The GT and its Nemesis


w. mitty

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 1, 2005
704
I brought the F430 down to its winter home to rub shoulders with the GT. It was incredible to put them side by side and compare them. I will post a full driver's review when I have the time...


gtferrarirear.jpg
 

Joehand1

Tungsten GT Owner
Sep 20, 2007
602
Hattiesburg, MS, USA
From that angle, the 430 looks bigger than the GT. Is it?

I know the 360 is a bit smaller, but we don't have a locally owned 430...
 

BlackICE

GT Owner
Nov 2, 2005
1,416
SF Bay Area in California
A GT with a Whipple doesn't have too many stock production cars that I would call a nemsis. However they are many great cars that have other qualities to be enjoyed and the F430 is high on that list. Great pair of toys!

:thumbsup
 

w. mitty

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 1, 2005
704
From that angle, the 430 looks bigger than the GT. Is it?

I know the 360 is a bit smaller, but we don't have a locally owned 430...

It is really interesting to see them together; the GT is loooowwww compared to the F430. F430 appears to be a bigger car, but I don't know what the exact dimensions are.

I will say the that the GT holds up VERY nicely in the presence of the F car.
 

w. mitty

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 1, 2005
704
A GT with a Whipple doesn't have too many stock production cars that I would call a nemsis. :thumbsup

You got that right. I will certainly confirm that the Whipple takes the car to a new level. As if the GT needed more power :wink

It gives me vertigo when I stab the loud pedal. It warps the time/space continum.
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
5,046
California
The GT is the Nemesis of the F360, and if performance and value were the only measures, it might be the Nemesis of F430 as well.
 

ROCK

GT Owner
Jul 10, 2006
412
Miami
I need to read your review on both cars, (soon) as I'm about to move from the GT to an F430.
 

FlorIdaho Chris

Yeah, I've got one.
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
I need to read your review on both cars, (soon) as I'm about to move from the GT to an F430.

Prediction:

You'll be back if you move...:wink
 

Neilda

GT Owner
Oct 19, 2005
3,559
London, UK
It would be great to see some more comparitive shots if you have the time - it's interesting to see them together.....

The GT always has that 'classic' Le Mans look, very evocative. The Ferrari looks great, but is less instantly digestible. Interesting the engine bay looks more contemporary on the Ferrari somehow, similar to Jaguar and DB9 rear glass (I know it's not, but it seems to resonate in that photo).

A good friend has just bought a black Murcielago LP640- we'll put our cars together in the New Year some time. His looked so low and mean when I saw it last week, such a lovely shape, almost like it had been made of putty and then dropped six feet to squash out....
 

JOEA2

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 16, 2007
355
STATEN ISLAND,NY/SEA GIRT,NJ
The GT is wider and lower. They are both wonderful cars. They have different strong points and are hard to compare straight up.
Both are a joy to drive, especially if the F430 is an F1.
 

B O N Y

MODERATOR & FGT OWNER
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 5, 2005
12,110
Fresno, Ca.
Prediction:

You'll be back if you move...:wink
+1

Two different cars, no different car cultures, including owners. If I could only have one, it would be the Blue Oval. Personally besides the 512, F40, F50 and prefer front engined F cars... personally, although the current series are amazing machines.
 

Fubar

Totally ****** Up
Mark II Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Aug 2, 2006
3,979
Dallas, TX
By looking at the picture, I think we can all see where the grass is greener.
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
... I'm about to move from the GT to an F430.


Why??? No disrespect or anything intended here, sir, but really - why?

The 430 is a great car. No doubt about that. But it isn't as fast, nor as quick as the FGT - and it has a higher "sticker" to boot! Not to mention the fact that the 430 will depreciate a bunch rather rapidly (especially when it's replacement is released), and the fact that the FGT has soooooo many "mods" available to make it even fquicker/faster than it already IS if you want to go that route.

I'm really curious why you'd make this switch, ROCK'. 'No motive beyond that.(Maybe you've just always been an F-car fan? Might that be it? :shrug)
 

Neilda

GT Owner
Oct 19, 2005
3,559
London, UK
I was looking at getting a 599 and the dealer (who's a good friend) said 'why get the 599? You'll have much more fun driving the GT'!
 

B O N Y

MODERATOR & FGT OWNER
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 5, 2005
12,110
Fresno, Ca.
Trust me, two different rides, like the Continental GT and FGT. The 599 is an amazing car, just mind blowing.
 

Waxer

Well-known member
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 22, 2007
927
Put in perspective. Two awesome cars. One is legend. The other not. With one production was limited to 4000 units and ended forever. The other, they still make 5000 units a year.

Don't get me wrong. I love the Ferrari and would own one with a FGT but....given the choice, no contest..FGT (fka FGT40).

Just my opinion.

I'm sure the guys on the Ferrari forums have a different opinion though :lol
 

ENZO BTR

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 11, 2005
1,048
Southern California
"Two different cars, no different car cultures, including owners. If I could only have one, it would be the Blue Oval. Personally besides the 512, F40, F50 and prefer front engined F cars... personally, although the current series are amazing machines."

+1

I LOVE the classic F cars, but IMHO they topped out in terms of visual appeal in 1997 with the 550, 456 and 355.

The 612, 599 and even the F430 don't resonate with me (the F430 is close...but still like the clean lines of the 355 better). Performance is undeniably better on the new cars, but if I can't truly lust after an F Car based on its looks I can't remotely justify their prices (let's not even get into over-MSRP costs and two-plus year waiting lists...).

I've pretty much decided that IF I ever buy a Ferrari it will be the F40. Last car overseen by Enzo. Philosophically designed for performance first, comfort second, and of course faster than S#*T!

And it's the perfect yin for the GT's yang. Both mid-engine V8 cars, but while the GT could be driven across the U.S. without a second thought, the F40 is pure brutality -- on driver, passenger and the pavement it's choosing to abuse at any given time. A true bad--boy F car...the kind they don't make anymore.

And of course the older V12, front engine cars like the 250s, 275s and Daytonas are some of the most beautiful rolling sculptures ever created.
 
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ladams1

GT Owner
Jan 1, 2007
81
Central Florida
FGT vs F430

+1

Two different cars, no different car cultures, including owners. If I could only have one, it would be the Blue Oval. Personally besides the 512, F40, F50 and prefer front engined F cars... personally, although the current series are amazing machines.

I own both a 2005 Ford GT and a 2006 F430 F1. This statement above is so true. The FGT is the first American car I have bought new in two decades. The FGT does not get much appreciation in the exotic car world. I think that is changing as the word gets out! The question on which car is better is difficult because they have such different personalites. I like, no love both cars but let me try to lay out the differences.

FGT versus F430
FGT has more power
F430 is more agressive off the line up to 30 mph
F430 handling is world class and taunts you to drive agressively
FGT has a "Grand Touring" style of handling and will do what you ask but doesn't care.
FGT 6 speed is great, only better and not by much is the Porsche 911 (997)!
The Ferrari 6 speed is clunky, especially 2nd to 3rd shifts.
F car F1 is very quick, but diminshes the hot rod feel of a manual.
I still like F1 as a change of pace
Hard to see out of the back of the FGT. F430 has great all around visibility
Maintance of the FGT is less , annual service $109 FGT, $675 F430
THe sound of the F430 is better, you find yourself playing the throttle while driving!
Strangely both cars feel refined, I did not expect the FGT to be that good!

Side notes:
Both cars draw different admirers
Although both are relatively rare cars I get asked to bring the FGT over the F430 to Concourse D'Elegance shows. The people who do these "by invitation only" shows tell me the FGT is a better crowd pleaser. This is in exotic car shows.
F430 is better and easier to drive around town
FGT is wider and more exiting to drive into a garage of other like cars and bikes without damage
I think the FGT will be worth $1 million in 10 years, F430 unlikely.
Both cars are very refined. The Corvette as a comparison feels like it is a manufactured product while the Porsche feels like it was born that way by the Gods.
My freinds who have many exotic cars prefer to drive the FGT over many others. It is an easy car to drive and enjoy

Which one would I keep?
Very difficult, I will be trading in my F430 next year when my 599 gets in. If this was not the case I would give up with tears in my eyes the FGT and keep the F430! Why. I like the comfort and the handling plus that engine sound.

Other cars owned with comments

2007 Porsche 911 CAB- slow but satisying car to drive. My everyday car
2006 Lotus Elise Sport (#8 of 50 built race cars)- out handles everything including the F430
2006 F430 F1- great car but too expensive
2005 Ford GT- Value of the century, out does most supercars
2005 Mercedes E320- okay car, handles pretty good for a family car
2001 Toyota Highlander- whats to say only 720 miles a year do I drive it
1965 Shelby Cobra (kit car 450 hp/502 Ft-lbs of torque @ 2142 lbs of weight)- unbelieveable power but drives like a garbage truck with a loose front end :)
1965 Corvette Roadster- all orginal and a good cruiser
2007 BMW R 1200RT- comfortable and great handling
2007 HD Soft tail custom- updated drivetrain, get a 2008, more improvements!

Lee :cheers
 
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w. mitty

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 1, 2005
704
Thought you might like to see the red-headed step child of the bunch, the hairy unwashed Cobra by Kirkham. It is not allowed in polite company.

all_three.jpg
 

Ed Sims

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Apr 7, 2006
7,940
NorCal
American Gear Head

I love looking at the FGT engine & engine bay. Especially with a polished Whipple, headers & Penske shocks. The frame is so cool. Being an American iron loving gear head I have to see that engine! When you open that rear cowling the crowds appear. The F430 seems like it hides most of the engine away from view. Why is that?

Ed