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Buying a 360 but never been in a F1 transmission car...

Discussion in 'Texas' started by beanboy, Oct 12, 2008.

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  1. beanboy

    beanboy Rookie

    Jun 22, 2005
    28
    Dallas
    Full Name:
    Parker
    #1 beanboy, Oct 12, 2008
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2008
    I'm looking to buy a red or yellow 360 but one major thing I have not determined is whether or not I want a 6spd or F1 gearbox car. I had the opportunity to drive a 6 spd Spider for 15 minutes in Monte Carlo (thaaat was fun), but have never been in a Ferrari with an F1 gearbox. Would anyone in the DFW area be kind enough to let me be a passenger in your 360 F1 for a few minutes while you run through the gears? I'm just looking to see how the Ferrari F1 compares to the BMW M-car version of F1 gearboxes that I'm used to.

    Please PM me if you're able to help in any way. Thank you,
    Parker
     
  2. brokenarrow

    brokenarrow F1 Rookie

    Sep 25, 2006
    3,737
    Txass
    Full Name:
    Bill
    #2 brokenarrow, Oct 19, 2008
    You should make a trip up to the Ferrari dealer in Plano. Speak with the head of service, Larry (I believe). Ask him which requires more service, and more money to maintain. I'll refrain from adding my comments.

    I have driven both when I was looking for my 360 and it was a no brainer to me.

    Talk to the dealers, drive them both, and you'll be done--guaranteed.
     
  3. beanboy

    beanboy Rookie

    Jun 22, 2005
    28
    Dallas
    Full Name:
    Parker
    #3 beanboy, Oct 19, 2008
    I actually have spoken with Larry several times and been up to the dealer as well. Unfortunately the only 360 they have right now is blue with a horrific interior color option. Bleh.

    Driving both is proving to be difficult. I probably have a test drive lined up with a F1 car this Monday or Tuesday at Lambo Dallas, but since 6 speeds are so rare I doubt that I'll get another chance to drive one. (I only got to drive one for 15 minutes before, and I was just enjoying being in Europe in a 360 spyder...not trying to decide whether I liked the 6spd manual gearbox).
     
  4. Camdon53

    Camdon53 Formula Junior

    Jul 18, 2006
    507
    Texas, USA
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #4 Camdon53, Oct 20, 2008
    All good advice from brokenarrow.

    When I was shopping for my 360, the choice was easy for me as well. I drove a friend's BMW M3 with SMG and I took a spin in an '01 360 coupe with manual 6-speed. Both cars made it clear to me that the Ferrari F1 was the way to go. I prefer the '02 and later Ferrari F1 for several reasons, but the bottom line is that I have found its astonishing smoothness and effortless precision beyond reproach.

    The Ferrari F1 seemed noticeably smoother and more "refined" than the BMW system. I expect that's because Ferrari has been building them into street cars a lot longer than BMW although I'm sure the BMW system is working fine by now. The 360 manual I drove worked great and is certainly among the best manual gearboxes you can drive.

    It's really not a matter of which system is "better". It all boils down to which you prefer. If you want to do your own shifting, get the manual. If you want the car to take care of that for you, get the F1. No matter which you get, it's a terrific car.

    If you're in the San Antonio area, drop me a line and I'll be glad to take you for a spin in my '02 F1 coupe. The local dealer (Barrett) has several 360's and 430s to choose from, both manual and F1. I'm sure they would be happy to demo anything for a serious buyer.
     
  5. LightGuy

    LightGuy Four Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 4, 2004
    46,160
    Texas
    Full Name:
    David
    #5 LightGuy, Oct 21, 2008
    I thought that interior to be appealing.
    Different strokes.
     

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