modern front engine fcars look too much like vettes, vipers, etc so its strictly midengine exotics for me. having said that, i just saw red 599 at dealer and it is nice. 550 looks boring and dated in comparison. 430 has them all beat though
I agree that mid-engined cars look more exotic, but it's hard to argue with cars like the Spyder California, Lusso or other classics. Front mid-engined cars can actually look quite nice.
I'm gonna have to agree with dave on this one. I love the 550/575. Don't care for the 599 nearly as much.
I've mixed feelings. While the 550/575 have styling hints of the 275 GTB and the 599 front view looks like it brings forward heritage from the SWB/Lusso design, I'm having serious trouble with the aft portion of the 599. Those single tailights with the rear curve that looks too much like a Lexus 430 are yet to grow on me.
The 550/575 is fast becoming a classic. It has the classic long nose and elegant proportion of the 275. The new 599 is still too new to judge as I have no idea how it will grow on me, or if it will grow on me. The 575 just keeps looking better and better every day. Still a mid-engine will have a more exotic feel to how it looks, although not as classy as a front engine v12.
I love the 550/575 and the Superamerica would be my ultimate car... But theres something about the 599 that tops them...Ive seen a few in person now and they look very mean and compact in person...ready to pounce.
until i saw a 599 in person i would have said 550. after seeing two 599s in person at FOW, my 550 looks downright bland! john
Agreed. See the 599 in the flesh and even the rear treatment looks acceptable! Pictures don't do justice to the curves that reality offers.
My son says the 599 looks like a Toyota. He says any auto company can make a fast car but few look like a Ferrari. The 599 does not look like a Ferrari to him. I agree with him. 12 cylinders or walk
The 550 by far! BTW what size are the tires and rims on the black 550; and has the car been lowered? Thanks!
I'll get back to you on the sizes. Yes it has been lowered. I vote for the 550 over any other front engine V12 Ferrari. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Give your son a hug for the first part, but please slap him for the last bit. Give yourself a turn, while you're at it. (Don't know if its bad style to joke like that?)
I prefer the 550/575. Its understatement is appropriate for a front-engined car. The proportions are classic and the front air intake is sublime. However, the rear is underwhelming and its biggest failure is the un-aggressive wheels, especially at the rear where they inexplicably hide underneath the body, although this problem is easily fixed by using spacers or larger tires with more aggressive wheels as in the car pictured on this thread. The black car in this thread is beautiful. Strike that, the Astons are beautiful this one is masculine and aggressive. It harks back to the 60s 250 series, an understated body matched to very aggressive wheels. The 599 exemplifies Ferraris recent styling, more eye catching than refined. Its attractive the way a porn star is attractive, which is not to say unattractive, but just unrefined. Soon Ferrari will paint their cars green like Lambo. I think they may be trying to appeal to the tastes of the nuevo- riche, and abandoning the classic Italian aesthetic. Don't get me wrong, as an American I usually prefer New Money values to Old. But when it comes to aesthetics, the wisdom of the old world has much to teach the new.
There are a lot of great front-engined V12 Ferraris -- but ultimately I'm inclined to agree with you. And I think the 550/575 are best looking cars of the 1990s. I love the F355, but I would take a 550 over it.
