Evo Magazine write up F430
Discussion
Exhaust noise is a good point for sure. I was looking at removing the pre-cats on mine until I realised it would prevent me from tracking it due to noise regs. I have added the OEM sports exhaust which is lower and 8kg lighter and I now test at 103db static. I'm out on Silverstone next Sunday (20th) if anyone is up for it..? I have a garage booked which I'm happy to share.
Agreed - but that's what makes it, and others in that space, so much fun to own. I can't believe anyone is under the illusion that much built in the last 15 years is going to become a classic outside a few halo cars. There are just too many special editions being pumped out for that to happen. So you either buy a proper classic (I have a 1930 Rolls to scratch that itch), which lets face it you aren't going to rag around the countryside let alone a track, or you commit yourself to always having the latest and greatest, which is an expensive route to follow as it means buying new every year.
Or, as the article referenced in this post is about, you buy yourself something that has more than enough real world performance and enjoy the hell out of it - in the real world. Any one of the cars referenced in the article will provide you with that thrill and not cost you an arm and a leg in depreciation and maintenance. Not something you can say about McLaren - as much as I like them. Buy a current McLaren and within six months (if you're lucky) they will release something faster. Now it's neither a classic nor on the pace, you can't really exploit it on the road, you're unlikely to risk it on the track, you're losing money hand over fist in depreciation, and even worse - you're careful about the miles you put on it. That's the point of the article - not that the F430 is the finest out there - far from it as others have pointed out - but rather that it and a few others are in the sweet spot to own and enjoy right now.
Or, as the article referenced in this post is about, you buy yourself something that has more than enough real world performance and enjoy the hell out of it - in the real world. Any one of the cars referenced in the article will provide you with that thrill and not cost you an arm and a leg in depreciation and maintenance. Not something you can say about McLaren - as much as I like them. Buy a current McLaren and within six months (if you're lucky) they will release something faster. Now it's neither a classic nor on the pace, you can't really exploit it on the road, you're unlikely to risk it on the track, you're losing money hand over fist in depreciation, and even worse - you're careful about the miles you put on it. That's the point of the article - not that the F430 is the finest out there - far from it as others have pointed out - but rather that it and a few others are in the sweet spot to own and enjoy right now.
thecook101 said:
Agreed - but that's what makes it, and others in that space, so much fun to own. I can't believe anyone is under the illusion that much built in the last 15 years is going to become a classic outside a few halo cars. There are just too many special editions being pumped out for that to happen. So you either buy a proper classic (I have a 1930 Rolls to scratch that itch), which lets face it you aren't going to rag around the countryside let alone a track, or you commit yourself to always having the latest and greatest, which is an expensive route to follow as it means buying new every year.
Or, as the article referenced in this post is about, you buy yourself something that has more than enough real world performance and enjoy the hell out of it - in the real world. Any one of the cars referenced in the article will provide you with that thrill and not cost you an arm and a leg in depreciation and maintenance. Not something you can say about McLaren - as much as I like them. Buy a current McLaren and within six months (if you're lucky) they will release something faster. Now it's neither a classic nor on the pace, you can't really exploit it on the road, you're unlikely to risk it on the track, you're losing money hand over fist in depreciation, and even worse - you're careful about the miles you put on it. That's the point of the article - not that the F430 is the finest out there - far from it as others have pointed out - but rather that it and a few others are in the sweet spot to own and enjoy right now.
Excellent points. But for me here’s the the thing - I have a car that does 0-60 in 4 secs, two that do it under 3 secs, of which one does 0-100 under 6. I can absolutely tell the difference on the road ,e.g., accelerating out of corners, carrying speed into and out of roundabouts well under legal limits. Sure, you’re not exploiting the full capabilities - but it’s easy to discern the difference. And after you get used to the turbo hit, NA ICE cars don’t feel as fast no matter how good they sound.Or, as the article referenced in this post is about, you buy yourself something that has more than enough real world performance and enjoy the hell out of it - in the real world. Any one of the cars referenced in the article will provide you with that thrill and not cost you an arm and a leg in depreciation and maintenance. Not something you can say about McLaren - as much as I like them. Buy a current McLaren and within six months (if you're lucky) they will release something faster. Now it's neither a classic nor on the pace, you can't really exploit it on the road, you're unlikely to risk it on the track, you're losing money hand over fist in depreciation, and even worse - you're careful about the miles you put on it. That's the point of the article - not that the F430 is the finest out there - far from it as others have pointed out - but rather that it and a few others are in the sweet spot to own and enjoy right now.
I’m not going to worry about depreciation and just enjoy the most exciting car I can own. That’s why the McL would be my pick.
Edited by 12pack on Friday 11th January 17:41
I have been following this thread with quite some interest.
£80k seems to give you quite a few options and regarding looks’imo they are
totally subjective.
I think the Ferrari will be easier to own than the mclaten and a lot more special
than the Audi.
I am definately on the look out for one,either spider or coupe.
Only must haves are ceramic brakes and sports seats.
Paul
£80k seems to give you quite a few options and regarding looks’imo they are
totally subjective.
I think the Ferrari will be easier to own than the mclaten and a lot more special
than the Audi.
I am definately on the look out for one,either spider or coupe.
Only must haves are ceramic brakes and sports seats.
Paul
paul0843 said:
I think the Ferrari will be easier to own than the mclaten and a lot more special
than the Audi.
Unless the badge is the issue, don't discount the R8 V10 too quickly imo. Especially the v10 plus. Driving experience wise it's for me anyway a much better car than the Ferrari. than the Audi.
Gameface said:
The styling is nowhere as cohesive as it's LP-560 Gallardo contemporary.
For me the later cars are ruined by over-stylised addendum. I like the Superleggera but that's mainly because some of the black painted areas hide the over-done skirts and front bumper. The later tail lights are very nice though!I prefer an early Gallardo with the original/first wheels.
Extreme prejudice excludes the R8 for me but the choice of McLaren 12c or 430 would be a difficult one.
The McLaren factory creating such wonderful cars in so short a time is almost a hollywood script, and its British, so gets a thumbs up from me and I do find the shape arresting if difficult to love somehow, but would like one in my garage even if its a bit techno for me in execution. But I have not driven one so my views are second hand to some extent.
I love Italian cars and the 430, which I have driven, is a better car than the 360 but I own a 360. The 360 is the first of the modern V8 era of Ferraris and like most first model incarnations, will, I think, become the most coveted in time as it has such a curvy voluptuous shape and design wise, if not perfect, is gorgeous especially those rear haunches...... this from a bit of a wedge man. It harks back to the Dino 246 in some ways ( no bad thing in my book).
I do prefer naturally aspirated cars and I am of an age when 200hp in a sports car was once a lot and the current horse power supercar race makes me shake my head. I like road cars so excluding cars used on the track, around 400 hp is more than enough if you don't want to drift into a hedge, but then I am no racing driver . Forced to make a choice I think I would go for the 430 knowing my Austin 7 special will still give me more fun , and more driver appeal.
I still struggle with the “it’s not very fast” type comments.
How is anyone exploiting these cars on the road without risking loss of licence?
To me, even my old 987 Boxster S was fast enough. It’s still easy enough to end up at silly speeds if you’re not careful....
So for me it’s largely about the other parts of the car - engagement/steering feel, noise, then nature of power delivery etc. For example to me the 987 Boxster was great but felt a little boring compared to the 360 that replaced it. But I could get around quicker in the Boxster most likely due to the size of the car!
One of the nice things about the 360 is the gearing is quite low (even compared to the 430 which has slightly longer gearing), as the engine needs to be revved with it being from the era of highly strung NA Ferrari V8s not quite as strangled by emissions requirements. The 355 is probably even better in that regard, but I’ve not had the opportunity to try one.
I appreciate on the track there are a whole other set of priorities, but for the road all of the cars mentioned (including 360) are enough for my needs. I suppose I don’t buy into the endless quest for more power in a road car.
I’d love a 458 spider, but the reason to move to it wouldn’t be to go faster, personally. 458 still has pretty short gearing for a modern car, too, so you can at least use the whole of 2nd!
One of my favourite things about the McLaren 720S I tried was the lotus-like steering. The sense of connection with the road was great. The car itself was too fast (though I tried it on track fortunately!) and too long geared for the road.
How is anyone exploiting these cars on the road without risking loss of licence?
To me, even my old 987 Boxster S was fast enough. It’s still easy enough to end up at silly speeds if you’re not careful....
So for me it’s largely about the other parts of the car - engagement/steering feel, noise, then nature of power delivery etc. For example to me the 987 Boxster was great but felt a little boring compared to the 360 that replaced it. But I could get around quicker in the Boxster most likely due to the size of the car!
One of the nice things about the 360 is the gearing is quite low (even compared to the 430 which has slightly longer gearing), as the engine needs to be revved with it being from the era of highly strung NA Ferrari V8s not quite as strangled by emissions requirements. The 355 is probably even better in that regard, but I’ve not had the opportunity to try one.
I appreciate on the track there are a whole other set of priorities, but for the road all of the cars mentioned (including 360) are enough for my needs. I suppose I don’t buy into the endless quest for more power in a road car.
I’d love a 458 spider, but the reason to move to it wouldn’t be to go faster, personally. 458 still has pretty short gearing for a modern car, too, so you can at least use the whole of 2nd!
One of my favourite things about the McLaren 720S I tried was the lotus-like steering. The sense of connection with the road was great. The car itself was too fast (though I tried it on track fortunately!) and too long geared for the road.
No way would I choose a 430 or R8 over a 12C. I've owned all 3 (430 and 12c at the same time) and the 12c is simultaneously more theatrical, more useable, faster and has road presence that goes way beyond the others. The 430 is neither modern nor classic either. I have a manual 355 GTS with a capristo for when I need to hear a proper V8 wail, I have a Mac 650 spider for supercar use, an FF for when I feel like a v12 is relevant and a few others. The cars that get driven more than all the others have alywas been the 12c and 650 - they're such special cars.
TB303 said:
I still struggle with the “it’s not very fast” type comments.
How is anyone exploiting these cars on the road without risking loss of licence?
Per my post above, it’s not about exploiting the full capabilities, but about how exciting the car feels before you get there. After being used to the Macs and other cars with a fat power/torque band, noise notwithstanding, the 430 would not feel as exciting. How is anyone exploiting these cars on the road without risking loss of licence?
On the other hand, as others have said if that’s the marque for you, certainly the F430 is nicely priced to get you in.
Edited by 12pack on Sunday 13th January 11:26
mwstewart said:
Gameface said:
F430 is an absolute mess stylistically IMO. No cohesion whatsover.
Yes, entirely; a hideous thing.All in my humblest.
BMW A6 said:
mwstewart said:
Gameface said:
F430 is an absolute mess stylistically IMO. No cohesion whatsover.
Yes, entirely; a hideous thing.All in my humblest.
Edited by Nano2nd on Sunday 13th January 22:29
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