F1 or manual

JEP, welcome to Fchat. Please fill out your profile so that we know a little more about you.

As to your question, I'm not a 355 owner, but I would suggest that you can learn a lot using the excellent search feature on Fchat. The topic of F1 vs. manual has been discussed many times previously.

- Eric

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/search.php?searchid=2505842


Lots to choose from.

 

Personally I would go with the manual every time. There's nothing wrong with F1, but the Ferrari gate is iconic, and I love downselecting from 6th to 3rd and listening!!

 

+1....manual all the way!!

 

Okay on the iconic part, but really F1 is pretty darn nice...


It's OK if you like old school....I'm becoming happy though with F1!!! I have two now that are equipped.


Nostalgia is great but....

Then again I don't have a "bag type" cell phone or a black and white TV any more either....



Just my opinion and it may change tomorrow

 

IMO, I would run manual for all street driving and F1 for a track only car. If I had one car that would be used for both track and street .......... manual is my choice ..... .

 

I need to state that I am a die hard manual transmission fan. Although there are many advantages with the F1, I just don't feel the same "connection" with the car as I do with a manual. There is a real sense of satisfaction in performing a perfect shift and hearing that beautiful "click-clack". I, personally, will not buy a Ferrari that doesn't have a manual transmission. However, if I was using my car on the track extensively, I would go F1 all the way. With over 80% of F430 owners ordering the F1 transmission, I am really worried that Ferrari will stop offering the manual transmission altogether, even in its road cars.

First, I would highly recommend that you carefully read the threads, previously outlined, to provide you with the information necessary to make a logical decision. Second, you need to ask yourself the question - How will I be driving the car? If the answer is: (i) a lot of track time and you want to be competitive and/or (ii) a daily commuter in city stop-and-go traffic maybe the F1 transmission would be better for you. Each type of transmission has its own advantages and disadvantages. The F355 was the first Ferrari road car to receive the F1 transmission - thus, it is not quite as highly refined (i.e., as smooth and fast shifting) as the F1 transmission on newer Ferraris. It is also much more complex and can be very expensive to fix. Although, I think in the 10 years since it first became available, it has proven itself to be quite reliable. Most importantly, you need to make sure you actually DRIVE both before you decide. Just my opinion. Good luck!!

PLEASE no flames. I am fully aware of the MANY advantages of the F1 transmission. We each have certain likes and dislikes. In fact, several times when I've been stuck in traffic, I have "secretly" wished for an F1.

 

+1 Perfectly said.

 

the original poster asked about running costs and reliability...then it's the 3 pedal setup. 'course if you're worried about running costs and reliability should you be looking at a 355??