CS or F430 6MT

I think long run they'll both appreciate similarly.

The CS will cost more to maintain.

I also think more people have dreamt about having a CS over a manual F430. That will likely send valuations on the CS higher than the F430 long term in my opinion.

 

When I drove the .2 GT3RS and the manual 430 back to back, I came away really happy with my GT3RS as did the owner of the Ferrari. Then I drove a CS and it was entirely something new, and more raw, and more scary to drive. A year or so later I bought one just from that first test drive. Never had a 430 manual desire after driving one.

In talking to Ferrari mechanics and those smarter than me, they said the manual 360 was better than the fledging F1 at that time, whereas with the 430, the F1 was how the car was designed. The manual option was reverse engineered to work but not how the car was really designed. In driving a manual 360, it feels really well suited and a part of that car. I did not feel the same connection in the 430 manual, but then, I was comparing it to the GT3RS at the time. I do have an unreal connection to the 430 in the Scud format.

To underscore my opinion, I have a few CS, plus a manual 360, and many Scud/16M but nary a manual 430. Those do something viscerally for me that the manual or base 430's do not.

 

You're not the first person to say exactly that. Btw, that's how I reacted to the 599 manual- it really felt out of place to me.

The irony is when I drove the CS I felt the transmission is what let down the car and the experience, whereas I love how fast I have to be to shift the 430.

I should add the 430 stick shift lacks the e-diff from the F1 model. Instead it has a mechanical diff. But in F430 guise, its not as noticeable as in 430 Scuderia. However, for me these are used as street cars, so I enjoy the manual 430 the most.

Different strokes for different folks. There's no absolute right nor wrong, but there is right or wrong for you. So Ross' question is really the most critical.

 

Challenge Stradale. Easy decision.

 

All the 430s, including our gated manuals, have the e-diff..(page 116 of the owner's manual)

 

Thanks! I stand corrected! I think I got confused as the F430 stick still has the F1 pump to run the e-diff, and that confused me. Too many things going around my head these days!

 

as soon as you said you will not ever track the car, it became obvious the right decision is the 430 6mt

 

No problem, and I second your advice. 430 Scuderia (not CS) was the best Ferrari I have driven, and I still bought a gated 430, in fact 2, rather than a Scud or a CS for the reasons you and others have outlined. I don't track my cars, or drive them at their limits on public roads (much).

 

I visited with a friend today, and he is the person to whom I sold my (now former) Scud. I loved seeing my friend and seeing my old baby brought back great memories. But I'm glad he has it. He is a true Ferrarista. That car is an absolute blast to drive.

So to come back to the discussion, a long time ago (right here in this galaxy), I had an epiphany whilst on a track day with BMW. We were driving M3s with stick shift and then with the then new SMG (like Ferrari's F1). I really do love driving stick shift, but it occurred to me that when you are driving on the track there is a % of one's attention that is better served going to steering, throttle, etc rather than shifting. However, on the street, there is free mental capacity for enjoying shifting. And also being on the track, having perfect shifts ever time is almost a luxury- and could even be viewed as a safety feature as you won't have issues such as locking up the rear or unbalancing the car from a poorly executed shift.

(OK I do miss my Scud!)

 

I've had both and would pick 430. CS is really down on power and fairly expensive to maintain. Not just timing belts but the engine bay CF turns yellow ($16,000), the rear plexi probably has lots of spider cracks ($13,000), the brakes were not well sorted (super grabby) and that single clutch F1 was soooo clunky. Don't try LC either. The car looks and sounds great though.

 

Interesting. Mine (like all of them) is now 13 years old and has 19k miles with no discoloration in the carbon fiber, no spider cracks in the rear plexi and the brakes are amazing imo. F1 is what it is, but I actually vastly prefer the better F1s (the CS is better than most, but the very best were the superfast 1 & 2) over DCT and the gated vs. F1 thing is so personal that its solely down to individual preference. Agree, never use LC (on any Ferrari you intend to keep).

 

I absolutely love manuals.

CS all the way! Still one of my favourite ever cars.

 

ME TOO... 15,000 miles.. on mine.

never one repair bill! (normal maint. every year, and every 3 years belts) never an issue with discolored carbon, or spider cracks on rear plexi..

wonder if it has to do with previous owners and how car was kept? if tracked more heat in engine compartment leading to those types of problems??

edit: did replace battery..