I believe the F1 clutches wear more quickly, not the 6 speed manual. I prefer to drive the 6 speed manual with the classic ferrari gate myself. F1 is perhaps nice for the track, but when I drive, I like to use a stick shift. Two different technologies. Ray
Our local dealer says he actually gets more for stick shift cars on early 360's. Many people think they are easier to sell. Aside from personal preference, another factor is reliability. The paddle cars have more troubles. Dave
I don't know what the view among F1 owners is, but the view among 6 speed manual owners tends to be that "real ferraris have a gated shifter". I think the F1 is a neat thing, but I perfer the manual gear box for the street. But it depends on what you like personally really. Anyway, as far as resale, my view is that - because it's more difficult to find a 6 speed - you can get a bit more money for them if you find the right buyer, since they are more difficult to locate (I've read that 70% of the cars are ordered with F1). Even though the F1 costs more from the factory, I don't see them commanding more money in the resale market. As far as which one is better.. it depends on the person buying the car - whether that's you or someone you are selling to later. Ray
My 6 speed 2001 360 sold for a premium. I think the early F1's were a bit clunky, but once you got used to it they were Ok. The F1 in the 575 is awesome, the stradale is awesome, the F430 is really awesome and the 599 (from what I've read) is just flat out incredible. Ferrari has made a lot of improvements along the way. If I was buying a 360 now, I would opt for a manual, because its a lot of fun. Maybe the F1 is a little faster but the 360 is not a good track car anyway. But the other cars, I would choose F1 no question.
I have to disagree with a couple of your statements, not that my opinions are any more valid than yours, just expressing another viewpoint. I drove a 575M with F1 for a week, and thought it was unacceptable in town driving, just not smooth enough. And I think the 360 makes a fine track car, not as nice as a Stradale, obviously, but I had tremendous fun with mine at track days. Gary
What year was the 575 and did it have all the software updates. Was is in sport mode or not? What were your shift points? That car has a lot of variable that can affect your experience. Mines is an 04 with all the latest updates, and if I shift at lower RPMs (ie <6k) its butter smooth. In sport mode over 7k its neck snapping. If there is any car that is not smooth its the Stradale (in race mode or not), but thats what the car is designed for. The F430 seemed to be both smooth and sporty at the same time.
I tried all modes and different techniques...and I had it for a week and never warmed up to it. I always felt like a computer was trying to guess what I wanted done with the clutch and was not a very good guesser. Certainly I felt that I could have done better in the around-town situations. Just not for me. Gary
I always seemed to have more fun when driving the 6 speed man over the f1. The f1 is a great transmission and probably works wonders on the track, but I enjoy the 6 speed much better. I have to agree with Gary, the 360 makes a perfectly fine track car...at least I had more fun in it than any other street car I have taken on the track. Paul L
.Here's the deal. Some of us actually drive these cars as they were intended - as daily transportation. We drive them on freeways, we drive them on congested city roads. We, oh my Lord, drive them to the grocery store and park them amongst other cars. Modern conveniences like paddle shifters and auto modes and cruise control make driving easier. Not every mile in a Ferrari is a piece of automotive heaven. It is a car after all, with all of the regulatory bits and pieces to allow it to be licensed and operated on public roads. But if by doing this we offend those who own Ferraris and park them, polish them, show them off, but never use them - too bad! If you want a stick shifted car, get one, but stop assuming that it is more thrilling or involving or better than a paddle shifted car 80% of new Ferrari buyers can't all be deluded and uninvolved. So please, all of the holier than thou types who believe that stick shifted transmissions are the only way to go - get a life.
Some of us actually drive these cars as they were ntended - as daily transportation. We drive them on freeways, we drive them on congested city roads. We, oh my Lord, drive them to the grocery store and park them amongst other cars. Modern conveniences like paddle shifters and auto modes and cruise control make driving easier. Not every mile in a Ferrari is a piece of automotive heaven. It is a car after all, with all of the regulatory bits and pieces to allow it to be licensed and operated on public roads. But if by doing this we offend those who own Ferraris and park them, polish them, show them off, but never use them - too bad! If you want a stick shifted car, get one, but stop assuming that it is more thrilling or involving or better than a paddle shifted car 80% of new Ferrari buyers can't all be deluded and uninvolved. So please, all of the holier than thou types who believe that stick shifted transmissions are the only way to go - get a life.
Over 80% or all 360s and even more 430s have been ordered with F1 so its pretty clear which is preferred by new Ferrari buyers. I am a long time manual transmission guy but my 02 F1 Coupe shifts slicker, smoother and more consistently than I (or anyone else) could ever do manually. I see no advantage to a manual 360 other than personal preference, but several advantages to the F1 (smoother more consistent shifting, completely effortless, much easier for ladies, etc.). Clutch wear is a function of driver habits so is effectively the same for both. Mine has been completely trouble free so I see no reliability advantage to the manual. The 02 and later software is reputed to be smoother than earlier versions but I doubt theres enough difference to matter. I think its great if someone wants to do his own shifting and Im glad some manuals are around for them to drive. But I find the F1 to be just like having a woman with no legs once youve had one youll never go back!
Yes, the same high wearing for F1 575M Life is center about action, F1 allows you to remove that life.
