Pros and Cons: F1 vs. 6 speed on 360?

I know that on the F1s, if the hydraulic pump goes out, it's around $10k to replace. Personally, for a 360, I'd go with the 6-speed manual.

Welcome to f-chat; best of luck in your search.

-G.B.

 

Welcome aboard.

Please don't think I'm being rude but please do a search. Its really has honestly been done to death this one. One of the most talked about threads.

 

This must be the most debated subject EVER.

But, to cut to the chase:

The F430 was designed around the F1 system. So, for maximum performance, it's the way to go. And, over 90% of the people who bought new ones ordered them that way.

Are they more expensive in the long run? Probably. But, what's the point when you're buying an expensive sports car anyway. Everything is expensive on it.

Those who like 6 speeds like them because they are more old school. And, I can see the appeal to that. I've driven manual sports cars my entire life and I see the attraction.

But, I also see the appeal of keeping both hands on the wheels and blasting that thing like crazy, downshifting at will entering a corner and powering out. It shifts way faster than a human and the sounds of the engine blipping and matching throttle speeds are incredible.

Also, because 6 speed are pretty rare, you have to be more flexible in what you find out there (color, options, mileage, year, etc) or you will search forever. There's just less to pick from -- but there are still a lot of good cars out there for sure.


To me, I would make the decision NOT on what could or could not go wrong but on what kind of experience you want in the car. Anything could go wrong on one of these. Everything is expensive. The F1 box is just one of many.

If you want to play the game, you have to put your ante in.

 

nothing beats rowing through the gears yourself. That metallic clang is one of the best sounds in a ferrari. I consider it to be as appealing as the sound the engine makes.

 

Hopefully to help, only because there would be so many different postings out there.

As for the mechanical difference/cost, if (and more like when) the F1 pump does go, you are into about $2200 in parts for the pump, relay and fuse components. Then add labor, so, you are lets say in $3K territory should it happen.

If you do have a failure, give yourself a better than 50% chance it will take place while you are on the road, so consider a flatbed tow. (Once it fails, your day is done)

On clutch wear you will probably go through that faster with the F1, no matter how good you are with a F1 and regulating the throttle to start and/or negotiate uphill traffic situations. (And if you are really bad with it, you'll be slipping the clutch on the F1 MUCH MORE than normal and have early wear). But from a flat road stop, if you have the proper start method you should be in decent shape. (Not to soft, not to hammer it, but just making that decision on it like a target trigger on a rifle).

NOW LET ME ALSO MENTION, if you are mechanically able, then to replace yourself is almost childsplay, and, some on this site have shown some great rebuild suggestions for the motor component of the pump itself, again, super easy to do. The pump itself is VERY easy to access as well.

Hope that helps somewhat.

 

I have a gated 6-speed shifter and I love it. But it is a personal preference. Some prefer blondes, some brunettes. Drive both and see which you like better. When I was imagining driving a 360, I always "envisioned" myself rowing the gears... it took longer to find my gated shifter car, but I'm very happy. As an aside I'm not going to even bring up the MANY threads that start "HELP, my F1 car just stopped driving in traffic!".. ;-)

If I have a dedicated track car in the future.. I think an F1 might just be the ticket.

 

+1

Again it is personal preference. I grew up with stick shift and never, even to today have not driven a F1 type shifter. Old dog that does not want to learn a new trick! IMHO I think stick shift for the street and F1 for the track. Plus 'rowing' thru the grears is so much more fun.

Welcome to the forum and good luck!!!!

 

I would go with your gut of what you like, period. It's not a matter of which is better, holds value, maintenance, etc... it is personal preference. For me it wasn't even a consideration-- 3 pedal or nothing. I absolutely love it. It should be pretty clear.... just like any other car do u prefer a real manual or not (tongue in cheek dig at the F1!)

 

To try to answer the questions as to cost and reliability. Yes the F1 is more likely to cause you problems than the manual, you might be lucky you might not. If you suffer the worst case scenario it could run to a large cost but that's worst case and probably quite rare. The pump motor which powers the system should probably be regarded as a wearing item that will require replacement every five to seven years (+/- three to seven years!). As the clutch wears and / or the motor weakens you will probably encounter some gear selection problems which may well cause the vehicle to have to go for service and / or have it's clutch replaced sooner than would otherwise be the case. The F1 system generally wears clutches out faster than the manual but the over-riding contributor to clutch wear is type of use / abuse dispensed by the driver.

I'm happy with my manual and most F1 owners are happy with their choice too.

Best of luck!

 

I would strictly stay away from eBay for a 360. They are the bottom of the barrel examples. A few extra dollars up front will go a long way.

Try the classifieds on ferrarichat.com

Also see the thread created by barrister on here. It is an amazing buyers guide and follow up on the 360.

 

1. That's not an "issue", that's "character"

2. I don't know your territory so cannot help. Try google "Ferrari for Sale" and see what pops up?

 

On the F1/6 spd issue drive both and buy what you like. Many here who have F1 were thinking 6 speed until they drove the F1, and loved it.

The above part caught my eye. The 360 is a fairly low torque car, ~275 ft/lb, where the Z06 is a beast at what 500? I have driven both and I love my 360 but I can say that these cars are VERY different. There are a number of threads comparing the Corvette, 360, 430, and the GTR as well. You may want to take a quick read of those so you aren't disappointed. Drive the 430 as well since it has a lot more torque than a 360.

 

My first Ferrari was a 2004 360 F1. I loved the car and I really liked the F1. However,as some have posted, to really enjoy the F1, you have to drive fast (track sessions) and unless you're equipped to fend off possible speeding tickets you will lose your liscence quickly. In my 3 years with the F1 in the 360, I found cruising the boulevards boring and typical highway driving uninvolving... Having said that, let it also be known that when I used to go on my morning runs in the back country, the car was a blast!! My spine would tingle from the scream of the engine and the downshifting in sport mode when entering tight corners was orgasmic!! So in the end, for me , it was a love/hate relationship with the F1. As far as reliability, the 360 was rock solid. When I bought the car, it had the original clutch at 9750 miles. When I sold the car, it had 21875 miles and 78% of clutch life left. I maintained that car beyond reproach and I never once had problems.... This past summer, I switched sides. I bought myself a 2002 360 modena manual. So far all I can is WOW!! the feeling of getting the perfect shift, the clanking of the gated shifter is a whole other experience in itself. The gears shift like butter when reving high (5-6k rpm), you feel more in control, more involved. Again, having said that, you tend to drive the car more normally, in other words, you don't feel compelled to drive as aggresively as you would in
a F1 car to get a "kick" out of it. I get just as much of a thrill driving to the local grocery store to pick up milk. I do miss the F1 for speed and control-something that you have to master in a gated shift car. After having gotten the gated 360, I learned to appreciate the technology behind the F1 system and how it makes an amateur driver like me feel like I some kind of race car driver. I am more humble with the gated shift and one day I will go back to f1, but I would do so while still keeping the current 360 I have. AS you can see, it's a very personal thing. I bought my first Ferrari purely on impulse because I made myself a promise.... I did not drive an F1 or gated shift Ferrari before that. My suggestion to you, drive both and see what you like or see yourself in. Both are rewarding. As far as 360 ownership, do all required maintenance, change all vital fluids every year and you should not have a problem. When shopping for one, do not buy from ebay, do insist that the car have full service history, do the PPI and make sure the maintenance is recent. I bought both my cars from a local dealer. Both times, I was treated fairly and the cars I bought were cherries and not toilets and that to me is a question of pride because I will not be shy to sell this car to the next owner. Owning a Ferrari for me is a privilege only a few will ever experience and I do not take it for granted.

Good luck on the search and enjoy, it's all part of the process.

Lino

 

I've never had an issue shifting into second. Mind you, I had the shifter bushing replaced because the shifting felt a bit notchy. The mechanic thought it was the second gear synchro, but I was not convinced. I told him to change the bushing and the problem was resolved. Also, these cars need to run for several minutes depending on out door temps, so I would just start the car and drive off... Ferraris have to be cared for, carressed etc... That's character!

Lino

 

The pump is actually around 1k while the actuator is around 10K

 

IIRC this was the first question ever posted on FChat.

 

Not surprising. That or timing belt change intervals.

Everyone has to remember this; new users aren't going to know to search right away. Although we have seen many exact questions asked a million times its normal for a new member to come here and start a thread.

 

I thought I'd never like F1 until I drove one, and it's quite fun. I'd prefer F1 over 6 speed if I bought one.

 

I'm 6'6'', so clutch use has never been easy/comfotable for me. Ferrari's have (relatively speaking) a lot of room, but I still think I'd be uncomfortable on space having to use both legs.

The effortless downshift blips are a fantastic feature of F1, in addition to being able to apply full concentration to braking, turnin, and exit throttle pressure. I certainly get the "full enthusiast/control" aspect of wanting a 6 speed though, but they just arn't for me. I may perhaps buy a E46 M3 one day just for a fun manual, but I've never doubted the F1 was right for me in Ferrari's (nor tiptronic in my 911tt).

If you have a earlier year 360 (99-2001), you should consider a TCU upgrade to 2002-2004 or even the (expensive) CS TCU upgrade that will improve shifting performance and also clutch longevity. Don't creep in stop/go traffic, don't launch your car, and careful with reversing (especially up hill), and the 360 clutch life on an F1 will be greatly improved.

I think the 360 shift times with F1 are what, 150 milliseconds? The Scuderia does 50 milliseconds? Not sure about the F430.

 

I know this is an old thread but today I could have written exactly the same thing @RaiderDude did (first time and struggling with the same decision). Thank you everyone and I am so glad to be part of this “privilege”. Out of curiosity, which one did @RaiderDude go with and would you do it again?

 

Try test driving a BMW M3 from 2002-2006 with SMG II or M5/M6 from that era with SMG III. They're one of the few cars out there with a similar system to the F1, and a lot easier to get an extended test drive.