F430 vs R8

[mfsc]

Was in vegas for a week and had a chance to drive an F430 for a few days this is how it compares to the R8 in my view

F430 +

Engine and sound. Engine is smoother and more powerfull then my v8 probably the v10 a better match but the sound it make is just intoxicating, i really feel the the v8 engine note is a big let done the SL63AMG i drove last month also sounded much better.

Cabin: Materials were better quality in F430 but to be expected as car cost twice as much.

Driveability I found it very easy to drive the F430 probably easier around town then my manual V8 the semi auto of the F430 is great but you do get a delay and a kickback when changing gear in high revs.


R8+

Steering feel and roadholding, I found the steering feel much better in R8 feedback from road so natural and the car just sticks to the road almost no matter what. F430 steering has much less feel and it loses grip much faster (which in some respect is more fun as u lose the back at much lower speeds). I can say that i would probably take a corner in the F430 at about 10% lower speed then my R8.

I did work the F430 hard (got pulled over and almost taken downtown by LV police but Israeli driver license rescued me...) and the thing i enjoyed most is the engine sound.

For me R8 wins but would love to find an exhaust that make the R8 sound more like the F430

[RS4Cab]

For me R8 wins but would love to find an exhaust that make the R8 sound more like the F430

Was at a little GTG at Local Ferrari dealer on Saturday and did a ride against the F430 parked next to me. I thought my Stasis held up well on the exhaust end, Most of the Ferrari owners agreed. More people that came were stopping at my car to take pictures than the others. Most told me they have yet to see an R8

[harrison]

The stock F430 exhaust is WEAK-SAUCE at lower revs.Sounds funny in fact.The F430 guy I sped around with the other day was in love with the looks of my R8 but did'nt mention anything about my Miltek...Which I am sure he heard it , as he was top down. I have to admit that F430 is MUCH more pretty than my R 8. Mine may look a BIT more agressive though.

[NFS13]

To be thought of in the same class as a Ferrari makes the "bang for the buck" look great. I am sure the V10 will only lessen the gap between the two.

[willyjp]

I haven't driven a 430, though have driven older Ferraris, and a number of older Maseratis and Alfas over the years. I have heard Italians who are "into" cars use the term "nervosa" for the particular quality of steering feel or feedback from the wheels that they generally prize in a sportscar.(forgive me if I've got the language a little wrong, I don't speak Italian) Especially acute road feel and response to steering input is even described as "nervosita". This kind of driving "feel" is the sort of thing you experience with a lot of Italian road cars, and especially classic road racers (I particularly recall an Alfa GT Zagato in fond memory). But this peculiar positive quality was even present in my (generally thought to be) humble Maserati bi-turbo of the '80s.

Exactly how they do it is a good question. "Bushings" is what one Italian mechanic told me (meaning choice of damping material in the suspension and steering joints) but it's got to be more than that, IMHO. Late model Ferraris I have experienced do seem to have a measure of this quality, which Italian drivers are said to favor. I have heard it said that Porsches definitely lack this quality.

In view of all that, it's interesting that you favor the R8 feel in this comparison. That's quite a high complement to the R8. Perhaps the Audi's engineers have learned a thing or two from Lamborghini?

[kmarshall]

I was thinking about these types of comparisons this weekend. I have an R8 w/ Stasis Exhaust and a Challenge Stradale with stock CS exhaust (running w/ bypass)... and I used to have a 430 Challenge. The sounds are very different, the driving style is very different... everything is just different. And I love them both but for different reasons. R8 is an everyday sports car. The CS is a wild beast that takes a ton of respect to drive well. I am much more relaxed in the R8. Performance wise, its hard to compare just off of lap times as my demeanor is so different in both cars. IN the end, I'll say I think the R8 is the perfect daily driving sports car and suites the general population much better than any Ferrari does. But I'm keeping both.

[Bluehinder]

I would not part with either....except when my v10 comes in.

[mfsc]

The stock F430 exhaust is WEAK-SAUCE at lower revs.Sounds funny in fact.The F430 guy I sped around with the other day was in love with the looks of my R8 but did'nt mention anything about my Miltek...Which I am sure he heard it , as he was top down. I have to admit that F430 is MUCH more pretty than my R 8. Mine may look a BIT more agressive though.

I think the R8 looks much better

[ShelbyGirl1]

The R8 is a perfect every day car. F430 is a perfect weekend car...both are very different, yet both fill the need of every car enthusiast! Both will hold a spot in our garage...until something better comes along.(The sound of the F430 is awesome...neighbors down the street always say they know when we are pulling out for a ride)

[Vincent]

I was thinking about these types of comparisons this weekend. I have an R8 w/ Stasis Exhaust and a Challenge Stradale with stock CS exhaust (running w/ bypass)... and I used to have a 430 Challenge. The sounds are very different, the driving style is very different... everything is just different. And I love them both but for different reasons. R8 is an everyday sports car. The CS is a wild beast that takes a ton of respect to drive well. I am much more relaxed in the R8. Performance wise, its hard to compare just off of lap times as my demeanor is so different in both cars. IN the end, I'll say I think the R8 is the perfect daily driving sports car and suites the general population much better than any Ferrari does. But I'm keeping both.

I agree with you 100%. I drive the R8 almost anywhere anytime. But reserve the CS whenever I need to release some anger.