picked up a 2008 F430 spider today!

long time Ferrari fan here and i just got my new (to me) F430 spider! coming from a 2012 California, 2013 458 spider, and 2016 F12 Berlinetta i must say the rawness of the F430 and the F1 gearbox is something refreshing!

switching gears lunges you forward a bit, the noise with the top down is stronger than in my 458 spider, the looks are, dare i say it, almost retro! i mean in 5 more years it will be deemed a "classic" car. i almost want to make chrome grills with horizontal slats for the front air scoops.

i'm a child of the 80s so Miami Vice and Magnum PI heavily influenced my life (as well as Dukes of Hazzard and Knight Rider and Hardcastle McCormick). that's why i chose a Rosso Corsa/Beige convertible over a coupe. i should've never sold the 458 spider which was also the same color combo but i must say i am enjoying older cars even more now. i am not a fan of the turbo charged engine or hybrids and yes i know all about them i've owned Mclarens and teslas.

only time will tell about reliability which is why i chose not to buy a 308/328/testarossa. that would've been the true embodiment of my childhood dreams but like all good things sometimes the reality of getting them may tarnish the desire.

i think my tesla model Y is faster than this F430 and that is exactly the point i'm seeing, that it isn't about performance specs anymore, it is about the emotion the car makes you feel. Ferrari has been saying this for 50 years and i'm glad to finally be listening.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

let's not forget that Magnum didn't own his 308 he had unlimited use of it from Robin Masters as part of his security gig at the estate. Same with Crockett he never owned the Testarossa (even though it was heavily implied he kept it after resigning). Their upkeep and maintenance was taken care of by others. We are not so fortunate.

 

one thing that really bothered me about the 458 spider which sounds ridiculous but with the hard top in place it would make this rubber rubbing noise that drove me crazy. i bought that bmw German rubber conditioner no help. eventually i used powder graphite as a dry lubricant to reduce the noise but then of course that powder got everywhere like charcoal dirt.

i do think the F430 looks better with top down especially with those seat hoops. but maintenance will be more my clutch snap was 35% worn at 9k miles so i expect to replace around 20k. the 458 spider i didn't spend a dime it was still under 7 year maintenance too!

 

totally different cars. mid engine, lower to ground open top vs front engine GT cruiser. you see i kept the F12 and just bought another mid engine convertible.

F12 is more comfortable, sounds better, and is a gentleman's car. it's the Sean Connery Bond. i would call it quiet luxury.

458/430 is flashy, low to the ground, go kart fun. it's the Daniel Craig Bond. it is loud luxury.

 

my PPI showed the brakes were hardly worn at 9k miles. the feel is not as sharp bite as the F12 or 458 which also had CCB. in the 430 you need a little more effort and a little more pedal travel but nothing drastic like my McLaren 570 i felt like i had to stand on my brakes sometimes. i haven't pushed them hard yet but that's just normal driving experience.

 

in LA area you have to bring the car to the shop and lots of dealers won't allow it for liability issues
i paid Francos European to go to the dealer and do the inspection.