GT3 and F430 Driving experience.. | FerrariChat
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GT3 and F430 Driving experience..

Discussion in '360/430' started by speedemon, Jul 28, 2007.

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  1. speedemon

    speedemon Formula Junior

    Jan 6, 2004
    616
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Chris
    #1 speedemon, Jul 28, 2007
    I just had an opportunity to drive my father-in-law's new GT3; it's hard to say much, if anything bad about the GT3. The GT3 has great handling, braking [ceramic in this case], torque, input steering and throttle feel, looks [int & ext]. Although, I really liked my old 430f1 which had the same characteristics [and currently have another 430 6sp on order w/our local dealer], the GT3 is a real value for $. Please don't get me wrong this thread is not intended to be a bash on Ferrari, but just an observation. With all that said, IMPO I still feel strongly the Ferrari [355-430 model] designs and interiors are much more exotic and captivating than the Porsche [996 & 997's] designs.
     
  2. jmiles360

    jmiles360 Karting

    Nov 2, 2003
    122
    Washington DC
    Full Name:
    J. Miles
    #2 jmiles360, Jul 29, 2007
    Having driven both, I prefer the gearshift of the GT3 (RS in my case) to the rather slow and notchy gearshift of a manual 430.
     
  3. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2003
    3,637
    Los Altos Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Gary B.
    #3 Gary(SF), Jul 29, 2007
    Well, we disagree on that one. I also have driven both, and find the F430 manual gearbox more direct and precise, and I'm able to shift it faster, than the GT3 RS box. Both are great cars, but the Porsche has yet to tempt me out of the Ferrari. In a perfect world I'd be able to afford both.

    Gary
     
  4. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #4 PAP 348, Jul 29, 2007
    Thanks for sharing experiences with these wonderful cars. :):)
     
  5. speedemon

    speedemon Formula Junior

    Jan 6, 2004
    616
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Chris
    #5 speedemon, Jul 29, 2007
    Although I haven't driven a 430 6sp [and have ordered one], the "throw" between gears in the GT3 was the shortest I've ever experienced in a production car. To me, it seemed smooth and accurate.
     
  6. JERRYZ

    JERRYZ Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2004
    662
    Orange County, CA
    #6 JERRYZ, Jul 29, 2007
    Why are we comparing GT3's to stock 430's? Wait until someone compares the Scuderia 430 to a GT3. That would an apples to apples comparison.
     
  7. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    10,142
    Orange County, CA
    #7 SrfCity, Jul 29, 2007
    Yea, they'll only be 3X the price ;)
     
  8. rodsky

    rodsky Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2003
    1,601
    Los Angeles
    #8 rodsky, Jul 29, 2007
    I think a 997 GT2 to 430 Scuderia is more apples to apples than a $115K GT3.
     
  9. DriveAfterDark

    DriveAfterDark F1 Veteran

    Jan 1, 2007
    9,148
    Norway
    #9 DriveAfterDark, Jul 29, 2007


    +1


    That will be the decades head-to-head fight.
     
  10. speedemon

    speedemon Formula Junior

    Jan 6, 2004
    616
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Chris
    #10 speedemon, Jul 29, 2007
    Will the Scuderia really be comparable to the GT3? I didn't think the 430 was so distinctly different that the GT3 was a run-a-way in all respects. Maybe I've lost my marbles here. My point was the Porsche is a fantastic value for what it is.....unfortunately, I don't have a reference point to the 997 Gt2 since I have not driven it.
     
  11. I'm gone

    I'm gone Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2006
    619
    Phoenix,az
    Full Name:
    Brian
    #11 I'm gone, Jul 30, 2007
    I've driven the GT3 and felt very comfortable in it, I could see it would a great daily driver but I don't get as excited as in a Ferrari!
     
  12. jeff

    jeff Formula 3

    Feb 19, 2001
    1,924
    North America
    #12 jeff, Jul 30, 2007
    I've owned both the 430 and GT3. I sold the 430 and kept the GT3. I can't find anything wrong with the GT3. The gear box with the short throws is a joy. At triple digit speeds it's as rewarding as the 430. I can drive it anywhere. Park it anywhere. And get is serviced most anywhere. I can put miles on the car and not worry about depreciation as in the 430. However, as much as I like the GT3 it will be sold when the 430 Scuderia arrives.
     
  13. JERRYZ

    JERRYZ Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2004
    662
    Orange County, CA
    #13 JERRYZ, Jul 30, 2007
    No doubt Porsche will always win the "better value" contest. I think this thread was geared towards the driving experience. The 430 Scuderia vs. GT3 or GT2 debate pits each constructors best efforts against each other.
     
  14. acarey617

    acarey617 Karting

    Jul 30, 2007
    172
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Adam
    #14 acarey617, Jul 31, 2007
    I have heard that the GT3 RS driving experience is almost identical to that of the GT3, and that the 20something pound weight reduction has zero effect.

    Is this true?
     
  15. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #15 Bullfighter, Jul 31, 2007
    +1

    I think you can throw MSRP out of this comparison.
     

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