6-speed or F1... this is killing me!!!

Try to spend some time with the F1 (maybe in a Maserati or Ferrari). Then you will see if you like it. I drove a Maserati for a few hours and got used to the F1. Very hard to decide without some seat time in the F1.

I still don't know which I would get, but now I understand and appreciate both.

 

Get the f1 if you wanna fell like Michael Schumacher, If you want to feel like a man then get the 6-speed.

 

If you really have to ask this question, you should get an F1. (jmo)

 

Richard: I love the F1 tranny -- it doesn't diminish the driving involvement, excitement or the fun in any way, IMHO. I also have other fun 6-speed cars to drive and I'd only do the F1. Having said that, for the 360, it does matter what year car you're considering. The 2003 and later F1 TCU's are improved and have better software. Go for the CS, you won't be sorry.

 

Get the stick over F1 I have gone thru three F1 Ferrari's can't wait to get back into a stick.Stick's are harder to find. If you get a chance jump on it.

 

How about a push toward the search function?

 

My 430 with a stick is now 11 days old. After the first 700 miles, all I can say is I feel sorry for those who have only 2 pedals. The shifter is great, the pedals perfect for heel/toe. Most people with F1's don't really know how to drive a manual anyway. There is no way paddles do not diminish the involvement, there is simply much less to do. Aside from that, paddle shift cars do have more problems, a reason that our local dealer will actually pay more for an early 360 with a stick rather than paddles. Have more fun and save money, too. Doesn't get any better. After all, I don't think Jean Todt is callinig anyone here for an F1 tryout, so why pretend?

Dave

 

6-speed all the way

 

i have a friend that has 360 spider f1 and 355 challenge, drove both and even the 360 was a street car i still enjoyed the f1 shifters a lot better( a whole lot faster too) it also looks a lot better too.

 

Are the paddles "bad" (on all cars that have them-Ferrari, Lambo, Aston Martin, ect)? Is it closer to being a manual or automatic? Can you still get the rush and control out of them?

 

jack sell him yours

 

Well, Dave, that's not been my experience with three F1 Ferraris. Just came back from driving my 430 and it's the best F1 yet. Also, F1's do sell for more used, whether retail or wholesale. But in the end, it's all a matter of personal opinion/preference, and I respect your preference.

Btw, I can drive a stick and heel and toe rather well, but the F1 will do it better on a consistent (every time) basis than ANY driver, bar none. And....I like to pretend.

 

He missed it by a day, but there's another super clean yellow one available up north.

 

I highly Agree..........

 

The Ferrari system is a manual tranny with a clutch -- just no clutch pedal. The clutch and the shifting is controlled by hydraulic-electric actuators working at quite high pressures. Downshifts are to die for -- rev matching to perfection with no imbalance/weight transfer as a result of the downshift.

 

I love both, I just pick whichever. If it was me I'd look at everything but the transmission. See both of them have their ups and downs. The 6spd is more driver involvement with the clutch whereas with the F1 I allways find myself downshifting. Their just two different worlds and I love them both equally. Very different yet both very amazing.

 

I would get a 6-speed in an early 360. Early 360 F1's weren't as good (I test drove a couple and the shifts could be jerky). They got the F1's better tuned in later 360's and apparently the best of the 360 F1's was in the CS.

If you're talking a recent 360, then it's a more even choice; but if it were me I would still go for a 6-speed. I'm in awe of the F1 in my CS, it is much faster, smoother, better than I could ever shift and for a car intended for a track, it's the right technology to use and is the right choice for the CS. But if you're not getting a car with that design mission, then I would get the configuration that increases my enjoyment and, for a lot of enthusiasts, that means stirring the stick yourself and seeing how close you can get to the ideal set by the F1. You know you'll never be as good, but you'll have fun trying.

If you really want the best that Ferrari can deliver, short of an Enzo, then the CS is the answer and that includes the F1. In that case you won't get the enjoyment of shifting for yourself, but the car makes up for that single gap because it is so good.

 

as is it your first ferrai go with the stick. the click clack of the gear change is something very special. the large silver nob with the gear sequence etched in it feels great. ( yes i love my wife very much lads ). when you are happy perfecting the manual then go and try the paddles. i had the same issue. my first f car was a stick and i loved it but then i went to the track and it was quite difficult to change gears quickly without missing gears. then i bought my CS without a test drive and have never driven with paddles before. i am glad they only brought out the CS with paddles. i will never buy an f car again with the stick

 

Both fricken wonderful; just different. If I was to plan on cruising more than driving.... F1...now this is not to say the F1 is not spirited because in many respects when pushed to the limit it is even more so......however the days of old come in to play when I hit the twisties and it then it becomes a 6 speed for me all the way.

With regards to the early F1 cars and having a less than steller shift routine; true, however it has been mentioned before ..... The TCU can be replaced and bring the operation of an early F1 up to date..... It is a plug in module howver requires he use of the SD-2 or SD-3 to complete the hand shake. Approximately $1000.00 with the associated service if you let someone else do it.

You will find the right car.

Have fun

Shadowman

 

While the F1 transmission might be fun gadget, just remember
"Nothing beats the original 6-speed stick"
"NOTHING"

 

Get the stick, my 360 f1 had the clutches replaced at about 12000kilometres. The stick shift may be a little slower at the race track but is so much more enjoyable in stop start traffic and taking off on hills. Besides which it is at least somewhere to rest your hand. In my opinion is softer on the g'box.

 

Get the 6 speed. And for those who think the f1 is faster at the track, look at what Ferrari of washington did with thier 360GT. It started with a f1 which had lots of problems. They then switched to a 6 speed and was actually faster.I believe they may have gone to a sequential 6 speed in the end. This is in the ALMS series.

 

Unless it's a CS, Enzo or 430, manual is the way to go!
Previous iterations were just too jerky.

The three above though were optimised around their F1 transmissions and always provide a smoother, faster shift than any human could consistently produce.

 

Agreed, wholeheartedly! The F1 is a dream transmission to someone who drives a lot.

The bottom line is a paddle shift is a glorified auto, no matter if it's a manual with an electromagnetic clutch or a full blown auto. I've logged 28,000 miles in MB AMGs (S 55 and SL 55), 2000 miles in my spider and 1800 miles in my Vanquish. There ain't a whole sh*t of difference.

The bottom line a manual has a clutch: your left foot is on the clutch, your left hand is on the wheel and the right hand is on the stick....PERIOD! Everything else is a glorified auto. All this mental masturbation about positive lock up electro magnetic-hydraulic-links is BS.

I drive a lot and love the F1 because I drive a lot. If you don't mind exercising your left foot and right arm get a manual. If not get the convenience of the F1.