Ferrari Mailing List: Re: 456 gt search

[John Allison (johnallison]

Dennis is right, it's not the same.  I am trying so hard not to scream  
out against torque converter automatics.  Perhaps it is just me  
dreaming of shifting , but the lack of connectedness between the  
engine, tranmission, and road makes me die a little more everytime I  
get behind the wheel of my current car.  I just could never see myself  
pushing something like that upon anyone.

But as Clyde says, "It's your money."  I just want to believe that  
there are still people who long for that feeling of freedom and control.

Best,
John

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 16, 2007, at 1:35 PM, Dennis Liu <bigheaddennis [at] gmail.com> wrote:

> Robert (sequoiasail [at] aol.com) wrote:
>
> > Good Morning all from Sonoma Valley.CA?I am in the market for a 6  
> > speed 456
> gt.I am having some trouble finding one.They all seem to be  
> automatics.The
> dealears say the auto is about the same? as 6 speed please help thanks
> Robert
>
> ===================
>
> The auto is NOT the same.  Part of me wants to reply, "if you have  
> to ask
> whether an automatic is OK, then you really don't care if it's a  
> manual or
> not."  But that's a little onboxious.  :-)  Truly, I think most of  
> us are so
> in love with sports cars and enthusiastic driving that we must have  
> a manual
> transmission, at least on sports cars (or what purports to be a  
> sports car).
> Personally, I'd only ever own sports cars with a manual, but I'm happy
> enough driving around in a big sedan or SUV with an automatic (like
> firearms, you need the right tool for the job).
>
> Specifically on the 456, the automatic has a VERY big downside.   
> Yes, it's a
> modified GM transmission, but Ferrari (and its dealers) claim that  
> the unit
> CANNOT be rebuilt, and that you need to order one from them.  $20k+.
> Insanity.  Now, I suspect that like any other automatic, especially  
> one
> built by GM, you can take it to any reputable shop and they can work  
> magic
> with it.
>
> Otherwise, I'm led to believe that the car is fairly robust.  You  
> need the
> window update ($5k+), but most should have had that done by now.  I  
> think
> there has been a 456 buyer's guide, either in Forza or in Sports Car  
> Market,
> worth checking out.
>
> Also, there is a wealth of knowledge over on the 456/550/575  
> subtopic on
> FerrariChat.com.  There are also usually a few 456s for sale on  
> there (or
> its ad section, FerrariAds.com), or if you're seriously looking, you  
> can
> post a "wanted" ad and you'll find out about a bunch.
>
> Good luck, and keep us posted!
>
> Vty,
>
> --Dennis
>
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