Where to after 6-speed F430

You can go forward to a 458 Spider 6MT, or backward to 360, 355, etc. But I don't know what your definition of "supercar" is. They're all super cars, but maybe not supercars. If you won't consider anything but a manual, your options are indeed severely limited.

For what it's worth, I think classic cars are a lot more fun to drive and to own than new silly-fast ones. And classic cars are almost all manuals and almost all come in convertible form. If you're willing to consider taking a step back in performance but possibly a big step forward in fun factor, I'd look to cars that are 20+ years old.

 

I own a Lamborghini Diablo Roadster with 30,000 feet of headroom so I think you'll fit. Honestly, pretty close to a perfect classic car....gated MT, a roaring mid mounted V-12 right behind your head, fast enough to keep up with most modern cars, just as happy to cruise as it is to be driven hard, breath taking beautiful, very rare (less than 500 total worldwide).

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Another suggestion is based on another car I own, a '05 Ford GT. They made a limited amount of what is called a GTX1, which would be an interesting option.

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Now you have your answer ,

 

I've had my 430 manual for nearly 4 years now and I keep thinking the same question. No potential replacement has tempted me so far. Nothing. But I still keep looking, Effectively the answer to your question is probably nothing.

 

There is no such thing as a 6MT 458, sadly.

 

One of the things I like best about my Ford GT, is that it is a platform that can add HP to very easily. The first $3k will get you 125 HP, and transforms an already incredible car.

 

There are some Frankenstein conversions being developed, but I wouldn’t want one.

 

I would say it is pretty questionable if the EAG car ever happens, or is a worthwhile conversion. Just a huge difference on a car where a F1/SMG type gearbox was offered alongside a 6MT vs. a car that was ONLY designed Day One for a DCT or Auto.

360, 430, 575M, 599, E46 M3 conversions all total make sense as a manual gearbox was already there, but controlled by a computer - and there is a factory OEM path to changing over.

EAG has a stated plan for the 458/488, FF, AMG GT, and Corvette C8 (among others). The engineering resources for these conversions is daunting and leagues different than the other cars. It's a wonderful goal, but there is also the potential that these cars just might not be very fun with a MT. As those engines became more and more powerful, rowing your own gears might not be that enjoyable. Already on the E92 M3's, many enthusiasts preferred the DCT over the available MT, as it just better suited the engine's power band.

"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they SHOULD..."

 

As a fellow 430 Spider 6MT owner I know the feeling. And the challenge in finding a modern supercar alternative.

I haven't found a suitable replacement. (I don't think an F50 is practical to have fun in, on the same real world roads as ours).

Ideas I have been through include 911 GTS cabrio of various types, but while these are very good cars, they are not supercars.

A RUF tuned manual 997 or 991 cabrio might fit the bill but try finding one. Maybe there's a great tuned 911 there that is not a Frankencar.

The obvious one of the modern era is an Aston Vantage V12 or V12S roadster manual, last generation. The problem is that the 430 is a better drive, more balanced and finessed, though the Aston is a brute, depending on your taste. I have often wondered but just don't want to swap for it.

Huracan Spider RWD is a whole lot of fun, but it's not manual. Same with a 720S (though a bit less fun).

There were a few manual 575 SAs but these are less exciting than a 430, more flawed, and much more expensive now.

I have even been through the process of a Z8 and rejected it.

There were a handful of manual Californias but these are less fun than the 430.

 

2014 Facelift Audi R8. Gated shifter, decent performance and convertible. V10 sounds good. I wouldn’t go with the older model

 

Good call, but I believe 2012 as the last year for gated? I might be wrong...

 

The 2014/15 had a gated as well. Not common as that's the year they switched to dual clutch and everyone was jumping on that.

 

My vote would be Ford GT all day. Prices will only go up and they are very fun to drive. Similar weight to F430 but very torque-y and still fast relative to modern cars.

 

Very few good choices in your situation indeed. One that wasn’t mentioned yet is the 550 Barchetta - convertible, manual, V12 and semi affordable.

 

doesn't exist.

 

991 911 speedster.

 

This. If you absolutely need a three pedal manual, the 911, 964 or even modern Targa is rare, cool and a great drive. You will rarely see another one on the road.

The older cars are definitely fun to drive, and they hold value well.



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hmm, were they special editions? Or is Wikipedia wrong? I've seen wiki wrong before, according to it 2012 was last year for gated.

 

C8. After you drive one you will say screx clutch pedal manual. Make mine a paddle shifter DCT.

 

My weekend fun cars will always be MT.....

I’ll save paddle shifters for my DD.

 

718 Spyder


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Nope. Just regular cars. The ‘14/‘15 facelift is considered part of the 2012 run. Audi introduced the dual clutch in the r8 for the ‘14 model so everyone was jumping on that. Not many manuals around. Below is a link from a 2015 thats for sale with a gated manual

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=587208548&zip=91367&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D91367%26city%3DWoodland%2BHills%26startYear%3D2014%26incremental%3Dall%26endYear%3D2015%26modelCodeList%3DR8%26makeCodeList%3DAUDI%26transmissionCodes%3DMAN%26sortBy%3Drelevance%26location%3D%255Bobject%2BObject%255D%26state%3DCA%26searchByDma%3Dfalse%26firstRecord%3D0%26marketExtension%3Dinclude%26relevanceConfig%3Ddefault%26searchRadius%3D0%26isNewSearch%3Dfalse&startYear=2014&numRecords=25&searchByDma=false&firstRecord=0&endYear=2015&modelCodeList=R8&makeCodeList=AUDI&searchRadius=0&makeCode1=AUDI&modelCode1=R8&clickType=listing

 

This is great information, glad you can set my head straight. That Wikipedia article leaves a lot to be desired.

Thank you for educating me.