F430 F1 or Manual

Get a manual. 'Nuff said.

 

My manual is now 5 years old with 18K on it. The clutch is fine. The manifold was replaced under warranty at 12K miles with the new design. So far, we have not heard of any issues with the new one. Looking at Fchat, there seems to be fewer problems with the paddles than there were with 360s but they have not been eliminated.

Dave

 

Since purchase nearly two years ago, I've put over 5K miles on my 430 manual. IMO, it's a good manual, but not exceptional.

My experience/feelings: the clutch is smooth, well weighted and has good feel, though it does feel a bit soft when pulling away from a stop (otherwise, it has good bite). The shifter, in general, is a bit notchy. Sometimes it shifts smoothly, other times it's a bit clunky. However, I don't have a problem selecting second gear when the car's cold (a common Ferrari complaint). Shift throw isn't short, but it's not long either. Shift effort is moderate, though the centering spring is a bit heavy. The 430's flywheel is very light, so rpm drops quickly between shifts. Consequently, shifting smoothly takes some skill/effort...some throttle modulation is required during low-mid rpm shifting. High rpm shifting is very natural and enjoyable...this is where this setup shines. Niggles aside, I still enjoy driving it.

If reliability issues/repair costs are of concern, a manual 430 is likely the better choice, especially if you purchase a car with little or no warranty and live a distance from a dealer. Though generally reliable, the F1 shifter system is much more complex than a manual shifter, so the potential for problems is greater.

F1 equipped cars can experience accelerated clutch wear when traversing inclines. An experienced manual driver normally slips the clutch less when performing the same task. Yet, you said you have a 'slight' incline, so that likely wouldn't be an issue either way.

Good luck.

 

I have a manual 430 and it has about 14K miles on it... I drive it hard and put about 4K miles on it over the past 4 months, have tracked her and thrown her through some hard curves and have also been practicing toe/heal driving. I haven't seen any wear on it so far but I fully expect to replace the clutch around the 20K mark they way I drive I guess or until it pulls no more. Others may have some higher mileage stories to share without replacement.

I say go for the manual just for the fun factor, in the end the cost for F1 and manual probably work itself to par with one thing over another breaking or needing to be replaced in either configuration.

 

Drive both and make the call. Maintenance for the 6 speed manual will be less IMO. If you enjoy the F1 more I wouldn't let maintenance worries stop me.

 

...I owned both and enjoy this waaay more:
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I would imagine the 6spd manuals will be worth more (or hold it's value) as future Ferrari models will not include this option.

 

+1

But not sure if a brief drive is enough. I would argue that the F1 may present more of a "wow" factor during the first drive but longer term?

I owned an Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed (or Sillyspeed as we love to call it). Basically same principle as the F1, just not a 150 ms shiftspeed. Sold it after 8 months. It wasn't the quality or speed of the Selespeed per se, but the lack of interaction with the 3rd pedal missing. But I remember being enthralled with the flappy paddles during the first test drive (the one and only flappy paddle car I've had) but it got old quickly.

Just pulled the trigger on a 6-speed F430 (which should be on a boat heading out my way in a week or so). With Ferrari officially announcing the demise of the manual gearbox with the 458, the F430 will be the last mid-engine V8 6-speed manual from the house of Enzo. Arguably, maybe the last model with a manual (I've yet to see a California or 599 with stick, even though it remains an option).

Ultimately, it does come down to personal preference. So you do need to drive them both but with the caveat above

 

We've argued this point so many times and there is no really good answer. I've found that most on this forum like the manual yet in the real market, most like the F1.

I have an F1 and I can say is that I like it. What I like best is what no 6 speed can do -- get the most out of this car (yes, I'm sure some will argue with that but I said it). When you put this thing in race mode, step on the gas and do a redline quick shift in 100 milliseconds to second, the feeling is amazing. It's then you understand the car's direct connection to racing.

This car was designed for with an F1 box in mind. If you like stirring the gears on your own, that's fine too. But, to get the most out of the machine, the F1 box is my choice.

If you're going to own a car like this at this price, the minor differences in maintainence or costs are insignificant to buying what makes you happy.

Lets put it this way -- every Enzo, every Challenge Stradalle, every Scuderia and every 16M were made with F1 boxes -- and everyone who bought one raves about it. That has to count for something.

So, my recommendation is go with what makes you happy and forget the rest. If you like shifting -- get a manual. If you like peak performance -- get the F1.

 

F1 !!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

 

I vote for the manual (and I have an F-1). The F-1 is clunky at slow speeds, and that thing keeps beeping at me in slow traffic.

That being said, the Porsche manuals are better. Shorter and faster shifts, at least for the 430 compared to a 997.

 

I have owned manual, auto, and F1 cars through out the years, and my favorite is the F1. It's sporty and the shifting is lighting quick. There is a reason why Michael Schumacher pick to use this system in his F1 (pun intended).