I Predicted!!! Manual Conversions < F1

From time to time, I think about selling my 360 6-speed manual and getting a Superleggera. I can’t really make up my mind… Now if it was a manual 2WD Superleggera, I wouldn’t hesitate.

 

No, how you go around belittling and insulting everyone on here does. I've seen you do it for years, well before I owned an F car.

Sent from my toilet using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Sounds like Tom can help with that.

 

Oh darn. Now I have to go to my safe space.
I don't know how much more I can take.

 

I've honestly not met a single person (not saying they don't exist) who has ever poohed poohed a manual conversion from any angle other than potential resale issues. I certainly don't have an issue with it, assuming it has no extraneous issues.

<tounge in cheek, please do not be offended>
Ferrari owners come in all shapes and sizes. However, there is a particular hierarchy.
The Ferrari Hierarchy

You have patron saint Enzo at the top of the pyramid; many still speak for him (for better or worse), which I am guilty of - I don't think he would care since he okayed the 400 Automatic. If he is okay with a cardinal sin, why would a minor one matter?

Then you have Ferrari professional drivers past/present, and every single one I've ever met 'doesn't care' what modification you made, as long as it wins.

Then you have the early Enzo Era purists who reference cars not by model but by VIN (yeah, the 08132 has the off-white knob, whereas the 08133 had the grey one.). They shudder at the thought of any diversion from spec (unless it happens accidentally by Tony at the factory.)

You have the late Enzo purists, who can be just as bad but are always in the shadow of the early Enzo purists for owning glorified Fiats.

Next, early LdM acolytes say the Mondial is garbage and that the 348 was its trash can. The F355 is Enzo's gift to man and is the peak Ferrari.

After that, the late LdM followers extoll the virtues of DCT and shun any analog mechanizations as anachronistic. They would rather not know their mechanics by their first name and have to send birthday gifts to their children.

This brings us to the Stellantis-era owners who don't care if it's wrapped, lifted, drives itself, has a Pikachu decal plastered on the side, or runs on farts - as long as it gets a million tik tok likes.

 

I think you left out one subset. While modification of the cars used to be quite common and embraced over time it was obvious old Ferraris were more greatly valued in stock form (Conveniently ignoring Breadvan, Nembos etc) and learned a lesson a little too greatly embraced that it was a bad idea to modify the cars and too forcefully communicated their opinion. Many of us understand the concept but figure "Its your car" etc.

I am of the opinion over time they will not be accepted as well as their owners hope but I've been wrong before and the future will settle our disputes.

I am also in the camp that regrets Ferrari chose to discontinue manual transmissions. But then I regret a lot of things they have done.

 

Now I get it. You are just too much of a snowflake to handle adult conversation. Would it help if I put in lots of smiley faces, unicorns and rainbows to know I am not being mean?

Read the words and quit reading your hypersensitivities into it.

And quit being so insecure.

 

Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. Why don't you come over and we can cook up some tide pods for dinner and talk this all out. [emoji41]

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You make a good point, I can definitely see this happening. Push comes to shove, I agree with you- I'm thinking if one wants a manual, just bite the bullet and pay the premium (sans Cali/599).

 

What this debate proves to me is the wisdom of Porsche's approach. The marketplace says there is significant demand for manual transmissions. Porsche is not leaving any money on the table.

 

Makes you wonder. I know Ferrari is all about (or at least they profess to be) looking forward, not back. The newest, best, fastest, bla bla bla....whatever.

But still. I do know sales in the latter days of F1 heavily favored F1 but they are not ignorant. At least I thought they weren't. They had to know manuals were very popular on the used market and the lack of them now has to have changed the overall picture.

 

I have no problem with you. Never did.

 

If you decide to do it..let me know..I can give you the list of part numbers. It's a combination of Audi and Lambo parts. The best thing about it..is you use all factory parts..which are all still available through the dealer network.

The only difficult part to get was the pedal box. We ordered an extra one just in case a third car arrives.

 

Even better they kept head faking that [INSERT SPECIAL EDITION HERE] was going to be the last manual, only to keep offering them in more expensive variants.

 

Porsche can do this since its enthusiast base is willing to spend 100-200k on a stick shift car that is slower than any other car in its price point. I don’t think people shopping for new Ferraris would be willing to pay 300-500k for a car that is slower or less powerful than its competitors, just for bragging rights, even though it doesn’t make a difference on the road at all

 

resale value of a 430 is a nonevent in general, but even more so when compared to the gated experience, holds true for the scud for me as well.
i wld never convert my f40 to automatic, i dont even have an exhaust on it.
i rarely drive my 430 F1 anymore, it just sits up on a lift. it's pretty to look at.

 

If they sold a truly lightweight [~2,800lb.], driver-focused rear-engined car that looked like an Emira with a minimalist interior, a manual and the 458's NA V8 - even "parts bin" interior and drivetrain - for $200-250k, the wait list would be 5 years.

 

You mean Lambo actually sells parts? Who knew?

 

that would be amazing. Too bad that nowadays 200k in Ferrari world is a tailor made interior, applied decals on the paint and bunch of carbon fiber bits

 

Yep.

I think a manual 430 could be stripped out like a Scud and achieve most of the same effect for less than $300k. A conversion, maybe even $200k.

I keep saying I want a higher miles 328GTB and Singer-style strip it down and rebuild it with modern brakes and suspension.

 

What you're saying, I think, is Porsche owners drive their cars. They don't just look at them in the garage.

 

gee, I never knew i was hated.

 

I definitely have respect for the Enzo era cars . Those are the cars that made the marque. I grew up wanting Enzo/ Fiat era cars - 308- boxer, 328, and owned one for 20 years. today I'm a LDM owner ... with a 599. I'm older and the car is much easier to use than any of the 70'2 - 80's cars.... but not as distinctive. I dont really care what an owner does to their car... its their car. however I will have a personal opinion, and I'm not shy about sharing it. when i see a new Ferrari wrapped, slammed etc... I do think what a shame... but alas, its not mine, so it does not matter . I do love nothing more than someone with an Enzo ear car who actually drives it. I was just at Roebling Road for an FCA track meet and one member was tracking his 1967 330 gtc... gorgeous car, silver with pressed steel wheels, one of my absolute favorites... and he's owned the car for 40 years. Bravo to him! that is my kind of Ferrari guy. I hope that I will be seen as that guy in 20 - 30 years. I'm not too concerned about stone chips, and dirt etc... I like my car to look nice but I'm not a Porsche fanatic about it.

 

Porsche is also about 4 x bigger than Ferrari. when they started to make sedans and SUV's Porsche stopped being a sports car company and are just a Car company.. with the 911, cayman, Boxter as their sporty cars.... I fear Ferrari has dipped its toe in that lake with the Purosange... but what ever.

 

We'll have to see. Will Ferrari take the bucks it will make off this SUV and pour them back into the company, or will they take the money and run?