Do you really want a 430?

Jeez, Art, turn it all off! I do.

Gary

 

I was wondering if you could do that. I personally like feeling safe when I drive my car. Takes some of the fun out of driving, but thats ok with me.

 

I hear you and understand what you mean. But you can always turn off the electronics aid, which makes it QUITE dangerous. I have loads of fun in my 996, the car is not equipped with PSM, so what if the tail comes out every once in a while. I have found it is very easy to control. I turned off the ASR once in the 360 with cold tires and scared the hell out of me and while I was expecting for more feedback before it was too late I didn't get much, could have been due to cold tires (stupid stunt, luckily nothing happened).

What really worries me about the F430 is the complexity of its engineering and for example its local area network (CAN) where micro-processors (not just a few but maybe as many as 20) can set up a fault and the time it takes to figure it out and get it out of the service shop. Many 360 owners experienced CEL where it took the dealers many days and weeks to sort it out add to that the electronics communication and control for all the new gadgets on the F430.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the complexity what I do mind is my car being side-lined more than I care...

 

No I really don't.

 

There is definitely something really cool about the F40 being such a pure no-nonsense race car.

That being said, yes, I really do want a 430.

There was a cool video posted here somewhere that shows all the different settings you can use via the know on the steering wheel. If you don't like the electronic aid - Simply turn it off.

 

I think that the 430 will excel in giving you a tad more flexibility in choosing how much nannying you want to match your skills.
Beyond the mkg bla-bla, the sports and race settings will give more homogenous gradients in electronic intrusion than the simple sports mode on/off and ASR on/off.
A short drive in poor conditions made me think that the race mode can make you feel like a hero while retaining some sort of safe guard. I think the press is right in lauding how subtle the electronics interventions are.

Now am I going to jump in line to get one in 06 ? Nope.
Not unlike the 348-355 transition, the 430 is an improved 360. An evolution, not a revolution. A much better car no doubt, but what's coming up in 4y or so is bound to be more radical, and perhaps better looking.

The CAN bus was brought to market in 1986 by Bosch, so it's not exactly cutting edge technology ...

 

Art, based on my track experience with a Stradale, I have to say yes. The difference between the street and race mode was night and day. In the street mode, the traction control kept kicking in and made the car feel like it was up shifting on it's own. In the race mode, life was good. It was very, very good.

Combine this with the upgraded F1 shifter, and a good thing got even better.

So if the F430 continues this development from the Stradale, this will be a wicked car to drive fast. Bull noses and all.

Dale

 

Windows OS was brought to market back in the late 80s and still crashes...but at least one can hold ctrl.alt.delete and get over the hurdle. Serial bus technology is wonderful because of sheer number of wires being eliminated around the car but with multiple initiators on the same bus, they are b!tch to trouble-shoot. The preferred method is a switched network but that is unrealistic with current technology in car electronics.

 

Even if you disconnect the electronics won't they kick back in when you hit the brakes?
Porsche's PSM typically does that.

 

F430 - yes please, but the bank say's NO!

Oh I want it.

 

Not with the 360 until you shut off the engine and start it back on. That's why I opted for no PSM in the 996.

 

Yes, emphatically.
I may not be able to justify spending that much on a car, but I am going to do it anyway. It seems if you get into an early enough delivery, the costs for a couple of years driving experience will be minimal. At least thats my hope!!
With the variety of optional settings on the manettino, you should be able to dial in the amount of assistance you want very easily, all the way to no intervention at all. Check out the 5th gear video posted somewhere here for a great on track display of how the various settings affect the driver input.

 

From what I have read, the E-diff settings on the 430 range from super soft and strict nanny to all out race mode with no nanny. The softer modes may also make life easier on busted up city streets. Drivers will be able to toggle from mode to mode at will. I'm looking forward to playing with it when my car comes, but if it is a "car that drives itself" like many other modern cars, I'll sell it.

Dave

 

Well, it's not like you'll have a thousand choices.
Snow mode is useless, wet mode a testimony that you bought the wrong car, sport mode still quite intrusive and that leaves race unless you're brave enough to turn everything off.
The beauty of race probably resides in the way suspension, steering, gear change and differential are aligned to provide a seamless driving experience.

 

Very, well said. My initial reaction in the Stradale was, "why would you even turn the race mode off?"

 

From what I've heard about the F430 the electronics are finally becoming sophisticated enough to be unobtrusive.

According to EVO(or CAR) the F430 provides the gut thrill of a car like the Ford GT, but due to the electronics is able to move the dynamic performance boundary forward without diluting the "analogue" control of the car like a modern mercedes would.

 

In Canada, our wait list for the 430 is not as long as elsewhere in the world. When I put my money down on a 430 I had the option of getting an 05. I opted for an early 06 for a few reasons. Firstly my Modena is an 04 and I'm not tired of it. Secondly I didn't want to get a 05 in the fall because I would have to put away for the winter too soon. But thirdly, and most importantly I wanted to give them a year to get the bugs out. (A 99 Modena seems way less desirable to me than a 2000.)

As someone who fixes them, do you feel my fear of first model year is more than offset by the higher resale value of my 04 and a lower depreciation rate of a 05 versus an 06?

 

What exactly is the F1 shifter and what are its differences between a normal transmission? I keep hearing about these things but I can never find any real infomation on them.

 

In a nutshell, it's exactly the same gearbox, but instead of changing gears with a clutch pedal and shift lever, the paddles on the steering wheel command up and downshifts that are performed with electronic and hydraulic magic.

Gary

 

Art I understand what you are saying.
It is different to drive with all the electronics. Even the Challenge cars drive different than the old 355s or the 348s.
It takes adjusting to the modern times. Also takes not a much more dedicated driver to drive the car on limits. It makes it easier for a bad driver because it corrects some horrible mistakes but it lets an average driver feel bad because he is also often corrected.
Shutting off the electronics entirely is not the best thing to do unless you are an excellent driver. Not many can handle the 360 on limits and taking some electronics away simply means you get caught with your pants down.

 

I must; I take delivery in April!

 

You just nailed why I own a Lotus Europa instead of a 308; my car is as bare bones as you get and has way better handling, even though a 308 would be my second choice (if for different reasons). My next car IS a Mondial. I lose the best handling car under six figures, and gain a couple seats and a little horsie thing.

I'll take the 430 too BTW. Screw the extra seats. But I wonder if after a year I'd trade it in for 15 or 20 Europas?

Ken

 

Bob, I think you have me mixed up with Rifledriver. I do think your logic about waiting is sound though on a number of levels. I am looking at late Feb/early March of 06 delivery for some of the same reasons.