A fun alternative would to buy an f12 for the down times. I think going to a German car is a reaction to a few issues rather than it being a first choice. You will probably get over it in much shorter of a time and not really build that relationship with the car. You mentioned excitement a lot and the German cars just look boring standing still.
I would love to have an F12, but have a couple other two seaters already and am out of garage space. For my DD I really need 4 seats. I agree about likely getting bored with a German replacement. That is why I went with the FF in the first place. Anything but the FF would definitely be sacrificing excitement for reliability. I'm still struggling with whether it us worth it. I am now in my 5th week of waiting for this repair episode to be done. I will see how I feel when I finally get the car back.
Truth is, FF is absolutely alone in its own segment, I dont see any true competition. Maybe if Porsche release 928 successor we could talk about some kind of competition. http://s28.postimg.org/s2j28yi0t/2015_Porsche_Panamera_Coupe_by_Tessoart_02.jpg
bldscud I did drive FF preferentially over the MB S550 to daily work duties. My combined annual mileage is typically around 4,000-5,000 miles so no where near the 25-30K mile figures that other post on their vehicles. I have 10 minute commute and rarely in vehicle for more than 30 minute stretch. Would definitely have taken MB (for comfort reasons) if doing road trip. Based on life cycle cost, reliability, technology, comfort, etc. other vehicles at 1/4 of price are better options for 'practical' folk. Ferraris are expensive toys, and toys break. Ferrari ownership is more of bucket list item for those of us with disposable income. The MB was primary vehicle to haul dog to vet visits, etc. Drove the FF to construction sites, hauling lumber from Home Depot (pics made the internet) and under all weather conditions. It sat outside like my other cars getting bird droppings and pollen. I'm not much on cosmetic care and didn't normally 'show off' FF to peers. So no special treatment. MB S-class would be first choice in my experience for daily driving since I prefer soft seats for my broad ass, etc. I think exotics provide part-time fun. Like having female friends 'with benefits', it provides quick rush and then its back to normal life. Dave
I had a 2012 QP that I traded for the FF. While the new model has been improved in some ways, it is still similar in characteristic to the last model. They are gorgeous cars, and a top choice in the type of car they are. However, for me it was too large, too heavy, too soft, and too slow. The new ones are quicker, but still too large, soft and heavy for me. The FF is perfect for me - 4 real seats and plenty of carrying capacity yet still relatively compact with fantastic performance.
the FF is a dd...that's what it is....I have 18k on mine - snow, rain, whatever - it gets driven every day and all over the place
That's what I want to be able to do with mine - Unfortuneately I haven't been able to on a reliable basis.
I guess my Mercedes vs FF experience is the opposite. Although I had a bug or two in my first FF it never failed me. I've had a S550 and a S63 I think (the two door big boat Mercedes) and there were gremlins in both of them, and worse than that a local dealer that screwed me. So, I am very happy in my second FF and will never again buy an Mercedes.
I have only had mine a month and a half but covered 2700 miles. Hasn't missed a beat. Amazing car! It is a Bentley when you want it to be and near an F12 all at the same time. Love this FF! What a car
Rick: I just lack tolerance for defects in expensive items. I got tired of farting around calling the Ferrari dealer to arrange service on same trivial stuff. My wife took the FF out once and never drove it again after seeing an idiot light on dash. I had one Mercedes with gremlins (2003 C32 AMG) and it went out the door at two year point (same timeline as FF). But last four MB have been great. Dealer experience can make a world of difference. Hoping that ordering the Cali-T for wife will work out. I was quite interesting in trying out a Bentley GTC but went and ordered another Ferrari. Never owned Rolls or Bentley so they're still on my bucket list. Dave
Fortunately my Ferrari dealer experience has been great! Midwestern Auto Group in Dublin OH bends over backward for me. With my first FF it did take them a few tries to get rid of a right bank rich or lean error and I drove with the light for some months just because I'd rather drive the car than be without it in the winter. The Mercedes dealer in Toledo is another story. The sales guy I dealt with was great but their lease deal screwed me and their maintenance sucked. Every time I visit Midwestern Auto Group I drool over the Bentley's they have. They are beautiful and drive great, just not a Ferrari .
Just got my FF back this last Saturday, after the dealer had it for over 5 weeks this time. The major issue that I keep bringing it back in for is that it stalls intermittently while I am out driving. They keep trying to diagnose and fix it, but have been unable to. This time they replaced the fuel injectors, and thought they had it. Two hours after getting it home, it stalled on me again. Not sure where this going to go from here. Stalling on the road really worries me.
It's an old saw but there is ample data to support the idea that buying the early edition of a new model brings additional risk. It may be even more true nowadays with the complex software included in the package. With the FF, as with other FCars and indeed other marques, my sense is that the '12 had more "bugs" which tended to be ironed out in the later ones. If I were in the market for a used FF I would opt for a '14 or later and pay the additional freight.
I agree. I have a 2013 - would have thought most of the bugs would have been sorted through in the first model year.
I just got an email from my SA... there is a "minor" recall for the seat belt modules. Other than this, I have had no issues with my 2012.
I had software updates for transmission PTU, catalytic converter software (began to give ECS light under extreme cold starts), multiple attempts to resolve driver and passenger seatbelt handover and eventual exchange of components, a filler cap swap, fuel injector/oxygen sensor issue and 'routine updates' done during annual services. Also had battery fail to maintain charge and exchanged at 18 month point. Ferrari refused to honor warranty on battery since car had less than 2500 miles (so not driven enough) so a $550 expense to ensure car would start. Was giving ECS light daily for the last month that I had it, and then stopped belching the day it was picked up for last trip to dealer. I had sent it to dealer with winter tires for swap (since November) but decided to sell it since I was happy with the MB S63 that I'd just purchased. I had a 2012 Neiman Marcus edition which was a March 2012 build. Don't know if it's the car or just running short trips (10-15 minutes) and very low annual mileage. All problems seemed to originate with battery charging system.
Man these post scare me. I have put nearly 4k miles on mine in he 2 months I have had her and not had one hiccup. Car is so solid and reliable thus far. The only thing i wish it had was a race mode on the steering wheel.
FWIW my '14 stalled once when it had 1k miles. I had just done a gas fill. Since then nothing (8K miles). They can be allowed a hiccup once in awhile but your issue sounds like it is a real problem. Should be reports from the field in the database if others had similar experiences.
Ask them to check the variators - I had the same issue before I purchased the car during a test drive but it stalled only twice and there was a little smoke out of the exhaust when there shouldn't have been....They ended up getting approval from Maranello to pull the engine and then replaced all 4 variators (2 on each bank) - was a $30k job but thankfully covered under warranty. Since then, she runs like a kitten, albeit with a few 'other' issues such as suspension lifter fluid leak, window regulator broken on the drivers side door, broken fuel cap sensor, side door mirror not closing properly (they just replaced the battery), windshield wipers stopping running when my wife was driving in the few days that we had torrential rain here in CA and a few more!!! My service manager tells me that it's not a model year issue rather on a car by car basis it just happens. It's an inconvenience to say the least but my dealership has been fantastic throughout - I love my FF and like my 3 previous maseratis, I've just come to terms that they are just temperamental Italian beauties..! Also, thank goodness I bought a 2 year extended warranty!! Sam
It stalled again today. I mentioned variators to my dealer. I am bringing it back in in a couple of days. I'll see what they do. I'm not going to give them many more chances.
