My wife and I are considering changing my daily car from the Porsche to an F430. I had a 2002 Maserati Spyder CambioCorsa and frankly, it spent more time at the dealer than in my garage.

1) Is the F430 suitable for daily use? We live in Sarasota, Florida so it is not LA, NYC, etc.
2) I've been driving a manual transmission since getting my license in 1963. The dealer goes on and on about how great the F-1 transmission is. I'm reluctant to give up a 6 speed (the Maserati was my wife's car). Any thoughts?
3) I asked about driver training at Sebring and again could not get a good answer. Does Ferrari still hold these sessions?
4) The Porsche is as reliable as the sun coming up in the morning. We have three 997 911s in the family and the only warrantee claim was for water getting into the fog lights on the Turbo. Maintenance consists of oil and filter changes plus a rear tire set on one of the 911s. The dealer threw out a $3,000 to $5,000 per year figure for maintenance. What can they be doing for this type of money?

Old Man

 

I got my license in 1959! A couple of years ago I wanted to do the same thing you are considering. At that time I did not have the HP or $$$ to buy a new one, used were plentiful but going for $50-75k over original sticker, and the only thing they are good for is on the track or to try to impress somebody at the club -- and then I remembered how 15 years ago we used to laugh at the old guys driving decent sports cars -- they sure did not impress us. Two other things; ask your dealer what the 15k service costs (mandatory to preserve your warranty) and since I lived in Sarasota for a couple of years a few years back, where the hell are you going to drive it (or your Porsches for that matter)? I don't mean this as a downer, but my kids would have been trying to put me in assisted living if I'd traded successfully.

 

subscribe. My parents have place in Sarasota, and while there aren't many open highways, I still think a F430 spyder would be fun car. Good luck with your purchase.

 

Old Man (that sounds so wrong calling you that without even knowing you, LOL), I don't know if you'll be able to use the F430 in the same manner as the Turbo. Don't get me wrong, I'm a F-car guy 'till the day I die. But as the miles rack up, they handle it differently. I live in Miami, so I can relate to having the sun above me 360 days out of the year (those last five days are a pain). I need to ask you a couple questions:

1. How many days out of the week would you be driving the F430?
2. How many miles a day would you be driving?
3. Of those miles driven, how many would be in traffic?
4. Of the locations you frequent, how many have low-lying areas or entry/exit spot with an incline?

The way you answer these questions could be the difference between enjoying your DD and regretting it. If it comes down to enjoying your DD, you might be better off considering some mods on the Turbo. It's very capable of providing all the fun you'd want out of a super car while still being able to maintain a DD feel.

 

I thank everybody for replying. The Porsche is a great car but there is something very intriguing about the F430.

I use the car everyday except to run to Home Depot, etc., as there is no room to carry anything except a few grocery bags (the 4 wheel drive takes up half the trunk). Usage is mostly local except for one trip to Miami and quite a few to TPA. The most fun is getting on the ramps for I-75 and some of the rural roads east of the Interstate. However, I jump into the car whether I am going with my wife to the store, post office, soft ball field to watch my granddaughters, etc., and get my jollies by shifting at 7,000 rpm between 1st and 2nd and then scaring the heck out of my wife on the turns (we've had many conversations on the subject). I took the Porsche driving course in Alabama and learned to lead with the eyes, hit the apex points, put my hands at 9 and 3 (not 10 & 2), etc.

I'll probably go ahead with the Ferrari but getting towed to Tampa or Orlando on a regular basis is not what I want in a car.

 

Being only 23 and very far from owning either car (I really only read the forums for information) I say you only live once so why not go for it? If it does not work out move on from there.

 

You need to check out Fchat.com. They'll also give you good insight.

 

Neither! Get a Lamborghini Gallardo, (or the newer LP560 if you can), in drop-top version! Dealers don't stock 6-speed, but they still are an option. It will be a more progressive step up from the 911, without the headaches of a Ferrari. Many guys use them as daily drivers.

If you have your heart set on the F430, then here's one that I like, in proper setup:

http://ooley-and-blackburn.ebizautos...px?iid=3763658

 

If you really want to drive an exotic everyday get a gallardo. I was thinking of a 430 and after driving both the Gallardo just made more sense if you plan to do more than track days and sunday morning runs. I live in clearwater, so if you wanted to try one out I would be happy to meet you for a beer.

Cheers
Matthew

 

If you have your heart set on the F430, then here's one that I like, in proper setup:

http://ooley-and-blackburn.ebizautos...px?iid=3763658[/quote]


Good post and recommendation. This certainly left the dealer at well over $300k. However, I'd suggest that the old fellow ought to have one with the F1 tranny both for performance and ease, and assuming he's like me he needs a coupe so that the cap covering the bald head doesn't blow off.

 

A Ferrari is quite different from a Porsche as a daily driver.

The 430's have reduced maintenance, because they now have timing chains rather than timing belts. That's a plus.

However, they are a special car of sorts and driving them infrequently makes them more special.

So you can certainly drive them daily but you might get greater enjoyment from an occassional drive.

It's really hard to say because that's more of a personal choice, but only driving mine on weekends make it more of a special car for me.

 

In my opinion the greatest DD exotic is the Audi R8
even more so now that the V10 is available

It has the looks of an exotic but the DD capability of your 997TT

+ you won`t have all that negative attention,

i.e people sitting on your car while it is parked and making pics,people driving up on your side and revving at you with Civics and/or taking pics of your car with their mobile phone etc

just a thought

 

I just couldn't drive an R8, knowing that for the same price I can get into a slightly used Gallardo, which is the REAL R8. If flash is not on your agenda, then get silver or blue, and blend in.

Or try and pick up a used 599, I'm sure they've dropped quite a bit recently.

 

"I just couldn't drive an R8, knowing that for the same price I can get into a slightly used Gallardo, which is the REAL R8. If flash is not on your agenda, then get silver or blue, and blend in."

Porsche does not care; they own all three.

 

hahah quite true!