F430 (Manual) - a celebration
Discussion
Anyone following the F-car market right now understands that manual cars of all vintage/model tyre are seeing incredible levels of interest.
Whilst in later models this reflects rarity (less so in the likes of 355), the irony is that they are rare because at the time (think 430/612/599/575) no-one really wanted them.... of course, time and tech moves on - DCT boxes make the older semi-auto seem clunky and slow, and for the buyer that wants the most accessible and the fastest option for their car, the future belongs to them.
But the past belongs to the buyer who wants to feel a more mechanical connection with their car, so the back catalogue of models is where they must look.... and the reward?....The V8's appreciative bark thanking you for a nicely done downshift - the sensation of lightly fondling that cold chrome ball (!) in anticipation of your next shift - and the simple pleasure derived from opening the door and seeing a small piece of iconic and timeless Ferrari design take centre stage in the cabin...
These are the reasons I bought an immaculate 430 manual recently (05/spider/18k miles)... a car that I feel quite celebratory about - in a way that I never have for any of my Porsches.
Some (not very good) pics below... and would love to see others from fellow owners who still have their cars or who have loved and lost...
Whilst in later models this reflects rarity (less so in the likes of 355), the irony is that they are rare because at the time (think 430/612/599/575) no-one really wanted them.... of course, time and tech moves on - DCT boxes make the older semi-auto seem clunky and slow, and for the buyer that wants the most accessible and the fastest option for their car, the future belongs to them.
But the past belongs to the buyer who wants to feel a more mechanical connection with their car, so the back catalogue of models is where they must look.... and the reward?....The V8's appreciative bark thanking you for a nicely done downshift - the sensation of lightly fondling that cold chrome ball (!) in anticipation of your next shift - and the simple pleasure derived from opening the door and seeing a small piece of iconic and timeless Ferrari design take centre stage in the cabin...
These are the reasons I bought an immaculate 430 manual recently (05/spider/18k miles)... a car that I feel quite celebratory about - in a way that I never have for any of my Porsches.
Some (not very good) pics below... and would love to see others from fellow owners who still have their cars or who have loved and lost...
Edited by ZeroH on Wednesday 27th January 15:21
RamboLambo said:
I think whilst some of us brought up on manuals love them for what they offer the newer generations will see them less appealing in the future so whilst they are "hot" at the moment I can see a time and generation where they wont necessarily be as hot. I don't think the meteoric rise will go on relentlessly so make hay whilst the sun is shinning
You may have noticed that this isnt a thread about values or investment 
Feel free to start your own thread about why manuals are overhyped and overvalued and I'll be happy to engage you about it there
911F said:
I never appreciated how good it sounded until I heard a car with the standard set up, the ability to handle volume with clarity was exceptional!
For contrast though, the B&O in my V10+ Sounds considerably better still!
Perfect spec 430 you had there and indeed I concur that the Bose system really kicks ass.For contrast though, the B&O in my V10+ Sounds considerably better still!
Not quite my Cayenne's Burmester level tho
Edited by ZeroH on Thursday 28th January 00:07
Benjy911 said:
Here is my dad's, a 2005 bought on 5k miles in Jan 2012 for 75k, it's now done just over 20k.
It's got a tubi on which sounds lovely, and he recently had the carbon interior fitted to replace the silver. Before he had a 2008 F1 which he disliked the gear change on, I think he'd become too acustomed to the PDK in the 911.
Your father has fine taste !It's got a tubi on which sounds lovely, and he recently had the carbon interior fitted to replace the silver. Before he had a 2008 F1 which he disliked the gear change on, I think he'd become too acustomed to the PDK in the 911.
Thx for posting pics
Kyodo said:
Some great cars here but why is it celebrating 'manuals' when the real celebrating going on concerns colour/interior/spec? Perhaps it shows the stick with the knob on the top is secondary to the aforementioned...
Not a dig, just an observation
Its a thread for manual owners to show pics of their pride and joy... all colours and specs welcome in this celebration !Not a dig, just an observation
Kyodo said:
I know and fair play. The F1 equipped cars are manual too you know… 
Haha, well you make a good point... the F1 car that 911F posted was the first I ever drove and was the car that put me on the path to my eventual purchase (albeit I went around the houses with 308/355/360 before reaching my desitination )Armen said:
There had been a few in 2008/2009, well at least in the US.
But yes most of the manual F430 were 2005 & 2006MY.
Interestingly, it seems the options list really expanded over the life of the car, for instance later options were parking sensors, Bose etc... most of the 05/06 cars aren't massive spec with owners seemingly focused more on colour combinations, carbon/ali dash choices, and seat choice (stock/Daytona/carbon), and F1 v Manual choice. But yes most of the manual F430 were 2005 & 2006MY.
During my search I was also surprised how few Spiders were spec'ed with heated seats...... would have been the first box I ticked - maybe Ferrari buyers have well padded bottom's thus no need !!!
The biggest surprise factor on my car that I was happy to see was the passenger airbag deactivation switch.... not sure if this was standard or an option, but an essential feature for anyone with younger kids.
TOM59 said:
HI
Here is a photo of my 2006 manual great car have upgraded the lights to LED and change out the manifolds and installed the flip out Ferrari / Clarion head unit when I bought it 1.5 years ago it had 10k miles on it now has 16k miles
Tom
Very nice Tom, thanks for posting.... how are you getting on with the Clarion ? Am pondering audio upgrades already !!Here is a photo of my 2006 manual great car have upgraded the lights to LED and change out the manifolds and installed the flip out Ferrari / Clarion head unit when I bought it 1.5 years ago it had 10k miles on it now has 16k miles
Tom
keith jecks said:
My car (if this worked). Bought from maranello a year ago with 10,700 miles. Now 15,300, following trips to Italy and France...
keith jecks said:
I was really lucky to find this car. Apart from looking new and having 2 years Factory warranty, it was exactly as I would have specced a new car - it had everything I wanted and nothing else. The seats are a requirement for me as at 6ft 2in, I can't get comfortable with the normal seats. AND, the age of the car (Jan 2006) means it qualifies for the lower road tax too!
Lower tax is a brucie bonus ! Good point re the seat height.... cursory experience of my manual daytona's indicates they could be a bit lower.... apparantly with electric seat adjustment they sit higher still due to the motors !gadgetJunky72 said:
Hey Zero. we met today at Auto Audio. congrats on the car.
sorry to hijack the thread, Tom did you actually get the DAB add-on to work consistently? I've just had it all fitted in my 430 and found it to be rubbish. In fact i'm going to be taking it all out.
Cheers
Pav
Hey Pav - appreciated the demo, thx mate.... love the carbon seats in your car btw !!sorry to hijack the thread, Tom did you actually get the DAB add-on to work consistently? I've just had it all fitted in my 430 and found it to be rubbish. In fact i'm going to be taking it all out.
Cheers
Pav
Catch up soon
kingstanding said:
Hi ZH - that's exactly what I'm currently looking for. Where did you get yours?
Mine never came to market.... was right place right time when the owner memtioned he may want to sell ! The only spider I am aware of for sale has just come to market with slades.... 07/23k miles/nero/6owners, £120k offered
Benjy911 said:
Updated with deposit taken. 
Meridien's manual also appears as reserved, 2005, 15.5k, £119,995
http://www.meridien.co.uk/used-cars/2340/ferrari-f...
The Meridian car sold 1st week Jan... at least thats what the salesman told me when I called about it... suprised its still on the website. Meridien's manual also appears as reserved, 2005, 15.5k, £119,995
http://www.meridien.co.uk/used-cars/2340/ferrari-f...
Edited by Benjy911 on Friday 26th February 21:18
Edited by Benjy911 on Friday 26th February 21:19
Really didnt want this thread to become about prices tho.... will resist myself and talk about the fact that I only just got round to picking my car up today....
So... collected car today from Silverstone... fantastic job by Tom at Keys Motorsport, who had just serviced and prepped the car... he said its one of the best examples hes seen, which is always reassuring for a first time buyer !
The drive from Silverstone to London.... incredible... the gearshift is miles... really miles better than the 355 manual I recently tried... its shorter of throw, buttery smooth to engage and had a lovely clutch action... it just made me feel hard-wired into the engine... and blipping the throttle to rev match is pure joy... and the noise OMG... stock exhaust but with the top down its surely all you'd ever need.
It doesnt feel 500hp fast in 6th gear at 70mph though... ive been spoilt by turbo cars for too long I guess where you can be lazy and still be fast... but it felt rock solid at high speed motorway sweepers and has a much nicer ride quality in town than my 911... a very pleasant suprise was the lack of buffeting in the cabin at almost any 'sane' speed.... didnt expect that nor did I expect the heating system to be quite so efficient and strong... not bemoaning lack of heated seats anymore thats for sure !
Do I wish the car had a lower stance? Yes and is easily addressed of course, but the trade-off for keeping the front bumper intact is something I'll have to think long and hard about...
Anything I didnt like? Well.... I suppose some cupholders would be nice
The drive from Silverstone to London.... incredible... the gearshift is miles... really miles better than the 355 manual I recently tried... its shorter of throw, buttery smooth to engage and had a lovely clutch action... it just made me feel hard-wired into the engine... and blipping the throttle to rev match is pure joy... and the noise OMG... stock exhaust but with the top down its surely all you'd ever need.
It doesnt feel 500hp fast in 6th gear at 70mph though... ive been spoilt by turbo cars for too long I guess where you can be lazy and still be fast... but it felt rock solid at high speed motorway sweepers and has a much nicer ride quality in town than my 911... a very pleasant suprise was the lack of buffeting in the cabin at almost any 'sane' speed.... didnt expect that nor did I expect the heating system to be quite so efficient and strong... not bemoaning lack of heated seats anymore thats for sure !
Do I wish the car had a lower stance? Yes and is easily addressed of course, but the trade-off for keeping the front bumper intact is something I'll have to think long and hard about...
Anything I didnt like? Well.... I suppose some cupholders would be nice
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