812 or F8? | FerrariChat

812 or F8?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by kauf, Feb 22, 2021.

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  1. kauf

    kauf Rookie

    Feb 22, 2021
    2
    Full Name:
    CK
    I’m thinking about buying my first Ferrari but I’m really torn between an 812 or F8. I love the looks of both for different reasons, I can’t imagine I’d be disappointed with my decision either way, but I’m really on the fence.
     
  2. ShineKen

    ShineKen F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 3, 2007
    16,412
    Southern California
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    Nostradamus
    812.
     
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  3. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
    7,716
    Tropical
    If you can afford the 812 maybe consider the Pista?
     
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  4. kauf

    kauf Rookie

    Feb 22, 2021
    2
    Full Name:
    CK
    I’d be going pre-owned on an 812, so it puts it in the same neighborhood as an F8. Pista’s a good option to aspire to. :)
     
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  5. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2017
    4,839
    France
    It really depends on what you intend to do with the car.
    If you want to enjoy the best engine, go for the 812 since there is nothing like its V12.
    If you seriously consider tracking your car, even occasionally, go for the F8 (not that the 812 cannot be tracked, but its weight would become a penalty after a while).
    ... if you have some space to park cars, you could have a 488 and an F12 for about the same price as a new F8 or a lightly used 812 - you would have the best of both world but of course with older cars and lower (relatively) performance.
     
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  6. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    24,957
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    The only answer is to try both. You'll know within 10 minutes which is more you.

    They're both very fast, but the biggest differences will be in the power delivery (turbo vs NA), the sound (812 louder, F8 more muffled), the 812 sits an inch or two higher, and the polar rotation of the 812 is farther ahead, while the F8 wheels are at your feet and the car feels like it rotates at your hip. With the F12/812 the car steers about 2ft in front of your feet and the rotation feels more around where your knees are. Hard to describe but you feel it instinctively once you're moving.
     
  7. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,983
    Menlo Park, CA
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    Paul Chua
    You really have to drive both my friend. It's like asking us should one like Popeye's Chicken Sandwich or Chik-fil-a better?
    Welcome, and let us know which you go with!
     
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  8. czlandi

    czlandi Karting

    Jun 20, 2019
    77
    United Kingdom
    Full Name:
    Christopher
    Two completely different experiences. I own an 812 Superfast and have tracked it 3 times and loved it. I came from 458 Italia and 488. Nothing beats the sound of the V12 NA engine but it’s a car with little forgiveness and will kill you in a heartbeat. The F8 is much easier to drive and to live with but for me lacks the same adrenalin rush. Despite scaring the cr.p out of me from time to time, the 812 is a keeper.


    Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
     
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  9. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
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    Remember this, though, about Clarkson, my friend. His first review of the 348 was nothing short of amazing. In fact, the song he chooses to epitomize it was Tina Turner's "Simply the Best."



    We all know how much he loved the 355; however, experiencing both first hand - I will say it's quite the stretch to say the 348 is garbage, and the 355 the best car he's ever had.

    Clarkson had a mea culpa on this - saying he drank the cool-aid and is now on the wagon. I argue he's never put the beverage down. Take the 412, easy to pick on, considering it was first made in 1972. Clarkson declared this 2012. Picking a car that's 40 years old and compare it with contemporaries is not exactly objective.

    Besides, I argue Daft Punk put the 412 back on the map as 'cool' in every way.

    On the Testarossa (don't forget the Mondial was its dinner) - Clarkson declared the F50 as the worst car in the world in history (worst than either.) Somebody offer me their F50 - quick!

    Never mind, I am very close to Clarkson's NSX Laguna Seca time with a Mondial t. (he was driving on track tires with a spec C too - 13 years newer model!) ROFL

    Clarkson's primary job is to be a comedian, entertainer first, car reviewer second. His whole style is exaggeration and hyperbole. In fact, I argue that's what makes him successful, as most folks are not hard-core car enthusiasts.
     
  10. Twosherpaz

    Twosherpaz Formula Junior

    Feb 25, 2014
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    Popeye’s chicken sandwich. Lighter car versus heavier car.
     
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  11. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    How about vs KFC?
     
  12. Twosherpaz

    Twosherpaz Formula Junior

    Feb 25, 2014
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  13. Twosherpaz

    Twosherpaz Formula Junior

    Feb 25, 2014
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    When the advertising is better than the food, you might have a problem. Every time I go to KFC and wind up regretting it. If you pull open the chicken and only at KFC do you see tons of black stuff, maybe that’s not a real healthy chicken.

    Of course I also think Taco Bell beef has too much bone material and that Pepsi tastes yucky and Pizza Hut has the worst pizza. PepsiCo has not sponsored this content.
     
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  14. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    Jul 1, 2013
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    T-Bell just entered the ring...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  15. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    Once I started buying mid-engine cars, I lost all desire for front engine cars from a fun car to drive POV.
     
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  16. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    Agreed, love the mid-engine dynamics.
     
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  17. Natkingcolebasket69

    Natkingcolebasket69 F1 World Champ

    I love u Paul but ur views on Clarkon ‘s are blasphemous


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  18. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    :)
    He'll probably punch me (or pour water on my crotch) if he even cared for a nobody like me.
     
  19. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    Just don't try to feed him a cold sandwich.....
     
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  20. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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  21. Mighty Joe

    Mighty Joe Formula 3

    Sep 3, 2010
    1,125
    Atlanta, GA
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    Joe
    F8 or 812.......can't go wrong either way!
     
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  22. ScottS

    ScottS F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 2, 2004
    2,900
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    The answer drive both is correct. I have both. Some like the mid engine and others front. And it depends on what you ask them to do as others have suggested.

    I have had this conversation with another on this board- he has come to the realization that he is a mid engine guy as I was coming to the realization I am an old GT guy ( we are the same age).

    I enjoy the 812 more but I do more driving in my life and use it for anything and everything. The F8 is both sexier and more ordinary. The sound which generally I don’t care about is blah. My wife does not hear me come home and I’m in the garage and in the house before she hears me in the F8. That said, it handles amazing and is lightning quick. An amazing mid engine car.

    The 812 made me forget about the F12 I traded in. Useable, amazing GT car with high end top speed and keeps on going without seeming a limit. Feels fast and tight and high and low speeds. Does not disappoint in anything.

    Which do I love to drive? I reach for the 812 first. But when I am in the F8, I don’t even think about the other.

    Don’t know if that helps but what’s for you makes sense if you know what you will ask the car to do and who you are.
     
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  23. craze

    craze Formula 3

    Mar 5, 2021
    1,026
    Melbourne
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    Michael
    Id buy a 488 and f12
     
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  24. fasthorsef1

    fasthorsef1 Rookie

    Jan 7, 2021
    2
    Full Name:
    Bill Lateef
    I'm in the same boat man....thinking about first Ferrari possibly....812 vs F8S. I love NA cars, what better than a v12 Ferrari. Endangered species. While the 812SF looks very nice from the exterior, the exterior design elements of the F8 are spectacular. It looks so sexy. However, the acoustic experience provided by the car is very important to me as it makes the driving experience. This will be more of a long term hold and I may track it 1-2x/year. For weekend cruises and mountain road runs, whats more smiles per miles...812 SF vs F8?
     
  25. Themaven

    Themaven F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2014
    4,252
    Eastdown
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    Darius
    Yes completely and and also no. 812 is much much more fun to drive than a 488, for example. Though I agree about mid engined cars in general, there are few that are not fun.
     

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