2011 599 or 458??...

Guys, i know some of you might have already read my previous, and this same post on the 458 section.
here is what i posted there:

So, i went to my AD here in canada, atfer i decided to let go the Aventador for the 458 Coupe. They had a 2011 Black 599 GTB Fiorano, (brand new). I thought it was a great car, the more time i spent looking at the car the more i fell in love with it, and the more confused i got. The owner of my AD, who is also a great friend advised me that the 599 had a list price of 420K (canadian) sticker, but could work out a deal for me at 90k to 100k off.
Well, i decided to hold off everything, and consult my good, super privilaged folks here on F-chat. Can you share more insight with me on this. 599 or 458?
I plan to keep the car a long time. I easily get bored with cars, and for the last 5 years I've bought a new car every year. My wife has told me to get one car i could keep a while, and be very satisfied with. I was thinking of both, but she will kick my ass if i buy 2 F cars, same time.
Please, I humply wish to ask all your opinion. Given my situation, which would you pull the trigger on, and why ?

 

...still cannot decide?

If you get bored with cars easily like I do, it wont make a difference which one you choose. If you cannot drive a new one try and drive a used one. I know my local dealer has both used.

My only concern would be the fact that the 599 is going to be replaced shortly. I loved mine and it feels faster than any other car I have owned. The power is explosive.

The 458 drives like nothing else but I drive my California so much more because it is just easier to live with on a daily basis. The the 599 feels similar to the California in the regard except for the gearbox which really is not suited to stop and go traffic.

 

I guess you need to decide if you would use and enjoy driving a GT car (599) or sports car (458) more.

I started out looking at a 430 a few years back and then fell in love with the V-12 550's & 575's. The reason I chose these over the 430 (even though I like the 430) is that I enjoy long drives in a GT car.

I really like the torque, feel, power and handling of a front engine V-12 Ferrari as a Grand Touring sports car.

As you know, there is a noticable difference, also in size between the 599 & 458.

I hope you will enjoy which ever car you decide to purchase, and do not get bored with it.

 

There is really no substitute for driving both cars and coming to your own conclusions.

I have driven the 458 and as much as I liked it, it's still no 599 to me. There's just something very special about V12 Ferraris.

That being said, a 458 Spider would be a tempting additon....

I disagree. It's certainly no slushbox...but it's still very smooth once you know how to use it.

Furthermore, after 33K miles, there's still around 80% of clutch life remaining.

I was truly impressed by the 458's gearbox and yet I missed the rawness of the 599's full-throttle up-shifts.

To me the 599 is a very special car and the experience gets better and better with time. It's a true gem IMO.

 

How old are you? If you are under 40 and this is your first F-car, go with the 458. If you are over 40, you will love the V-12.

 

Forgive me but I've never liked such generalizations.
I, for one, am under 40 and prefer the V12s...

 

I am well under 40 and own a 612. I also plan to (most-likely) get the 599 replacement or maybe a 458, but I tend to like Ferrari mid-mounted front engine V12's better than the behind the driver mid engine V8's (in that style I prefer the Lamborghini V-10).

 

Same here.

 

To my mind, the Aventador is kinda like a combination/blending of a 599 and 458 with more power...i don't know what "other thread" you are referring to (so apologies if you explained the issue there) but if I had to choose between those three cars (money no object) I would take the Aventador without questioin...(don't get me wrong, I love Ferrari's and both the 599 and 458, and normally prefer them over lambo...but that Aventador!)

 

Same here.

 

I loved my 2007 -599 and drove it for two years. Then got the 458. It took me six months to decide that I liked the Italia more. The new technology is hard to beat. You can not make a mistake on this decision. Both are winners.

 

Age has nothing to do with it. A local owner and enthusiast in my town is about 80 years old and has a two tone 458. Red on black with red inserts in the daytonas.

Buy which car you like the best.

 

Agreed that age has nothing to do with it. I'm 35 with a 612 (a real old man's car, ha). Would have picked the 599 over the 458 if I didn't use the rear seats so much.

Edit - Nevermind. I see you went with the 458. Hard to beat the new tech. Enjoy. Looks great.

 

Hi,

I had a 575 and a 599 before and just put down a deposit for the 458. I think it all depends on how you drive and what you are looking for. If you like cruising and "brisk" driving and don't mind that the 599 is going to be replaced soon, get the 599. If you like F1 style driving, then the 458 should be the one to get. Having said that, V12 sound and power is hard to beat.

My 2 cents worth and I am also under 40.

 

You guys misunderstood my post.

I agree that age has little to do with it. (I would not say that age has "nothing" to do with it, for a number of reasons.)

However, you also have to factor in a few things you also knew about the question . . . the wife, the issues of the Lambo, etc.

When you factor in those things, there are places where generalizations work. The 458 is a wonderful car, and by most accounts, probably one of the best all around cars Ferrari has ever made. But, to appreciate a V-12, in the face of all the information about the 458, one must have a number of life experiences--which simply come with time.

(For those of you who parse words, notice that I qualified the sentence above. "to appreciate a V-12, IN THE FACE OF ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 458 . . . .)

I have a number of friends who own, have owned, and will own Ferraris. By and large, the under 40 crowd goes for the 360 Spyder or the 430 Spyder. Of course, cost is one factor in this.

One friend has a Cali and wants to trade for a GTO. (Cost not a factor for this guy--he owns a 250 LM, an F-40 and a Daytona.)

As these guys age, they tend to want to have a little more luxury and air conditioning instead of open tops. This comes with maturity--as they say. Me . . . I still like the open top cars.

 

I suppose in most generalities there is a basis of truth.