Goobye F430..hello CGT

He paid 350 because they made a lot of them. It is undoubtedly a better car than the 430 for most any occaison, and at the prices they are available at now it is completely unbeatable. The only unpalatable thing about them is the price trend...largely due to the production numbers -- which are very similar to the F40, if I recall correctly

 

The CGT does not have the traction of the 430, but this is because it has 600+hp and is light. If you go full throttle in first, you are going to enjoy the traction control kicking in constantly. If you take TC off, you are going to spin the wheels. This is why 0-60 is a slow 3.9 ("slow" when compared to z06 or 430 published times) But 0-100 i believe is 6.6s and it is a rush.

This car weighs slightly less than a 430 with 120 extra horsepower (!). This car should be compared only with the Enzo in the Ferrari lineup (similar weight, 50 extra hp).

But remember, for the same weight as the Enzo, the CGT also comes with heated mirrors (?!), navigation (requires the dvd player), 6-disc cd, remote trunk opener, all electronics (tire pressure monitoring, power windows, electric door locks, full sound system, etc). I think if Porsche wanted to, they could have dumped a couple hundred lbs and make this car with similar hp/lb ratio as Enzo. Remember Enzo is manual windows, no power locks and no sound system. So Porsche did put some conveniences in this car .. i am not sure if that is good or bad?? Enzo, of course, has F1 with LC. Not sure if this technological advancement of the Enzo causes it to weigh more or not ..

In the back of the owners manual, there is a chart that shows acceleration -- speed (KM/H) vs time. The degree of acceleration you experience from 0-75kmh (1st gear) is virtually the same up until 235kmh when you shift to 5th gear. So what you feel (being thrown into the back of the seat) in a 430 from 0-60mph you feel similar in the CGT, except CGT does not let up until 140+MPH and after 140mph the degree of acceleration shifts only a little.

 

I dont understand some of you guys comparing the cars by performance numbers....
You buy a CGT or a enzo or a F430 for the driving enjoyment.....if you only want speed....come down to my shop in Stockholm and i´ll build you a mitsubishi Evo 1 RS with 550hp....it will sprint 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds, quarter mile in the high 10´s....you can use it everyday....4wd....end of problem, and it will run you about 8k (including the car).
Buy a CGT or a Ferrari if you want to get ultimate driving enjoyment....

I remember when I raced a 360 modena in my former Evo 2....I completely mashed him (0-62mph in 3.1 sec, 1/4 mile in 11.1). But I knew that it didn´t matter....he was driving a Ferrari.

 

in all the ugliness ... enjoy your CGT

I prefer mine in white

..as for all the Ferrari and Porsche experts ... rock on!!!
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Enjoy the car Lewey!!

I suppose if both these cars were drag racers, you might have a point. But they're not, so you don't. The Carrera GT greatly outpreforms the F430. Period.

There was an article posted a while ago, EVO magazine, I believe, that had the Zonda F, CGT, and F430 compared. Basically, they said, Zonda F, and CGT were in totally different leagues than the F430, performance wise.

 

One CGT question, did they fix the drainage for the condensation off the A/C. I know of one owner that constantly had soaked floor mats.

 

this might help ...

Top Gear

F360SC 425hp - 1.22.3
F430 495hp - 1.22.9 ($250k/$325k Spider market value)
Porsche GT3 RS - 1.22.3

Porsche Carerra GT - 1.19.8 ($400k market value) *$350k is a steal
Ferrari F60 Enzo - 1.19.0 (don't ask)

Ariel Atom - 1.19.5 ($60k Honda Civic SC engine)

Sorry I could not calculate your individual driving skills into the times ...

let my ignorant mind speak ... the Corvette will never be a Porsche 911, the Porsche 911 will never be a F430, the F430 will never be a CGT, and the CGT will never be an Enzo ... I think some of you F430 people are just mad because they guy got a CGT for $350k because the last time I check a F430 Spider was $325k + w/ a wait list.

 

I'd rather have a CGT over a 430 for sure.

P.S. $300-325K is the price for a 430 Spider no waiting. Probably $205-230K (based on options) if you're on an F-dealer list.

 

Maybe you could add the Noble to the mix of great cars on Top Gear's list. I think that beats them ALL. For a mere 80K...

But, so as NOT to hijack the thread, give me the GT over the 430.....

 

what's your favorite then?? Diablo 6.0

 

i would like to here an opinion (beside jeremy clarkson's) on the fear box of the cgt

 

Neither. Too much BS around here. I am a realist.

 

gear box*

 

Congrats on what I think is one of the most beautiful cars out there! While driving up to the ALTA snow ski resort earlier this year I passed a bright red CGT coming down the mountain. Made everyone's mouth drop. Gorgeous! A few months ago I sold my pristine '85 308qv and bought the new Boxster S fully loaded. Anyone that thinks the Boxster S is a loser car and brings Porsche down is simply not informed. Unbelievably fun car and infinitely better than the 308 in every regard (except shock-appeal). I'm still a Ferrari fanatic, but my little Boxster S...and of course the amazing CGT...have made me a Porsche-file, too. Congrats, again!

 

not to get off topic but the 987 box s is a great little car...nice sound, great handling and feel...a blast to drive and very well made...i was suprising impressed when i first drove one 5 months ago...and i known a 360 spider!!! while not as fast as the 360, the box. wasnt that much slower and could go toe to toe with the ferrari in terms of handling....the new carrera s also impressed me greatly on a recent test drive... my neighbor has a cgt and all ican say is wow....makes my 360 spider look and feel like a honda civic...

 

Once you master the clutch engagement (figure 4-6 stalls before that happens), the gearbox is as pleasant and precise as can be. The car is actually very easy to drive and has capabilities which exceed the skills of all but the professional driver (which I ain't). I second what Alex P had to say.

 

Gearbox requires some precision ...

Given the lightweight of the engine crank (flywheel is on gearbox, not engine), the engine wants to rev very quickly but as you engage the clutch it will drop those revs fast and now you need to be precise feeding it fuel. so it takes some experience to keep revs 1200-1800 as you let the clutch out. Otherwise, let the clutch out too quick without feeding more fuel and it stalls. Give it too much fuel and you burn the clutch and maybe light up your tires too. The easiest way is to just let the clutch out slow with no throttle, but this is good if you are in a parking lot, not very realistic in traffic where you need to get moving quick.

Gearbox will make some grinding sounds with clutch engaged between 1200-2200 rpm. This is normal .. i think it is interesting to listen to it ... A different experience.

When the gearbox is cold (first 2-5 minutes), double clutch is required otherwise you may grind gears even with clutch fully disengaged

The CGT is extremely precise. The steering, gearbox, engine, etc are all very fine tuned. Turn the wheel and the car follows. It is a different experience, nothing like a 430.

If someone has never driven a Ferrari, Lambo, CGT, etc but has driven a Porsche or BMW, they will be amazed at how easy the 430 is to drive. You will be driving like a pro in short order. The 430 is a great daily driver, the CGT is not like that, it is a different beast, but has different rewards as well.

 

Rafo, very well said! I'm going to print several copies of your post and hand one out to anyone who asks me what the clutch is like in the CGT! It'll save me A LOT of explaining. Thanks.

 

Arrogance aside, he did the right thing for todays car. For the money, 288 GTO first, F40 next would be my personal choice. I rode in a CGT with Hurley Haywood up to 185mph- it was awesome. Bobby Rahal just brought one to the Hilton Head Island Concours vintage track day-again awesome. Did you see Jay Leno and Donohue set the standing and flying track record for a closed course at Taledega? Yes, it looked like Leno almost killed himself when he spun 5 times at 180. As for history, let's not forget the great 904-910, 917,956-962 Vic Elford, Brian Redman, Derek Bell, etc. But what about F1?

http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000790057895/

http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/sports/1125653135142050.xml&coll=2

 

It's not all crap around here.

Some of us future CGT and Ferrari owners would simply like to know what the driving experience is like. Of all the replies to your original post I don't think anyone has asked that simple and painfully obvious question.

Congratulations. CGTs are works of art. Which color, if I may ask? I plan to have a black one but I haven't seen silver one yet in the flesh.

Many thanks for sharing, now and in the future.


Cavallini

 

I wish it was.

 

Congratulations Lewey! Great choice.

I'm just painfully sad that this thread has no pics yet! -

 

I've got to agree that if I were ready to spend $300k plus for a 430 Spider that I would have a serious sit-down with myself and probably come up with the extra cash for the CGT. The CGT is in a whole 'nother league, performance-wise.

Gary