2005 Ferrari F430 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

This car is completely Ferrari. The Ferrari experience, but deeper, stronger more exhilarating than any other (apart from the Enzo) The engine is so responsive and the steering so precice that it can make an average driver like myself feel like a pro. This car oozes confidence even when driven hard.

Apart from the Enzo this is the closest Ferrari have got to a street legal F1. This car was designed to replace the 360 and put Ferrari back on top after Lamborghini released the Gallardo and put the 360 in the shade performance wise. This car is not only more powerful than the 360 (400 bhp compared to 490bhp) but delivers a lot more powerful experinece.

The Engine and aerodynamics were developed by people who have worked in F1 and you can feel it and see it. Carbon-composite breaks sitting behind 19-inch wheels and the ultimate F1 signpost, Yellow circle - black horse, smack bang in the middle of the steering wheel, along with other F1 aspirations such as a switch to control the speed of the gearshifts, the active damping and the electronic differential.

This really is an experience in its own to drive.

The Engine on this machine is absolutley fantastic. 4.3 litre 490 bhp V8 that redlines at an hysterical 8500 rpm. This is torquier than the 360's and hammers the car forward at a pace that turns your knuckles white. The engine sounds awesome at high revs and the F430's handling is so benign and so full of communication that its always on your side, let me tell you that I'm no professional driver, but when I'm behind the wheel I feel like an F1 driver, taking the car to its limits (well, nearly!) in the twisties is an experience I could never get bored of. The E-diff is a masterpiece, shuffling the power from left to right to keep it on the edge all the time. The car does understeer more than the 360 but the traction is better, but still allowing for wheelspinning out of first and second gear corners.

The Car maintains some of the 360's features, but it has a more aggressive look, bigger air intakes above the rear wheels to force more air into the engine and re-worked bumpers.

Inside is trimmed in tan leather with 4 point harnesses and a lot of carbon fibre. Although you won't notice it if you drive it like ferrari intended you to. But it is a nice place to be.

This car is a one of a kind and I urge any ferrari owner to think seriously about purchasing one.

This review may seem like a comparison to the 360 but these are the reasons that made me part with mine to purchase this awesome machine.

This review sounds more like an ad, then a product review. It doesn't provide useful information about the car like performance, maintenance cost, insurance cost, any issue with the car not reported by the press, miles per gallon, tire wear, interior comfort etc. Bottom line; no useful information was ever reported.

Generaly I think this is a very good review. It provides enough information about the cars performance, handling, ownership ect. But does lack any reference to repairs or faults.

This maybe because the reviewer hasn't had the misfortune of experiencing any problems. After all, It is a brand new ferrari costing in excess of £130,000. For that money you shouldn't have any faults.

I'm not in the privileged position to have owned a Ferrari, but I know several people who have / do. I can categorically state that not one of them gives even the slightest thought to running costs, and would consider them so irrelevant they almost certainly wouldn't mention costs in a review.

Ferraris are astronomically expensive things to own. They just are, end of discussion. Driven as intended, you'll get about 9 mpg out of an F430, and insurance would be five figures for the majority of drivers (in the UK anyway). That little lot combined with services costing anything up to UKP 4000 mean nobody worried about costs would even go near one.

I would be more inclined to disbelieve a review on here where costs WERE mentioned.

As a guest of Shell Dubai, I was given the privilege to test drive the new ferrari F430 prior to it's official press launch. The car had to be disguised for the few individuals who were given the honour to drive such a remarkable piece of machinery. The car had lights strapped to it's roof similar to a police/ambulance, and had the word's SAFETY CAR written down the side of it. Don't ask me why. The first thing you see is the complicated settings switch that is located on the steering wheel. This gives you the option to set the car up to the road surface or conditions by adjusting various mechanical settings such as suspension, diff, traction and even gearbox. All owners are given a track day experience to understand the different settings if required. Press the start button and off you go. The car really comes alive after 3000rpm, you just have to listen to the noise. And what a noise!! I remember having problems keeping the car in a straight line whilst down shifting through the gears, problems? kept a firm grip just in case., it may be that the road surface was too dusty as it is in most parts her in the Emirates or I may have had something set incorrectly... The car corners like nothing I've ever driven, Fantastic!... Overall it was a thrilling experience, but personally there are far too many settings and adjustments for my liking and they are very difficult to get used to. A bit like playing a computer game without reading the instructions on what to do is the best way to describe it. Lots of warning flashing lights on the display whilst cornering may put you off as well, but apart from that all in all, a very worthy successor to the 360.

I disagree with the guy that said if you own a Ferrari you would not talk about costs.

I own a Ferrari and the only way I have owned one for the last 2 years is by going to reputable Ferrari garages and not the official ones (because they charge through the roof.)

Can I just display a myth.

To all the people that want to live their lives thinking they are not privileged to drive a Ferrari, wake up. You can make it by yourself. Yes new Ferraris are expensive, but you can pick up good Ferraris eg. F355's for £35K. Lets face it, some crappy BMWs or Family Cars cost more than this! And then when you find a reputable garage that doesn't rip you off, it's happy days.

My aim was to own a Ferrari when I was 25 or before and I did it. So can you.

Oh, and one more thing. Insurance is definatley not 5 figures! I'm 27 and insurance for me on a 360 is £1900 per year and 355 its £1800 with Virgin Car Insurance. Give them a call there very good for Ferrari. You would have thought you would go to specialist insurance, but don't fall for it, I did the first year I had my car and paid £2400 for 1 year.

I just wanna say that I have been seriously thinking about getting the F430. I make very good money, but not rich. So to all the people that say you have to be rich to own one or sell your house... save it!!! If you are getting red in the face right now... i am talking to YOU!!! Your probably working at a gas station making $6.50 an hour and have no ambition to get out and get ahead. So you spend your time angry at people who are successful... how pathetic!!! Get a life!!! If you don't like someone because they are driving a Ferrari... turn your head.

Oh...by the way. To the guy that said your insurance would be five figures on a F430...your obviously insane and need professional help.

I do not think the animosity is at someone that owns or likes Ferraris... its the ego that some owners unfortunately display and somehow still feel the need to condescend on others. Its not very admirable. I would own one only because I like it, not for what others say irregardless if favorable or negative.

People who want or must minimize their car running cost should look at a car that suits these particular objectives.

People who buy a Ferrari however will not have these objectives as their first priorities.

I recently had the opportunity the test-drive a F430F1 and I can fully confirm the writers enthusiasm. After all "Ferrari" is as much emotion as top-notch hightech in automobiles.

I know people that own Ferrari's that let me drive their cars and none of them are condescending. I also know people that drive Mazda's that are condescending. This type of commentary is irrelevant in this forum and unfortunately seems to find it's way to the pages that contain information on the more expensive cars, like the H1 and Ferrari's for example.

<<I know people that own Ferrari's that let me drive their cars and none of them are condescending. I also know people that drive Mazda's that are condescending. This type of commentary is irrelevant in this forum and unfortunately seems to find it's way to the pages that contain information on the more expensive cars, like the H1 and Ferrari's for example.>.

Do not compare Hummer owners with Ferrari owners. Ferrari owners, in general, understand breeding and quality. Hummer owners only understand keeping up with the Jones.

I don't understand as to why people get angry when someone points out the maintenance costs due to reliability factor. Some companies for years made us (as well as professional reviewers) believe that either luxury/reliability or performance/reliability don't go hand in hand, but thanks to the Japanese car makers (and Porsche from Europe) to disprove these trade-offs. No doubt, Ferrari is a very beautiful car, but even top CEOs have given up their Ferrari cars due to all the maintenance mess and perhaps only that's why exotic car clubs are becoming so popular. Lexus is coming up with its super car in few years and will surely clear our minds further about the hypothetical trade-offs.

I find it funny that every time there is a review of this sort of car, there is always an 'argument' afterwards that ensues. We all know Ferrari are expensive to run; we all know the interior is minimalist; we all know 490hp V8 uses a lot of gas. If you're worried about these factors, then go read up about Honda Civic. Otherwise enjoy the review, and stop wasting the goodwill of the original reviewer and the time he/she spent putting this on the site...