[ridin135]

Being apart of the bimmperpost boards for awhile as a past M3, Z5, and 135i owner I wanted to pass my impressions to you on the F430 compared to the Porsche Cayman GT4. Hope you enjoy the read.

I ended up going with an F430 with an OEM scud bumper Rosso Corsa over Tan/Black leather. She just got delivered last night after a arduous 1 week delivery wait and all I can say is I could not be happier. I am so glad that I choose the F430 over the Gallardo there is just so much more brutality and emotions with the F car.

Now I know I have only had the car for under 24hours but I am currently feeling this is the best car I have ever owned. The main reason I was wanting to get rid of my GT4 is that it was to similar to my S2000 and in day to day driving I would always rather be driving the S. I owned my GT4 for almost 2 years and put over 16,000 miles on her. While I loved the car she was just very anemic and not very exciting driving around city streets. In the mountains she was a blast and just infallible to be hones just to easy to drive. Anything you could throw at her she would just take with little thought. Now this was a blast at first but overtime this also took some of the excitement out of it. I was never able to take it to the track but I know this is where the car would shine.

Engine/Performance:
For the Ferrari it is just perfect words can't really describe it but I will do my best. Where the GT4 was anemic on the street the 430 feels like its cranked to 10 all the time. I have never owned a car that felt like it kept edging me on to keep giving her a little gas. Power wise and power delivery are just leagues apart. The F always wants to jump ahead no matter what rpm you are at and don't even get me going on the crescendo of sound to red line. The GT was ver flat until about 5.5-6k rpm's and that is where she really opened up, but still no where near the pull of the F. While headers helped the GT with the low end it still doesn't compare. The also GT4 sounded amazing to any exhaust/header configuration. I currently have an S Line exhaust on the way but I am not sure I am going to keep it. The stock car sounds so good and is a lot louder then I was expecting. I will install the exhaust to see how I like it just not sure how much better it could get.
Point: Ferrari

Suspension:
The GT4 was more like an NFL professional line man, very hunkered down and perfect at its job. While the F430 is more in the likes of a College Wide Receiver, still very competent and always on its toes while at the same time isn't perfect. Now I haven't had a lot of time in the 430 (no mountain runs yet) so this won't be a 100% accurate. Like i stated earlier driving 8/10 up in the mountains in the GT4 is very easy and can take anything you throw at it without a hiccup. The F430 to me feels like its on its tip toes the whole time while still being very competent. Its very nice to get back into a hydraulic steering rack just can't beat it for out right feel though the electronic rack in the GT4 is very good. As for road feel the Ferrari just edges out the GT. The steering is sharper and lighter in the 430 while the GT is very direct and heavy. Turn in is pretty comparable between the two but the 430 just kind of dances in while GT just plows through. Another thing is the 430 currently has Michelin PS A/S3 so the tires are not in the same category as the CUP 2's or Super Sports I had on the GT4. Currently debating going for RE-71R for the 430.
Point: GT4

Transmission
The 6spd manual in the GT4 is pretty damn perfect and the only car that I have driven that would best it is the S and its not by much. The F1 gearbox I think is amazing I love the quickness and brutality of each shift just brings so much of an occasion to the car. Know I am a manual lover through and through but currently I have 3 manual transmission cars with no automatic in sight so the addition of the F1 is a god send for me on those days I don't feel like driving a stick.
Point: Ferrari

Looks:
While both are gorgeous cars i think the 430 just has a certain elegance to it that the GT4 did no posses. The Scud Bumper and stripes to just push the looks department a little further in my favor. I have gotten used to involuntarily ignoring the road attention so I can't say for sure which one gets more. Not that I could care one way or the other here.
Point: Ferrari

Interior:
It is a tough call for me as well. The Ferrari once again brings more of an event just sitting in the cabin while the GT was more comfortable with a lot more amenities. I would say for me its very close but for what I am looking for the Ferrari Takes the win here. Depending on the individual this could go the other way.
Point: Ferrari

Conclusion:
At the end of the day the Ferrari just elicites so much more emotion from the day to day driving. I haven't been able to get rid of the **** eating grin/smile off my face whenever I am in the car, I just can't help it. I was very upset when the GT was taken out of the garage but after my first night with the 430 I know I made the right decision and have 0 regrets right now. For anyone looking to get into a GT4 it is a fantastic car and is damn near perfect. Technically speaking it is the superior car and is more competent on the track compared to the 430 but thats not always what everyone is looking for.

[kprocivic]

Thanks for posting. By chance have you ever driven the 458? I felt that the 458 was exactly how you described the 430. If that's the case ill save the 50k and lust after the 430.

[HXS]

Is the F430 a coupe or convertible?

Nice write up. Interesting you mentioned the GT4 is similar to the S2000

[1and1]

Nice read, and interesting comparisons- thanks!

/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpictures/

[NickyC]

430 is still my favorite "budget" model Ferrari. I prefer it over the 458/488. Enjoy!

[ridin135]

Originally Posted by kprocivic

Thanks for posting. By chance have you ever driven the 458? I felt that the 458 was exactly how you described the 430. If that's the case ill save the 50k and lust after the 430.

Yea I had a 458 for a week last time I was in Vegas. Now I don't mean to sound swayed since I own a F430 but I actually prefer the 430 to the 458 for a weekend car. Now the 458 is once again the better car more comfortable, better interior, more reliable, way faster. But the F430 still has the same special feeling as the 458 and then some. The 430 is way more mechanical and has a more connected fee. Where the 458 is more of a digital car, very capable but lost some of that connection. The 458 could easily be daily driven with the dual clutch where as the 430 is just plan more violent, but I like that. Then there is the looks I have always preferred the 430 over the 458 but that is only my opinion. Thats really the only way I can put it into words, hope that helps.

[ShocknAwe]

Gorgeous 430. Love the scuderia bumper.

[Red Bread]

Beautiful car, 360's and 430's are last pretty Fezzas.

[beats]

Beautiful car OP, congrats! And great write-up!

[paliknight]

Gorgeous car! My dream car is the 488GTB. Just love every aspect of it

[AW335TT]

Congrats! Looks amazing.

Ive had a chance to drive a 430 Scuderia a couple times and each time was for about 4-5 hours none stop, through the Malibu canyons, PCH, Stunt road etc and I am absolutely in love with that car.

430 Scuderia with the valves permanently open, going through the tunnels in the Malibu canyons was something Id never forget.

If I ever get that car, having the valves permanently opened is the first thing Id do.

[ridin135]

Was debating doing the valves but I have heard mumblings that it is tied to provide better low end power by adjusting the valves. May be total bull crap either way I have an exhaust showing up Monday.