Is a Ferrari for me?

I did not at all; the 355 in stock form is a bit muted but once you throw in a nice exhaust and high flow cats it's a totally different animal. It's a screamer of a car and as Pete above said, it has its pros and cons. Since a stick is not an option I wouldn't bother with an F1 355 honestly.

I'm personally not a fan of the California series. The first one looks ugly to me and the T has a turbo'd engine which is not what a first Ferrari should be lol. But that's my opinion and I've never driven either. Also, the frunks on these cars is pretty decent actually but check it out in person to make sure it's enough for you.

 

Yeah I agree with all of this.

The modern Ferrari front engine V12 cars all seem like the epitome of what a GT car should be.

 

you've agreed with me twice in 24 hours.

feeling ok?

 

I've been very stressed out at work. Maybe a side effect of mental fatigue?

But, also to add on, I love that the 599 can be dressed up to be either really tame and blend in or aggressive and sporty (yes I understand the lower pic is a GTO, but the same general appearance is easy to achieve).

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You might be surprised - but I think the 458 ride quality is probably on par with the 599. The 458 is better over roads with lots of small little imperfections, which is what I have where I live. The 599 is better on the highways. The 458 has the magic "bumpy road" button, the 599 does not- though you can always soften the suspension by selecting wet mode- but you also get other changes to the car's dynamics as well. As much as I think the 599 would be a great choice, if you already have a front engined car- ZR1- then the 458 might give you a bit of a difference with a mid engine layout. Though, please note Ferrari says the 599 is really a mid engine car as well- just that it is front-mid engined. Of course, this is correct, but in my experience the 599 drives much more like a traditional front engined car- though a really good one- and the the 458 drives like a mid engined car. One thing to consider with the 599 is the tires, you can get Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires to fit the 599- you might have to fit 315 rears instead of the OEM spec 305, but it will work fine. These tires not only transform the grip of the car- much needed with the 610+ HP on order- its much better with the MPSS- but surprisingly, the tires really help the ride. Its like riding on version 2.0 of the suspension.

I am also a blue car lover and the 599 does look great in blue, I think especially in Blu Pozzi (will look like a navy blue) or Blu Scozia (similar but a little more purple). Blu TDF (tour de france) is also another good blue for the 599. I wonder how it might look in Mirabeau (lighter, softer color, might work for the 599... oh boy... now Im thinking...)

 

Don't know about the Cali or 599 cruise control but I have it in my 2011 458. Ferrari calls it "Pit Speed" which is the speed control used in racing for pit lane.
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Transmission on the 599 is absolutely awesome, the best version of the F1 ever....... don't be frightened of it, it is amazing, quick, and some very long ratios

 

See if you can test drive any Ferrari 12 cylinder car. I wish I had gone there sooner. Thirty seconds into my first drive had me mumbling to myself, "now I get it!"

Think about the 612, incredible value.

 

Hi Eric, I purchased a 599 in June of this year and it is a fantastic car.A great trip car/ highway cruiser ,along with being tons of fun on the back road plus all the speed/power you could ask for in a road car.Very comfortable ,great A/C ,music, etc. Check out the 599 section for tire and upgrade info.I dont think you will be disappointed. Mike

 

I didnt real all of the responses, but wanted to jump in with a few personal observations. Weather or not a ferrari is for you can only be answered by driving them. The best thing about Ferrari's is they all are similar, but yet very different. Specifically in the case of the California, which after much back and forth on my part i wound up falling in love with. No its not a v12 rocket, nor is it the fancy mid engine sportscar that would have attracted me 20 years ago. The California and the 458 perform and dive completely different and there is a difference between the F430 and the 458 which are the same "category" of car.

For what it is its a very nice touring car. I always had issues with convertibles, and to this day refuse to buy a soft top convertible, but that hard top makes the California and now Portofino like 2 different cars. Yes the trunk capacity is more or less halved with the trunk down, however for my wife and I on a weekend there is still plenty of room, however I wouldn't use it for longer then along weekend. And after having rented one and used it the roof being retractable became a plus not a negative. The roof problems you mentioned are likely a sensor and while it can be time consuming to track down which sensor it is is a problem you could have on virtually any convertible. The transmission problems were not limited to just the California, the 458 had the same transmission and the same issue. And its not like every DCT is going to have the speed sensor issue.

And finally you stated you are a Corvette guy, which there is nothing wrong with since that is the go to car for performance if you dont make the money to buy cars like a Ferrari. But Chevrolet maintenance and Ferrari Maintenance are worlds apart, especially in the price department. I mean the engine mounts are supposed to be checked annually during the oil change. Its just a part of Ferrari ownership. all the cars have weird quirks, and because of them you gotta figure that out and have a plan, and a plan for when your plan fails. and lastly make sure you do a PPI, and if the cars your looking at look so good you dont think it needs one, do it anyways. (i should add make sure you get the PPI from a REPUTABLE place) Happy Fcar hunting.

 

Remember that the newer the ferrari, the more time it may have on its FREE SERVICING deal to go. For many, that may sway th deal towards a 458, California or F12. It really is a free service, you only pay for consumables in my experience, and when you have warranty, it means mostly, you get no bill at all at each service which when compared to non free servicing ferraris makes a big difference.

That said, I'm sticking with my recommendation of 599 for what you intend to use it for, and in my experience, the car will only need servicing, it's almost bulletproof when maintained properly.

 

Yeah if it were me doing it over again having driven the Cali, the Cali 30 and the Cali T id opt for a 2013-2014 Cali 30. Not only the maintainance but the 30 Kg less weight and 30 more hp and its still naturally aspirated. Cali T was nice, and it was quick but i didnt care for the exhaust, or lack there of. But all things considered at the end of the day id use any of them exactly the same. Its a car for enjoyment, not daily driving. Its a car you get out after a bad day to put a real smile on your face. Its not the quickest or the fastest car on the road, but it is a Ferrari, and until you've driven one people just dont understand.

 

Exactly, it's like the phrase 'oh darn, my crocodile shoes are too tight', or 'jeez, my wallets too heavy'. First world problems! Every ferrari is a fantastic experience, it's not just a car. Having access to any one of ferraris models is an amazing prospect, and the only thing that ultimately makes one preferred over the other is going to be the type of trips you undertake. Travelling for trips overnight, you need luggage space, or going for a Sunday blast where there are no cops - maybe it's speciale or stradale time. Cruising the local marina, maybe some roof down California or spider action.....

 

Eric: I too have a Corvette-a C5 lightened by 200 pounds and with 590 horsepower. So I am interested in a Ferrari not for more performance but for a driving experience that is just as enjoyable but different. These are my thoughts about the Ferraris that you have mentioned:

458 Italia: 1) You can't put the top down.
2) "Practically bulletproof by supercar standards"-Michael Sheehan
. 3) A great car,but a nice one will exceed your budget limit.

599 Fiorino: 1) You can't put the top down.
2) "As rugged and reliable as any low-production supercar could hope to be"-Michael Sheehan.
3) issues: ball joints,tie rods,shocks,radiators.
4) An amazing car for the money,selling for less than half of new.
5) HGTE handling option.
6) Probably less than 1000 in US, so limited selection.
7) You can't put the top down (unless you are Steve Kita).

California (MY 2009-2012) and California 30(MY 2013+2014):
1) You can put the top down.
2) "Impressive reliability","practically bulletproof"-Michael Sheehan.
3) Best-selling Ferrari ever,so big selection,prices keep coming down,just another used car.
4) Handling Speciale handling option.
5) Glorious sound available because of flat-plane crank just like the 458.
6) Styling that is subdued instead of flamboyant and attention-getting.
7) If you want the most performance and are not into modifying,get a Cal 30 with HS.

 

I got into Ferraris when I gave up motorcycles. They were the closest I could get. In five years, I bought and sold a 550 Maranello, a Challenge Stradale, and a 330 GTC. All great cars. If I could have one back, it would probably be the 550 Maranello. Dong a power shift from 2nd to 3rd, beyond priceless. It's funny. I lost my ass on the Maranello. I don't like to think about it, but I'm guessing it cost me over $60k for 20k miles. I broke even on the CS. Should have kept it. However, I made enough on the GTC to cover the Maranello. I loved driving the old banger, but it had needs, like $200k of needs. Glad I had it though.

What Ferrari would I buy today? That's a personal thing. For me, it would probably be a F360 stick. I just love the sound.

But I probably won't. Been there, time to move on.

 

A big plus on everything you said except they will still go down in value.
Rats !
Like the children in Peter Pan I WANT to believe that I can fly (that the 599 wont depreciate more) but I also acknowledge the existence of gravity.
Heck only two generations of Front engined V12 have come out since it ended production and the 812 JUST came out
At least 10 more years of depreciation probably 15.
I has a sad

Still....of the given choices...599 all the way !

 

after owning a 360 and 348, i'd personally get a newer Ferrari with warranty and maintenance for the "no worry" driving experience. With that said, since you're a Corvette Guy, the latest announcement for the next gen ZR1, would be the one I would put a deposit down on - or- wait for the mid-engined Corvette in a couple of years?