And we wonder why manufacturers are dropping manual boxes!
Discussion
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/that-few-only-two-...
from above site said:
Pop quiz: The Ferrari California gained an optional manual transmission in early 2010, but how many examples of the retractable-hardtop roadster were built with such a gearbox?
Two. That’s not two percent of all volume, but two cars period.
That’s a pittance, even given Ferrari’s limited volumes. In fact, given roughly 8000 Californias have been sold since its debut, that works out to roughly a .025 percent take rate for the six-speed option. It’s no wonder then that Ferrari has since discontinued the gearbox on the revised 2013 California.
Will purists be upset? Perhaps, but the seven-speed F1 dual-clutch does offer lightening-quick shifts when so desired, but offers the automated convenience many California buyers actually seek. It’s the best of both worlds – and for icing on the cake, the F1 gearbox also manages to improve both performance metrics and fuel economy.
Can't blame Ferrari really if this is the case - the customer has spoken! I hope Aston stick with Manual cars for the long term however!Two. That’s not two percent of all volume, but two cars period.
That’s a pittance, even given Ferrari’s limited volumes. In fact, given roughly 8000 Californias have been sold since its debut, that works out to roughly a .025 percent take rate for the six-speed option. It’s no wonder then that Ferrari has since discontinued the gearbox on the revised 2013 California.
Will purists be upset? Perhaps, but the seven-speed F1 dual-clutch does offer lightening-quick shifts when so desired, but offers the automated convenience many California buyers actually seek. It’s the best of both worlds – and for icing on the cake, the F1 gearbox also manages to improve both performance metrics and fuel economy.
There was a RHD Manual California for sale at H.R. Owen not so long ago. I guess that accounts for half the manual sales 
IIRC, it was priced in line with other Calfornias with the automated manual 'box.
As for Aston, they seem to like the old school approach, and given the occasion I have been fortunate enough to drive a manual Aston, they really know what they are doing
Darren
IIRC, it was priced in line with other Calfornias with the automated manual 'box.
As for Aston, they seem to like the old school approach, and given the occasion I have been fortunate enough to drive a manual Aston, they really know what they are doing
Darren
AdamV12V said:
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/that-few-only-two-...
A shame. However... from above site said:
Pop quiz: The Ferrari California gained an optional manual transmission in early 2010, but how many examples of the retractable-hardtop roadster were built with such a gearbox?
Two. That’s not two percent of all volume, but two cars period.
That’s a pittance, even given Ferrari’s limited volumes. In fact, given roughly 8000 Californias have been sold since its debut, that works out to roughly a .025 percent take rate for the six-speed option. It’s no wonder then that Ferrari has since discontinued the gearbox on the revised 2013 California.
Will purists be upset? Perhaps, but the seven-speed F1 dual-clutch does offer lightening-quick shifts when so desired, but offers the automated convenience many California buyers actually seek. It’s the best of both worlds – and for icing on the cake, the F1 gearbox also manages to improve both performance metrics and fuel economy.
Can't blame Ferrari really if this is the case - the customer has spoken! I hope Aston stick with Manual cars for the long term however!Two. That’s not two percent of all volume, but two cars period.
That’s a pittance, even given Ferrari’s limited volumes. In fact, given roughly 8000 Californias have been sold since its debut, that works out to roughly a .025 percent take rate for the six-speed option. It’s no wonder then that Ferrari has since discontinued the gearbox on the revised 2013 California.
Will purists be upset? Perhaps, but the seven-speed F1 dual-clutch does offer lightening-quick shifts when so desired, but offers the automated convenience many California buyers actually seek. It’s the best of both worlds – and for icing on the cake, the F1 gearbox also manages to improve both performance metrics and fuel economy.
The California (very fast and capable car though it is) isn't exactly the most driver-oriented of the Ferrari range, and the target market is specifically not the most hard-core of enthusiasts, so this shouldn't be all that surprising. Still, just 2 cars...
But there's more. When I went to the dealer and looked at Ferraris, including the Cali, I spoke with the salesman about the availability of a manual 'box. He said that, although it was "officially" available, it wasn't really. Perhaps, if I really insisted, and put down a "deposit" that was essentially the entire purchase price, then maybe he could order one. But he STRONGLY advised against it, said I would never be able to sell it, I wouldn't be allowed to ever visit Italy, etc. Basically, it wasn't available. So, while 2 cars seems to justify the decision, the reality is it wasn't really available in the first place, so drawing conclusions from the "sales" results would be very misleading.
Happily, in the northeast of the US, according to my dealer the V8V still sells in significant percentages with the manual 'box -- approx. 50%. Long may this be the case...
Perhaps this is more encouraging (also from Automobile Magazine): Manual Transmissions Regaining Popularity in New Cars http://rumors.automobilemag.com/report-manual-tran...
iluvmercs said:
There was a RHD Manual California for sale at H.R. Owen not so long ago. I guess that accounts for half the manual sales
I have seen two for sale... guess that means I have seen both of them, which seems unlikely, I would doubt the facts! Next time one comes up... Hmm, would be a fantastic car to own. Will that manual box ever carry a premium... probably not for a long time, if ever.I agree there is a dealer-driven push to eradicate the manual box as well, they're perceived as harder to sell on so won't spec them themselves and I would imagine they push hard for people to pay for the TT/F1 systems; money for them of course and when you tell someone they're speccing an unsaleable car they get jittery.
Hence the raft of grey TT DB9s and Red F1 Fezzas
Speedraser said:
But there's more. When I went to the dealer and looked at Ferraris, including the Cali, I spoke with the salesman about the availability of a manual 'box. He said that, although it was "officially" available, it wasn't really. Perhaps, if I really insisted, and put down a "deposit" that was essentially the entire purchase price, then maybe he could order one. But he STRONGLY advised against it, said I would never be able to sell it, I wouldn't be allowed to ever visit Italy, etc. Basically, it wasn't available. So, while 2 cars seems to justify the decision, the reality is it wasn't really available in the first place, so drawing conclusions from the "sales" results would be very misleading.
I bet they also STRONGLY advise against buying a Ferrari in any color other than red because you will never be able to sell it. Hmm. 
As I've stated before, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Speedraser said:
But he STRONGLY advised against it, said I would never be able to sell it,
We had that with a Mercedes once. Dealer said buy the auto or you'll regret it. And so we went on to buy the autoThat really was the s
test gearbox ever. Downchanges when you didn't want them, upchanges not when you did. Just the biggest piece of cpAnd it was also almost impossible to sell.
Never will I take the advice of a salesman as he was wrong on all counts.
Murph7355 said:
When Aston have a box as good as that in the Cali or 458 you will be at the beginning of the end for the manual in Astons too.
I fear that's true, but I really hope it's not. I've driven some of the best paddle 'boxes, including the Cali, the 991 and the MP4-12C. They work extremely well. And I have ZERO interest in them -- I just don't find them any fun to use. No matter how good they are, the driver merely flicks an electric switch (if he does anything at all). Just like a video game. I truly enjoy shifting gears with a gear lever and a clutch pedal. It's fun. There is a direct mechanical connection between one's hand and the gears in the 'box. It provides a connection and engagement with the car that a paddle system simply cannot. For many people who really enjoy a true manual 'box, no paddle 'box can ever be "the best of both worlds."
Credit to Lewis Hamilton for ordering his new Zonda with three pedals and a gear lever -- he says he prefers a true manual when driving for pleasure...
KarlFranz said:
I'm a concours judge and I can attest that, color sensitive or not, over 95% of all Ferraris in our shows are indeed red. Sad really.
Perhaps it's just the people rocking up to your shows?My understanding of when the 355 was in production was that 80% were red. I believe the proportion is less now (know a man who will know the definite numbers though if interested).
(Both of mine were red. One out of preference, the other out of limited choice
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