Bad mistake? Or Go for it!?

Hello Everyone,
I have been a Ferrari fan for my whole life and have dreamed about the time I get to walk in to a dealer and purchase one. Well...That time has finally come and I'm head over heels in love with the 812 GTS.
Given that this will be my first Ferrari, I am now second guessing that the 812 might not be the best "First" Ferrari to own.
I have tracked a Viper, SLS Gullwing and driven a couple ferrari's on the road. My last vehicles were, due to my family size, a Jeep SRT x 2 (425hp and 475hp) and Jaguar F-Pace SVR (550hp)
If the cost is not the issue, I would love to hear peoples opinions on this purchase. I've watched every single video that there is to watch on them, and the thing that concerns me the most is the number of articles that say that this car is out to kill you. My dealer has a Superfast to test drive and I will do that before putting the deposit down, but any opinions by you guys would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance! This is the color and spec I am looking at.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The 812 SF is an amazing car... After 18 months of ownership its just amazing and puts a cveru big smile on my face every time I drive it or just even looking at it in my garage... The GTS is also amazing with different experience since it's a spider... One note tho.. The room of the coupe is bigger than the GTS... But I am sure it will be a great pleasure.... Go for it

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks Jordan68. I sat in the GTS that they had in the showroom. While it wasn't overly spacious with the top up, I did fit. It's something I am going to have to confirm with the seats that I want, that it's not a different sitting position. (1 vote = Go For it!)

 

I have never driven an 812 but own its predecessor the F12. They say that car was out to kill you but I disagree. Tons of power but if you know how to drive its not bad at all. I can only imagine the 812 having even better traction control and stability then the F12.

 

the car isn't out to kill you--as long as you keep TC on.

i had a friend of mine over this weekend, i let him and his wife drive my 812. both of them pressed the gas floor from a start up to 100 mph on backcountry road and were fine. the wheels will slip a bit but the computers will sort it out (kept it in race mode).

much scarier are the cars from 15 years ago than the 812.

 

go for it

I drove a Viper ACR (as well as recent 488 and 812SF). That car wanted to kill you more than the 812 does. Ease into backing of the nannies via the manatino. I probably wouldn't drive my GTS with nannies fully off. Why? It just doesn't make any sense, Ferrari has designed so much fun into these cars already, I don't need to get the last 2% out of it.

 

i agree with this. i wouldn't turn off TC unless i became a racing driver or i had a very wide parking lot. race mode is perfect.

 

here is the explanation of modes you can go into
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Outstanding. I am very confident in my driving skills, so hearing these responses are very helpful. I actually was thinking I might have to run in "Rain" mode for a while. LOL.

 

A legend in the making...go for it!

 

It is at the top of my list for my next car purchase in 4-5 years (I need $100-$150k depreciation to get me there). If you can swing it now, I bet you enjoy it.

 

if you didn't have any issues with the Viper you'll be fine. go for it, post some pictures up for us!

 

Excellent.... Go for it.... And enjoy it in good health always

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

 

We have a GTS as well as a Superfast and a few V8s. The GTS is an outstanding Ferrari. I love them all but this one is more then the sum of its parts. You can drive them very quickly and they reward beautifully if you are a decent driver. They are not cars that bite if you don’t provoke by taking liberties. They are fast, beautiful, great handling and simply brilliant. Don’t hesitate if you love Ferrari, a privilege to be able to have one of these as your first.

 

"Very good mistake", go for it!
Ferrari are fabulous toys for living people, don't waste anytime!

 

The 812 SF and GTS are the best drivers cars I have ever had. Powerful but poised- kinda like your bigger stronger and smarter older brother.
Just don’t do something stupid to piss him off.
I have turned over Ferraris every 2 years or so but the GTS is a keeper for me. The AMGS, Vipers etc are pretenders to the crown in comparison
The 812 even at 10/10ths helps you look like Michael Schumacher at his best rather than scaring the **** out of you.
Get it- you won’t ever regret it. Pile on the miles- ignore the depreciation- the smiles will more than compensate!


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

I say this not to brag but for context. I've owned 3 Porsche CGT's, an F40, 2 16M, a tuned Ford GT and crap load of other fun cars. I'm more excited about speccing a GTS than I've been in years.

Don't hesitate.

 

Bought my first F car about 6 weeks ago, and it is an 812 SF. Like the OP, I’ve driven many fast sports cars. I can safely say the car is not out to kill you. If you don’t know how to drive fast cars and don’t respect the power it has, you can get into trouble, but you can do the same in a mustang or m3. I can say this car makes you feel a part of it. It doesn’t intimidate you like you think it would with 800hp. It’s just amazing, and I highly recommend.

 

Thank you for the assurance everyone. This whole experience is very exciting and I can not wait to get behind the wheel!

 

Will echo what many have said above. My F12 felt at times like it was tearing me (still loved it) but my Sf And GTS are more inline and controllable (to the average driver). I sold my SF when my GTS arrived and I have no regrets….it has all the Sf has to offer but window or top down is a whole different level. One caveat is rear hatch trunk space is better on the SF. And styling is subjective but I do prefer the GTS. I think they are both brilliant cars but the i think the GTS may be a little more unique in the grand scheme of things. Go for it.

 

The 812SF was my first Ferrari, ordered it last March. I’d strongly recommend the GTS for your first Ferrari, it’s pretty amazing to step into a Ferrari V12 car and go drive. Keep it in race in the dry, wet in the wet and you’re going to be just fine. I drive my 812 all the time, and absolutely love racking up miles.

Keep in mind, just about every YouTube video on these cars the people don’t live with them. They just get to review the car for a day or 2 and turn it back in. They may think the car wants to kill you, but once you understand the car you’re going to be just fine.

 

I’ve owned about 10 V8 Ferraris and a few v12 Ferraris over the last 25 years. Porsches including 991.1 turbo S, Mercedes AMG’s and current Alpina B7. We have owned our 812SF for almost a year. This is BY FAR the most incredible machine I have ever owned. For the first time ever I cannot imagine wanting anything more. It’s at another level.
Go for it


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

With the nannies on, the e-diff uses independent rear braking unbeknownst to the driver. If you are driving around town in and around the speed limit but like to have a lively rear then ESC-OFF makes sense as it will keep your rear brakes and rotors cool.

Otherwise they get as hot as the fronts without even using them. Caution: Only do so in ideal road conditions, with tires well up to temp and with great care. These extreme performance mid-front cars can up and bite you real quick and without notice even in RACE mode.

 

Lucky lol
I dream of owning a v12 ferrari
Would be absolute heaven!

 

Yep. SF is a keeper.