School me on 'Sport Mode'

When I first got my car I was driving on a poorly maintained side road with a lot of bumps I switched off the Sport Mode. For me I really didn't feel much difference (my car is a 2003). I kinda felt like I was wanting to feel a difference more than really feeling a difference.

What I do notice or should I say did notice, is that when I got the car and put it in Sport Mode it shifted significantly firmer. Which for my driving tastes is a good thing. I like the feel and I haven't taken the car out of Sport Mode for years. Others here have claimed that the clutch engages quicker with less slippage in Sport Mode. Which again, for me, that seems like a good thing. I want to keep my clutch wear to a minimum, of course who wouldn't.

 

I had my 360 a few months and thought "yeah I have the hang of this car now" so I switched on Sport Mode one day and at the next light as I was turning left I gave it a little "punch". The car spun around 360 degrees in the middle of the intersection and made me look like a bigger idiot than I already knew I was. So I flipped the sport mode off and have not touched it again since the car is way over my abililty level. So I guess it really lessens the traction control. Find a LARGE open area and play with it a bit so see what happens!

 

Well sport mode with my AV tune and CS tcu is a absolutely fantastic. Its what it should be from the factory. The down shifts are amazingly fast and the valves open sooner on my cs exhaust.
Its a complete new car. Thanks to trev and av

 

From the manual section 3.23:

"the sport mode is characterized by a stiffening of the suspension and faster gear-shifting compared to gear-shifting in the normal mode."

Sport also interacts with the ASR.

I wouldn't be surprised if the accelerator pedal doesn't also have a steeper curve to make it feel more responsive.

I think for us gated folks it probably isn't very noticeable unless you are on a track exploring the limits of the car and driver...

 

I've had my gated 360 Spider for over two years and I have yet to switch it into sport mode. Frankly, regular mode is plenty good enough for me. I'd rather have a little extra support when things get weird. For instance, one day I was pushing it hard around a 270 degree entrance ramp with a steep grade, floored in second, when I crossed a small stream of water from a broken sprinkler head. The rear end jumped a tiny bit before the ASR engaged and I successfully exited the ramp. Would I have had the same success in sport mode? I won't know as I'll just keep it in regular mode as it's sporty enough for me.

 

For gated cars, sport is just firmer suspension and (from feel anyway) a slightly more aggressive throttle response.

Still need to turn ASR fully off when on track or driving hard as it is incredibly over aggressive with cutting engine power. Any slip at all and it will cut power for 0.5-1 second. Kills corner exit.

 

This is for 360, no? I plan on tracking my 430 and I would like to think that I can keep in in Race mode... I don't want to take all nannies off... for obvious reasons.

 

Hey Peter - I had the same car - 2000 360 F1 - And drive pretty much the same as you do - I turned off Sport Mode for city driving and any time it was cold or wet. Turned it on when I was up in the mountains and able to enjoy the car a bit more in the twistys where you could be legal and safe but still enjoy the car a bit more - It was noticeable to me the firmer suspension, more aggressive shifting, noticeable (and badass) throttle-blip downshifts and what seemed to be better throttle response. Otherwise I turned it off to avoid beating the car up on crap roads and in the city you don't really notice or get the benefit of the more aggressive up/down shifting.

FWIW I do the same thing in my 458 between Sport and Race modes for the same reasons.

Cheers

 

"Modes" are dumb. It's a sports car I leave it in sport mode. They should have just built it to drive like that all the time.

 

For 360.

I've found that the 'Race' or 'Sport+' or whatever the most hands-off traction control mode is called (depends on manufacturer) is always overly aggressive for my tastes.

But it depends on how hard you are pushing the car and your skill level. Certainly don't turn all systems off if you are not prepared for oversteer now and again on corner exit/aren't experienced with track driving.

 

I would strongly encourage you to go to a track, get some instruction, and learn how to drive the car in a spirited manner. You will enjoy it 100x more if you do.

Tootling around town is doing yourself and the car a disservice - the capabilities of the car are so high! They were designed to be driven hard.

 

I agree, but, they sell these Ferraris to all manner of folks. Some are more talented and prudent than others. Some are just stupid and do stupid things-- and Ferrari wants not to be blamed for that.

 

Find some desolate roads. Push the car ever so slightly each time you take it out. Get a feel for how it reacts. I've had a lot of Porsches. They are very forgiving and as my driving abilities progressed they, dare I say, began to seem under powered and boring-- and to that end very forgiving. My 360 is neither. I am always on my toes in the Ferrari when driving it hard and it has surprised me at times with behavior I didn't expect.

As a good friend used to say; "sneak up on it." Meaning push a little at a time to get to know both the car's response and your ability to handle it. Track time is good but it can be kind of intimidating with others who are a little better driver than you are.

 

The track is the best place to push the car, even if past your abilities. Go to the Novice group, ask for an instructor, and you will become faster by the lap....
Keep stability control on. When you are alone, and the electronics are stepping in, you haven't been smooth enough. Try to control the car at the limits of the traction control, and you will be a better driver.