Re: first week in f430
Thanks for the comments.
bondmid003,
Yes that was me shortlisting the turbo, GT3 and Gallardo before trying the F430 as rank outsider and being gobsmacked. NOTHING comes close to this car. I don't even like referring to it as a car - it needs a type all of its own.
Alex,
Yes I did trade in my C2S Cab and although I'm happy as Larry I do miss the cab already. I used to pick between my cab and my cayenne depending on weather, mood and cargo/passengers. Now I can't do that as the F430 wont go anywhere without attracting a lot of attention. So I drive the Cayenne much more now, making the F430 just my pleasure car.
My F430 is a used model (Jan 06) with 6k miles. I'm told I *might* only lose 10k in a year which if true will make this the cheapest car I've owned in a long time. I obtained a Pounds1,000 discount and an extra 2K for my part ex (compared with the lambo dealers offer). Insurance was difficult as quite a few underwriters wont touch cars over 100k (GBP) in value. Ferrari recommended First Point quote for specialist cars. Quote was under 2K - 2,100 protected which I accepted.
The F dealers JCT600 in Leeds were very helpful when choosing between models, helping me to decide between cab and coupe, F1 and manual. Only downside was the free F caps for my teenage kids who would rather die than wear a "nerdy Ferrari cap".
I told the wife I wouldn't get a red one but that was before I saw the scuderia red which I absolutely love. Must be seen in the flesh to appreciate the balance between red and orange - stunning.
Anyway the review - Get the negatives out of the way first:
After the 101 point check I expected everything to be 100% but was disappointed to find a few faults (faulty lumber support and missing vanity mirror). I also find the mats are slippy. The carpet mats have a rubber section where my heels go but this is slippy with all my shoes. Easy to solve but not expected. Althouth the car is well appointed and looks great inside it still feels out of date compared to an Audi interior. Indicator storks feel cheap and only blip once rather than three times if you push them half way. The sat nav has no visible map and is not very intuitive. The horn is located in secret places on the steering wheel (thumb positions) so you can't find it if you are turning corners. The fuel display does not say how many miles you have left and is digital rather than analogue so as soon as the last bar starts flashing I feel panicky to get refueled quickly before I run dry. The handbrake has too much take; the locks don't auto lock on drive away and I hear electrical movement noises occaisionally like the ones you hear when opening the drivers door.
A lot of negatives, mostly rectifiable but even if they weren't I would not care. The positive aspect of driving this amazing machine makes every criticism pale into insignificance. It's not just the power or the intoxicating noise it makes. It feels every inch a race car for the road. 100% full on excitement. Each drive is a revelation in driving dynamics. The balance, lightness and communication of the steering makes you confident to take bends faster than in a 911. Blipping the throttle on downshifts is great fun. The car just feels alive and immediate. Like a jet powered go kart. You feel like you can really lean into a corner and trust it.
I've only used two of the five e-diff settings so far. I love the way I can plant my foot to the floor and leave the car to manage upshifts before the top of the rev range.
I havent tried launch control yet. Only a few attempts are covered by warranty and they eat clutches for breakfast.
I feel like I have a lot more to learn about the breadth and depth of its talents and will be unpacking them for quite some time to come.
