458 to F12 consideration

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Current owner of a 2013 458 italia and started to get antsy to get into something new and came across this F12. Absolutely in love with the spec, but not sure if I’ll regret getting out of a mid engine. The owner is going to let me borrow for a couple of days which should help me decide if I’m ready for the change.

There doesn’t seem to be too many issues reported on Fchat regarding the F12 but I figured I would both share my dilemma and see if anyone had any points/issues to consider/be aware of.

 

I put 11k miles on my 458 in a year before getting an F12 and now at 25k F12 miles.

IMO the biggest changes in “feel” are the few hundred pounds of weight and that the polar inertia of the car rotates around your knees rather than your hips. So you are behind what feels like the center of the wheelbase, rather than sitting towards the nose.

F12 sits an inch or two higher in driving position but that extra weight adds stability and comfort for distance driving. The 50% power increase is a rush, and the car’s ability to break the tires loose at almost any speed under 125mph. It seems that on a cool day, over about 90ºF tire temp is when you start to get real traction you can trust. Even better over 110º. Last summer I saw tire temps in the mid-high 160s.

That said, the F12 slides very predictably and the traction control is on point to let you get 20-30° out but not too far to catch the back end again. But you cannot just mash the pedal all the time like I could in my 458.

They are different enough experiences that I can [mentally] justify having one of each! I'm hoping to keep my F12 when my 296 arrives.

 

Curious to hear your perspective on the F12 after you’ve had a few days with it.

For the longest time I thought the 458 would be my first Ferrari but when it came time to purchase I ended up with an F12 for a variety of reasons - but mostly because I really wanted to experience a Ferrari V12 and I also had a GT3 in the garage for a “sportier” experience.
The car is phenomenal and the power and sound are truly breathtaking. Hope you like it!

 

Both.

 

That's a beautiful F12.

 

I have both. Way different. Ryalex comments above are spot on.

That's awesome you get to drive the F12 for a few weeks. I didn't drive the F12 before I added it to the 458. I love the F12 but way more (daresay) tame around down and cruising. Which is great if that is what the situation calls for. Feels less exotic at low speeds but sometimes its nice to (daresay) relax behind a V12.

But man, get that thing on a mountain road or a race track and it's flat bonkers. The most fun I have had in a car is tracking an F12.

At any rate, you are not going to go wrong, especially if you get to drive it for two weeks and know what you are getting in to.

Good luck and keep us posted!!!!!

 

Oh also, Ferrari did a break recall on the F12 about a month or so ago. Same issue with the reservoir cap as the 458 I think. May want to make sure that gets done at some point.

 

F12 over 458 any day...I had a 458, then went into a F12. Loved my F12.

Then for some reason, I got out the F12 and bought a Pista. Amazing car, but in 6 months I was missing the GT aspects and the V12....So I bought a 812.

 

So I never owned a 458 however good friend of mine has provided me some good seat time in one. I also had for over five years a Gen 2 R8 V10 Plus (basically a Huracan). Point being mid engine rear mounted motor exotic sports car. I can "feel" a difference going from one to the other. The F12 is substantially faster than the 458 in a straight line. Those with grip issues don't have proper rubber on the car. I bought my 2017 with the junk Pirelli P Zero tires. Put on some Pilot 4S tires and the F12 will definitely put the power down. Mine has tune and cat delete+x-pipe so makes more power than a stock F12. Sub 60F weather with cold tires sure it's a bit of a struggle but 70F and above and with tire temps 100F or higher the car sticks like glue at 30psi and just goes! The car as a "street" car is a blast on back roads. Granted the R8/Huracan is AWD and the 458/F12 are RWD I tell most that have asked me how I feel about the two. I tell them the R8 was easier to push faster but the F12 was more rewarding to push faster. R8 = understeer. F12 = oversteer. I've had 20 years and just about every type of configuration possible in a car sans rear engine (911 one of these days to get that check box) and I can tell you the F12 is a joy once you try to start exploting it's limits and your own. I assure you will find your limits before you find the F12's. I haven't found the F12's limit.

YOLO get the F12. You can always buy another 458 if you change your mind just like I could buy another R8.

 

Agree with everyone.

458: jet fighter for the road

F12: star destroyer for the road? (Cant really think of anything else).

If you love the quick pin point to point feeling the 458 has, then the F12 will feel not as fleet of foot nor as lithe. But the F12 has the power. Everywhere.

Drive it in sport mode to learn the cars power - you will be happy for the help. Then try race mode.

All cars are tire sensitive, but the F12 is really very sensitive to having good tires.


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And a very good alignement !

 

I have owned my 458 new since 2015 and recently purchased a friends 2017 F12. I agree with everyone's comments, they are both such different animals and so incredible in their own respect. I have aftermarket exhaust systems (catless) in both cars and the sound they make will change your life! Ha! While I did a 2000 mile rally in my 458 (see attached pic), I would much rather take the F12 for around town or long distance cruises based on its comfort and balance between race car and touring car. But the 458 is a raw, visceral driving experience that really moves you! I don't think I can ever sell either one because they are both so special!
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I went from a 458 Italia to an F12 Berlinetta, and never regretted it until I traded the F12 in for a Lamborghini, and now happily back with a Ferrari V12.

My experience in short, the 458 is a toy, the F12 a proper car, much depending on your mental age I think

 

I totally relate. Having owned the 458 Speciale and sold it nearly late 2021, I love the car and miss it, but don't miss it enough to buy it back. One month ago, I pulled the trigger on a very low-mileage Silver F12. I can honestly say that is the car that I prefer for my current situation. The shape is super attractive and I can go on on night trips with my wife. The interior is sublime, I did add after-market exhaust.

 

Both such great platforms and yet offer very different driving experiences. I can only offer my experience from the perspective of owning a 458S and F12TDF.
In short, the 458S is nimble and lithe…a more playful direct canyon carver.
The F12TDF is simply a beast with intoxicating power. You feel the weight a bit more vs the 458 but the 4WS shrinks the wheel base down to precision handling as well.
Both are phenomenal in their own rights.
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What did you think of the F12, @jahdish ?

 

Finding the right 458 isn’t going to get easier..

 

I'm in the same boat with these other guys. I had a Ferro Grigio 458 and totally loved it, but it was really low to the ground, pretty stiff, and uncomfortable to take by wife to dinner in.
I swapped it out for a Ferro Grigio F12, and now have the best of both worlds. It's not a daily driver, I have a BMW M850i xDrive for that, but the F12 gets all the weekends, dinner with my wife, and the duty to the office very frequently.
I am extremely happy with the F12, like the others here. It's a ******* beast when you want it to be, fun as hell!! Just love it.

 

Both...if only one, then F12. Easy decision. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I actually find the F12 ride quality to be a bit better/nicer/more compliant than 812SF.

 

The F12 is such an easy car to spend a lot of time in.

 

Now that’s an ENGINE

 

I'm also currently looking at an F12 or 812 but will definitely keep my 458.

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They are quite different and all are such outstanding cars. I went for a 458 partly because I'm used to riding motorcycles so taking my 458 on a thousand-mile road trip (twice last year, 3 on the calendar this year) feels like being in a limo in comparison. I don't really need a GT car but I'm lusting for that V12.

My only advice is that "antsy for a change" feeling will go away pretty quick, so if you don't keep both make sure you objectively prefer the F12.

 

"My only advice is that "antsy for a change" feeling will go away pretty quick, so if you don't keep both make sure you objectively prefer the F12."

this is great advice

 

I own both as well. The comments from others who own both are spot on. I think the 458 is more fun to drive erratic because it's much easier to control. However, if I was forced to get rid of one it would be the F12.
On a complete side note the poster who calls his R8 "basically" a Huracan is laughable. That is something a poor person would say who couldn't afford a Lambo. R8s shouldn't even be in the same sentence. Perhaps if you found a clapped out RWD 1st gen Huracan you could maybe compare