hiroshikato1

This will be a biased post, as I own a 2019 GT3 Touring, but the only F430 I might trade it for would be a F430 Scuderia. That transmission is just brutal but in a satisfyingly brutal way. If it is just a weekend car and you want an experience and the cost that will be associated with it, go for a Ferrari. Remember that the car is almost 20 years old and WILL require maintenance, including major maintenance. If you want a car that is an experience but will also fly under the radar, get a Touring or GT3 991.2 manual. I owned a 2008 GT3 for seven years and traded it in for a 2015 GT3, although the 991.1 was "better" than the 997.1 at going faster and being more planted in corners, not to mention more wife friendly in terms of comfort and sound, the car was boring. Like a Nissan GTR, more like a video game.
The ultimate question is what the final goal is, for me the Touring ticks all the boxes for me. To note, I just drove a friend's F430 with the gated manual the other day and jumping into my Touring right after that cemented my thoughts. The F430 is beautiful but I can not rationalize paying double for a manual version over a F1 example and to me, if you are going to butcher a F430 into a modified manual, get a 16M and do it! It will be one of one, since the Scuderia has already been done, it should be a lot easier to modify.
The argument of 0-60 times or the speed of shifts is really a moot point nowadays. If you want a track monster, get a PDK but if you want a bit more of a driver's road car then the answer will be a GT3 manual transmission. Also, remember that there is and never will be one sports car that can be a road car, track rat, SUV and luxury cruiser all in one.

Dougr743

if you want to shift gears, get a manual. whatever manual it is. If you are ok with an automatic, then you cant compare a 15 + year old car to a new car. As for the gated manual. its a great drivers car, fun, engaging and rewarding. The manual .2 gt3's are too. People like the PDK. I dont. but you have to decide. If you are looking at budget, manual 430's are very expensive for what it is, and how old they are. so balance the cost vs the car. If you "have to have one" get it

wisky

I went from a 06 F430 F1 to a 2017 911 7MT C2S to a 2014 GT3 PDK.

The F430 is an awesome car, feels very light and is tons of fun to drive. I semi daily drove it for 3 years and did my best to keep up on maintenance but it just cant handle the abuse like a modern 911 can. Tons of little things need attention and wear out on an older Ferrari. I can't speak for the gated 6MT F430 driving experience but I would imagine it would make the car that much better. You cant go wrong with either choice, you can always sell the car and switch into another.

catdog2

Agree with @Dougr743 and @wisky ...
The F430 feels much lighter on its feet has lighter steering and also more delicate with skinner tires and lower limits; it's incredible fun but doesn't feel as stout and meaty/abuseable as a GT3; that is partly subjective but also to do its older age of car which as pointed out needs a level of constant attention to keep in optimal running condition. So any F430 of that vintage will need new bushings and trans/engine mounts to feel in tip-top shape; its rubber seems prone to dry rot.
Their manuals also are different, the gated manual has a great feel but again needs getting used to. So if considering more daily use you should go GT3 but if for weekend fun and you are patient and have some money saved for upgrades and refreshing some of the items know to wear out then the F430 is very unique and intense fun.

Shark

No, one of the most beautiful cars ever, another Gandini masterpiece

hf1

^ Yea, beauty is subjective.

Jrtaylor9

^^agree. Beauty clearly in the eye of the beholder