CS or F430 6MT

My vote is the F430 manual transmission.

The main reason is because it has no timing belt! The f136 (the engine number) runs on a timing chain, meaning long term maintenance cost will be much lower than those of the 360cs. Ferrari officially recommends replacing the timing belts every 3 years or 30,000 miles. If you follow that the 360CS will cost you more in maintenance than the F430 because in a 10 span you will have had spent the money to change the timing belt 3 times. With the f430 = no timing belt changes.

Another reason is simply based on performance. The F430 is much more powerful than the 360CS. The CS makes 420hp / 275tq, where as the F430 makes 483hp / 343tq. That is a substantial difference in power, especially the torque. Put headers, high flow catalytic converters, free flow exhaust, an ECU tune and the F430 makes well north of 500hp.

Also, an F430 in a manual transmission will not have the issues found with automatic paddle shifted gearboxes. The F430 is the last of the manual transmission V8s. The 458 and 488 are both dual clutch automatic gearboxes = big money if they need to be fixed. The manual transmission is much more cost efficient over the long run.

Last I think the F430 looks better than the 360, though the CS is the better looking of the 360s. I just don't like the look of the 360s, and the F430 is just a little bit better looking in my opion.

Get the F430 mt.

 

Tough question... Both seem to start near the 200k chf price on the Swiss market. A bit higher than my personal budget would allow, so congratulations for being able to afford the luxury of owning one or the other

Is this your first Ferrari? I chose a manual 360 as my first F-car for the simple reason that I wanted that beautiful looking gate to row gears in. I also drove an F1 version, and enjoyed it too, but the manual was really where I wanted to set my feet in as a first-time owner.

If you want the prestige and recognition from those who know, then the CS is certainly going to be a nice ride. The 430 will be newer, and a little easier on the budget by the looks of it, and it has that beautiful gate.

I think I'd go with the 430 myself, I don't bank too much on making a buck out of a car (investment wise) as I choose to drive it close to 5k miles a year.

I'm hoping to add a second stallion to my stable, and that would be a 458 in a few years time. The dual clutch gearboxes should be a bit more friendly than the F1 in the CS (from what I've read, but not what I would personally know as I haven't tried). I would be very hesitant of letting go of a manual F-car in the meantime.

It's all for the 'feelings' that I get from driving it. Still a small grasp of the old manual world in my hands, and in the next 5-10 years, it'll all be gone methinks...

 

manual. as much as I love all the new automatic supercars I'd never want one because I find automatics boring.

 

Stradale. There is nothing like it in that price range. Absolutely nothing. Maybe a 997.2 GT3 RS. But you dont get the visual drama and sound of the Stradale.

Have driven Enzos, F40, CGT, GTO, the Stradale is up there with them. Actually even more fun as you arent as worried as stuffing a car that is SO expensive.

 

If there is an F1 car to be stuck with, it is the 360CS. The sound, the personality, the eagerness to go, just cannot be beat.

 

Haha, that is one way of putting it

For me it would depend on the spec.

CS vs gated 430 in an off color, power seats, regular brakes, probably go CS.

CS vs gated 430 in a color I prefer with carbon seats and brakes, 430.

 

For sure you will have less problems regarding maintenance with the 430, than the CS. For me the 430 is much better car than the 360. But if we are talking about the CS, my personal opinion is that it is a far more special car than the gated 430.

 

CS for me. Just based on the fact it feels and sounds a lot more special, a lot rarer than a 430, but that's just my opinion

 

I had the same dilemma and bought a gated 430. I don't regret it. If I were tracking my cars, it would have been different. But we are talking about the last and most powerful mid engined manual V8 Ferrari ever made and it is an absolute blast even zipping around town. Let alone country lanes. The power on part throttle at low to medium revs mean you can make it dance around corners; and every gearchange is memorable.

It's also the slickest gated gearbox Ferrari ever made. I have never had second gear reluctance. They got it right, just before dumping it.

The CS I have driven are more focussed machines, more basic, but - I'd make the same decision again, without hesitation. I'd also take my 430 over a Scuderia.

 

The CS in Rosso Corsa with stripe is near auto-perfection for me. If it had a manual, it would be perfection. Either way, I'd take the CS every day of the week.



Mark

 

The CS is a special limited edition Ferrari; track version for the road.

The F430 MT is special, because speculators have driven up the price of manual Ferraris.

The CS has the better sound too.

Go with the CS.

 

I think you could say speculators have driven up the price of LE Ferraris as well.

There is a massive glut of really nice sports cars out there folks.

My opinion: this comes down to F1 (track) / stick shift (street car) experience. The F430 comforts are a step above the 360 for sure, but the newer cars (458/488) are away ahead. Looking back, I don't see a huge difference between the 360 and 430 in that department. Sure the CS is more "raw" and focused. But some of that can be achieved via some suspension changes. I just think one will speak to you more and that's the one to go with.

I bought a 430 stick. I like the CS, but I really love driving stick shift. And the 430 is the last mid engine V8 stick shift Ferrari.

I don't think the CS nor 430 stick are going to look like great investments over the next few years as I think both are kind of high right now. Longer run, I bet the CS is a better investment. But I bought my car to drive.

 

For me?

Belt changes are meaningless. These are expensive cars to own, period.

F360 and the Challenge Stradale sound a lot better than a F430.

The F430 has more torque, and the real end stays put.

That said, I love the way a Rosso Scuderia with a stripe Stradale looks. I wish I still had mine.

 

Shouldn't be a struggle.....CS all the way.

IMO, the manual transmission craze with newer cars is its own bubble....which can burst at any time....witness what has happened with Porsche GT3 cars. Like Porsche, Ferrari can bring back a MT option at a moments notice.

 

Just like the 997.2 GT3 guys were saying......oops LOL

 

I've had both. For what you are describing I'd go with the 430.

 

Alright, fair assessment by all. I had this opportunity and did make this decision many years ago. It was between a manual 430 in red, with Daytona's, some carbon, challenge wheels and 1900 miles Vs a clean 14k mile Stradale. I went with the Stradale (2011). Why? Well it comes down to the experience. And as many have said, the Stradale packs plenty of experience.

Over the years I have had the chance to go back & confirm my choice as I have had the fortune to keep in touch with several manual F430's ~ and I still drive them with comparison in mind. And while I will admit that the interior is more comfortable in the 430, the power seems very much the same between the two cars (at least the feel of it does), and I find that the manual in the 430 is just not enough of a draw.

Stradale Bonuses- Drive time. Chassis feel. Limited production. Sounds. Unicorn status. Appreciation. Shear presents.

The Challenge Stradale as a whole reminds me that I am still very much alive.

 

Shouldn't be a struggle.....F430 6MT all the way.

 

Ferrari is not Porsche. And they are not bringing back stick shift. That horse has left the barn permanently. How do I know? I don't. But Sergio Marchionne surely has some insight and he has said as much on multiple occasions. Heres some of the latest... and I remember his saying similar things in prior interviews.

Naturally aspirated Ferrari V12s are here to stay, says Sergio Marchionne by CAR Magazine

Ferrari's CEO Crushes All Hope for Manual Transmissions » AutoGuide.com News

Ferrari's V-12s Will Never Be Turbocharged, Sergio Marchionne Says - The Drive

 

horses for courses.

i have had both.
and it really depends on what you plan to use it for.
the cs is hard core. loud, jarring, uncomfortable for anybody who is not a car nut, impressive performer, and you can hear and feel every pebble that run over. maintenance is expensive.

the 430 is comfortable, your wife will like going on road trips, you can have a conversation, its not as performant as the cs, but you say you dont want to track it anyway, and maintenance is easier.

i had the luxury of a lot of cars at my disposal when i bought the cs. so i did not need to drive the cs when i wanted to drive a ferrari, but if you only have one ferrari, my suggestion is the 430.

you need to think about what you are looking for, precisely.

 

This is best advice I have read in a long time. Many people obsess over buying a Ferrari, without giving much thought as to how they will be driving it. Many also fail to understand you shouldn't drive a Ferrari on the streets at anywhere near its limits. This will only end badly.

 

So did AP at Porsche...and I could come up with a similar list of quotes.

I also remember reading things from the Ferrari brass that they would never venture back into turbo charging......

 

Sounds like the 430 is more up your alley, but I don't think you can go wrong with either car.

 

So true. The first thing I ask friends when they say they want to get XYZ car is: what's your objective? (Family car, cruiser, etc)

Like I said, Ferrari is not Porsche, nor anyone else. They are all different. Show me a regulatory reason for going back to stick shift. The argument goes in the other direction. The age of stick shift at Ferrari is likely over for good. Of course, it is technically feasible and if there is a market demand they could always go back. But I just don't think so. I think if you want a stick shift Ferrari, then you are looking at pre-owned cars.