What would you choose?

Never even driven one so I don't know, but would be interested to hear from those who have (Harsh etc)

Head says the F1 would be good, heart maybe says the manual would be a more Ferrari experience. Although it does look clunky and from the 512TR I went in, takes a long time to negotiate the box between changes!

Also, does it look like most of these cars ahve taken their biggest price hit, and are on a shallow depreciation curve?

 

Can't comment personally but was it on TG where they reported the paddle shift was terrible? Best to test drive one yourself in any case.

I can't imagine you'd lose much money over a few years on a mid £30k one for example.

You work for BP BTW?

 

Yup Moggy.

A friend of mine had one and the paddles were a bit jerky, but he said he got used to driving around it (letting off the throttle) I don't think it likes flat shifts.

I think mid 40's seems to get a reasonable one. Wanted one for a long time but i'm sure I would wimp out if it came to the crunch Even my local dealer tried to scare me off!

 

Do it, you only live once.

And seeing as you work for that outfit you can afford it

 

Mark, I've never driven a manual Ferrari but I'm almost certain that I would chose a manual over an F1, everything else being equal.

Flappy paddles just make things too easy IMO.

Chris.

 

Moggy - I am a "sod it" kind of person, I like your advice

Chris - i'd normally agree it's just after trying the GTR one it was quite fun. And that H box looks alien to me!

The mental hurdle I have is selling the Evo to buy something like this. I know that sounds insane but I love it and will never find one as good

 

The GTR's dual clutch box is somewhat more sophisticated than the F1 box on a 360 though

Chris.

 

Ah, that takes me back!

The manual is certainly not as "smooth and snicky" as the S, in my experience. The F1 I've not tried in the 360 but I have heard owners say that they still prefer the manual over the paddles, particularly in this model.

Next thing is clutches. I spoke to the owner of Rio Prestige last week (performance car hire). He went through so many clutches on the 360, they've withdrawn it. Obviously this is partly due to reckless hirers of the car, but the costs are interesting. Clutch replacement on the 360 between £3k and £4k. The F1 "should last longer", he said, "but costs a lot more to replace".

Whatever way you look at it, the 360 will cost you money. I'm looking into the possibility of one in the next couple of years, by which time the 430 may have dropped down to a reasonable price level, presuming that the new 458 will start selling well.

The Paddle shift/Auto/Manual box in the GT-R is simply awesome. It's got to be a contender in this price range, but ...well, let's not start that one again!

 

Good info, Graham.

While I love the GTR, it's not quite special enough to be a garage $$$$$$ car

I want to do some Europe trips with the Doris, and the idea of doing it in a 360 or V8 Vantage is enticing, where the GTR wouldn't be as much of an event.

I was told the clutch in the manual lasts much longer - think it was Evo buyers guide?

The F430 is out of my league, but luckily i'm not that keen on it. The 355 is a tricky one, but it's just a little old hat for my tastes.

 

Interesting about the clutches. I really do need to speak to someone who's had both, next time I'm with the usual crowd at Knockhill maybe.

I actually prefer the 430. In looks and in general "Ferrari-ness". I also completely agree on your comment about the 355.

As far as prices go, they do seem to be settling around the £45k mark at the bottom end, for anything worth looking at (360's). Anything less than that is probably dangerously close to a shed or will need a lot of work. Or both.