GranSport vs. Ferrari F430 - how much difference is there in the real world?

[mondie]

Curious about how these two compare in the real world, anybody owned both and able to comment from an owners perspective? The F430 is basically double the cost and probably double for maintenance, but how much better is it on the road? The 430 has a big power advantage, but how about the handling, the noise, the enjoyment? May as well throw the Gallardo in the mix too for those who have had the good fortune to experience one.

Cheers
mondie

 

[Andyk]

I prefer th noise ona GS to be honest...Never liked the metallic 360 or 430 noise......For me it would always be the Gallardo......Never taken on the looks of the 360 or 430...Think thats because the 355 was so pretty......

 

[mondie]

I probably prefer the looks of the 360 too Andy, but the 430 was such a step up in power and handling (apparently) its probably much harder to chose between the two.

 

[Andyk]

I drove my brother in laws 360 and it never moved me to be honest.......I expected more I think..

 

[Mr.Cambio]

On a countryside road with curves all the time a friend of mine who has a GS has beaten a 430. But he's a very good driver.

Always love the 430. Think about why do you need a supercar...a fast trip or use it in the city? Cause you cannot go to the super market in the 430, but you can in the GS.

Purpose is the key.

 

[mondie]

The 360 is only the same 400hp as the GS but from a smaller v8 , its possibly a little lighter. Hence the 430 has my interest.

 

[mondie]

On a countryside road with curves all the time a friend of mine who has a GS has beaten a 430. But he's a very good driver.

Always love the 430. Think about why do you need a supercar...a fast trip or use it in the city? Cause you cannot go to the super market in the 430, but you can in the GS.

Purpose is the key.

Sure is, this would be a 3rd car for summer days with the mrs. Practicality doesn't matter one jot. GT3 RS is also a possibility

 

[urbanmaser]

430 has the street cred........Gransport has the style

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Oh no....DON"T BUY PORSCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Andyk]

Sure is, this would be a 3rd car for summer days with the mrs. Practicality doesn't matter one jot. GT3 RS is also a possibility

GT3 RS over the Ferrari any day for me.........Something about an RS that just makes me want to jump in and drive.........The way it looks on the road, the way it handles....If you have a GS then the RS makes sense as its more of a weekend track special that will thrill as you take every bend........Yes same would never go near it as it's a 911 but its one of the best cars you can buy for fun with a big F......and if you get one I would be very jealous....I've only been a passenger on one but it was fact and glued to the road ......Blew me away...

 

[urbanmaser]

Only thing wrong with a GT3 is it isn't Italian

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Madame Mondie not sure if she likes the RS Andy..

 

[Andyk]

Only thing wrong with a GT3 is it isn't Italian

And sometimes that can be a good thing...Not often mind you....

 

[mondie]

Yep I dont think thats a bad thing Andy!

 

[Almichie]

I've driven the GT3, R8, 360 and Gallardo back to back and can honestly say the GT3 won in every area. It was the most involving, the most intuitive and the most fun. The only thing it didn't have was the sound track - if you can live without it then the GT3 is the way to go.

 

[Tipmethewink]

A friend of mine came to a similar conclusion but bought an M3 due to it being his daily drive and practicality. R8, DB9, RS3 and M3. He said the RS3 was by far his favourite to drive.

 

[thelovecrumb]

Curious about how these two compare in the real world.....The 430 has a big power advantage, but how about the handling, the noise, the enjoyment?

Watch this....Not much in the power stakes.....

http://youtu.be/ACITAH3mJKI

 

[fcz360]

From experience (360 not 430) they are not really the same kind of car. Both are equally good at what they do, but i think my GTS is not the same as a GS!

I have to say i love my 360 like a child.. and to be honest they are all great aren't they!

 

[Andyk]

I've driven the GT3, R8, 360 and Gallardo back to back and can honestly say the GT3 won in every area. It was the most involving, the most intuitive and the most fun. The only thing it didn't have was the sound track - if you can live without it then the GT3 is the way to go.

See now I thought the GTS RS sounded lovely....It sounds like nothing else......MInd you if you want more just add a Akrapovic exhaust..Shame you can not get these for Maserati as they are brilliant....

 

[Ewan]

I don't really see these as genuine rivals. The GS is a daily drive and very practical, while the 430 is an out and out sports car. There's no doubt that a Gallardo, a 360 and a 430 are all quicker than a GS, but if you are only going to drive to Waitrose, who cares? If you are spending, say, £80k, you'll go the Lambo/Fezza route and rightly so, but if your budget is £25k be thankful that you can afford a car which is not that far off the pace. It's a lot of car for the money.

Stick a Tubi exhaust on a Ferrari (as I did on my 360) and the high-pitched wail can't file to excite. Lambos, on the other hand, are loud without "singing". And the sound of the Porsche doesn't come close to either.

Over the last 15 years I've run several Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches and Maseratis as my daily cars (along with the compulsory Range Rover) but at 45 I'm now too old to drive a Lambo, so my realistic choice is now down to the the 3.

Talking of which, I'm in the throws of buying a 612. My daily car needs to be able to do the school run, so I view this as a good compromise between fun and function. A bit like the GS.