I am actively looking for an F430 coupe. What are the pros and cons of choosing a 6 speed manual, gated shifter over an F1? Owners of F1, have you started to have expensive repairs yet?
i have had both but i am a traditionalist. if you are going to track it then get the F1. if not then get the 6, it allows more driver involvement
This topic has been covered so many times before it's become a joke. Bottom line is buy what you like.
I believe the consensus for long term is that less potential problems with manual - no F1 pump or other parts of the mechanism to give you trouble - debatable if clutch lasts longer but depends how you drive
+2. This subject has been beaten to death. Go to the dealer. Tell them you are a serious buyer. Drive both and decide. I believe the 3 pedal cars will have less maintenance expense in the long run, but buy what you want. Fix it if it breaks.
I have to say as a fairly new member myself I find it annoying that so many of you fellow FChatters get worked up quite so quickly about an old topic being recovered - let's be honest, there is very little new stuff to talk about on a daily basis and when a newbe asks for drivers input on car options based on ownership experience then this will be constantly changing view from owners as time does by - so come on guys, lets not get so excited so quickly, if you don't like the thread don't comment on it. My vote would go with the manual for a road car.
Its more fun to tease people especially if they appear not to have the basic courtesy to see if the question has been asked before ! Its the same lazy mentality that is currently being shown/discussed in the F1 area by the people who can't cope with 'spoiler'
I could understand if it was a factual question about a car, but when the guy is asking about owners experience then this is constantly changing and as time goes by more people will have owned both. Seems perfectly proper to get the latest views and not rely on old threads. Not at all lazy but on the contrary a potential buyer doing his homework.
why does the F1 matter for the track? other than the obvious that it is faster. There is still always going to be guys and gals with 200 and 300 horse power cars that will spank an F430, even if the F430 driver is a half decent track driver. And by the way, the full potential of these cars can't be found on the street, and that goes for much lesser cars than the F430 too. this has been discussed to exhaustion, I think it comes down to the way it makes you feel when you are in the driver seat. Answer the question for yourself: Is the F1 or stick a more exhilarating experience when I am in the drivers seat? How long am I going to keep the car? If indefinitely, am I still going to want the F1 or stick in 6 years? How picky am I on color and options? Stick hard to find if picky, F1 pretty much available in most colors/well optioned.
Manual - more driver involvement and lower maintenance costs F1 - technically brilliant, slick shifts, particularly relevant to extracting ultimate performance but at the cost of additional maintenance cost Try both pay your money and make your choice on personal preference
on the 360 id get manual, on the 430 either or. if u drive a 458 and then a 360 with f1 u will hate the f1. theyve just come so darn for in terms of speed shift.
I know the question has been asked before in terms of performance. I thoroughly researched all the threads going back 3 years on the subject, including model specific forums. My angle of inquiry here was on Long Term which requires mileage actually being put on the vehicle and experience on this front will most certainly change with time. I guarantee that when the bulk of F430s with F1 trannies pass 10k miles and approach 20k, you will see a far different response. Regardless, I wanted to seek the informed opinions of those who have actually lived with the cars now a few years, and see if people had changed their original thinking. Sorry to have perturbed anyone, but one is always free not to respond I suppose. Maybe there should be stickies for F430 FAQs as well? Bottom line, this issue is not a static question any more than the exhaust manifold issue and deserves timely, dynamic updating as the miles accrue.
My reply was to Russell but I suspect many others were commenting on the above And yes a 430 FAQ would be helpful
Thanks Russell, I've had my 456gt 6 speed for nine years and thought the F1 would be more fun. I've had my 430 spider for eight weeks, put two thousand miles on it in that time and the F1 is fun but if I had to do it again I would get a 6 speed manual. Just more fun to drive. This post has come up many times before and each time a few people add new things so bring it on again and again no big deal. The ones who are tired of it need not reply.
+1- if people get tired talking about a particular topic here's an idea- don't post or read the topic and let others who are interested respond. Problem solved. Virtually every topic has been discussed, but if everone just said "do a search" there would be no need to f-chat to exist anymore- just the archives! Regarding the original question- my vote is a stick if you can find one. It will be tough, but I prefer the stick for the 360/430 cars. The F1 is better on the 430 than the F1 in the 360, but either car I personally would want in stick not F1 even if it meant searching farther and loner for the right car in stick- in fact something I had to do with my 360.
