Which would you choose? Why?

I would do a 6 speed manual in either variant. F430 ideally if you can afford it

 

F430, a big upgrade in tech/engine

 

My 06 430 spider with the F1 trans. is awesome. 24,444 miles when I rolled it off the used car lot. Just under 70K now 5 years later. I live in the north east and only have maybe 5 good months to drive until the salt trucks start rolling. Never had a second though about it. She's with me forever. Looking at a 488 Pista spider now. The way I look at it, if you are smiling every time you get behind the wheel, you made the right decision. And besides, it's last Ferrari model ever with the a cloth top!

 

Plenty of 360 lovers on here. I had one and loved it. But my 430 is next level. As with any car the last version is better than the first.

 

If newer faster less maintenance = better were true, we’d all get Corvettes.

 

430 because 360 isn't fast enough.

 

Don't you live in the Bay Area? It can't do 5 in gridlock traffic?

 

No shortage of roads in the Bay Area, including America's finest, aka Highway 1 Carmel to Cambria.

Like this morning, at first light. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Side story. Always lock your Ferrari, even for a moment. Tweaker and her dog, also this morning, while I grabbed a double espresso Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

Yes, I remained very calm.

 

Which you post with a 550, which is slower than the 360. Sort of argues against your point doesn't it?

 

Only one of my cars, was offering my opinion having driven all the V8s. And there is nothing slow about a 5.5L V12 lol, especially the torque versus a 360 V8.

 

I mean ok “lol” but it isn’t as fast as a 360 which “isn’t fast enough”.

 

Higher top speed and faster to 60 (per R&T testing not F's claims on the latter) is slower?

360 is a phenomenal car. 430 is phenomenal-er. 550 is substantially different but lets leave the measuring tapes on the shelf.

 

I was looking at both just over a year ago and went with the 430. No belts to change and the mechanical and electrical upgrades. Plus, I like the look of the 430 a little better than the 360.

 

You missed the point entirely. Every guy on the Internet that "picked car B over car A because I needed the extra speed for my driving" tootles around at exactly the same speed in car B as they would have in car A.

 

So they should only be allowed to own car A then?

 

if f1 is must then 430 is the one to go with...

 

This is a "which would you choose" thread.

 

David, I have a 575 also and bought a 430 Spider. Mine is a manual but I believe the F1 is good on these. I also looked at 360s. Lots of good people here with both.

360 advantages:
Cheaper
Five valve sound- slightly rawer sound though they both sound fabulous
I think it looks a bit cleaner
More availability

430 advantages:
More power and a lot more low down punch while getting to the fun zone screaming towards the redline
E diff- makes a difference putting power down especially on tricky roads; and more sophisticated suspension
nicer and higher quality interior
Easier maintenance
Newer - you can buy 12-13 year old car as opposed to 18+ yo

manual 430 is also a rarity which appealed to me.

I understand the 430 has a stiffer shell also due to extra cross bracing underneath.

I don’t regret my decision and would recommend it

My 575 and 430 are both gated and both stock. The 430 would leave the 575 behind on twisty roads but on longer sweepers I suspect it would be the other way around. It would certainly be an entertaining race. You wouldn’t find the 430 slow after your other cars, and the gearing means its quicker at low speeds, but you would find you would need to work the 360 hard to get it into the zone, after the torque of the V12.

Not a bad thing but worth considering, the V8 mid engines are a different style of drive anyway, but the 430 can punch it out between 2000 and 3500 revs in a way predecessors can’t.

 

The timing chains on the 430 are a nice upgrade if you don't mind the more modern interior styling. It basically becomes a fluid change maintenance regime like a Porsche.

 

For real?! wow. (not sure you're not joking) Was the officer in the area or you called? How long did this all take to 'play out'?
Always think, " Well, it could have been worse". At least it seems you encountered a 'happy/friendly' tweeker and not a knife slashing 'I'm going to kill you all' tweeker.
The dog tho! The good boy is ready to go for a ride! Man, if you didn't have pics I wouldn't believe you're story!
.

 

I took about 40 minutes for the Park Rangers to show after the call. But then everybody showed - two rangers, two deputies, two CHP. My own family thought I was joking until the pictures were published. And this was all because @MRY drank too much champagne and I had to wait for him.

Album with comments here ! OP, sorry to derail your thread !!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/b4f8iG22KcBCmewLA

 

Then why berate someone else for making the choice that was right for them?