I entered the Ferrari family in 2019 with the FF, felt in love with the V12 and bought in 2021 the F12 to enjoy it more egoistically! I love my FF but my family does not! Each time we take it my wife and daughters slow me down, tell me the car is harsh, loud, etc... I can run them >200 kph with the Cayenne without any complaint but have almost to drive in Wet mode and automatic with the FF. They told me recently they even prefer having a drive in our 1973 Buick Riviera... So to enjoy my FF I have to drive it alone, and of course the F12 is better for this purpose! In consequence the idea of swapping the FF for another 2 seats car grows in me. I thought about a 458 but it feels a bit underpowered when you have the F12, a 488GTB is cool and very nice but the engine lacks a little of magical imho. I know Mc Laren are beasts and tried but can not appreciate them (I find all ugly from the steering wheel to... everything). Hurracan is nice as well but never tried it and basically I'm not a Lambo guy. I finally think the 488 Spider is very nice and I will not expect as much from its engine vs with a GTB. What do you think guys?
hiya mate, fellow FF owner here. Absoloutely love the thing just like you and i think a 488 would honestly feel like a downgrade going from a screaming v12 to a v8. But if your on your own might as well save the weight and get a better handling f12!
Makes sense to replace the FF given the situation. I wouldn’t focus too much on the power of the mid-engined cars, but rather their nimbleness. I would personally consider the following over a 488 Spider. 16M Gated F430 Spider 458 Spider Another consideration would be to replace both FF and F12 for an 812 (maybe the GTS?). Either way, I don’t think there’s a wrong choice in this scenario. Enjoy the hunt!
Former F12 owner here—and yes, I’m probably a bit biased—but I genuinely believe it strikes the perfect balance of style, power, and understated beauty. Unlike some of the mid-engined options, the F12 doesn’t scream for attention, which I came to appreciate more over time. Don’t get me wrong—I loved my 430 Spider. It was a blast, especially with the top down. But after nearly four years with it, I started to feel a little too conspicuous. With the top up, it just didn’t have the same charm. I could’ve gone for the coupe, sure, but once you've experienced a V12 Ferrari, it’s hard to go back.
I’m in the same boat. I’ve got a Lusso v12 and a 570GT. I will say the 570gt is a much more thrilling ride. I love the feel and the handling. It sounds pretty good as well, but definitely not as nice as the ferrari. if you don’t need the FF as a family car, having the f12 and a 488 spider is the perfect combo. you’ve got the beautifully sounding v12, and a convertible midengine car.
If the FF is too harsh for the family, how about the Lusso - it’s more refined with a softer ride and apparently, much quieter in the rear. Ironically, the FF is the only car my wife could fall asleep in at 180kph as it’s so planted. She was much more nervous in the BMW at that speed (for clarity, she doesn’t mind going fast, as long as she’s driving ) Failing that, as others have suggested, how about an 812 GTS - or wait a while for 12C prices to drop further (they’re already trading below list). I could never go back to the V8s (with the possible exception of the F355). Now! There’s an idea….
Thank you for you input guys. My buddy has got a 488, I will try again it as soon as the road will be DRY! Weather is awful here...
Automotive taxes get mad in France, V12 engines will be soon a part of the past. I wonder if I shouldn't keep the FF wich will be even more desirable when the last largest engines are only V6?
Is the tax applied when the car is new or on an annual basis to keep it on the road? In the Netherlands, we have CO2 based taxes which add c.€100k to the cost of a Ferrari. The only other European country with worse CO2 tax is Austria.
CO2 tax is applied on new cars only, 70k for 2025, the lonely good side is it helps used cars holding value.
