TVR to Ferrari... Manual or F1?
Discussion
I am in the process of changing from a TVR Tuscan S to a 360 Modena. I have made all the easy decisions like colour, trim, age and spec...but I am still struggling on the manual vs F1.
I live in London and will use the car most days in traffic. I will also use it on the track and attempt to get out fo the city on to some proper roads as often as possible.
Anyone here have experience of both or advice on the pros and cons of either?
Any advice on this will be really appreciated...and I look forward to enjoying the ferrari experience and contributing to this board going forward.
Cheers Steve
I live in London and will use the car most days in traffic. I will also use it on the track and attempt to get out fo the city on to some proper roads as often as possible.
Anyone here have experience of both or advice on the pros and cons of either?
Any advice on this will be really appreciated...and I look forward to enjoying the ferrari experience and contributing to this board going forward.
Cheers Steve
Big T whether it's a ferrari or not a racing car should have a gear stick and clutch. Takes all the fun away having flippers!
WIsh i was upgrading to the 360. Stuck in TVR land at the moment. Will be with you guys in the next 2 years (or if somebody dies, the next day!!)
Oops did I just say that!
WIsh i was upgrading to the 360. Stuck in TVR land at the moment. Will be with you guys in the next 2 years (or if somebody dies, the next day!!)
Oops did I just say that!
If you go F1 (which I had) make sure you get the car checked out by a Ferrari dealer/specialist who can tell you a) how much wear is left in the cluth and b) if the ecu has been changed as per any recalls.
The F1 is fantastic, the software changed around the 2000 car so try and get a post sept '00 (I think)
There is no substitute for driving both though if you are not sure. I didn't I drove an F1, loved it and had to have it...
The F1 is fantastic, the software changed around the 2000 car so try and get a post sept '00 (I think)
There is no substitute for driving both though if you are not sure. I didn't I drove an F1, loved it and had to have it...
Ferrari manuals are now soo good - I don't understand why you would want an F1. For sure, they're better than they used to be - but one of the joys of Ferrari ownership is the clackety clack gearchange - which is no long obstructive and is sheer joy when you get it just right - and by heeling and toeing you can get the little blap on a downshift too!
Steve,
As Slinky said, I moved from a Cerb to an F1 Modena quite recently....See this thread if you want my opinion on both the cars..
<a href="http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=110579&f=63&h=0&p=1">www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=110579&f=63&h=0&p=1</a>
Funny enough, I had a chat re this with the boys last night...Manual or F1 Ferrari???
The Cerb was my first real supercarish sports motor and I loved using a manual box in this car...Like the boys, I would always feel more in control with a car with a manual box than an automatic or F1 box especially when getting it sideways for fun and round the twisty bits when needed!!! But since spending plenty of fun times with the F1 box, it feels GOOD…especially when you can keep your hands in one place!!
I have used my car a lot, and have sat in some awful traffic jams and the F1 box has behaved well, you can get some jerking when pulling away but you’ll get the hang of controlling this and this can be adjusted to suit your driving style/s. You can get some problems where the clutch software will need resetting, mine used to have trouble finding reverse when in neutral so you’d have to put it into 1st then reverse to engage gear, this happened a lot when the car was hot but it’s a simple job by a dealer/specialist to rectify this problem.
There is an auto button which I have tried a few times but will never again, it changes up gears way too quickly, I know these motors have amazing pull in the higher gears at low revs, but mine can change into 5th at 30mph!!!! Is this normal by the way or is this a software change???
I love my F1 box for the following reasons….Gear change speed, no clutch pedal, different to normal box, looks and feels good, resale value possibly??, modern technology, feel like Schuey etc etc… However, there is something nice about having a manual box in a very fast motor
Your choice after all, drive them both and for a good drive cos around town will not be the place you’ll be most enjoying this car, I took a gamble and it paid off for me…..
Oh and if you’re scared of the cost of replacing an F1 clutch cos of it’s supposedly life span then don’t go with a main dealer cos the independents out there know more than them and will sort for approx half the cost!!
Hope this helps, if you work in the City or West End or don't live far from East London then mail me and we’ll chat over a couple drinks.
BTW, after much practise I have now mastered the lovely blip when changing down
T.
>> Edited by Big T on Wednesday 14th July 15:15
>> Edited by Big T on Wednesday 14th July 15:18
As Slinky said, I moved from a Cerb to an F1 Modena quite recently....See this thread if you want my opinion on both the cars..
<a href="http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=110579&f=63&h=0&p=1">www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=110579&f=63&h=0&p=1</a>
Funny enough, I had a chat re this with the boys last night...Manual or F1 Ferrari???
The Cerb was my first real supercarish sports motor and I loved using a manual box in this car...Like the boys, I would always feel more in control with a car with a manual box than an automatic or F1 box especially when getting it sideways for fun and round the twisty bits when needed!!! But since spending plenty of fun times with the F1 box, it feels GOOD…especially when you can keep your hands in one place!!
I have used my car a lot, and have sat in some awful traffic jams and the F1 box has behaved well, you can get some jerking when pulling away but you’ll get the hang of controlling this and this can be adjusted to suit your driving style/s. You can get some problems where the clutch software will need resetting, mine used to have trouble finding reverse when in neutral so you’d have to put it into 1st then reverse to engage gear, this happened a lot when the car was hot but it’s a simple job by a dealer/specialist to rectify this problem.
There is an auto button which I have tried a few times but will never again, it changes up gears way too quickly, I know these motors have amazing pull in the higher gears at low revs, but mine can change into 5th at 30mph!!!! Is this normal by the way or is this a software change???
I love my F1 box for the following reasons….Gear change speed, no clutch pedal, different to normal box, looks and feels good, resale value possibly??, modern technology, feel like Schuey etc etc… However, there is something nice about having a manual box in a very fast motor
Your choice after all, drive them both and for a good drive cos around town will not be the place you’ll be most enjoying this car, I took a gamble and it paid off for me…..
Oh and if you’re scared of the cost of replacing an F1 clutch cos of it’s supposedly life span then don’t go with a main dealer cos the independents out there know more than them and will sort for approx half the cost!!
Hope this helps, if you work in the City or West End or don't live far from East London then mail me and we’ll chat over a couple drinks.
BTW, after much practise I have now mastered the lovely blip when changing down
T.
>> Edited by Big T on Wednesday 14th July 15:15
>> Edited by Big T on Wednesday 14th July 15:18
Thanks to you all for all of your words of wisdom and advice. I have had several test drives in both and I am afraid to say I am still very much undecided. As a kid I think part of the ferrari dream is the metal gate, although there is something special about acting as a F1 driver with the paddles.
Big T, thanks for the great post. I do work in the City and would be real happy to grab a chat and a few drinks one night. I'll send you an email to sort it out.
I will keep the rest of you posted as for what happens. Currently looking at buying a 2001/2 car from a main dealer... seen a couple but they don't seem to hang around too long.
Cheers again
Steve
Big T, thanks for the great post. I do work in the City and would be real happy to grab a chat and a few drinks one night. I'll send you an email to sort it out.
I will keep the rest of you posted as for what happens. Currently looking at buying a 2001/2 car from a main dealer... seen a couple but they don't seem to hang around too long.
Cheers again
Steve
The reason you're having a hard time deciding is that either would be a good choice. I used to be a die-hard manual fan but now I'm in the middle. I'm in the queue for a 360 spider replacement, and that was specified manual. Now I'm not so sure though....
Manual
1) You have total control
2) It's very tactile and another point of connection with the car
3) Simpler mechanically and electronically
4) Lots of people like the sound of the gearchanges
F1
1) No more fluffed changes (well, most of the time)
2) Allows you to focus more on what the car is doing and what's going on outside
3) Faster shifts
4) Left foot braking
Manual
1) You have total control
2) It's very tactile and another point of connection with the car
3) Simpler mechanically and electronically
4) Lots of people like the sound of the gearchanges
F1
1) No more fluffed changes (well, most of the time)
2) Allows you to focus more on what the car is doing and what's going on outside
3) Faster shifts
4) Left foot braking
I went from TVR Griffith to 355 manual. Have to say its was the best manual box I've ever used. I spoke to Karl Verdi about the F1 box and he wasn't a fan due to the software set up problems - although if they are set up correctly clutch life should be OK apparently.
He showed me a 360F1 that had bottomed out pushing a sensor on the bottom of the gearbox into the casing and wrecking it!
He showed me a 360F1 that had bottomed out pushing a sensor on the bottom of the gearbox into the casing and wrecking it!
jamesy said:No probs Steve, mail me when you wanna meet up in the City for a chat, one evening or lunch time and I'll sort out the venue.
Big T, thanks for the great post. I do work in the City and would be real happy to grab a chat and a few drinks one night. I'll send you an email to sort it out.
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