[UK] Ford GT or F430 F1

[Jonny5]

Hi all,

Newbie here..... Currently got a 6.0 Diablo in Arancio and have been offered one of the UK Ford GT or a 430 F1 (cancelled order). The Diablo is fairly unusable , so looking at buying something additional (keeping the Diablo)

So what do you think , Ford GT or F430 ? I haven't driven a GT , but have with the 430 and know how usable ( yet not unique in the UK)

 

[canuck]

As much as I like the GT ford I am not sure if they are frought with problems in the UK because of the additional electronics. In North America these problems are not common. That would be my only concern with a GT in the UK.

 

[Empty Pockets]

So what do you think , Ford GT or F430 ? I haven't driven a GT , but have with the 430 and know how usable ( yet not unique in the UK)

Jonny:
Depends on what you're interested in.
If you want a "label" - Ferrari.
If you want something that not everybody in the UK can GET: the GT! (There were, what, only 28 sent over there?)
Besides, the 430 replaced the 360, which replaced the 355, which replaced the 348 and so on. The 430 will ALSO become "yesterday's news" shortly. The Ford GT WILL NOT. It will never BE, "last year's model", if you see what I mean.
Besides - the 430 is slower!!!!!!

E.P.

 

[HHGT]

It sounds like you can afford them both. Quit tormenting yourself, find a good CPA and buy both. When the F460 comes out, you can trade in your F430 - there will be no replacement for the GT.

 

[Kave]

The gt is what you want. There will never be another.

 

[ROCMAN]

I think you may get a one sided response here.:lol

 

[Neilda]

Hi all,

Newbie here..... Currently got a 6.0 Diablo in Arancio and have been offered one of the UK Ford GT or a 430 F1 (cancelled order). The Diablo is fairly unusable , so looking at buying something additional (keeping the Diablo)

So what do you think , Ford GT or F430 ? I haven't driven a GT , but have with the 430 and know how usable ( yet not unique in the UK)

Hi Jonny and welcome...

I'm in the UK and have a GT. I have no problems living with it over here (in the UK) - although it's not a daily driver. It is, of course, a little awkward being left hand drive, however that's soon forgotten once you've been driving for 30 minutes or more - you adjust quickly.

I found the Murcielago much harder to live with by the way....

As to the Ferrari 430/Ford GT comparison? That's a tough one. The Ferrari is, in some respects, more of a luxury car - the interior detailing etc. It's more complete and feels more researched somehow. And yet the Ford feels more handbuilt - the engine bay is classy in a different way to the Ferrari. There are little niggles on the GT that would frustrate the perfectionist - panel alignment can be fractionally off, that sort of thing.

It is TOTALLY impractical. But then so is my wife. However it's not impossible to drive on UK roads. I wouldn't take any of my nice cars deliberately down single track roads -but it's fine on normal roads (with a white line down the middle).

If you can live with some minor idiocyncracies, then the Ford would be a more rewarding car to own. It has enough power to satisfy any lust. It is an 'enthusiasts' car - people photograph it as you pass by rather than spit at it. It's less of a 'statement' than a Ferrari - a Ferrari suggests you've sold an awful lot of photocopiers, a GT suggests you saved to buy something unique.

As mentioned above, Ferraris keep on evolving - so pretty soon you'll find you're driving yesterdays model, the GT is it, there won't be any more.

Not sure if this helps at all - if you're near Surrey I'd be happy to meet up and share a beer.

 

[bigdan40]

Not sure if this helps at all - if you're near Surrey I'd be happy to meet up and share a beer.

Neilda, you always speak so eloquently and precise! I don't know and have no desire to know diddly about a Ferrari but everything you said makes perfect sense as do some of the other responses to this thread. I have one question though, if you and Jonny meet up for a beer in Surrey, why will you "share a beer" when obviously you can both afford to have your own???:cheers :biggrin :lol

 

[Neilda]

:lol

It's a quaint old English tradition to share certain items at a first encounter. This frequently upsets girlfriends as it would appear to be a tradition that only I uphold!

Comparing fine cars (such as a Ferrari to a GT) is, as I'm sure you know, actually a hard thing to do. It depends so much on individual experience - for example, if I had spent a lifetime driving 'ordinary' cars and could buy one exotic car..... Would it be a GT? A Ferrari? A Lamborghini? I'm not sure to be honest! However in my case (and many here) we've owned them all - but it was the iconic GT we were really waiting for. So it's hard to advise.

Perhaps Jonny will let us know what he decides - and I can assure him that his girl is quite safe from any feudal rites. :wink

 

[piplani]

Well said.

 

[GTNJ]

The gt is what you want. There will never be another.

SO TRUE........
SO TRUE............:banana :banana

 

[HeritageBruce]

Another alternative is to buy both the GT and the F430 and get rid of the Lamebo. Sorry! I couldn't help it. :rofl Actually I'm looking at reducing the number of cars at the used car lot (my driveway) by one as five cars plus the girlfriends' are just too many. So I've been debating getting rid of the F355 and 996 GT3 and replace the two with one 360 Challenge Stradale or 997 GT3 RS or Lambo Gallardo Spider. Not to steal this thread but which one would you guys choose?

 

[Neilda]

The Gallardo Spyder looks fun. It's pulling in some good reviews... Maybe it's too close to the GT though (I don't mean in looks, simply a 2 seater rocket).

Tough choices!!

 

[SLF360]

The Gallardo Spyder looks fun. It's pulling in some good reviews... Maybe it's too close to the GT though (I don't mean in looks, simply a 2 seater rocket).

Tough choices!!

I am sort of in all three brands, so I would definitely tell you the best two car set up is:
1. F430 for driveabilty and every day useability ( I think that was the question, really!!?). But not that much fun, honestly..And, a bit showy, pending where you are...
2. Ford GT, modded (A MUST!), for substitution of the Lambo.

If you want, get a Lambo Gallardo, have it modded and rear wheel drive only (like our race GT3 Lambos..:biggrin) Then, it is real stuff, with a big FIA GT wing on it definitely not for the fainthearted, but it'd look ridiculous on a street car, to my liking..:wink
The GT is a classic. parking and luggage, the real drawbacks...

Let us know what you'll decide !

 

[Empty Pockets]

Not to steal this thread but which one would you guys choose?

'Of those cars - 'Spyder

 

[Jonny5]

Thanks gents , some food for thought there

I'm in Sevenoaks Neil, so not far away at all. Will PM..................

 

[Neilda]

You're not far at all.

Do give me a shout and we can natter.

It has been suggested you should have your very own beer were we to meet, rather than share one. Seems extravagant to me somehow.

 

[bigdan40]

You're not far at all.

Do give me a shout and we can natter.

It has been suggested you should have your very own beer were we to meet, rather than share one. Seems extravagant to me somehow.

Hello Neilda and thanks for the beer sharing explanation although you realize I was just joking with you!:cheers Dan

 

[Neilda]

Hello Neilda and thanks for the beer sharing explanation although you realize I was just joking with you!:cheers Dan

I know that Dan - we do irony rather well over here! :wink

 

[Gierkink]

Hi Jonny and welcome...

If you can live with some minor idiocyncracies, then the Ford would be a more rewarding car to own. It has enough power to satisfy any lust. It is an 'enthusiasts' car - people photograph it as you pass by rather than spit at it. It's less of a 'statement' than a Ferrari - a Ferrari suggests you've sold an awful lot of photocopiers, a GT suggests you saved to buy something unique.

Neil,

That is very, very funny!


Rob