F430 Update

"Head and Shoulders" is one person's view point, but it is a great shampoo if you have dandruff, or so I have been told....

The 430 is of course a more advanced car than the 360. So it should be as it comes almost 6 years later.

The 430 does, however, suffer from a greater amount of understeer than the 360 did and this is in large part due to the far greater improvement in the rear set up, and the resulting traction, while the front end was already pretty near perfect on the 360 already.

Obviously, this will not really be noticeable to most people who never really use the car to anything close to its full potential and will give also a "safe" feeling. However, to those who track their cars, it will be an issue, especially in long sweeping high speed curves....

This, and the 430's slight tendency to be overweight is what makes it less efficinet around a race track (ie slower) than a Stradale.

 

i was told by the sales manager of our local dealership, whom i know well, that the coupe will becoming out in the spring but the spider will not be out until later, probably in earily 06

 

I'd say this is pretty accurate. I've mentioned this before but when I was at the factory peaking around last month I saw two completed Spiders parked outside.

 

False, the main reason the CS is just a bit quicker on a tight track is due to its tires, put those on a F430 and bye bye CS, extra weight and all.

 

Anybody know the MSRP?

 

Are there published laptimes already for the f430 on any track? The only thing I've heard is three seconds faster around fiorano than a 360. How much faster is a stradale over the standard 360 around fiorano?

 

As of tonight, the US dollar is at a record low vs. the euro at 1.29, with most analysts predicting further weakness in the future. Ferrari lost money last year due in good part to the negative impact on currency translations of the appreciation of the euro vs. the US dollar. This current administration shows no sign of wanting to change the situation and you can be sure that Ferrari does not want to continue losing money in their biggest market. What that means for the MSRP of the F430 when it gets here is anybody's guess, but I'd bet it won't be pretty.

 

The CS is said to be 3.5 seconds quicker around Fiorano than a 360.

 

Here is the definite pricing of the F430 as well as that of all options currently available.

Prices are for Germany.

In brackets you see the increase in comparision with the F360.

F430: 138.700 (+10.500)
F430 F1 146.000 (+9.800)

price for the F1 transmission has been reduced by 700 from 8.000 to 7.300


CCM brakes: 13.340 (new)
racing seats in leather: 3.775 (+215)
4-point safety harness: 2.265 (+150)
road legal roll bar: 2.635 (+200)

no Challenge front or rear grill currently available, as well as no sports exhaust


out of range paint colour: 2.610 (+135)
paint colour upon sample: 5.195 (+265)
Scuderia Ferrari shields: 1.070 (+80)
19''-Challenge wheels: 1.900 (new)
brake calipers aluminium grey/yellow: 790 (+85)
brake calipers rosso scuderia: 790 (new)
brake calipers rosso corsa: 675 (+85)

colour upon request for upper dashboard: 650 (+60)
colour upon request for steering wheel: 290 (+10)
leather upholstery for head liner: 350 (+25)
leather upholstery for rear shelf and door sill mouldings: 1.770 (+105)
colour upon request for standard stitching: 255 (+40)
colour upon request for special stitching: 325 (+20)
electrically operated seats: 2.065 (+115)
Daytona style seat trim: 2.205 (+115)
seat piping with colour upon request: 570 (+90)

space saver wheel kit: 975 (+465)
run flat tyres: 1.855 (new)
tyre pressure control system: 815 (new)
pre-wiring & kit for battery charging: 860 (+45)
radio navigation system: 2.195 (+50)
6 CD changer: 940 (+20)
Hi-Fi sound system with sub woofer: 1.740 (+115)
bluetooth technology: 850 (new)
handy fire extinguisher: 525 (+35)

 

Those prices including VAT or not?

 

Sorry, prices including 16% VAT.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm curious to see what the F430 does in the Top Gear power lap.

 

Does anybody have a confirmed order for one (F430) that has been on the list??

 

So if the Euro/$ exchange rates keep up as most anticipate they would the BASE price will be at least 25 - 28% more expensive in $'s where as for the Euro paying customers is only less than a 9% increase.

But then again if the Ford GT is going over sticker at the dealers around $230K, the F430 pricing will still be inexpensive comparatively.