Looking at a 1998 F1 Spider, looking for opinions on flappy paddle gearbox

From reading your post the F1 might not be for you if you expect the docile gentle shift of a 130hp Mazda with an auto and a fake paddle shift. If a "holy ****" kaboom instant shift with the engine screaming away is exhilarating then it is for you. The tranny itself is a 6 speed manual with a computer and hydrolic system running the clutch pedal and the shift forks. The simple stuff like coming to a stop and starting off just happens without much fuss.

Sight unseen is not a good idea, not literally in that you looking at it if you have no idea what your looking at, but get a pre purchase inspection by a qualified 3rd party.

 

I have the same car for sale with all of the problem areas already fixed. Red/tan, 17 k miles, fabspeed headers, fabspeed cats, Nouvalari exhaust, sticky parts redone by sticky no more, 30k service done by Universal Autosports, annual maintenance done by wide world of cars in ny. Looking for 65k. Pm me if your interested. As far as the F1 transmission is concerned, this is the first car I've owned with that type of trans and I love it. Whatever car you chose mine, theirs, 355, 360, go with an F1 you wont regret it.

 

In those respects it is allot like an normal automatic, the clutch engages and releases without any unusual habits. After you drive it for a few trips you will adjust fine. Stop and go traffic is also not a problem, there is a slight hump as the clutch goes from slip to full engage and you can feel it change states if you know what to feel for, not abrupt or distracting in any way. Although it is less fun, if your trying to make phone call, program a GPS, drink a coffee, you can just hit the auto button and drive it like any automatic. For me the only concern about stop and go driving in a traffic jam, hills etc. is thinking about the clutch wear....

 

I bought a 1998 355 F1 GTS new. I still own the car and have no plans of letting it go.
The F1 system has been completely reliable with the only exception being a failed TCU.
The system wouldn't select neutral. Easy fix.

The 355s with the F1 system allows foot control of the throttle allowing you to be more involved in downshifts.

My 2004 575M is a different animal. Everything is fly by wire. The system does a great job blipping the throttle on downshifts matching revs on its own.

If you want a three pedal manual 6 speed there are plenty out there.

 

I've owned one for over a year now, 99 355 F1, no problems.....
you'll have more issues with the top then that F1 transmission.

The F1 seems pretty robust to me. The guys that I know their with F1 cars, haven't mentioned any problems either, so.
Its easy to drive it in traffic, hills are somewhat different because you don't have control over the clutch. but you get use to it.
that stick shift thing is old school if that's what you're looking for.
I doubt you could shift any quicker than the newer F1s.
I don't like driving the F1 in auto mode.

Not sure I'd buy another standard 6 speed unless there wasn't an option.

 

I'm with the majority opinion here... although mine is a 1999, the F1 tranny has never been a problem over the seven years I've owned the car, and I would not want anything but the F1. A minor caveat... parallel parking can be a bit of a pain, especially if you have to go from forward to reverse a couple of times, as there is a bit of lag when actuating reverse and then going back to first gear. Just avoid that situation unless absolutely necessary. I also sweat a bit during the few times I've been stuck in stop/go traffic - especially on the incine of a hill (for Californians, think Hwy 1 from Carmel Valley to Carmel during rush hour) -but so far, the F1 has come through with flying colors Good luck and enjoy!

 

Left foot on the brake pedal, right foot on the accelerator pedal on uphill stops.

 

You're exactly right about that!

 

Thanks. Fourteen years of practice. LOL

 

After looking pretty hard for a low mileage later model GTS with a 6-speed manual and not having any luck, I decided to check one out that had the F1 transmission. I was skeptical based on some things I had heard but ended being very pleasantly surprised. When you drive it gently, it shifts very smoothly and when you drive aggressively, it can shift pretty abruptly-just like driving a stick shift car. I ended up buying the F1 transmission car this past summer and have been very happy with it. Maybe I am trying to rationalize my purchase decision, but I actually prefer it some ways over the modern dual clutch paddle shifter cars. The 355 F1 transmission puts you more in touch with the car (you can actually feel the clutch engagement when starting from a standstill) and you get the benefit of being able to shift much faster than you could with the 3-pedal cars. With the F1 transmission, the 355 will impress you with its acceleration and definitely put a smile on your face. I really enjoy the sound it makes when it automatically blips the engine as it downshifts while approaching a stop. I agree with the previous posters re: some of the minor quirks you will have to deal with.

 

I've had my 99 F1GTS for about a year now and like others have said it really is a great car to drive and i've had no problems with the system.
It has minor quirks that you will learn to deal with such as having to let the system charge before you can shift the car into neutral and start it. For this reason i usually leave my car in neutral when shutting it off on a flat surface just make sure your parking brake works well.

 

I had a 99 355 F1 spider, never had a problem with the F1 system, it really worked well.
I really miss that car!

 

I've had my '99 F1 for 4 years now and couldn't be happier with it ! The car shifts very fast and as another poster said...you can concentrate on really driving the car. No problems in stop and go traffic either... Every other car I've ever owned ( maybe 15 now ) has been a manual shift....but this F1 works just fine ! Go for it !

 

Absolutely nothing better on the twisties or the track.

 

I agree. I much prefer the F1 in my 355 to the double clutch in my BMW.

 

How refreshing it is to read so many positive comments about the F1 system in the 355.

I've had my '98 GTS F1 for a bit over a year now and it has performed flawlessly.
It does take some getting used to, especially in low speed parking, reversing etc., but once the car is up to speed it's a brilliant system and great fun.

It is slower and clunkier than more modern systems, but I think that adds some character.
It actually feels like a manual box change, just faster and more reliable than I could ever do it.

With the added bonus of an automatic mode so my wife can drive it home from the pub if I've accidentally had one or two more than I should have, what more could you want?

 

Another F1 supporter. I would not have looked for one initially, but the car was a deal I could not pass up, and so here I am. I had a 6-speed 355 in the past and liked it but I think I would pick the F1 in the 355 again. And I am usually a die-hard manual guy. As I have said before, I think the 355 F1 is my favorite of all because it retains the need for heel-toe unlike every other car on the market.

It's the only one that says "F1" on the car too. I bet Bernie killed that.

 

I was like you... wasn't looking for F1 per se, but the best car I found had it, so I took it. No regrets yet. (I'm actually concerned about how it would be to drive a 6 speed, since the footbox is so small).


I have an E92 M3 and yes, the transmission is technically superior in every way... but it's 10 years newer and I DO like the charm, etc... of the 355's F1 box.

Mine is getting converted over to a 360 pump right now, which will put my only real concern to bed. Looking forward to getting it back!