Hi, I'm new to this forum and am deciding to buy a preowned 360.Can anyone tell me about the gearboxes?Should I go for the F1 or Manual box.I have never driven a 360.I also heard lots of stories about the F1 box being unreliable.Is that true?Thanks!
definitely search the archives. in the end, you should drive both and decide for yourself. some folks argue that the F1 tranny is more prone to problems. some would argue that's not the case. most will agree that you can drive both trannies "badly", thereby shortening their lives. doody.
Funny, my friend floored by Stradale from a start after I told him not to. Some people just don't get that the F1 is still like a manual transmission. I could smell the clutch burning. He was very embarrased. It seems like smarter software can make the F1 work for dummies. Maybe someday Ferrari will have it.
i had the same question my self, i intially though the f1 was blast with my intial brief test drive.... the second time i drove it more extensively, i found for my driving style, i would get bored not having a cultch pedal and shifter...the 6 speed in the 360 is a big improvement over my old 355 and is a joy to use... no regretes here with the 6 speed...s\also, there is no question that in the long run the 6 speed will be more reliable and cheeper to maintain...
With every new model that comes out, it is getting better and better. The next big step will be to give it adaptive strategy. It is already accepted that it is needed but my friends that deal with Magnetti Marelli say there is some reluctance due to cost issues and my local friends in the software industry confirm that it IS a rather big deal. Just wait a couple of more generations, current F1's will compare with what is available then the same way a current auto trans compares to a Powerglide.
If you are only concerned with the fun per mile return, drive one of each. Pick the transmission you like better.
If you're thinking of flipping it in a few months, buy an F1 -- it'll be a lot easier to resell, thanks to all the hype. If you're thinking of enjoying your Ferrari for years to come, and you actually plan on driving it, get the stick. An F1 without a warranty is truly a scary thought! JMO, of course. (fwiw, mine's a stick -- that's how I ordered it. I will never buy a non-stick sports car...)
I don't think they need (or want) adaptive software. Knowing vehicle speed, engine RPM, accelerator pedal velocity and one or two other inputs, you should be able to control the clutch servo to accommodate fast starts with minimal slipping. If a human can do it, the computer can do it.
If possible you should borrow or rent one with the F1 for a weekend. It's not a judgement you could or should make in a 1/2 hour test drive. I happen to like the F1, but then I make money fixing them. It will cost you more, the clutches will wear out faster. I have had few six speeds towed in for a trans related problem, I have had more F1's towed in. If you want cheap and reliable buy a Toyota. One personality trait I often find helps people to decide, are you a traditionalist or do you crave high tech gadgets? There is a lot more to it than that, but it is a consideration.
If you can't test drive the Ferrari w/ an F1, go to BMW, try their SMG tranny on the M3, and see if fits the way you want to use the car. Obviously there are going to be differences in ths SMG vs. the F1, but at least you can try a paddle shifter and see if it's right for you.
i am ot sure about resale value..there are 7 or 8 f1 s per every manual....and more and more people seem to want the manual..in the long run the manuals will be more rare and less maintanence entensive and less likely to become obsolete with newer technology..i bet in 10 years the manuals will be going for more
