Official death of stick-shift in the US? I've just been speccing my 599 and was told that F1 is the only option for the US. Apparently dealers were offered at the very beginning of the build to ask for manuals, but if you want one now you are SOL.
thats a bit of a downer, wasn't sure if the 599 actualy came in stick shift anywhere, however you guys in the U.S can get a manual m5 which for some reason we can't here in the U.K
I guess Ferrari has just decided F1 gives better performance than a stick and could care less about stubbon Americans that like the "feel" of going through the gears in a gated shifter. Who knows maybe one day we will look back at stick shifts like we do cassette tapes and a-tracks. That being said, our 360 Spider is a stick and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Well Ferrari needs to do more driving off of the race track then in my opinion. I have driven a 360 F1 on the freeway, in town, and in the mountains. In no case was the performance better; the 6-speed performs better in every situation off of the track in my opinion. Like Gary says, when Ferrari stops making 6-speeds, I'll stop buying Ferraris.
depends on how you drive as well, if you're a serious serious car enthusiast and asolutely loved driving, owns track cars and does track days often etc and were really good at it then stick shift but if you're the kind of car enthusiast that maybe tracks every so often if at all but just loves driving generaly and realises that computers and hydraulics can do the job better than you can the go for the f1.
My understanding was that 6 speed was just delayed. They were supposed to have them back in 599s by summer.
Well the 599 F1 is night and day better than the 360 F1, its a lot newer that's just the nature of technology. I doubt they would not sell 6spds in the US, but sell them everywhere else. Now I can see them deciding not to spend the money to even build cars with 6spds because the demand is so low. I love driving manuals as much as anyone else, but the 599 is so fast the F1 makes sense is no doubt a better performer.
I have an 02 360 Spider 6 speed and just love it. I have always been a 6 speed driver. That being said, I have recently driven an 05 F430 Soider and a new 599, both with F1, and if I owned either of those cars, I would go with the F1 in a heartbeat! The F1 in the 360 cannot come close to comparing with the newer F1's. The shifting is soooo quick and the sound of the upshifts and downshifts is intoxicating! Ferrari recently said that the only way to get the performance out of these cars is to go F1, and now I am a believer!
That is how I have understood it also. Is there any truth behind the rumor that Ferrari is delaying a manual option because the hp and torque numbers the 599 puts out would chew up the current 6-speed?
The sticks are on their way. There will be one delivered here shortly. Last word was that it was on the water.
I disagree with this. I think if you were serious about tracking your car the F1 will give you better lap times. Driving on public roads, the greater "involvement" of the stick shift pays dividends. I don't do track days but I do a driving school every year-18 months and even on the track I much prefer the stick shift- its just more fun- the heel/toe, rev matching etc. All that said I think I will have my 599 as F1..... but.... the thought of getting it in stick has entered my mind........ I seriously doubt a delay or even if they decide to not build it is due to mechanical weakness as I think the transmission is the same in either case- its just what is controlling the transmission that is in question. And I would not fault Ferrari for making the business decision to simplify things and build just F1s- but I will be sad on that day. best regards, Jerry
I predict... well we are mostly already there, that the Euro exotics will all go to high-tech paddle shifters. If you want the old school stick-shift to thrash about, you will go for a Ford GT or Z06 type car.
Several yrs ago, Montezumelo was quoted in a magazine article saying something to the effect 'Ferrari will -always- have make manual transmissions available on their cars.' If they do drop the stick in the U.S., someone oughta send him a copy of the article as a reminder.
I heard that he is going to run for President of Italy and if he wins Todt will be the new head of Ferrari. Is that true?
Stick makes no sense. The F1 Superfast is too good and too fast - buying this car in stick would be a step backwards in technology. And as far as "fun-to-drive", nothing beats an F1 transmission --- although the e-Gear comes close. I'm not sure, but the e-Gear on the new Gallardo's feels like the F1 on a late model Modena --- Anyone know if I'm right? Is it made by the same manufacturer???
The transmission is the same, but the software programming is specific to each model. The Vanquish also used the same unit but their software was abysmal and the Vanquish shifted lazily and slowly compared to the 575M at the time
Don't know, but IMO the G-car feels more "slushy" - it drags the clutch more to get started and has a "heavier feeling". Changes are not as aggressive compared to the CS. I had a stick 360 which I loved before the F1 CS, I'm adding the 599 and did think - "maybe I should get a stick, I'd have one of <50 in the US if I did that". So when I enquired during speccing I got the "eeet iiis noo possiiible" Having pressed a little the answer is still a little vague, it seems like rather than not being availble at all, its like ordering a two tone car, it needs special approval from Italy and will only be for good customers. I'd be interested to hear what anyone else in the speccing process is hearing from their dealer. I'm kind of happy with F1 anyway since this will be my summer daily driver.
AMA, The F1 is considered a manual transmission. Its who is controlling the shifting action. You or the electronics. Dan, I am very curious to know the outcome of this as I will be putting my order into the system this Fall and I am really considering ordering a stick shift. Every SMG car Ive owned (2: 1 M5 and 1 M3) I get bored with and on the track I just have so much more fun with the stick. Of course Im not the fastest around the track but Im no pro anyway... best regards, Jerry
