458 Speciale vs F12? Chris Harris on the ‘second best’ Ferrari

Delicious.
+1 on the F12.

 

It's funny but the f12 really does not do much for me. I went 599 Gto instead, but speciale is probably the fave. So fast, light and nimble. Very easy to be a naughty naughty boy.

 

+1 on the F12 ��

 

When I was a kid my dad had me put sand bags in the trunk of our front engine rear wheel drive cars. The weight over the drive wheels helped greatly with traction. So I would think the 458 would get better traction.

 

Chris doesn't always hit the nail on the head IMHO.

 

Well, he is human. LOL

Question: is the second best Ferrari really a bad thing???

 

The F12 is a nice car. I just can't stand its front end. It reminds me of the ugly Cali.

 

I think the front looks good in real, but the rear looks......
I'll wait for Aventador dual clutch.

 

Don't really agree with this and I suspect Chris is keeping things 'controversial' after all the praise heaped on the Speciale. While not an F12, I drove the Speciale and FF back to back. Both undoubtedly great cars. I'm a little older (I think) than Chris but have ordered a Speciale. The reason? You feel everything in it - it is so immediate and visceral that it makes the 12 cylinder car feel a little remote (which it isn't, not really). The point is that an F12 or FF is a very expensive way of delivering a driving experience that is still somewhat connected to other, much cheaper, cars on the market. Long distance? Try a Range. 8/10ths driving? A significantly cheaper but perhaps more beautiful Vanquish or even something like a Granturismo. None of them an F12, but all of them better at a particular thing, whether it be long range travel or still being both exotic and socially acceptable at the same time. The only thing that is unmatched in the F12 is that engine...

The thing about the Speciale is that it is the 'zenith' of a driving experience that is far far removed from other 'normal' road going machines (obviously excluding those completely impractical cars like the Atom etc.) If, like a journalist, you regularly drive all manner of cars, maybe the F12 (hopefully one that you don't have to pay the depreciation on) makes for a better companion on a drive back home from a group test or something, but a car to have sitting in the garage, waiting for the weekend? Speciale surely?

That car makes you 'feel' everything, and that, for me, is reason enough.

 

When Aventador will have dual clutch? In SV version?

 

Speciale is too childish. F12 is class.

 

Sounds perfect then...

 

Sans the looks.

 

Feeling young again with ultra quick reflexes of an annoyingly loud wild child is what I am looking for in a Speciale... Perfect!!

 

If by childish you mean fun, exciting, challenging, brilliant, spine tingling, loud, stand-out-in-a-crowd, etc., then I agree 100 percent

 

When I went to the factory, I walked into the atelier room and there was a simple Corsa/NART Speciale there. It was literally 'take your breath away' stunning just sitting there. Logic goes straight out of the window and that's all the better.

The problem with buying cars that try to make me look like a classy guy is...me! As soon as I step out of it, the illusion is completely shattered for any onlookers. Nope, I'd rather not take myself too seriously these days. Just happy to own and drive a mad car that makes me smile.

 

Lets make one thing clear. There is no comparison between FF and F12. Totally different machines, totally different experience.
I have owned both F12 and Speciale...I bought the F12 first drove it regularly and by the time I drove the Speciale, I have to say I was underwhelmed at first. Unispiring engine note, too hard, felt slow etc. The car undoubtedly shines with more kilometers and it really is an amazing driving machine, unbelievable on the track, but not a daily driver. In Aperta form I think it will be even more special and I cant wait for it to arrive. But I can sympathise with Chris Harris and miss my F12 terribly. The car is as close to perfection as cars get. Awesome on track too. If they make a GTO version I will certainly queue up for a build slot!

 

Although I have the utmost respect for Chris Harris, I am a little surprised with his comments and they clearly are not in line with most other respected journalists including the editor of Evo (australia) who said up until he drove the Speciale , the F12 was his favorite car, but the Speciale clearly trumped it and was the most entertaining point to point car he had ever driven and that the Speciale would be part of the pantheon of truly great Ferraris and in his view the greatest V8 Ferrari ever made < F40 included. I suspect it might have been one of those days for Chris, where by analogy he had a super hectic and streesful day at the office and all if wanted is to come home to a nice, peaceful and serene enviroment, put his legs up, relax and chill out with a cold beer and not have too much fanfare around him. After a good nights sleep, he would probably lunge for the Speciale and not even notice the F12.

 

As the Brits would say: chalk and cheese.

I say have both!

I love CH's reviews and I think in this case he's just stating his opinion.

 

He pretty much says that it is a subjective thing influenced by age. When he was "a kid," things would be different and he would probably opt for the Speciale. Now at the ripe old age of maybe 35, the more dignified F12 holds sway. It is a matter of taste.

More controversial to me are his pronouncements on the sound quality of the Ferrari V8s. He just doesn't like them. Now this I really don't agree with, esp when he says elsewhere that AMG V8s are "musical." I don;t know about you but I never considered any AMG V8 to be pleasing in sound relative to the ferrari V8.

 

Don't you think there is a bit of controversy for controversy's sake here? I mean, following numerous group tests and COTY wins, saying "yep, everyone else was right, this is the best thing.." doesn't get you noticed does it?

I'm not criticising, there is something in all of us that needs to be contrary from time to time. It's also much more fun to be controversial.

 

Yes. "It sells newspapers." These guys know who their audiences are and how to rile up interest.

 

+1

 

Interesting read - I hope to add to the stable in the next year or so and I think I will struggle with the decision of going Speciale or F12. I will have to try and find a way to drive both. Interesting read nonetheless, he can write!