The F1 6-Speed Debate..one more time

Having spent 1 month driving a 360 I am completely sold on the F1 Trans. I used to be a huge 6-speed fan and made fun of F1, I even compared it to an auto. But after driving this car I dont think I could switch back to a 6 speed. The F1 does everything better except and very slow speeds when you are pulling into a driveway or in a tight space. Other than that the F1 is the wave of the future. Both hands on the wheel, shifts much faster, more control, yet you still feel like it is a manual transmission....seems like a win win to me. What do you guy think?

 

Although I don't own the car being discussed, a very good friend had a 360 F1 with horrible horrible problems, it stalls out randomly and bucks at slow speed- needless to say he just sold it for a manual transmissioned 360 swearing never to buy another F1 (or e-gear) again... I know of a few people who've had horrible dangerous problems due to malfunctions in the software... BE CAREFUL.

 

A ferrari without a gear lever is not a real ferrari. When Schumi was given a 550 he opted for a 6 speed he said the F1 reminded him to much of the office. I am old fashioned so who cares what I think JMHO

 

I have not had any problems you mentioned. I have heard that the software has improved over the years..mine is an 04..shifts perfect, no problems. I am sure after a while it would be fun to drive a 6 speed again but I would always choose the F1 if I were to buy a new ride. my $.02

 

I enjoy F1 too. Seems to suit the car.

 

I love it,and I also would not think about going back to manual shift.

 

Track only --- F1 (must be mid 2003 or later)
Normal street, road, path, driveway etc --- Manual

 

Manual, baby ;-)

 

Agree, but it is a very personal thing. I personally won't be buying an F1 shifting Ferrari for a road car ... as I do not want to miss out on the fun of gear changes, etc.

Pete's opinion

 

Only true sports cars have 3 speed automatic transmissions!

Long live the prendal!

 

I went the other way, had an 01 F1 coupe now an 04 gear shift spider, much more fun to drive at least for me.

 

My decision was more practical. My pay extra for something I am ambivalent about and that is just one more thing to break and chew up clutches?

 

Interesting. I also look forward to informative comments from those who've experienced various permutations of F1 shifters.

 

When I decided to buy a 360, I figured I would order with F1. Went to the dealer and drove both F1 and 6 spd, and changed my mind. Granted it was only a test drive, but I felt like the F1 wasn't doing what I expected/wanted, and I REALLY liked the shifter. I figured, why spend more money for something that doesn't seem to work flawlessly and is bound to be more trouble in the long run, when a very nice manual gearbox is available. And it certainly looks much nicer, just as a little frosting on the cake. Haven't regretted my decision, and it will be a sad day when the choice is gone.

Gary

 

I posted a similar thread before buying my 355. Got many responses most liked 6 speed. Ended up getting a 99 355 spi w/F1 (there were no clean '99 manual cars in red/tan avail.) I am very happy with this decision. Sure there are times when I wish I had a manual, but having driven F1 I am sure that if I went back to manual, there would be many many more times I would be wishing for an F1. The F1 car is as much fun as a manual. Those who say it is an automatic need to drive F1 for several days to make that statement. Most people just do not have enough time in an F1 car to make that judgment. They just take out F1 car for a short test drive from a friend or a dealer, and are afraid to explore the gearbox's full potential. As with anything new it will take time to master it and appreciate it. Just my 2c.

 

I like the 6 spd better, but I think the REAL wave of the future may be the DSG transmission from Audi, just from what Ive read...

 

When I was buying mine I tested both the F1 and the gated and opted for the gated. The gated is more fun for those low speed drives through main street. However, I still think Ferrari can improve on the F1 technology if they provide a clutch for 1st gear and reverse in those tight spaces or getting off the line. Every once in a while I get to drive an F1 and when it come to parking it, nightmare starts. May be I am not used to it but I'd rather be in control in those tight spaces and not leave anything to computer. I've had mine for over three years now and I shift up as quickly as an F1 if not faster. But on the downshifts, especially from 3rd to 2nd under heavy braking the F1 wins most of the time.

 

I like the F1 & I have not had any problems with it. This is one of the most personal preference issues on a car. Everyone is going to have his / her opinions. When I made my decision I wasn't interested in tracking her. I had two primary concerns - Traffic and fun....... I've got to say the F1 was my vote in both categories. I hated being in traffic and having to shift all the time with a Vette. Second, for me, the F1 is just more fun and it adds character to the car. Many people can say they have a manual trans car but not many can say they have an F1.

 

i agree garay, i had the exact experience and love my 6speed....i also worry about long term maintaince costs.... the 6speed will always be a 6speed... the f1 and the like will cont. be improved so in a few years the current systems will seem very outdated.....the 360 6speed is ferraris best to date, imo

 

Audi has a superb chain-driven CVT, and it seems like just a matter of time before these get good enough for F1.

My hope is that we will someday see a true hi-performance car w/ a "manual" CVT, where you can either put it in Auto (w/ different "modes"), or you can grab a lever and keep the ratio exactly where you want it. Wouldnt that be a hoot?

 

That's funny because that's exactly the opposite reason why I got the F1...

I prefer a manual for street driving... for traffic, etc. For me, a clutch pedal is not an issue. The Ferrari is my street driven track car... my WOT, "hair on fire," "riding on the slip angle" car. And track cars have one purpose... to get around the track as fast as possible.

I bought my F1 car because it consistantly shifts quicker than me at full throttle- both up and down shifts. Anyone who says they can outshift a Ferrari F1 transmission controlled by paddles hasn't driven one at WOT. If I wanted a boulevard cruiser I'd get a 6 speed manual...

 

Ah, but one the greatest pleasures in life is getting a manual heel-and-toe downshift (or two!) just right under maximum braking with a challenging corner coming up. Sure the F1 is more consistent and probably faster, but I'm not out there to set lap records, just to have fun, and I have more fun with the 6 spd than I would the F1.

Gary

 

Nick, Gary... others,

Like I said "personal preference" -

I've always had, at a min., two cars. I've driven manuals since I learned to drive. I could dble clutch the Vette and not use the pedal. Still, I have to say, I'm in my F1 dayz......... and very happy.

- E

 

Yep... it's faster... I don't know anyone who can't go consistently faster with a paddle shifter or a true sequential racebox.

To be rather blunt, one can always gain more time under braking with a F1 shifter over a clutch pedaled car- which means the act of shifting a manual trans impedes on outright speed. That pesky left pedal! The gains are even more significant when you left foot brake- no dead time from throttle-brake-throttle pedal actuation.

I too have more than one car- and more than one that I take to the track... and the most effortless car on the track, for me, is the 355 precisely because of the F1 trans- and I go to the track to go fast... not to noodle around like I would on the street.

But that's just my perspective, and I'm getting off the soapbox now!

 

F1 can shift better and faster than human ever can, but if you want the real driving experience you need to go conventional manual tranny.

I will put it in a simple way:
Without a physical clutch to manipulate, F1 can never be as fun as manual.