Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login It still feels surreal. 53 years old, and finally at a point where I could get myself a toy. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Thanks guys....so much to learn about the "nuances" of these cars, but thank you to everyone so far with all of the great advice. I have one definite newbie question, especially for those with the F1 transmission. From a dead stop, or when moving slowly (like in a parking lot), is it "normal" for the car to feel like the engine is lugging? It's a hard to describe feeling, but unlike in a normal auto engine car (like my DD, e63...which I LOVE by the way), in the F430, when I am moving in reverse, or starting out slowly from a stop, the car seems to constantly do this. Is there a "technique" one needs to learn to help the clutch engage more quickly or something? Any advice, or pointing to threads would be helpful. Thanks!
Congrats! Good choice, IMO the F430 is one of the "last" real Ferrari. Regarding the F1 gearbox: don't worry, I dare say this is completely normal. It is the clutch which tries to close while driveaway. Try to bring the clutch to a close with little gas and then accelerate harder. It is difficult to do this while reversing, in this situation is it almost normal for the clutch to always drag and jerk a bit. Just try to develop the best feeling for this system. Think about, the F1 gearbox isn't a "normal" automatic gearbox, it is an automated manual transmission.
Thank you for the quick reply.....I have loved this version since it first came out, and am just thrilled and humbled that one now sits in my garage. Since they have also already taken that large depreciation hit, while I will of course maintain it meticulously, she will not remain a "garage queen." Your advice (and some prior replies) re: the transmission makes complete sense. I have driven the car less than 30 miles since I got it (fri night), so of course need to get used to things. That "drag and jerk" as you called it just caught me off guard. Thanks!!
That's perfectly normal..... That single clutch gear box is so much fun with the F1... Congrats on the car! Blk on Blk with Scud rear grill....Sure is Purty!!!
Congrats on your new ride. I purchased my 07 430 6 years ago at the age of 53 after almost 30 years of Dino308gt4 ownership. The F430 has been a ton of fun and I hope that you have a trouble free experience. Regarding the transmission, the sooner you get on the gas the better. I am usually fully engaged at a car length.
Thanks...I went for a nice 15 mile drive around some backroads this weekend, and the car was indeed 100% better with the input from all about engaging the clutch. Plus, the more I drove, the better it seemed to have shifted and engaged. perhaps the prior owner didn't show her the love on a weekly basis.....that will NOT be the case with me! I will service her regularly, and drive with respect, but this will not be a garage queen...
Since everyone has been so darn helpful, I thought I would hijack my own thread for another nuance question. I searched the other boards, and while there were some answers, people seemed all over the map. Luckily, my dash and seats are in super condition, and I want to keep that way. In fact, even after 12 years, all of the leather looks amazing. However, I DO NOT want the leather to get shiny or slippery at all. Does anyone have a recommended conditioner that would help preserve the leather without a slippery feel and wet look?
Hi Scott, I use Griots Garage leather care and it works great. It doesnt leave a greasy look nor make the leather slippery. Note that this product is a leather conditioner and not a leather cleaner. https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/leather+care.do?sortby=ourPicks I also use Lexol and it works great. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000637TNM/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_.V5ACbF040BA5 Dan
+1, I have found the Griot's leather care products to work very well and easy to apply. For dried or leather that needs some more work, the Leatherique products work well, but are very time consuming to use. For monthly cleaning and conditioning, I really like the Griots Leather Care Spray....super easy and really keeps the leather clean, removing surface dirt and skin oils.
Congrats! Beautiful car! I am working on a deal to purchase my first as well. It’s been a dream of mine since I was 5 years old and I hoping it will come to fruition very shortly. Wish me luck! I will post it up as soon as I get my hands on it! Congrats again and drive it like you stole it!
