Wow, no clutch pedal

Nope, don't miss it at all.

Now, we will have the usual 6000 posts from 3 pedal owners who feel differently.


Here's the deal. What's the point of having a clutch pedal just to make the car go more slowly? If you want a 3 pedal car, get a 360 manual. You'll go just about as fast and have a ton of fun.

Putting a manual in the 458 is like putting a 6 cylinder in the back to get better fuel mileage. Who cares? This car was designed to go as fast as possible. If you want a slower car, there's plenty to pick from already out there.

I like 3 pedal cars. I have a Mini S works with a 3 pedal and I think my next car will be a classic for the same reason. They have their place. But, they have their limitations also.

 

I made the transition. I had a 246 Dino Gt, 2 308's, and I can't tell you how many Alfa's and Fiats along with a few British sprinkled in.

The 458 is just a different car with a different purpose. It's not the end, it's a new beginning. As long as there are millions of 3 pedal cars out there to enjoy, there's always something available.

Now, not all F1's are alike. I personally do not like the 355 F1 or the 360 F1. The F430 F1 is magnificent as is the Scud. The 458 is actually a little tamer than these but it works better under all conditions that the F430 didn't.

 

having the fortune of driving all of these different cars all the time, I would like to echo The Mayor. These modern cars are SO fast, not fast like sports cars always have benn...but literally at the pinnacle of fast, the fewer tasks there are to distract from concentrating on the road ahead the better.

In racing, you memorize the track and the lines and become capable of focusing only on the machine. In club racing and street driving, one never gains that sense of repetition. There are constant variables to be dealt with. The focus needs to be on the pavement and not man handling the machine.

In a car like the 458, a misshift becomes a much bigger problem than it would in a 308QV. The trans in the 458 also does a perfect job of being soft and smooth when it should and hard and fast when it needs to be. It's hard to be disappointed in that technology.

The F1 is "cool". I find the new dual clutch in the 458 to be magnificent though, a technology that really evolves the modern Ferrari.

 

TheMayor I agree.
Didnt like the f1 in 360 so got an 355 stick shift. The F1 430 is great.

What do you think of the egear in the murcielago 640, i tested it a couple of months ago always wanted a v12 lambo but dont know if i liked it so much

 

Never driven a Lambo. The only Lambo I would like to own is a Countach. I've driven one and although it's scary and nutty to drive, it's fun because it's scary and nutty.

 

Felt similar to the OP after 20+ years of various sports cars all with manual transmissions at my insistence since "manuals are the best", right?

The first cracking in my obsoleting belief came with my last Porsche 911 Turbo. I HAD to get the 6 speed manual and just made myself forget that the Tiptronic was quicker. That faster 0-60 time kept bothering me....

I have had my 2013 F458 for several weeks now and the LAST THING I would want is a manual transmission. The F458's transmission is marvel of digitally controlled mechanical precision. I am a mechanical engineer and now constantly think and brag about the following advantages:

Dual Power Shafts - Alternating power shafts readying the next up/down gear

Dual Clutch - Electronically controlled hydraulic "on/off" switching between clutches in apparently 4 milliseconds.

Digitally Matched Engine Rpm - Controller automatically revs engine appropriately for next gear.

Try it - you will like it.

 

This, case closed.

 

Ah but there is more to life than a fast shifting DCT. My wife and I love both our 458 and our three-pedal F430. The alluring click-click of the gate may be the way of the dinosaur, but on a good day, I mean when I am really hot, I can convince myself I am shifting just as fast as the DCT. The transmission will not object.

But if I had to make a choice I would go with the DCT. My wife would not. A minor disagreement considering the other things that can go wrong in a marriage.

 

I wouldn't mind a steering wheel mounted clutch paddle like F1 cars that can optionally be selected when I want to do some launches. But for gears >2, I'll let the computer take over.

 

My last car was a manual, it was fun around 10% of the time but it just got to be a hassle for everyday driving.

 

That would actually be pretty cool.

-Gil

 

CS F1 is way cool and way lighter than DCT.
Dont DCT's have maintenance issues too?

 

buy a gt3, or gt3 rs.....

Best value for the money, and amazing transmission / drivetrain

 

Maintenance free for the life of the car. The dealers don't even fix them or open them up.

 

I love both. Just bought an F40 LM as really wanted the ultimate in three pedals but it does not make me not love my Spider for its wonderful gearbox. There are days 3 pedals are good and days when those paddles are perfection.

 

I have three cars with 3 pedals. A Ford GT, and a Lamborgini Murci, and Gallardo. I love the gated shifters on the Lambos. E gear was a no to for me as they are not as good as Ferrari.

 

458 is a better car in every way possible..i dont miss my F430 at all..

 

While I agree with you about the 458, I still really enjoy my F430 spider. I love the look of the 430 and the feel. Just different....I have the Ferrari bug. A friend of mine has 10 plus Ferrari's from Dino's to 458 to 512m 360 CS ect.... I never got it about why he would have so many Ferrari's. But now I get it. They are all special in their own way.

 

The F430 spider is an awesome car. I loved mine. It took a lot of convincing for me to jump to 458. The F430 spider is that good.

 

My daily driver is a GTi with DSG gearbox. I love this car. My second. BUT, I virtually NEVER use the paddles. Why, because they feel a lot like a video game. No feedback from the small stubs that you almost can't find. They also rotate with the wheel. It is too hard to find them when turning. Yes I can use the floor mounted shifter to access the manual function but then both hands are not on the wheel.

I grew up with a 442 with 4 speed Hurst shifter and moved up through BMW, Porsche, etc. all with manuals. Don't get me wrong, they were fun. But the 458 (and 430 and too slow 360 gearboxes) ALL had feedback from the paddle. They are not video game lifeless. I am surprised no one has pointed this subtlety out. It makes it involving when you think you are just pulling a paddle.
Best

 

Well I still miss my 360 stick, and I'm the only one here I guess, but I would have ordered my 458 with a manual, if they made one.

I would sacrifice a bit of speed for a bit more involvement. I am slightly put off that anybody can drive a 458 fast. But, clearly I'm wrong, because the Mayor has already said so.

 

I was just chatting with a fellow FOG'er this past Saturday and I miss my last discostick car which was an Audi R8...

Something about shifting gears into that gated 6-speed was just too much fun and it can't ever be replicated with our F1 superfast shifts.

Glad to see that Audi & Porsche will still be offering discosticks, gives fellas like me options.

jmho.