458 vs 997TT PDK performance war

It seems like with the advent of the 458, Ferrari has re-established itself as a style and performance marque. I would wager that the 458 outperforms the 997tt, stock for stock, drivers of equal talent and skill.

But overall, it's not the Porsche that turns my head with looks and sound. Ferrari does.

The Ferrari dominates Porsche in stage presence and attention value. In due respect to the iconic 911 shape, Porsches blend into the scenery too much. Ferraris do not. Ferrari and Porsche are worlds apart; in this way it is unfair to compare them. Each brings different offerings.

 

I think it is you who don't understand. As I said earlier, there's more that separates these cars than mere lap times. Assuming the 458 drives as well or better that the 430 then it could be twice as slow as the 911 and would still be twice the car. As accomplished as the 911 might be, it's still a completely characterless driving experience. In essence it just feels like a 'normal' car, only much faster. And that's bizarre because it's not as if it lacks 'feel' ('feel' of course being distinct from 'character'). The Ferrari, on the other hand, is all about character. And thats why it is superior to the Porker. And that's why it's not about numbers.

 

i'm gonna have to disagree here.

if someone simply wanted ferrari "character," they would buy a 360 off ebay instead of spending 3x that waiting for months to get the latest and greatest.

like it or not, performance matters, and to try and downplay it as just "numbers" is silly.

i'm not paying a 911 or gt-r price several times over for a sexier exhaust note and a little more "drama" in the driving experience. i want a car that looks, sounds, and performs better than almost anything else on the road.

and as the owner of a 997tt (not the "997.2" version w/500 hp) i must say...."characterless" driving experience is not quite accurate. ferrari looks + high-revving v8 + rwd + better transmission might be a whole lot more satisfying, but this car is still fun to drive

 

So, you're assuming that all Ferraris have exactly the same character and that whatever it is about Ferraris that make them special doesn't get better with each iteration?

Of course performance matters. But as I said earlier, all cars at this level are suicidally fast. So one's a tad faster than another. So what? No, what's "silly" is arguing about fractions of a second when these cars are about so much more than lap times. Fretting that your car is half a second slower or bragging that it's half a second faster should be for teenagers.

And I didn't say 911s weren't fun to drive. Anything as capable as a 911 is going to be fun. In fact I have one particular drive in the early hours of a Sunday morning along seventy miles of deserted, unfamiliar, twisting country road at full pelt in a 996 Turbo etched on my memory forever. It seemed no matter what the road did or how hard I pushed (and I was pushing very hard!), no matter how unexpected the next bend, the car just did what ever was asked of it, almost with contempt. I still find 911 characterless, though. Yet, as I said, that's odd because they have an abundance of feel and feedback. In the 996 Turbo (which I think is the best Porker I've driven and from a driver's view better than any of the 997s) you can practically feel the road surface and I'd argue that it might have more feel and feedback than an F430. It's extraordinary. Yet, once you remove the shattering pace from the equation there's not a lot left. And what is left feels rather ordinary. Still can't quite figure it out. Good cars, though, so don't take this as me slagging them off. I certainly wouldn't think anyone was mad if they decided to spend their money on a 911 rather than a Ferrari.

 

That is a fantastic photo! Looks like one of those days you remember for a long time.

 

Thats the truth right there

Chasing a couple tenths of a second is like feeling you are superior because you have more money in your bank account.

Fact is there is always someone with a faster car and a bigger bank account.

Its definitely overcompensating for...umm..something

 

Am I the only one who smells something fishy? BTW, did you have the photographer (felipehom3r) along for a private session, or did you just pull a pic off the extensive collection online?

Anyone who has a 430 would already have the answer to this question.

 

Hrmmmmfdsmd....


Sorry, I was pulling my foot out of my mouth






But seriously, if you are routinely running through the gears in a 430, how could you need to ask? If you just want to go fast, there are many other ways to do that.

I find the increased performance to be a bit of a detriment. I just want to hear the engine at full song, and if it goes faster, it's over quicker. I prefer going UP mountain passes (especially ones with rock walls), because I can floor it and enjoy the symphony. And this in a lowly 355. In a 430, it would be over before I was ready.

And again, no hard feelings I hope... beautiful 430. How could you stray to a P-car?

 

wait for the 991 and then decide....it'll be all the 997 turbo is and then some.
expect at least 550hp and quite a bit of news in the driveline.