Thanks. Nice stable you've got there as well. What model is the white Porsche I see there?

PS: the dilemma results from the fact that I don't want to part ways with my M6. Too good of a car which can be used every day. Now, Ferrari tells me that one can use a 612 as a daily driver and even a 599. They even claim one can drive the F430 every day but the more miles you put on the bigger the hit you take on resale value. So, right now I don't know what to pick. Ferrari offered the back to back test drives themselves. I didn't even have to ask for it. I'm hoping one of the 3 models will stick out and take by breath away but there is no guarantee. I know a guy who drove a 599 and F430 and decided to stay with his M6 as the overall package (performance, reliablity, price) was way better. We will see.:confused:

Friend of mine got his 430 a few months ago after a 2 year delivery time. Obviously he's extatic about the car but he is the first to concede it's not very good for every day use. Between the noise (eg beautifull sound :), the sheer power and low ride it is exhausting in traffic.

However on a weekend on Swiss mountain roads there isn't a better place to be :thumbup:

And some F430 owners told me that this car is actually drivable in traffic because of the Auto mode on it. You see, it all comes down to personal taste at the end of the day. If you check the M5/M6 board one will notice the endless debate on the 6 speed versus SMG. Some hate the SMG but for me an M6 without the SMG would be unimaginable. I'm the first to agree that it isn't smooth like an auto gearbox but then again, it isn't an auto gearbox to start with. But getting off the line with an SMG tranny is so easy and fast and changing gears at high RMP's in S5 mode is so addictive. Miss-shifting never happened to me. As far as I'm concerned ... SMG all day long. I'm actually excited to find out how the F1 gearbox from Ferrari compares to the SMG and this will play a big role in my evaluation.

You also mentioned the sound: I want it to be loud and raw and the F430 provides that but so does the 612 HGTC. That one has a breathtaking sound. Simply awesome. Anyway, I can imagine your friend is thrilled about it. After all, we are talking about a Ferrari.

You mentioned he had to wait 2 years for an F430. That is long. Ferrari told me 6 to 8 months. I hope it wouldn't be two years (which is the case for the 599 God forbid).

Pretty sure it was almost 2 years but will ask him and let you know

Thanks. Appreciate the effort.

Very interesting - a comparison between SMG and Ferrari gearbox. I'm also a big fan of SMG (E46 M3 but on sale). I'm also thinking at a 599 and would be very interested in such a comparison.

Took me a while to get back to you on the delivery time for my friend's F430 but here goes :

- between order time and delivery date was 18 months
- he ordered his F430 in Zwitserland at Foitek dealership

I mentioned to him delivery in Belgium sounded faster and he did say that each market gets an annual quota from Ferrari. So depending on economic conditions it can go quickly or take longer like in CH.

Hope this makes sense....

Bye,

Sam

Thanks for the feedback and yes ... this makes a lot of sense. It also depends on the number of orders a dealer has. Right now the wait for a 599 is about two years but if I would order one the dealer may get an increase of his quota shortening the delivery to maybe 17 months.

I should have better info next week after Friday's test drive. I'll keep you posted.:thumbup:

Cool! Waiting to see the pics. :thumbup: