You should ask Ferrari to make you a self-driving tailor made special. Will be benign, and pretty quick too. The rest of us in the meantime can toil away having some proper fun in our crude old motors.
Ferrari, and all manufacturers for that matter, make cars that are drivable nowadays. A far cry from the mess of the old days.
This is spot on. Also, do not forget that the bean counters are REALLY out in force these days. More and more parts sharing is going on in every manufacturer's products. Ferrari has even less vehicles in which to amortotrize costs. Any 488 successor engine is likely to share its design with the Cali T (or should I say its replacement) as well as the Lusso. Ferrari has no choice but to spread its costs over as many vehicles as possible. Especially due to US and other market emission, sound, etc. standards. Can you imagine the cost/complexity of each car having a different motor? You can tune a motor differently, but you cannot have a completely different set -up. IMO. Best
Right. Those old 250 GTOs and SWBs with their clonking manual gearshifts and antiquated suspension....what a mess! What was that man Enzo thinking???
Agree on all, these years are critical and complicated for a strong tradition brand like Ferrari, but I believe they know their job and will do the homework to mix economy, profit, emotional experience and innovation. The 488 "GTO", whatever its name, will be a proud member of the v8 family, probably being the last of the old platform generation cars. Undoubtedly a car to have fun at Mugello each weekend, having the possibility to buy one.
I can not wait to drive it on track sideways! My spider is so delayed that I have to hold on to gt3 rs too long. When spider comes later this year then I can sell rs and order 488 gto. I hope I can get good price on rs but it seems its too late with gen2 gt3. I will not go back to porsche as track cars because they became too easy. If gt2 has any chance of being widow maker I am all in though.
That's what Porsche said as well......and now, the new GT3. I suspect manuals will make a comeback before long.
Porsche never said that manuals are dead http://blog.caranddriver.com/porsche-committed-to-manual-transmissions-for-as-long-as-possible/
I was referring to the GT3, but I of course forgot the grammar police on Fchat ;-). I think you know the point I was making. Ferrari will eventually listen to their customers again (!), and provide the option of manuals (maybe not on all models). You only have to see the relative values of used models that have a manual vs the F1 to see that there are many buyers who prefer the purity of a nice manual transmission with the polished shift gate.
It sure would be interesting to see what happens to all the 599, 430, 360, 456 gated cars, in terms of value, if Ferrari ever did decide to offer a new model with a gated version.
I am willing to place a bet against Ferrari offering a manual box. The very reason that made them drop the manual in the first place is the fact that its sales were non-existent! The only reason that gated cars retain their value is their very low number, something that still appeals to some romantic collectors...
+488 Ferrari DCT is really a distinctive feature for its cars, today supercars need concentration and strict control, no real usefulness from a manual gearbox, F1 shift is pure racing feeling
+1 IIRC, only five Californias were sold with a manual gearbox - the California was the last Ferrari offered with a manual gearbox.
Recently saw a 488 test car in Maranello with a really louder and more aggressive exhaust tone, probably testing the improved Engine for the GTO coming. I believe it will be less friendly to drive but even more fun and challenging
Just passed by while I was drinking a bitter at the café Drake in Maranello, had not the time t mo take the phone and male a picture but except for the test purpose special plate, it was a quite normal car, at least in the exterior body part, no camo, just testing underskin mechanics
A manual Ferrari is very possible. If people start asking for them. The upcoming Dino might have a manual option. At least Ferrari is discussing it. I'm very tempted buy the new manual 911 GT3. I don't want to buy a Porsche, but if I'm forced to I will. The value of the manual 599 GTB continues to be 4X the automatic.
The word from the dealer is that current ownership of a 488 is required for eligibility for the VS. Has anyone else experienced the same?
Yeah, according to several people on forum, next 488 VS will be more similar to a LE car than a normal VS, probably a real GTO feeling car if not in name, at least in emotions and requirements. On the other hand, Ferrari knows how to respond to 720 and be sure, they will. Maybe at Frankfurt 2017, maybe at Paris 2018. 710/720 PS and around 1300 kg dry weight with new aero and electronics.
I think it's unlikely for Frankfurt 2017 (at that timeframe they'll most probably replace the California) and will rather be Geneva 2018 (which would be my guess) or Paris 2018.
