2006 Ferrari F430 F1 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Telephone microphone not working when delivered.

Gearbox fault (changed gear on its own) traced to air in system (bleed valves not tightened).

Intermittent low speed misfire.

Spurious CST warnings which require engine on/off reload.

Car feels much more like a sports car than the 360, with first rate handling, better power at lower revs, and very sharp (non-ceramic) brakes. Loads of grip - feels like a kart.

Disappointing niggles which take too long to fix.

I can only imagine what this car cost. To have ANY problems while having such low mileage is a complete and utter joke, considering cars that cost a mere fraction are more dependable. When Hyundai is producing higher quality vehicles, you can't help but raise an eyebrow. For it to be delivered to you new with problems is unexcusable. Shame on Ferrari!

Don't attempt to compare a Hyundai to a Ferrari they aren't even the same breed of machine.

I believe the gentleman was probably referring to reliability when talking about quality………something that sadly I would agree with. The amount of very low mileage Ferrari’s is testament to their appalling reliability. The Japanese / Korean boys have shown how this should be done. There can be no comparison to performance or desirability however in the overall stakes Porsche appear to have all these issues covered.

I too have a troublesome F430. Keeps warning me to "SLOW DOWN", even at very low speeds.

If your Ferrari tells you to "slow down", perhaps you are driving it a little too hard? Or, what about getting it checked? Look up your manual and you will work out what do do. I am sure that there is a section in there about this warning.

I find it laughable that people can compare the F430 to a Korean car.

Obviously everything in the Ferrari reeks of QUALITY. Everything you touch is handstitched leather, cool aluminium alloy or carbon fibre and a work of art. Your Korean may have leather seats and alloy look dash, but simply SIT in a Ferrari and I guarantee you will appreciate the difference in quality.

Reliability? Well the Ferrari is very impressive given the amount of technology and engineering. Even Mercedes Benz knows there is a trade off between complex engineering and reliability.

Take the manetino on the steering wheel on the Ferrari as an example. The car is engineered to tame all that power depending upon the mode that you choose. For example, use "ice road" and "wet road" modes in bad weather and all that power will be tamed in poor conditions. Choosing "sport" mode will enable more spirited weather (when circumstances permit) whilst you have the option of "race" mode for track work. You can even turn the CST off (if you dare).

I have driven an F430 in the rain, and let me tell you "wet" mode was very impressive. The car was as easy to drive as, er, a Korean car in the dry! Um, it was a little faster too. Seriously -- the one suprising thing about the F430 is how easy it is to drive DESPITE the incredible amounts of engineering (at least assuming you are in the right mode)

Now I doubt your average Korean has the technology or engineering of a Ferrari (quare whether a typical Korean needs to tame all that power?). And I don't doubt many Korean cars make very reliable transport.

But that's a bit like comparing a pencil with a Mont Blanc fountain pen. Sure both can write, but... you get my point?

I wonder why there are so many very low mileage Ferrari`s for sale... some with two or three owners and under 2k miles? It surprises me therefore if these cars reek of quality and reliability why sell them?

There are very few people who use these cars as daily drivers, consequently the low miles--then most just want something new--I doubt very much that they sell them because they are problem cars--

Comparing Mont Blank pen to a Bic pen is futile. Ask yourself if it suits your purpose. To place ideas on paper - well then, I'd rather get a dozen Bic pens than one Mont Blanc.

What about Ferrari? You want social status and performance. But if you can afford a Ferrari, you can certainly afford a daily driver BMW and save the Ferrari for the track and highway cruising.

Who do you want to show up? Complete strangers on the road, soccer moms in their SUVs? Come to the track if you want a real ego boost; otherwise, isn't it a little pointless? Much like coffee cans on a cheap import...

Ferrari and Hyundai definitely can't be compared. Their aims as companies are completely different for starters. Last time I checked, Hyundai was busy building a reputation for itself to get to the same level of consumer confidence and excitement as Honda. Ferrari? Well, people that buy those don't read consumer magazines and make comparison in regards to reliability and build quality. Ferrari care more for bettering themselves in the performance segment to which they are also marketing themselves. They have been around for ages and are arguably one of the (if not the most) recognized name in sports cars.

The low mileage reliability issues that everyone is so awestruck about are quite simple. It's exactly that, the fact that they are hardly driven. The Italian Stallions need to run! It's the cars that are 10 years old, still in mint condition and with only 1500 miles on them that should be avoided. Sure, they will hold their value better. Ferraris should be driven though, and not saved for "the next guy". It's a big misconception that higher mileage Ferraris are more prone to breaking and quitting. Au contraire, a well driven, well maintained Ferrari is a cheerful Ferrari.