test drove a 14 FF

You won't go wrong with the FF. They can take the miles and are very reliable as long as you keep the battery tender on if you leave the car unused for more than a week or two.
I've done 2000 miles in mine since i bought it last September. 100% reliable. Many people on here use them as daily drivers some have covered 10's of thousands of miles in them too.

 

if you're looking at an FF, spend some time digesting the numerous threads here, and really take an extended drive (keep the car for a day if possible).

most of the "negatives" you'll read here on Fchat are

1) some people love the design, some hate it.
2) actual owners love the car
3) a lot of fear/uncertainty/doubt about depreciation and pricing

As for the positives, again read what owners say. Our FF tends to be my wife's car, I drove it extensively the past few days doing school drop offs, errands, and a bit of a commute. Each drive is still religious.

There are alternatives; I keep a tuned Fiat 500 Abarth as a runabout and car that I"ll leave out in a public parking lot; we also have an SUV for more utility. Sometimes turning up at a meeting in a Ferrari isn't the best business statement (and sometimes it is...).

Regardless, the FF is an astonishing car. Have tried everything else (Panamera, Rapide, AMG's, etc etc). It's a bit of a car in it's own class. If it works for you, it's great to own.

 

Yes, it's a DD car. No known issues. 48,000 miles in 3 years from Rick L here then he got a new one. Many 2012 cars in the mid 20,000 mi. With snow tires you can do 170 mph on a clean road, if you're in Germany of course The only notable thing that can go wrong that's big money, and not likely, is a thin transmission wire deep in the box can fry. It was like $20,000 once, now I think they have it under $6000 to rebuild. Same thing can happen with the 458, but they're usually driven less. This is not a serious worry, but can happen.

Warranty on the transmission and power are helpful, or save the money in a fund and self insure. You will have a full warranty for 3 years from purchase, then you can extend it for 12 years at 80% (power) for $6500 a year. You can also extend the new warranty for 100% coverage (includes little switches and such) for 2 years (5 total years at 100%) for $13,500 (for 2 years in the US) if done in the first 30 days after the 3 years is up.

It's a modern Ferrari with 7 years free maintenance (2012 onward). They like to be driven, and driven hard doesn't hurt

There really is no other car like it. Some of us love the looks, others hate the looks, but no one can fault the performance, in dry, rain or snow. It's not a normal car, it's a serious machine that can handle anything you throw at it with aplomb. Mannetino gives you a number of driving options. Interior leather is unlike any other brand. Pinanfarina styling in a good build, is sublime. You won't regret it if you're smitten by the package.

Prices vary wildly, by year and build. Be sure and get an attractive car with a good build (a 14 at top selling price means Pano, LED wheel, full electric seat, cameras, Homelink, I like Daytona but that's personal) and negotiate aggressively. Ferrari Financial Services through the dealers have good offers for good credit. Big depreciation has mostly happened (depending on where you are with the 14) and it's now in a reasonable fall. 250 and under cars at 84 months dropping by the monthly more or less (again, depends on the specifics). After 3 years you'll be even or ahead (again depending on build, miles and deal).

 

if you're looking at an FF, spend some time digesting the numerous threads here, and really take an extended drive (keep the car for a day if possible).

most of the "negatives" you'll read here on Fchat are

1) some people love the design, some hate it.
2) actual owners love the car
3) a lot of fear/uncertainty/doubt about depreciation and pricing

As for the positives, again read what owners say. Our FF tends to be my wife's car, I drove it extensively the past few days doing school drop offs, errands, and a bit of a commute. Each drive is still religious.

There are alternatives; I keep a tuned Fiat 500 Abarth as a runabout and car that I"ll leave out in a public parking lot; we also have an SUV for more utility. Sometimes turning up at a meeting in a Ferrari isn't the best business statement (and sometimes it is...).

Regardless, the FF is an astonishing car. Have tried everything else (Panamera, Rapide, AMG's, etc etc). It's a bit of a car in it's own class. If it works for you, it's great to own.

 

mine is my only car, although in fairness I do not drive daily. Did about 9k km since last August. Currently on winter tyres and very well behaved in the snow.

Got a few warning lights that occasionally come on, but I think that is partly due to one of my parking sensors being broken. So far has not impacted the driving and I will just get it sorted at the next service.

The car is quite wide, which can make narrow one-lane roads a little dicey, esp. when parallel parking.

Petrol consumption is on the high side, which at €1.30 or so per litre, does not exactly make it a cheap drive - although more importantly the range is relatively low as a result - more stops at the pumps than I would like (esp. when driving mostly in city traffic).

It is a great long distance car though, Autobahn is its friend. Not sure about spirited driving on mountain roads, imo it is a little too heavy for that - it performs very well for its size and weight class though.

The sound is amazing and the way the engine changes character depending on rev range is brilliant - thank god for Ferrari still building a non-turbo engine.

If it had a manual transmission, it would be even better - dare I say perfect

 

I replaced my Panamera and got an FF Last May.... U cannot go wrong.... I drive its daily and everywhere.... U will love it.... The more u drive it the more u will love it....try to get it for one day prior to the purchase and I am sure u will be amazed

 

I drove a Panamera S (for 2 days) and a panamera Hybrid (for 2 days) and a FF for a long drive one day.

FF is light years better than the Porsche. The Panamera S was a slow car. Poor acceleration. A dog. The Hybrid was actually much faster, surprisingly. Both were not even in the same league as the FF.

 

FF is addicting and immensely versatile. no brainer.

 

Best DD you can buy!

 

we shld just sticky this post - seems we are getting a few of these threads a month now

 

Agreed!

I'm on my second so have been driving an FF daily for 4 years now. Can't imagine being in anything else. It truly is a fantastic car.

 

amen to that. if I cld only get my kids to want to sit in the back seats though - they are young and none of them ever want to go in the back

 

I'm surprised, mine love it!

 

how far forward do you keep the drivers seat - I tend to sit pretty far back and it really makes it difficult for whoever is back there

 

I sit far back too and admit I do have to move the seat forward an inch when my now 14 year old son sits behind me. But he is 6ft.

 

Push the drivers seat on a BMW 5 series and the room is similar..
Very reasonable space for 4 normal sized adults... If you need to haul about nba giants perhaps a 750iL is in order... but hard to find a better all round "ride" than the FF...

 

They know what else is in your garage

 

Can't stop driving mine, have other exotics in the garage but keep getting the FF out. Done 11,000 miles since May last year. Who cares you are a long time dead.........this is really it, fact.

 

LOL and I wish I had urs!

 

Wrong car to compare, different level,different World altogether.
Panamera Turbo S is a different story though and would easily stay with FF.

 

I took my wife's FF out today for a few errands. The sound is intoxicating!! The drive is unbelievable. V12 Ferrari.. get one.

 

Right on about the Abarth. More fun per $$$ than just about anything.

 

Faster? Yes. But turbo, and feels like a big car. Leather quality is not close. Style is not close. Handmade engine? No.