430 Spider....First Impressions
Discussion
430 Spider, 2 year old 7k miles and here is my first impressions of ownership after a month or so…
Looks
Well it seems that the 430 really does cause a bit of a split when it comes to the looks of this particular Ferrari and I’m sure there are numerous posts on here confirming that. Ill be honest, I don’t think it’s the prettiest of F’s and from lots of angles I prefer the sleeker/softer looking 360 and the now classic looking lines of the 355 but there is something about the muscular looking 430 that grows on you. Maybe in the same way as the 599, not the easiest on the eye to start with IMHO but just gradually becomes really interesting from every angle and then suddenly hits you as being just an awesome looking vehicle in every way. I particularly love the twin air intakes on the nose of the 430 and the view of the rear out of the wing mirrors.
Driving
With limited previous experience in driving a Ferrari the first month has been an occasion sorry for the cliché each time I have sat in it. The F1 box is far slicker and easier than I imagined it would be, I am quickly into the habit of flicking back into neutral when sat at the lights to save the clutch a few extra miles and am yet to bother with the auto mode. One hour sat in traffic on the day I collected it was a decent early lesson but it seems to be happy enough at slow speeds too and I can see why some use their 430s on a daily basis. I have standard seats but they feel snug and the cockpit is an involving experience. The note of the car never fails to amaze and there is not much you can add about ‘that’ noise. Only issues I have found have been reversing it (despite a reversing camera which is really little use when judging distance), it just feels bigger all round than I ever imagined and the low clearance at the front is definitely a little tricky over the bumps. Overall it feels durable and well put together in a way that I just didn’t expect it to. It also feels like a racing car and I can’t describe it in any other way, but no other car that I have sat in has that that ‘on the track’ feeling. I have only used the standard sport setting for now but found a long tunnel and turned the manettino? dial to race…
Agro
Well you can’t be too worried about what people think of you if you drive a red Ferrari I guess so can’t complain whatever the image issues are here, but so far so good and I haven’t had a wxxxxx sign flashed at me and generally people have come over to speak to me about it and been interested in what its like to live with. Not sure it has the cool factor of an Aston but it seems to amaze people without too much hating. Have to confess to not having left it in too many places on ‘display’ so Ill probably reserve judgement on the agro factor for now.
Overall
Well I probably haven’t written anything that you didn’t already know about the 430 and apologies if this is less than technical and not too critical but so far it is everything that I hoped it would be. Obviously I have the maintenance costs to come and all the other issues associated with ownership but for the moment I’m driving it as often as possible and enjoying the moment and will report back in 1000 miles time or so...
Cheers
L
Looks
Well it seems that the 430 really does cause a bit of a split when it comes to the looks of this particular Ferrari and I’m sure there are numerous posts on here confirming that. Ill be honest, I don’t think it’s the prettiest of F’s and from lots of angles I prefer the sleeker/softer looking 360 and the now classic looking lines of the 355 but there is something about the muscular looking 430 that grows on you. Maybe in the same way as the 599, not the easiest on the eye to start with IMHO but just gradually becomes really interesting from every angle and then suddenly hits you as being just an awesome looking vehicle in every way. I particularly love the twin air intakes on the nose of the 430 and the view of the rear out of the wing mirrors.
Driving
With limited previous experience in driving a Ferrari the first month has been an occasion sorry for the cliché each time I have sat in it. The F1 box is far slicker and easier than I imagined it would be, I am quickly into the habit of flicking back into neutral when sat at the lights to save the clutch a few extra miles and am yet to bother with the auto mode. One hour sat in traffic on the day I collected it was a decent early lesson but it seems to be happy enough at slow speeds too and I can see why some use their 430s on a daily basis. I have standard seats but they feel snug and the cockpit is an involving experience. The note of the car never fails to amaze and there is not much you can add about ‘that’ noise. Only issues I have found have been reversing it (despite a reversing camera which is really little use when judging distance), it just feels bigger all round than I ever imagined and the low clearance at the front is definitely a little tricky over the bumps. Overall it feels durable and well put together in a way that I just didn’t expect it to. It also feels like a racing car and I can’t describe it in any other way, but no other car that I have sat in has that that ‘on the track’ feeling. I have only used the standard sport setting for now but found a long tunnel and turned the manettino? dial to race…
Agro
Well you can’t be too worried about what people think of you if you drive a red Ferrari I guess so can’t complain whatever the image issues are here, but so far so good and I haven’t had a wxxxxx sign flashed at me and generally people have come over to speak to me about it and been interested in what its like to live with. Not sure it has the cool factor of an Aston but it seems to amaze people without too much hating. Have to confess to not having left it in too many places on ‘display’ so Ill probably reserve judgement on the agro factor for now.
Overall
Well I probably haven’t written anything that you didn’t already know about the 430 and apologies if this is less than technical and not too critical but so far it is everything that I hoped it would be. Obviously I have the maintenance costs to come and all the other issues associated with ownership but for the moment I’m driving it as often as possible and enjoying the moment and will report back in 1000 miles time or so...
Cheers
L
Edited by Loz8 on Wednesday 14th November 10:51
Lancerlot said:
What mileage could be expected with an 430 F1 before a new clutch is needed?
Regards
I've got a strad and my mileage is 13K, had the clutch checked (bear in mind its mostly in sport mode) and the clutch wear was only 16%!Regards
If you drive sensibly, ie, as you say, flick the paddles into neutral at lights etc, I can't see why the clutch can't last 30/40k miles, as per any other car. Unfortunately, we tend to find that Ferrari owners either don't hit the dizzy heights of 30/40k miles, or tend to change their cars after about 10k miles! so in that case, you needn't even worry about your clutch.
Nice write up!
Agree, that initially the 1st view of the 430 is more understated, then over time the looks grow on you.
Interesting that you are changing into neutral, when stationery. I would also do this by habit, as over a period of months, will save clutch wear.
Is the noise enough? As in, no yearning for increased db..
I might try the exhaust valve mod, once I get the car. It is a five min job, which can be changed back.
6 weeks to go..
Rob
Agree, that initially the 1st view of the 430 is more understated, then over time the looks grow on you.
Interesting that you are changing into neutral, when stationery. I would also do this by habit, as over a period of months, will save clutch wear.
Is the noise enough? As in, no yearning for increased db..
I might try the exhaust valve mod, once I get the car. It is a five min job, which can be changed back.
6 weeks to go..
Rob
Kurgen said:
Is the noise enough? As in, no yearning for increased db..
I might try the exhaust valve mod, once I get the car. It is a five min job, which can be changed back.
Just remember to switch them back before you track the car - otherwise you will get engine warning lights when the car starts getting really hotI might try the exhaust valve mod, once I get the car. It is a five min job, which can be changed back.
traxx said:
Kurgen said:
Is the noise enough? As in, no yearning for increased db..
I might try the exhaust valve mod, once I get the car. It is a five min job, which can be changed back.
Just remember to switch them back before you track the car - otherwise you will get engine warning lights when the car starts getting really hotI might try the exhaust valve mod, once I get the car. It is a five min job, which can be changed back.
Rob,
Thanks for the reply. The noise is enough IMHO, it sounds awesome to me (especially roof down) and how much noise do you need in truth? I pulled fuse 22 on my Vantage as that completely transformed the beautiful sound the Aston made with the valves open all the time. However the F is in a different league noise wise (loudness and note) and to be honest prob not fair on the neighbours to be much louder at this stage
As for the clutch, soon as i'm sat stationary in traffic for more than 20 secs or so I flick to neutral, the only issue is what the previous owners did in the 7k before i got it! That said im told if your careful the wear should be pretty normal (assuming you leave the LC alone)
L
Thanks for the reply. The noise is enough IMHO, it sounds awesome to me (especially roof down) and how much noise do you need in truth? I pulled fuse 22 on my Vantage as that completely transformed the beautiful sound the Aston made with the valves open all the time. However the F is in a different league noise wise (loudness and note) and to be honest prob not fair on the neighbours to be much louder at this stage
As for the clutch, soon as i'm sat stationary in traffic for more than 20 secs or so I flick to neutral, the only issue is what the previous owners did in the 7k before i got it! That said im told if your careful the wear should be pretty normal (assuming you leave the LC alone)
L
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