Which v12 should I buy?

I do believe the 512 BB or bbi will be the car we will say wow could have should have etc

The truly last hand made car

 

Super awesome cars and I share your enthusiasm...

However there just isn't enough pop culture around the car to make it really skyrocket in value. It's like the 250pf. Fantastic little car. Just overshadowed by things that followed it despite it sharing it's bones with some of the greatest most valuable cars.

Sometimes the market doesn't use logic and I feel that one is going to unfairly slip through the cracks

 

It all depends on what is more important - the 550 is an old car (with some associated charm) that is still modern enough to be usable today; the BB and 512TR are just old cars that are completely outdated, so that (for me) the driving experience is not that good. On the other hand, the BB and 512TR are already classic and collectible cars, which could provide other satisfactions in terms of ownership; the 550 has not (yet ?) reached this status.

 

Bought my 2nd carby BB………471 hp vs stock 360..

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

My first s/n 21171 I bought in Ancona in 1985. Paid 50 million Lire….about $20k…lol. In my garage(s) for 15 years. One of the FChat members bought it and restored it beautifully. The 2nd s/n 35411 I bought here on FChat. Carobu Engineering made the upgrades……better intakes, cams and lowered. When Dinos were selling for $300k and Boxers were about $150k I figured it was time to buy the 2nd. Especially with the extra power…it’s a beast. Once properly dial in the carbys were not a problem for either car.

I have driven both the injected (my Dad’s ’83) and my first back to back. I much preferred the carbys. I love the sound of 12 barrels sucking air behind my head…..it’s intoxicating!!

 

When I was driving cars like this in high school you had to go in every 6 months for a carb check, points, and a minor tuneup. Other than that they weren't much trouble at all, and you can probably stretch it to 9-12 months for non-daily drivers.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login For me the 550 was the end of the Ferrari V12 road for me, likewise the Scud was the end of the V8’s for me.

 

. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Wow! Can you post more pics of that 550?

 

thats why i bought the bbi.
no carbs to deal with.
ultimate class

 

You need to come to Highlands, North Carolina in June. PM me.

 

I have driven the choices and even own some of them (the BB and a TR). They are all nice, pleasant cars that will safely and comfortably transport you wherever you want to go.

You want a late 6.0 Diablo or late Murcielago 6 speed. Trust me on this.

 

I agree that a Diablo is the undiscovered gem that most car guys don't know enough about. Many different variants, each with its own charm. I own a Roadster version, which is the most fun to drive hands down, and has a pretty unique place in the car world as its only in period competitor in terms of features (V-12 (530 hp), topless, mid-engine, gated manual transmission) is the mighty F50.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

@ross You don’t need to drive. Fly to AVL and I will lend you a car to drive. The 330 is mine,@Texas Forever will drive the SuperAmerica, my Boxer with a friend from FL. That leaves the 05 Ford GT either the 4C or the 8C. Or even the mundane Blu Abu Dhabi 458 Spider.

 

What a fun white knuckle drive that would be!

 

Of all my cars the “little one” the Alfa 4C is the most fun of all!

The drive from my house to the Highlands is a great drive.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login
@Shark01 - Nice Diablo Roadster (I read somewhere that the orange ones are a little faster ) The roadster version must provide sensory overload. Mine is, also a little intimidating at times - which is part of the fun. Nowhere to stretch its legs.

 

Having owned 2 550 Maranellos I would now opt for a 599. The 550 is a bit long in the tooth and while the "idea" of owning one for historical reasons is appealing, it was a bit of a disappointing ownership experience. Much like most of the older Ferraris it's the little bits and gremlins that aggravate from time to time. Just my 2 cents. Having said that, and because of it's heritage, I still look for 550s for sale from time to time . The 599, especially with the HGTE package would be my choice today. Don't ask me tomorrow . For what it's worth more than one Ferrari mechanic that I've spoken to told me that a gated manual 550 is not the greatest as the power from the Enzo 12 cylinder, according to them, is too much for the manual transmission. Good luck in your quest.

 

Driving a Roadster at full wail on a beautiful day is a religious experience, can't explain it to someone adequately.

Orange definately looks epic on a Diablo....and those 6.0 wheels are the best

 

??? First time I've heard someone say a 550 had a Enzo derived engine....6 years before the Enzo even existed.

And unless Ferrari manual transmissions are crap (which I doubt), there is no reason that it is "too fast" for them. The Texas mile and other events feature 1,500+ hp cars and their manuals work just fine.

 

I think Graz meant to say the manual 599. The 599 has a de-tuned Enzo engine and the "whispers" are that the factory manual is not actually very good to drive as it was added as an afterthought and was not part of the original design/plan (or something like that).

 

Although I elected to buy a 550 again when wanting to add a V12 to my 488, I still think the 599 is definitely one of the best V12 Ferrari ever made.
The 550 was chosen as a "classic" car to occasionally supplement the 488 that gets more used, but considered alone the 599 is a true masterpiece. With the F1 gearbox (which is a robotized manual, and not an electronically controlled dual clutch) it's the last of an era, and it has a fascinating dual personality, able to switch from a comfortable GT for relaxed cruising to a true performance monster (on track it can give 458s a run for their money - as long as fuel, tyres and brakes budgets are permitting )