Used F12 or new Portofino

You could get a used F12 tomorrow whereas you'd probably have to wait 18 months if you don't have an allocation already for the Portofino so not really valid currently

 

F12 is one awesome car. The motor is pure heaven and the interior is wonderful.

I imagine repair costs out of warranty must be extreme though.

 

I had the exact same dilemma. I've owned 2 x Cali's and enjoyed them. My wife and I have done a number of road trips and the boot space offered and the layout of the car worked for us. The open-top driving experience in the Alps does not get much better.

I test drove the F12, which is an amazing car. The V12 sounds great and the performance is amazing. The boot space is also very good and can carry golf clubs and luggage. The downsides to me were the fact that I would be purchasing a car that was around 3 years old, the sat nav was pretty poor with only the driver being able to enter addresses, the warranty would be limited, it's not a convertible, and the model is no longer current.

After my test drive I said to the dealer that the F12 was not for me but if the California replacement looked like an F12 I would definitely be interested.

Three weeks later the Portofino was announced and it looked pretty much exactly what I hoped it would. I immediately put a deposit down. So far I've been to the UK launch and am going to Ferrari to spec the car. To me this is the complete Ferrari experience, from announcement all the way to owing a brand new model.

 

I don't think you can go wrong with either car.

However, if you like taking long pleasure trips on beautiful country roads and weather is generally cooperative, you cannot beat the convertible roof experience, so the PF wins hands-down. "99%" of my trips are with the roof down. If on the other hand, you do mostly long, fast, highway miles on good roads, the F12 should be somewhat better, more fun. Both of my opinions assume you do not own another convertible or V12 GT-type car. I also assume both cars will be on free factory-maintenance; otherwise the V12 maintenance will likely be somewhat more costly than V8 maintenance.

Hey GlowRed, maybe I'm mistaken but I notice you've been away for a while.

Nice to see you're back and spec'ing a new PF. I imagine you'll be doing another factory pick-up and another interesting drive home from there. Very nice! I enjoyed your "old" videos and look forward to seeing your new PF on FChat.

 

A V12 Ferrari all the way!

 

+1. If you're talking a weekend fun car type deal, F12. Unless your usage scenario envisages lots of top down driving, or you need back seats for any reason, I'd go F12.
T

 

F12 is what Ferrari is all about. Portofino, well, less so in my opinion. Also, from here F12 depreciation is likely to less of an issue than the Portofino.

 

F12 like everyone on here!! ..no hesitation V12 note is worth every bit of the money !!

good luck

 

Not even a question IMHO, F12 all the way. Since price is a concern F12 won't lose nearly as much. In a few years you can pick up a couple Portofinos for 1 F12.

 

F12 superior in every way save for the open top of the Porty...

 

Wow, can't believe I was missed.

I sold the 2nd Cali in August 2014, as I was concerned about the depreciation when the Cali T came out. I didn't purchase a Cali T as it was just not different enough from the 2 x Cali's I'd already owned. I've had a few cars sine then though, a 911 Turbo Cab (impractical), BMW M4 Convertible (rubbish), Clio V6 (Track Day Car), Lotus Exige (Track Day Car) and an Mercedes AMG GTS Edition 1 (great car, but not a convertible or a Ferrari), which I still have.

Non of the cars I've had since selling the Cali have given my wife and I the same enjoyment and complete car owning experience. We both have missed the Owners Club and the events we did with them, the amazing driving trips and the total experience of owning a Ferrari.

The only amazing trips we've done were Spa Francorchamps and Nurburgring in the Lotus and a trip to Northern Scotland in the Merc AMG GTS.

I'm really looking forward to getting back to Ferrari ownership and getting it on the European mountain passes.

 

Well I do appreciate your modesty so ...we'll just say it's because your interesting username, GlowRed.

It looks like you've at least been enjoying a number of interesting cars after your last Ferrari in 2014. I concur re the M4 Convertible . I lucked out when I purchased my Cali30 and didn't realize it would be a suitably endearing, "last NA front-mid-engine Ferrari hardtop convertible". The local climate only permits me to drive it 6 months out of 12, so that adds to the allure. I'm also a member of the FCA (Ferrari Club of America). They are a truly nice and generous bunch to share driving Ferraris and other, non-automotive, experiences with.

I wish I could drive my cars to Scotland as well as Spa and other tracks but the Ring may be within reach next year. Unfortunately, I believe you would have likely collected your PF by then. I hope you will share videos of your experiences when you collect your PF.

 

Car for car, the F12. It's a whole different ball game. In my humble opinion, I wouldn't think twice, my decision would be made in a heartbeat (quite literally).

With the Portofino however, you'll get the thrill of building your very own Ferrari and receive it fresh off the factory. To some, it may be a very special thrill.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

This is easy.

If you want a vert get the Portofino.

If you dont care about a vert get the F12

 

F12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I think you are correct. The V12 will be more expensive though to run but the Portofino will depreciate faster.

The F12 is an awesome car and you have to wonder how many V12's Ferrari is going to make in the future. Now they are even talking about a V6 in their mid engine cars.

 

In less than a decade, a V-12 will be a thing of the past Better keep the Diablo Roadster....a mid-engine V-12 without a top....epic fun every time out.

 

Yep... I agree and it's unfortunate. V12 will go the way of the manual box eventually, except for maybe their hyper cars.

 

I don't think the Ferrari V12 will go away. It's too important as an identity for the brand. Think about it, Ferrari without a V12, with just turbo V8s... V6s? How is Ferrari better, more exciting, than MAC or Porsche? Lambo will still make V12s and V10s as they have Audi to back them up. I think it would be suicide for Ferrari to stop making V12s. As for halo cars, very few of us can seriously entertain owning and driving one around like an F12 or 812. Think of the commotion that will ensue every time other drivers see your car on the road.

One of the effects of Sergio increasing volume of production (of turbo cars) would be to help lower the CAFE emission deficit from V12 cars. It's doable.

But back to the OP's question, I think if he is indeed more interested in fitting a car to his lifestyle needs than pursuing hardcore visceral V12 engine experiences, then being able to spec his own hardtop convertible capable of supercar performance would be a better fit.

 

No , I think they will be turboed 8 cylinder with electric motors. Lamborghini will do the same except with the V-10.

Willing to bet Aston Martin will be the last with a V-12.....they don't care about keeping up with anybody performance-wise. They are already the last V-12 with a MT.

 

Bullocks. Just how would a hybrid turbo V8 keep the Ferraristi happy? They already hate hybrid. Swapping the NA V12 for a turbo V8 would signal the death knell for Ferrari.

Why would a sane person, ever pay $1M+ for a turbo V8? Turbocharging is CHEAP POWER. Anyone can do it. There's nothing exotic or admirable about the idea. Absolutely nothing. OTOH, very few makers can even make a V12, let alone a great one. I can understand why AM gave up the ghost on their Ford-Cosworth V12s but Ferrari makes the best V12, why would they give that up?

 

And how many here said a Turbo V-8 in the 488 was going to kill Ferrari? Think they are still solvent.

And only an insane person would pay $1M for a Turbo V-8? I give you the F40....

Unfortunately, its the future....alot of people say the IC engine itself is toast in 25 years...