Test Drove A 599 Last Saturday

And let me tell you, this is one amazing over-the-top automobile! Outside the car is a work of art. The interior is extremely luxurious and comfortable. And as far as performance...the car is the quickest car I have ever dirven.
I own a 350 Spider 6 speed, and have driven my buddys 430 Spider F1. And, I used to own an 06 Corvette Z06 that was modded to 498 HP/478 torque at the rear wheels....the 599 can blow it away! This car handles like it is on rails, and the brakes are fabulous. But the way the car accellerates through the gears is just a wonder. It nails you to the seat. This car is Ferrari technology at its finest. Until you have seen this car up close and personal and had the opportunity to drive it, you have no idea as to what Ferrari has accomplished! If I had a desire for a car that was not a convertible, I would take this over any car on the planet!

 

I have sat in one and I agree its really comfortable, hopefully soon enough I will get to drive one

 

Thanks for the nice story Ronnie.
I cant wait to get a drive of one! On paper, simply astonishing performance. Actually driving it, would feel like you are in paradise!!
Cheers mate!

 

I'd have to add that,
if one were in the market for say.... an SL65 or equal, it would be a huge mistake overlooking the 599GTB.

This is opinion is only based on specs though.

 

I have driven an SL65...two different worlds. You really cannot compare the 2 cars.

 

Why Not?

Of course the SL 65 is a hard top conv....but how can you not compare the two vehicles. I haven't driven the SL but I have sat in the passanger seat a few times.

Ok, you got me. One is German and one is Italian.

In all seriousness, both have upwards of 600HP available, both were made with the intention of superior performance and luxury.

Also, both are priced over the "I make $75K a year so I can finance a $100K car" range. I think at least 50% of the buyers in the SL 65 range can easily spring for another $75K to 100K for the 599.

In terms of performance/luxury. There's not much else to compare.

 

I'm not sure I understand your math!
The base msrp for the 599 is $298,750 without options (but with obligatory ceramic brakes) let's say 10k in options plus the 100k most dealers are adding and one is looking at a $410K car!!

 

Actually closer to $500K is the current market for a 599. So one is almost 3 times the price of the other. As for differences between the two, I cannot comment as I havent driven a 599. But its leagues more desireable to me. One uses superchargers, has a slush box, looks exactly like another car that costs $90K vs. the 599 which is well.... an unbelieveable car in every respect.

Some people may criticize its styling (not me - I love it) but thats because its a GT car that may be a little more understated than e.g. an LP. But in every other respect its unarguably just mind blowing.

 

SL65 has twinturbos not supercharger,it's my daily driver and in my opinion (have not driven 599 yet,only sat in one) ,as someone said before,is not even close to Ferrari in terms of finish,desirability and performance (based on Ferrari's tests)
It's a front heavy pig of a car with very average handling and very unstable rear end when accelerating on anything but ultra smooth and flat surface.
A new one can be had for about $170k(discounted),while 599 is still commanding close to $500k.
Different World.........

 

Please do not say "why not" and then say you have not driven the cars, and say there is not much to compare. Compared to the 599, the M car is a nothing of a car. The are a dime-a-dozen, mass produced Mercedes, and the 599 is the finest Ferrari ever built. Not the most exotic, but in every possible way, the finest. You need to drive a 599 and also drive whaever you want to compare it to before you can compare. My 06 Z06 would blow a SL 65 off the road..the Vette was modded and was a rocket. But it could not compete with the 599. Just shifting the 599 is pure pleasure, for it is the fastest shifting production car on the planet.

 

Is the "350" spider a special model?

 

type-o...360 spider....but you knew that.

 

The pricing you quote is a little unrealistic. The SL65 can be had these days from a dealer at around $180k plus or used in the $150k range or less depending on mileage.
The 599 cannot be bought today for less than $500k, unless you are one of the few who placed an order in 2005 and are actually in line to buy one.
That is a world of difference. You can buy close to three SL65's at the current market price of the 599.

On another point, the SL65 is literally not able to deliver all of its potential performance due to the nanny systems that cannot be turned off. The car bogs under acceleraton as the computer intervenes to prevent wheelspin. In that category of car the SL600 with the AMG package at $50K less is the better and more drivable car, but he SL65 is simply not in the 599's league. The SLR certainly has the performance to go head to head but that is a $450k car as well.

 

Also, the steering on the SL's suck big time. It is so heavy. I'm sure the 599 is nimble like other ferraris.

 

LOL

You guys are great.

OK, you guys are right. You can't compare the two cars. Forget the fact that they are 2 door sport rear wheel drive coupes pushing 600HP, both built with superb engineering and luxury. NOTHING COMPARES TO THE 599, and anyone caught doing so deserves a swift kick in the ass.

By the way, just because the market is willing to pay $100K at this place in time over MSRP for the 599GTB, doesn't mean that you can't compare it to a car within 33% of it's MSRP.


This is the only site where someone can declare a Ferrari nicer than another vehicle, and someone can still claim blasphemy. Is this passion, or are you guys just blinded by that prancing horse emblem.

410SA: the size and diversity of your collection allows you the final say in this matter

 

Im not sure about the word "blow". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9tQUgrO1yE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toBnmX4cnU8

 

I'da said 4....but that's just me!

 

My daily driver is an SL65 and I have over 40,000 fun filled miles on it. I also have a 430 F1 Spider and have recently sold a Ford GT. I have never driven a 599 so I can't speak intelligently about that car other than to say it is beautiful and sounds great. My SL65 is faster than the Ford GT and the 430 Spider. It is a great car for getting from A to B. You can park it most anywhere and not fret, debadged it is totally low profile, the top is trick and it can blow cold air up your ass on hot days. Buying one with miles on it may be the best high performance buy on the planet. That said, I can't wait to get my hands on a 599.

 

Faster on a straight line or faster on the track?

But I gotta tell you guys, here in Finland the SL65 costs a whopping 330 000€ (msrp)!
The 599 Fiorano's list price is 327 900€ (manual) and 338 400€ (F1)... so you can have an F599 for less money!
Although I don't know whether they command a premium around here or not...

 

I'm test driving one next Tuesday with a view to ordering one, 2 + Years delivery time though in the UK .

Main Dealers in the UK are not allowed to charge more than MRSP (controlled by Ferrari) for new cars but around 10 have leaked out into the specialist broker market and these currently have a premium of around $100k over list

 

2+ years is crazy. I'm in Miami, Florida - USA, and we have a very large dealer. I'm taking delivery of my second 599 (Black / Black), I took a lightly used 2007 Red / Tan while I waited for my ordered car to come in and only waited about 4 months and paid a reasonable price. Maybe you should move to the states... haha... at least you would have your Ferrari!

 

You live in US from a different dimension......

 

YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND. The 65 is a nice SL, the 599 is the best exotic ever built. Even mentioning the two cars in the same sentance is rediculous. Maybe you should drive them both and then talk!!!

 

On another note, since this whole group seems to have 599s and SL65s, would it be worth it for us to upgrade from our 600 to a 65?

 

what do you want out of the '65 or other replacement vehicle? More sporty? More power? Both? IMHO you get better weight distribution with the 55. They now offer the nurburgring handling package which has LSD and some other goodies. If you want insane power then the 65 is a good bet- but even the 55 has so much power that it can break the rears loose at most legal speeds. You could also take your 600 and do some customizing to it..........

btw- please keep all the 599 impressions coming because I love reading about the car. I agree that you really cannot compare it with the SL. The SL is great but its not a fair comparison. I think Dan Neil said it best when he called it the greatest ever front engined sports car. It seems that way to me and some day soon I will have the privilege of owning one.

best regards,
Jerry