Test drove an F430 F1 for half an hour (up to 150mph). My first drive in a Ferrari. Unfortunately was not allowed to go in manual mode, so I drove in Auto mode all the time. Do not want to be too judgmental after such a short experience, so I wanted to clarify: to me, the gearbox felt really really bad - jerky with incredibly slow shifts SW did not adapt well to change of conditions - hanging on too long in second gear here, not downshifting from fifth there... To be honest, it felt almost rediculously undrivable. Could it be a problem with one particular car? Do the shifts get better (faster) in manual mode? Thanks for your input and thoughts.
I've never used auto mode but shifting with the paddles yourself seems like it could not be faster (save 458). I'm guessing it was the car. Test drive another and see. Don't let this experience get to your head, something was just wrong.
I tried the auto mode in my 360 only once (just to make sure it worked!) and was quite impressed by its smoothness. I can only imagine that a 430 should be at least as good.
I never use Auto mode. It's designed to try to mimick a standard auto gearbox. It's -- well, not very good at that in IMO. Manual mode is the only way to drive the car. It's superb at speed, on downshifts, and at higher RPM shifts.
i am the exact opposit. I never drive and use the paddles, let the auto do all the work. Even when I race i use auto mode. Car runs great. Ran the car up to 180 mph and was fine on the shifting. 360 spider f1
Who lets you test drive a Ferrari for 30 minutes at speeds of 150 and doesn't let you use the paddles? That's just stupid, especially if the person is trying to sell the car. Sorry can't help with the auto question, I've never used it. Maybe I'll try it this week.
EXACTLY what I was thinking... seriously happy to let you test to 150 but not use the padals? Sounds odd to me! Have never used auto on mine, not even on the test drive, only ever use the padals.
Likewise! I reckon auto mode is for someone who has no idea what driving a supercar is about but is able to get you home if you are drunk...point and steer.
Auto mode is for my wife. It's takes a little getting used too on throttle use while in auto but she's getting it. Also, sport and race mode make a difference in how it shifts.
auto mode is good for when you are in heavy traffic, racing and dont want to look down. It only takes a sec. to crash. Also if the auto mode will out shift the best "stick man", why not use it....
I am not an expert on these cars, however I'll share my experience. Prior to three months I had never driven a F430. Since then I have driven the following: 1. F430 with Manual... 3 different cars. 2. F430 with paddles... 4 different cars 2 were '07 and 2 where '08. 3. California... 1 car 4. 458 ... 1 car I have been a Porsche owner for years, all the F cars were fantastic. So please take my following comments on a relative basis. 1. All three cars cars were consistent, however for me they lacked that " special " feel. 2. All four cars were consistent in manual mode, however in automatic the '07 cars were as you described above, but the '08 cars where much better they both appeared to be more adaptive and intuitive then the 07 cars. However, when driving in auto mode I felt the car was telling me how to drive versus me driving the car. Other then part of the test drive I have never driven the car in auto and never will. In order totruly enjoy the experience you want to drive these cars in manual mode. 3. Behaved better then the 430 in manual mode and in manual the shifting was quick and smooth. However, it was lacking something that the F430 had. Perhaps it was the sound, the front/ rear engine, the dual clutch... Not sure what. 4. The 458 was fantastic, the sound the acceleration, the quick and smooth shifts, almost everything except it did not excite me. I went with the 08 spider... The moral of the story is: drive the cars you are considering and buy the one that excites you. Don't settle, get the one that causes you to rush home to see it and drive it. I drove each car for about 30 to 45 minutes. I ended up buying an '08 spider with 1900 miles and paddles.
Get it into race mode F1 and give it plenty and you'll have all the "feel" you'd ever want. I love the way my 430 pops and bangs through the gear changes and going through tunnels is to die for...Tubi helps for sure and a 458 would be quiet compared to mine. Rob.
I used to use 'auto mode' until the engine got some temperature but now I switch it off immediately on departure. Sucks big time on 06 models if you ask me.
I think the problem with the "auto mode" may be the US version. Mine is a Euro and the auto mode shifts just like a manual..... No lags or back in forth, very aggresive.. red lines before changing and very fast...
You have to know how the F1 system works for satisfying results: The F1 system changes gears rather slowly (no matter if auto or manual) at low revs and low throttle. If you change gears at high revs and with full throttle (more than two thirds) it will shift much faster. As soon as you switch to Sport or Race mode the gears will be changed even faster. So if you want fast gear changes, depress the throttle at least 2/3, change gears at (nearly) red line and choose Sport or Race mode (this will influence traction control as well, so be careful). On the other hand side, do not use Sport or Race mode and do not press the right pedal more than 2/3 to have smooth gear changes. There is an important difference between auto and manual mode: If you are in auto mode and reach the red line, the F1 system will select the next higher gear for you. If you are in manual mode the F1 system (in contrast to other similar systems) will never engage next higher gear and thus letting the engine go into the rev limiter. On a race track this is more convenient if you are approaching a corner. The rev limiter will just prevent the engine from damage and nothing happens. If the F1 system would engage next higher gear, you probably had to change one gear back just half a second later because your are on the breaks. Markus BTW: On your next test drive just pull one of the paddles. This will automatically switch off the auto mode PS: As you can see (read) nearly nobody is using auto mode... I sometimes use it when driving in a foreign city and need my full concentration to find the correct roads.
+1. Me thinks there is something fishy here. There is absolutely no reason not to let you use the pedals during the test drive (assuming that you dont insist on bouncing the engine on the rev limiter). I test drove 8 cars, never has an issue with using the pedals.
As a side bar, Did you get the 458 up into the higher rpms and drive it up top? were everybody says it is-----at its best? Did it not excite you at the lower end? Please explain.
Congrates on being able to get your first test drive-------------- and driving up to 150 mph. i wished you were able to use the paddles. That is truly were the ferrari becomes ferrari. Auto is not used as others have said. Usualy you do not buy a 430 for auto. Hope your purchase is a great experience
