Thanks everyone for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I'm based in China and the oldest Ferrari model here only dates back to 360 & no 360 CS. Sounds like either a 430 scud or a 360 manual would be very fun. TDF also seems interesting. BTW, how does TDF compare to 599 gto? I have a friend who owns gto and I borrowed his car a couple of times and wasn't really impressed.
Only one data point, but nailing a 2nd to 3rd shift in a Maranello is almost better than sex. Almost.
Drove my 430 manual a fair bit the last 2 days. Not sure if I could live with anything more visceral. Unless I could have more than one.
The F40 is my bucket list visceral Ferrari! At 6’3 I don’t know if I could comfortably fit, but I’d find a way. I do love my 488. No I don’t feel like it’s going to kill me every time I drive it but it sure is fun.
430 Scud Manual F430 Manual 360 3 good choices although manual 360 might feel slow unless you plan on modding it. Convert to manual F430 if you can't find one in your neck of the woods.
Some of you may remember the Crystal Cove meetups. Hearing a F360 with a Tubi rip down PCH in the fog, priceless.
My manual 360 is all the visceral I need for the street, frankly. But I would like to drive an F50 sometime.
The F50 is many things but it’s the opposite of visceral unless you’re pushing it. Almost a bit dumb at low speeds. As a Maranello owner I would also not describe the 550 as visceral, though it is a great car. A Ferrari can be great without being visceral I’d say. Maranellos have a quietness and slight remoteness. To the OP’s point about modern Ferraris: TDF. All the way. All the viscerality and speed you’ll ever need. And as a gated 430 owner I’d agree the Scud is more visceral (but maybe not more fun) and the 458 Speciale is better, but less visceral.
"...F355, the best car in the world, ever" Jeremy Clarkson Ferrari 355 spider flyby at Reims. Capristo exhaust - YouTube
Interesting take on F50. Never knew it was like that, but suspected it. I kinda got the impression it was sorta mute until pushed. But that's only judging from videos. Never been in one. Although F355 lost the race, it lost in more visceral fashion . Ferrari gated shifter is definitely more fun than Scud's SF2 imo, but takes time to appreciate. If Scud SF2 is the most visceral/fun F1 paddle shift Ferrari ever made, then it's not hard to do the math . The market's euphoria for Ferrari gated shifters is well placed. It's the only transmission type that can be considered pure and timeless. We all know where the future is headed. Gobble up the cars that capture that pure automotive experience now.
the definition of visceral..... at one time, i found a 360 challenge race car that had somehow been homologated for the road, and i thought it would be a great idea to own this...... it was not. the car was a race car, and completely unsuitable for the street. i drove it for about 20 miles, loved every raucous bone shaking moment of it. and then i declined (it sold to a buyer in japan). then i bought a challenge stradale.... and it was just right.
Well .. I think you are one of the very few to don’ t feel the GTO visceral..I have drive scud challenge and GTO and one time next to my friend with an F50. I can say after the F50 it is the one that give me most emotions
I think the 430 Scud and the 599GTO with the SF2 transmission both with tremendous sound tracks would be my choice .. at least of the modern Ferrrari street cars ... I have owned gated Fcars also but something about the SF2 transmission is exciting to me...and since I own both I will pick them ....