Yes I searched! As with a lot of good boards the problem is almost to many threads to wade though not too few, so please forgive me. I have driven a 430 and loved it. Drove a 458 and did not like it. (I know I'm the only one, I'll try again I promise!) I have not driven a scuderia. Could someone please tell me how livable the Scuds are as actual, through a big city drivers compared to a 430? Comparing same year and miles the price difference really isn't huge! Thanks!
Throttle was way too touchy and (I know I'm the only one that thinks this) but I'd say the same about the steering. I found it too fast and too light. My local dealer (who did not supply the car I test drive) has suggested several things that might have caused my complaints about the steering, so I will drive one of their cars and see what I think.
;-) then I'd have the same question about livability for the RS! I know what you mean, just looking for folks who have lived with both.
Owned both a 430/Scud and 996Turbo/997GT3RS Depends on what you "loved". The comfort level of the Scud is not as good as the 430 due to removal of carpeting and firmer seats. If you're just idling in stop and go, then the Scud exhaust flaps are closed, so there's really not much different exhaust noise than a 430. Radio sucks in both cars. The Scud in Sport mode has softer suspension settings and has slowed shift performance, that is probably closer to a 430. The Scud has the same stop-and-go issues with the F1 transmission as the 430, neither likes frequent slow speed engagements. The clutch saving strategy here is to wait for a gap that allows you to move for a while, then do a full stop and let the next gap build. If your daily driving is mostly smooth flowing stretches, it might be all right if you don't mind the reduced creature comforts; but if it has any predictable stop-and-go, it's just going to be frustrating and possibly unpleasant. I've driven in stop and go as a necessity, such as getting into and out of Pebble Beach or Laguna Seca during Concourse week, but that time does not add to the experience.
I have driven both (well 430 spider and 16m). The 430 had the racing seats. Also, probably worth noting that I actually find the racing seats to be more comfortable than the daytonas--that may or may not be a controversial view. They certainly are not as padded, but I think they cradle my body a little closer. Also, I like they are thinner and lower so the interior feels bigger and you sit lower in the car--the latter being especially important in a spider. I was pleasantly surprised by the "comfort" of the 16M as I was expecting it to be too firm. In fact, I would describe it as crisp--but not a tooth rattle that is for sure. The biggest surprise for stop and go is the transmission. In a slow launch I found the 16M to be smoother. Having said that, the 430 had about 6 times as many miles so that may have accounted for the difference. Also, the scud/16m has a later evolution of the transmission. Now of course in spirited driving the scud transmission will give you an amazingly violent shift, but very very easy to drive smoothly at normal speed. I wonder if others have the same experience regarding the smoothness in traffic. With the scud, there is less insulation so you here the pebbles hit the wheel wells. I actually don't mind this and I think it is a cool reminder that you are driving a thoroughbred but others may disagree. Also, the brakes, I find, require much more heat in them to work well compared to the f430. In terms of "creature comforts" the scud will be less comfortable in the sense there is no glove box and the side pockets are not really so usable--especially if you don't want to scratch the carbon door panels. The stereo system because of the upgraded speakers is definitely better in the 16m compared to the non-subwoofer f430 system. Exhaust wise--with the valves closed the car is not annoying and does not drone. BTW, I have also driven the 458. Overall I prefer the scud/16m because I find it to be more of an event to drive and I like how raw and involving the super fast f1 transmission is. I also like the more focused nature of the scud/16m. If I was only going to drive the car in traffic I would choose the 458 as, while the car is not as raw, it is very refined, the transmission is super smooth and does not mind stop and go at all. Also, it has lots of creature comforts like navigation and even cruise control (!!!).
Thanks for your thoughts. I thought the 430 was a very well balanced car and seemed mechanically happy, with every major part working well with all the others. I didn't see any reason it couldn't be a dd. I'm tall so the seats in the scud are actually a plus, not a detriment. Was definitely curious about noise level and such. Lol, yes getting in and out of Pebble and Laguna that weekend is a mess!
Many Scuds came with different size seats..mine was optioned with large ones. The modis report will give you the options it was ordered with.
Not considering the noise level, the 430 Scuderia in any mode w soft suspension setting offers a compliant ride comparable to a 458 w race seats. I drove both back to back before ultimately making my decision to get a Scuderia. As many have already mentioned, the Scuderia is more of an "event" and viscerally engaging car to drive even at low/legal speeds. But if you're a lap time kind of guy with even average to little track experience, the 458 will deliver stellar times while you listen to bach or mozart and drive one-handed. And fyi, the race seats in a 458 are exactly the same as those in a 430 Scuderia (just different upholstery), anyone who says the 458 race seats are more comfortable is talking through their arse. I have only ever been a passenger in a regular 430 and one thing I noticed immediately is how much slower/klunkier the F1 tranny is...there's quite a lull between each shift compared to a Scuderia. Afterall, we're talking 250-275ms in a regular 430 vs 60-65ms in a Scuderia...the shifting in a 430 felt like forward-leaning pauses, whereas the shifting in a Scuderia feels like violent and instantaneous thuds. Keeping the Scuderia exhaust stock is also a darn shame to be honest, and in-cabin droning is actually more prevalent with the stock setup than my x-pipe exhaust, particularly in mid-range rpm's. This makes the already crappy sound system sound even crappier. But those who get it, know that the real sound system comes from the tail end of the car. The stock exhaust also generates a huge amount of heat in the engine bay area which not only kills performance, but also puts the beautiful carbon panels in jeopardy...the extreme heat causes the panels to heat/milk/yellow or all the above.
I just asked my wife which car was more comfortable...our old 430 spider or 16M. Her response was the 16M. She said seats are more comfortable. She feels the ride quality is about the same. Go figure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Is it possible that when you had a stock exhaust that the droning occured because the valves were permanently open? I have found that I only get droning if the valves are open (via capristo switch). When the valves are set to factory settings it actually seems very quiet to me when "cruising" with the stock exhaust in pretty much any speed as long you are not heavy enough on the throttle to open the valves.
I've driven an F430 in heavy traffic and own a scud. If the question is about comfort when sitting in traffic, I don't really see a difference between the cars. As mentioned above, the F430 has a more luxurious interior (leather, carpet, etc.), but this has little to do with how comfortable you are in the car. The seats in the scud are comfortable to sit in for extended periods of time.
I'm a bit lost...why would anyone choose which sportscar to buy based on how it performs/feels while stuck in traffic? I guess I could also choose a sportscar based on how well it goes to Walmart or how well it sits in the garage (oops, that actually likely was the largest factor for most Ferrari owners based on the average usage we see).
I have used both my SCUD and my 430 Spider (Racing Seats) as a daily driver in the summer, and the 430 Spider got used far, far more. Everyone should be forced to put non OEM headers on a 430 without precats, it transforms the car
That's a fair question. Because if doing what I'll actually use the car for quite a bit is miserable I wont use it at all is my answer. Also IMO if it has license plates on it, than to me it ought to be a good street car. In the current times things like being comfortable (which is different than luxurious) isn't too much to ask. None of these are race cars. (I like race cars a lot. I don't like them on the street at all. ) I live in a large city, and while I generally avoid it being stuck in traffic is a routine occurrence. I DO have an update on my opinion of the 458. Drove one this morning and it was wonderful. Not sure what the issue was on the 1st one I test drove, but this one was great.
I've driven both the F430 and the Scuderia and from my experience, the F430 is a bit more comfortable, a bit quieter, altogether just a bit more general road friendly. The Scud on the other hand has a firm ride and is quite loud, especially in the cockpit, which I didn't mind. To me, I could deal with either one on a daily basis because I like them both the same. But as an easier to live with car, a standard F430 would probably be the most suitable.
I was stuck in traffic for 2 hours when Obama was coming through and they shutdown the highways. My only complaint about the Scud was that it's stereo sucks but that applies to the 430 as well. I was comfortable but bored out of my mind and spent way too much time talking to people next to me asking about the car
