About to buy a FF

I am just about to pull the trigger on a 2012 FF for use as a daily driver. Its hits all the points I am looking for which is basically a high performance AWD 4 seater. Came down to this or the 991 Turbo S which has zero cargo space and just won't work. So my question is how viable is the FF as a daily. Thanks!!!

 

It's a great daily, you won't have problems. Mine has 13k miles after 16 months of mostly city driving, with the occasional pan-European trip.

 

Modern Ferraris are very different than the old models in termes of reliebility. My wife and I drove one for 2 weeks through Europe and Scandinavia, and it's as comfortable as my 991 Carrara S, if not more so. Like most cars, they run better when they are driven on a regular basis. As with any car you'll drive everyday all year, make sure that it has a good corrosion prohibiting treatment and is serviced accordingly.

Good luck with it.

 

The only problem for FF as a daily driver is when somebody else drives your car (maybe your wife), he/she will have a problem when using the motorcycle-style turn signal by pressing a button on the steering rather than a stick like other cars (Also the wiper). The rest is pure fun.

 

Seems a more applicable Porsche to compare FF to would be Panamera Turbo S, no?

Then you would be comparing two of the...ummm...how can I say this...more commented-upon designs of recent years...

A depreciated 2012 FF (bought for what, $75,000-$100,000 under MSRP) would be an awesome DD no doubt!

 

There is simply no comparison between a Porsche and the FF, none. The FF has so many advantages (besides being a Ferrari ) that it is not possible to think of them all. I've had three Porsche 928's and have driven recent 99x whatever and find the Porsche's not nearly as exciting. I must admit though that I have not driven a Porsche Turbo but have heard many of them while doing a drive with the local Porsche club that I have been a member of for 27+ years and the Turbo's are simply too quiet! Not exciting at all.

I have 37,000+ miles on my FF along with 21,000+ on my latest California. The FF is the perfect daily driver. I fly radio control airplanes and my sailplanes with 13 foot wings (split in the middle) fit in the car well. Last night I went up to the flying field with three large model airplanes and all of the additional crap I carry to charge batteries and fly.

It is comfortable to drive, even at 176 mph! Today I am driving my Cali only because it was about 70 degrees F here in NW Ohio, a perfect morning for the top down, and the top does not go down in the FF. If I have to do a bit of a drive later today (it will be getting up into the mid 80's) I probably will go home and trade into the FF as the V12 sound is addicting and way better than the Cali V8 sound ... even though the Cali sounds much better than any Porsche ... except maybe a 918?

Good luck with the FF, post some photos!! If you live where there is snow, get a second set of wheels and a set of SottoZero snow & ice tires and drive it all year like I do! The FF is amazing in the snow!

Rick

 

The FF is a lot more money but if you can swing it, there is simply no comparison. You get comfort, refinement, reliability, and ..... that unbelievable powertrain capped by the magnificent V12. The engine is the thing.

 

I own a FF and a panamera GTS, they are both 2014.

Cannot tell which one is my favorite car overall in all honesty.

The FF has incredible power, the Ferrari brand, the emotion, it is a lot of fun to drive, incredible V12 sound, unfortunately have small things that malfunction (but I did not have to bring to the dealer yet).

The GTS however, for a car less than ½ the price it is not far behind.

It has decent power, modern navigation, much better phone system, even the key looks great (not cheap as the Ferrari key with all due respect), the GTS specifically has a great sound when you press the sport exhaust (not available on the FF, some buy the 8K novitec system).

The GTS it is much more comfortable for passengers in the back seat, it has more cargo space, it drives much better on the snow because the car is higher and already comes with a lifter, it is basically all equipped the way it is.

From the seating position in the GTS you can reach everything with no effort, different than the FF with the inconvenient hatch door opener and gas tank openers on the floor.

I do not regret buying the FF, but I cannot say it is a better car the GTS.

I will continue to own Ferraris and a Porsches, in my opinion they complement each other in many ways.

Although I used the FF a lot initially, my GTS became my daily driver because it is in my opinion a better daily driver car by far.

I could elaborate a lot more, but that is it for now.

I have an issue with the value though, you could buy a panamera GTS or turbo and a 911 with the price of a FF.

I would suggest you to test drive both.

Finally, about the panamera turbo vs GTS, the non turbo engine of the GTS has a much better sound and I think is more fun to drive (no turbo lag and more responsive).

just my humble opinion.

 

IMO the Panamera is about as fugly as a car as I have ever seen but of course that is just my opinion. On top of the they are everywhere in SoCal where I live so I never even considered it. Its a great car but its just not for me. In addition I was not comparing the Turbo S to the Ferrari FF but it just happened to be one of the cars that met my criteria which was AWD, 4 seats, a little cargo space and high performance. My short list was the GTR Black Series, The new 911 (991) Turbo S and the Ferrari FF. I also looked at Astons but they are way to underpowered for me. These are very different cars. GTR is too boy racer-ish and cheap inside. Turbo S doesn't have enough cargo space. FF is perfect and I'm getting in for 150K under list with pretty low milage. I also have other cars like a GL550 for when I really need space and a a C63 AMG coupe which is gutted and a full time track car. This will be my daily and thanks to everyones input will be pulling the trigger this weekend.

Now I just have to find a way to make it a little faster as 0-60 in 3.7 is a little slow to what I'm used too....

 

Funny you mention that as that is the only thing I don't really like....even though I live in a state where no one uses blinkers....I still do...lol

 

Yes, absolutely drive any cars that you are seriously considering. The issue is a combination of emotional and practical factors that are hard to weigh in an analytical way.

I recall the experience of buying my first Ferrari. It was a 512BB, and at the same time I was considering a Porsche 928. I drove the Porsche and really liked it a lot... then I hopped into the Boxer. Holy S..T! It was a revelation. I had never experienced the sights, sounds, and feel of a car like that before. I remember pronouncing the 928 as just a "nicer Camaro" by comparison. It has been a love affair ever since.

If you don't get that sense -- almost a rush -- from driving the FF, it is not the car for you.

PS I wish I had kept the 512BB.

 

I think NDO brings up some good points you should consider.

While the FF has a higher emotional pull than a Porsche sedan or BMW or Audi, or MB, it doesn't have as many practical helpers like blind spot or really cutting edge nav or a very good stereo, probably other things Im forgetting here. And it still is a Ferrari, which means you will attract more attention than in the others.

For me it did not work as a DD, and it didn't work as a toy either.

 

FF is in a different class compared to Panamera. It's a V12 engine, and the interior is way better quality than Porsche's. Then the Ferrari brand has more value. It's like Prada's bag and Birkin bag, even you add a diamond to the Prada's bag, still Birkin bag is more famous.
And if Porsche builds a Panamera with V12 engine, the price will be close to FF too.
Btw, instead of going Panamera, you better go for new S class AMG. That one is way more comfortable, and it has some space-shuttle features (I found it useless, but women depend their driving-life on these features) that Porsche doesn't have, like self parking included reverse parking, self steering correction, self slow-down-and-stop cruise control, many cameras too make you confuse which one is actually the front of the car, hot stone massage seats front and rear, flat rear seat like airline's first class, etc. The performance is similar to the Panamera Turbo.

 

Warren Buffet used to say:
Price is what you pay.
Value is what you get.

I love my Ferrari.
However it is a ridiculously overpriced machine!

About Mercedes,
Sorry, it is all personal but I really do not like their style
And design.

It is all good.
We are all different and we have our own preferences.
All the best!

 

Agree, but I also think that comment is a fair bit ironic in the FF forum.

Holy crap...a thread about FF "comparables" and MBZ S class comes up...a Ferrari that somehow is comparable to a four-door mega-yacht Tetonic cruiser uber sedan....talk about Ferrari losing the plot...yup, the FF is Ferrari's Cayenne in terms of breaking from the brand's identity...although without the amazing success the Cayenne has been for the business.

No doubt, fully accurate

 

There is no one right answer to this question. It really depends on what you want from your daily driver. I have used my FF as my daily driver for the past year. It gives me what I want most from my daily driver - excitement every time I drive it while it gets me where I need to go and carries all the stuff and people I need to carry. Is it the most reliable car I have had? No. It has had several niggly issues, and one significant one. While the driving controls are all laid out ideally, the comfort oriented controls are not. Likewise, other than the extremely well done interior leather work, the comfort oriented options (e.g. stereo, navigation, etc) are acceptable at best. But that is all ok with me, because every single time I drive somewhere I get tingles and feel like I got to skip out for a fun ride.

Is it a good DD? Depends on what you want. It may be the best you can buy (which is where I am). Or it may be a disappointment.

 

This is an amazing thread with some valid opinions which I really appreciate. So I'll try to respond the best I can to the points that hit home:
*FF being as ugly as the Panamera....it is....lol...but its a really sexy way and they are very rare. I live in Laguna Beach and the Panamera is everywhere and when done right can look really good. Its just not for me nor does it have the exclusivity I am looking for.
*I love the new S Coupe AMG coming out and I am already on the list to get one if I want but I have been in AMGs since 2007 and I'm just over it. My current CLS63 AMG puts down over 700WHP and is one of the fastest in the world. I destroy Lambos, Ferraris and McLarens in this car and I do mean destroy. I might keep it and continue to build it so getting the new S with the same engine may be a little redundant. I also have the C63 track car I mentioned....you might say that I am a a little bit of a AMG fanboy...
*Using it as a daily driver - I don't drive that much or very far. I also don't go to an office everyday, go food shopping or make home depot runs. This is really just a car for local use up and down PCH and when my kids need a ride or the fam goes out to dinner. Where it is going to be a daily driver its not going to be a commuter car per se. Anyway the car came in today and I will test drive it tomorrow and will let you know what I think. Thank you everyone again for the feedback as it really helps!

 

Side note in regards to destroying the cars mentioned above. I am not a street racer....I race at various "Airstrip" competitions and have put bus lengths on those cars in 1/2 mile races. I am also a sponsored driver that competes in various Time Attack series and that's what I use the C63 for.

 

If you go for a new FF, then it's very difficult to say. But if you go for used FF, with the current market price, it's one of the best buy out there. About the look, actually the front looks good, but the rear has a problem. The most interesting stuff is the V12. You won't find the FF's driving pleasure in Panamera turbo or AMG models, like the sound, the acceleration from NA engine (no sudden push), and the downshift.

 

There is no "sudden" push in the twin turbo AMG.
Turbo lag is very, very hard to notice, the "push" is always there, at any speed, never sudden.

 

Based upon what you just said, then the FF might really work for you. If its shorter journeys I would just suggest you use the included battery tender. These cars have a lot of computers on board and frequent short trips will slowly discharge the battery.

 

Bro, my dd is a twin turbo AMG. The car has extreme sudden push. When you hit hard the accelerator, the car won't move for a while, and then suddenly ROARRR. The throttle response is very slow, the steering sharpness feels like a bus compared to Ferrari.

 

I've had the delay in the throttle in a few Mercedes, S550 and CL550 would sometimes go instantly then sometimes go after a 1.5 second delay ... it was scary as hell at times when I was trying to cross a busy intersection. No more Mercedes for me ... ever ... but there are additional reasons.

 

The new scroll turbos (as in BMW M-series) are quite a bit better in responsiveness but still not like a N/A engine.