Does the 2005 360 F1 Shift Different than other years?!? and what about this car :)

So after many many months of due diligence of homework, researching, lurking in Fchat, talking to different people, and obsessing (both sleeping and awake) over the 360 I think I have finally found "the one."

Then today, I read in an older Fchat to watch out for the 2005 because the F1 is much "softer."
Is there any validity to this? Here is one of the threads I have seen it in for an example.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/194196-best-year-360-f1-very-curious-about-something-i-heard.html

Other than this "issue" the car is immaculate IMO. Any thoughts or comments to the car that you see I would love to hear. I have seen the car in person but have not driven this car. In fact, I haven't driven any Ferrari ever. As insane as it sounds I would rather have one or two very skilled people do PPI's and them drive it and sign off that it is in good shape and a good example. I live in Florida and the car is located in LA.

It will be a 35th birthday present to myself for working very very hard , sacrificing, and saving over the last few years. This is why I am wanting to wait to drive it until it is unloaded in FL on that day. (Is that weird or crazy?) Although I love the stick shift on my 2004 Boxster S I want other people who come into town to visit to have an opportunity to drive it and get the living the dream joy that I know I will out of it so am going to go with the F1 shift.

The car is at CNC motors and I am dealing with Cam who I have read is very reliable and has been awesome to work with thus far.

Link:
2005 Used Ferrari 360 Modena Spider at CNC Motors Inc. Serving Ontario, CA, IID 10341428

If I pull the trigger I will be changing out the back for a Challenge Grill before delivery.

Thanks Thanks Thanks for feedback on the F1 and the car in general!!! Finding this forum is a blessing, a source of endless information, and a heck of a lot of fun

All my best,
Nate

 

I think you are over-thinking this - the thread you link has no clear evidence either way other than that there was an upgrade around 2003 which is well known - if it passes ppi just do it

 

Agreed - check it out carefully - make the leap and enjoy.

Good luck.

 

F1 is awesome Nate
You wont regret it.

 

AFAIK the earlier models (99-2002) had a non adjustable F1 TCU. As the years went by they improved the TCU firmware by learning from the CS. The best TCU is one from a CS or flashed with the CS firmware. Read Aldous' (Voicey) treatise on the TCU.
Alan

Ferrari 360 F1 System | Aldous Voice

 

As an 05 360 owner for a long time I feel I'm qualified to chime in. The car is awesome!! The ride is perfect and the car was very well sorted by 2005. Enjoy every second of it!!!

 

Thanks for the replies and for the link everyone.

Good info and a great read.

 

you are way overthinking this, do you want the car or not ?

there was a TCU change in 03 as mentioned already, my car is 99 which had F1 issues but it would not stop me from buying a pre-03 car, especially since you can put in the later TCU like in my car with a 04 TCU.

 

My '05 360 has the CS flashed unit and it changes just like the Challenge race car. Changes are quick and powerful at higher revs. Feels smooth at rpm around 3-4K. Great car. Get a PPI done and get the car if PPI checks out. Enjoy!!

 

There was no change in the F1 ECU/TCU for 2005. The last change occurred in late CY02/early CY 03, as everyone has said, and that is undoubtedly the same TCU in the 05 you are considering. The story of 360 TCUs in complicated, but well documented.

 

You deserve it! Doooo it.

Seriously, get a PPI and if it checks out to your liking go for it. I got my 360 as a 35th present to myself after doing alot of research. Best present EVER!

 

Working towards a deal today. Hopefully will hear back tomorrow or Monday. Thanks for the little extra push past the crest of the 360 ownership hill!

 

Yep this lot on FChat will bankrupt you for sure.
Alan