I'm selling my 328 GTS and looking for a new stable mate for my CS. I've identified a possible candidate in a beautiful black 599 HGTE with grey alcantara (quite unique), 20k km, approx $160k, whereas Scuds with similear mileage & condition would go for approx $180/190k (this is in continental europe). my brain is telling me get a Scud, but I'd be intrigued to get a V12. But do you think the 599 would depreciate more in the next couple of years ? I'm pretty sure the Scud won't go much down, but I have no idea about the 599. Thanks.
Well, the HGTE is a beautiful beast. At the time I bought my 599 I was not all that familiar with the HGTE so I went with a standard 599. It's not an HGTE but the engine is exactly the same. I'm sure you know the sport and race setting on the manettino are re-mapped on the HGTE. The 599 is a big heavy car with a LOT of power. If you are thinking of a track car then the Scud is the answer. The folks I know that have them love the car. For occasional track and just spirited driving, the V12 is just awesome.
If you enjoyed your 328 experience, get the scud -- it will be a better version of what you experienced. But if you want have the Genuine Ferrari GT experience, get the 599. Though Ferrari used all sorts of engine configurations for racing, even four-cylinder designs, the 12-cylinder configuration was always the signature experience of GT ownership. I personally would always buy a 12 in the Ferrari line, for this reason -- it's the iconic GT configuration of the marque. I swapped my testarossa for a 612. Totally different driving experience with the engine in front.
The 430 Scuderia is the upgrade to the 360 Challenge Stradale, so essentially you can end up with a vastly improved track car in the Scud. Regardless, they're both used for the same purpose and are not entirely comfortable for spirited, long distance GT driving like the 599 HGTE. The Scud and 599 both have similar 0-100 kph ET @ 3.7 seconds (0-60 mph @ 3.6 seconds). Although IMHO, the Scuderia is one of the prettiest Pininfarina designs for Montezemulo-era Ferraris. The HGTE has the same award-winning, detuned Type F140 Enzo engine as the regular GTB's, but its ECU, TCU, shift speed in Race and suspension equipment / factory settings had been improved for performance. No question the HGTE is an improvement with CF everything in its interior, CF Recaro race seats, different front grill, and two-piece forged alloy wheels that are more expensive than what came on the GTO. I've owned both an early 2007 GTB and a late 2011 HGTE, consecutively. Lately, 599's have been going up in value and market price; well kept HGTE's commanding much higher prices. Of the total 599 production run (~3,500), it's been noted that there might have only been about 200 HGTE's that came from the factory from 2010-2011 (a few very late EU deliveries in early 2012 after production orders officially halted in 2011 and its replacement F12 model was introduced). That doesn't include GTB's converted with partial HGTE options often missing the CF Recaro race seats.
Enzo V12 is sublime and intoxicating. You have to own one before your time is up. But I heard the word 'depreciation' and if you are worried about resale, then the Scud all the way
I made the exact same choice 8 years ago. Had a CS and wanted to add a Scud or a 599. Went with the 599. No regrets at all. The 599 is the opposite of the CS and they complement each other perfectly. V8, mid engine, lightweight, race car vs V12, front-engine, luxurious, GT
Different cars for different reasons. I would go for the Scud. On the other hand that V12 is pure magic. So, to your question, i would answer like that: Both (if it's possible of course) !
The Scud was supposed to be an improvement over the CS, but time has gone and now they are two cars with the same brief - the CS being the original and arguably the purest, while the performance increase of the Scud is not so relevant now that both cars are outdated in this respect anyway. On the other hand the 599 is a very specific proposition - an incredible combination of civilised strength and raw powertrain, of luxury and sportiness. While the immediately preceding V12 (the Maranello 550 and 575) had always the penalty of the front engine layout, the 599 is a true mid-front engine car with a terrific balance that allows it to be pretty efficient, including on the track (provided you are ready to accept the costs in tyres and brakes) - and still to be a refined GT cruiser. The following F12 and 812 gained the fantastic dual clutch gearbox but lost some of the brutality of the 599, which made its fascinating Jekyll/Hyde personality. Full disclosure: I did own a 599, and as a single car I think it's one of the most interesting Ferrari ever made.
