I got my FF in May .... What an amazing car... I am using as my DD car.... It's just amazing I am thinking to buy another car to be used over weekends .... My options are either an F12, 458s or I can go for a 650s MSO What do u think pls ?
I am also looking to add to my FF next year, I am looking at either a 488 coupe, 458 spider or F12, I have never driven a 650s but everyone that has one loves them. The decision will really come to what I can get my hands on.. 458 spider would be my preference to just change it up but we will see, I love the V12 sound!
The 650S is VERY fast car, but has that whole turbo pull which I just don't prefer. Also it will bleed cash on depreciation which is not nice. The F12 would be an excellent choice, however, it is very close to your FF. So this leaves you to the 458 or a 488. 488 - You deal with that whole turbo thing again. 458 is a great car, however I would try and get a 458 Speciale. This mated next to an FF would be a perfect match IMO.
I tried the 458 s ,,,, it's a great car, but its a track car, I would like to have a more of a street super car
The best car is the F12. However you end up with two front engined V12 cars. If you can live with a coupe buy a Speciale, but if you want a Spider buy the 650S. A 650 spider with a carbon tub is streets ahead of the 458 in terms of torsional rigidity. It is also faster and the build quality is now excellent. The downside is boring noise and steeper depreciation Difficult choice of course but I would personally buy the 650S (and I have so I m biased)!
I have a Speciale and got the 650S Spyder 6 weeks ago. It is absolutely amazing and build and ride quality are simply brilliant. Once you have tried a CF based car (especially a Spyder) you will find it very hard to go back.
+1 on the speciale . Its the last generation hardcore ferrari . Than again if you think that 458 is to track focused , 650S is even more . What do you think to add a 991 turbo S ? They are fast and comfortable . If you are daily driving the FF , sound isnt a problem to you , no ?
The " turbo thing" is a VERY different equation between the McLaren and the 488. You have real turbo lag in the McLaren while I defy anyone to even notice the turbos on the 488. Many complain about the lack of noise factor with turbo cars. The 488 is a screamer compared to the 650. The 488 is in another world and sets the standard by which all modern engines of this nature will be judged. The 650 needs to be driven constantly in track mode otherwise it pumps on its suspension (much like certain Audis) in high speed corners and has an over-intrusive ABS The advantage of the 650 is that it is a de tuned P1 for a fraction of the price......
The 458 spider is tuned with a softer 'boulevard' ride and the 458 coupe is set up more firm. The Speciale as you note is a very firm race car like ride. Likely the same comfort balance for the coupe and eventual spider versions of the 488. Ferrari says most 458 coupe owners ride by themselves but the spider owners typically have a passenger along for the ride.
458 (in Italia configuration, not Speciale) or 488 but in both cases with "racing" seats which are more adapted than the standard seat. The 650 is worse than a Speciale and gives less pleasure
Jordan, What kind of driving are you doing with these cars- is it mostly highway driving or is it twisty roads? I imagine where you are the roads are relatively smooth. The biggest issue with the 458 Spider (my opinion) is the structure is not that rigid and you get a good amount of structure shake over uneven surfaces. The fixed roof cars are much better in that regard. The Italia/ Speciale are very very solid feeling cars. The 650 Spider would feel very stiff due to its CF tub hybrid construction (the whole car is not CF but a lot of it is). However, if you are doing a lot of highway driving at higher speeds, I think you'll find one of the limitations of mid / rear engined cars which is the front end gets a little bit lighter at the upper highway speeds so the car just doesn't feel quite as planted (its not dangerous) at highway speeds as you take sweepers. The fix for this is to transfer some weight to the front via the brakes but when driving on a highway this seems counter intuitive and for me it takes some of the fun away. The 430 was worse than the 458 in this respect. A front engined car like the F12 / FF will do great in these circumstances. However, if you are driving around twisty back roads when you are on and off the brakes and throttle then the mid engine car is more fun and feels more nimble. There is a lot of great advice in the thread and I would take anything ChalStrad says to heart. Thats been my experience with the McLaren cars too. They are technically quite impressive but they just aren't as fun or engaging to drive on public roads- these are street cars after all. So I just need to know what kind of driving you're doing before I go further.
First many thanks for your kind reply.... The driving I am doing is long drives on very smooth highway .... I am using the FF in such long drives, but I want a car that I can use on weekends .... All streets in Dubai are very smooth roads w not twisting
You're welcome. In that case I think it negates the real advantage of the 650- the stiffer structure. In that case I think your best bet is a front engine car like the F12. But perhaps you want something a little more visceral as I think the F12 and FF are a little bit close- maybe something like 599 GTO? If comfort is the issue then just go with the F12.