Fcar flappy paddle question

[Mario149]

Okay, so Technology is advancing etc etc, but I have a question (preceded by a statement ): clearly flappy paddles give you better performance etc, but how many people here given the completely free choice (i.e. ignoring the fact that Ferrari won't do a proper manual for some cars [so pretend they did offer the option for the car you'd buy if you could] but purely based on what floats your particular boat, *nothing else*) who would have an Fcar with(out) flappy paddles if they HAD to spend their own money? I'm interested to get stats.

In fact, if someone could post a poll with the following options:

flappy paddle due to performance gains/ease of use
flappy paddle due to resale necessity
manual due to being hardcore (:P)
genuinely wouldn't mind either as I'm lucky enough to drive an Fcar so who give s a monkey's!

....that would be awesome. Given the debate on the subject, I'm very interested to know if people are being "persuaded" into flappy paddle with impressive performance/other reasons, or whether it's something else

[notax]

My first Ferrari was a manual F355 as part of the dream for me was clacking through that open gate

When it was time to buy my second Ferrari I could have afforded a newer model but decided I preferred the 355, so bought an F1 (flappy paddle) for the experience. I actually like the additional challenge and the shift speed isn't a consideration for me on the road. Out of interest I also rally drive (www.team-notax.co.uk) and am considering a flappy paddle or sequential in my competition car specifically to improve shift times... Not sure if that helps!

[andrew]

fwiw i bought fp on the lambo because i liked the noise on the downshifts
i suppose that i could make that sort of noise with some h&t

[notax]

andrew said:

fwiw i bought fp on the lambo because i liked the noise on the downshifts
i suppose that i could make that sort of noise with some h&t

I always heel and toe when changing down with the F1 system (my car was the first model to use F1 so it doesn't do it for you) this helps smooth the shifts - and sounds great through my Capristo It is this aspect that initially presents the challenge

[lambo_xx]

To be honest I think it depends on the car. For example, my 355 is a manual and I think its perfect wouldn't change it for a second. For me the car is a slightly "old-school" supercar and I wouldn’t want and F1 no matter how quick or slow shift times were. Plus I like making the engine blip on down changes myself.

Having said that, if I were to buy a Ferrari 599 I reckon I would probably go for F1 because I think it would suit the car more.

Hope that helps

[4leks]

I would agree with lambo xx - depends on the car. I think 355 is the latest F car I would personally ever consider as manual. I love my F1 360, really prefer it to manual. Love the noise on the downshifts especially with after market exhaust.
Wouldn't consider manual 430 or 458 even at significantly cheaper price TBH

Edited by 4leks on Sunday 9th January 14:07

[GeraldSmith]

I'm in the flappy paddle camp, I've driven 430, 599 and California with it and much prefer it to manual. On the California in particular the system is magnificent.

[SonnyM]

Ferraris F1 really came into it's own from F430 onwards. Try sticking it in Race mode and tell me that's not hardcore. F1 is the best flappy paddle box on the market IMO.

[sidned]

I went for a manual 360 as I wanted to be properly involved in the driving experience. It's a toy and I enjoy the manual experience and love the look of the gate and the clack-clack of each gear change. I liked the F1 but it just didn't work for me personally. I felt like I was being driven rather than doing the driving.

[bromers2]

SonnyM said:

Ferraris F1 really came into it's own from F430 onwards. Try sticking it in Race mode and tell me that's not hardcore. F1 is the best flappy paddle box on the market IMO.

360cs is where they sorted it out - STD 360 and earlier is rubbish.
Scud is good but almost too good.

[FactoryPilot]

Remember that the Scud and 599 GTO are the last F-Cars to use the proper mechanical F1 derived gearbox.

California, 458 and all cars moving forward are essentially using the Audi derived DSG gearbox. This, IMO, affects the character of the cars quite considerably.

My choice, an F-Car with the proper F1 gearbox

[matc]

bromers2 said:

360cs is where they sorted it out - STD 360 and earlier is rubbish.
Scud is good but almost too good.

The later 360s had the upgraded software from the CS; mine was a late 53 and I thought the F1 box was superb. Having said that, I think if I was to buy the same car again it would have to be a manual, the downshifts were awesome and it was nice to always have both hands on the wheel, but IMO this made the driving experience a bit too full on. I think had I gone for a manual I perhaps wouldn't have felt the need to drive so fast everywhere.