1 gearbox car. It's easy since you use LFB all the time instead of only when you don't have to shift.

I know what you mean about upshifting in a braking zone. There's a downhill off camber corner on a track I drive where you need a brief sharp jab of the brake to both slow the car and help it rotate, but it's at the end of a slow twisty section best taken in second gear and yet it opens up at the exit to the point where you run out of second well before track-out. An F1 gearbox makes it easy to go ahead and use second through the twisty section but to grab third as you stab the brake to rotate the car into the corner that opens up.

Paddles are certainly easier on the track and they open up some additional possibilities, but I don't want to own a car equipped with them. Takes too much of the challenge and reward out of the driving experience and reduces simpatico with the car.

 

Well said: I am 100% with you

 

And neither of you are going to change Ferrari's mind anytime soon on this issue!

 

Well, then Ferrari gets no more of my money.

 

I'm with you Mitch, but the number of places for us to car shop is seriously low. In my order of desirability, this is what we have left:
Aston Martin, Lotus, Porsche, BMW, Corvette, Viper (going, going, ...), more tepid vehicles.

 

I rarely post on this site, and find it useful, mainly for discussion of technical problems. However, I take exception that the F430 three pedal car is "awful"! I have owned a F430 spider for the past decade, and it is my favorite driving car I have ever owned. While its true the F430 was engineered to be an F-1 car, the use of a lightweight flywheel only enhances the driving experience. Ferrari purposely limited availability of 3 pedal cars by treating them as a separate model in dealer allocations in the U.S.. Only 3% of 2006 F430 spiders were 3 pedal cars, according to Ferrari. If you ever have the opportunity, I suggest you put the cigarette down, turn off the cell phone, finish your Starbucks, and savor the opportunity to drive on of the a truly remarkable car with the gated 6 speed.

Unfortunately all three pedal cars are not created equal. I've found the Corvette with the skip shift to be miserable, and I had a 2016 Carrera, loaner car, and I found the clutch and the shifter to be miserable. When I returned the car I mentioned this to the service manager, who informed me that Porsche converted the twin clutch transmission to a manual for the Carrera and the Carrera S.

Since 1980, I have owned the following manual transmission sports cars: 2 Miatas, 2 RX 7s, C6 Corvette, 2 F430s, and an R8 V-10 Spyder. I have owned also the following twin clutch cars: 918 Spyder, 911 GT3 RS, 2 458 Spiders, and an F-12. I am eagerly awaiting a 6 speed, manual 911 R, that I plan to use as a daily driver, which has been delayed due to the single mass clutch option. Also have a 488 Spider on order.

One last thing, after debating an official from Ferrari Italy for about a half hour over manual vs. automatic, at the LA Auto show several years ago when Ferrari was still showing, I will never forget his final quote: 'China, Russia, and the Middle East are Ferrari's growth markets, with Europe declining slightly and North America flat.' He further went on to say 'These people learned how to drive on video games, and if a car doesn't have paddles, they won't buy it.'

 

Again, I doubt that would make any difference to Ferrari whatsoever!

The fact that you only want a car with a manual gearbox would demonstrate to Ferrari that you are a customer that they no longer have any interest in selling a car to.

You no longer want to give Ferrari your money, and by the same token, Ferrari no longer want your money.

At the end of the day, Ferrari have plenty of other prospective customers who want a car with a flappy-paddle gearbox, who are more than happy to take your place!

 

If you ever have the opportunity, I suggest you put the cigarette down, turn off the cell phone, finish your Starbucks, and savor the opportunity to drive on of the a truly remarkable car with the gated 6 speed.


[/QUOTE]

LOL.

I took my 3 pedal 430 to the track Sunday for the 1st time in years (I've been tracking Porsches.) I had forgotten what a blast it is on a track. The light flywheel is a blessing to those who can really sync up the throttle up and down. The added responsiveness vs "normal" cars is addictive.

Ferrari won't get any more of my money either. I know they don't care and I'm fine with that. It is, as they say, a business decision.

Dave

 

Very interesting perspective!

 

@Johnes71

Thanks for the perspective. As a 430 spider 6spd is the next car purchase, I can't imagine my first Ferrari owner experience being anything but a gated 6spd while I am still plenty young enough to enjoy it.

Certainly F1 appeals to owners with medical issues that prevent them from using the 3rd pedal and those who live in congested cities offsets disappointing the row your own crowd.

 

You forgot::
Restored to pristine Jaguar XKE 6
Lamborghini Muira
...