599 has arrived!

Firstly regrettably this isnt my car but belongs to a close friend.

Bit of backround to start though, ever since I a 599 in the metal last Sep I wondered about this car, wondered if it was a good as everyone said it was, read the glowing reports here, seen many stunning pictures on this forum, read about the cars performance and while it was all impressive I had my doubts, the doubt that it might not be as good as the 430 spider....my friend has similar sentiments....

Fast forward to a hot Wednesday pm when the 599 put its wheels on African soil for the first time, the car arriving in a "tent" (when did Ferrari start packaging the cars in these tents, before they used stick on plastic like wrap). The sound of that v12 increased my hear rate, the thrill increased when we opened the door and I could look the interior I specified(friend gave me carte blanche really) and it looked great, as you will see it traditional, everyone liked it and I was happy about this as it wouldnt have been so cool if my mate didnt like it.....

Daytona seats with red inserts and Bordeaux carpets, many here expressed doubts but I think it looks great. R120 000 of extra carbon was specified which looks great, doesnt jar at all with the black dash, Bose sound system was also specced but told my mate he shouldnt bother because the only sound worth listening to comes from up front....

Chose standard wheels, much better in my opinion than the Challenge wheels.....

Went to collect the car this afternoon after the PDI and high speed test was done....290 km/h. What has amazed me is the technology in this car, cpmfort orientated technology, the stereo and its many functions( did get the Ipod adapter), advanced air con etc and that very nice information screen and its many functions. I thought of those on the forum that own these cars and one comment kept comming back "I drive it most days, its a choice between the 599 and the SA"

Sitting in the car the driving environment is so good, the seats much more comfortable than those in the 430 but one is very aware this is a Ferrari and never more aware than when the V12 fires up.

I had a brief passenger spin with the Director of Ferrari SA driving and he described my eyes as sourcers....I was left in awe the adrenline flowing, a natural high, the sound of the V12, the amazing gearchange and the sheer acceleration and power, I havent ever felt this kind of power, I thought I had but I obviously havent...

It was a short drive but tomorrow bring the promise of a longer drive in what is one of the most awesome Ferraris ever made.....my doubts are gone and great as the 430 it cannot compare at all with the 599 GTB Fiorano.

After tomorrow I will update this but for the time being will post some pictures, sorry it will be a mixture of links and posted pictures.

 

The start of what will be a lot of pictures......
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More pics
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So it's really that much better than a F430?? I like those seats... Star wheels look odd on a several hundre thousand dollars car.

Congratulations.

 

Those wheels do look awful, but overall, a beautiful car. Is it safe driving that car over there? One of my neighbors is south African, and he can't stop saying how bad off that country is. Oh well, good luck.

 

Its not all doom and gloom down here....I am in Cape Town which is a differant story to Johannesberg where most of the very violent crime occurs.....This is still a beautiful place to live and one can really enjoy a car like the 599 on the roads we have here...minimal law enforcement...

Yes the 599 is far quicker than the 430, it feels a big car though, might not be quite as nimble but whats really obvious is the increase in technology between the 2 cars....and the sound well no 430 can compare....

 

Video...excuse my very poor commentary.....
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Ferrari360/?action=view&current=veryfast.flv

 

Agree, They look small as well lol Something for my mini maybe

 

Beautiful Car Jacques and that sound is awesome

Your friend definitely knows how to buy beautiful cars.

 

Question for those with 599's, mate has a Nokia N95 and cant seem to connect with the blue tooth, anyone else had issues using this phone with the 599?

 

Very nice.....congratulations to both of you. Enjoy them in good health .

 

Completely disagree. I had monobloc wheels on my first 599 and went for star wheels on my second. The star wheels are the proper PF design for the car and are steeped in F history. The monobloc are very 2004 CS

 

Agree, amazingly our Ferrari dealer is somewhat suprised that so few people have picked the Challenge wheels...to me the challenge wheels distract too muc, they shout and one doesnt take in the great styling that the 599 has...