Gentlemen, Is it just me or is the 599 and for that matter other modern front engine V12 cars under appreciated? I feel like it's one of those F cars that looks better in person than in photos, but even in photos it's very beautiful! It seems like the 599 is destine to become the new 512BB in under appreciation. I just don't get it! OK, forget the looks, how about the performance? This thing will kill you, all you have to do is ask it!! I really love my car and I don't understand why this car is not appreciated more. Sorry for the rant, I just had a really beautiful drive!
I for one am OK with this as I fully intend to own another 599!!! I think you are correct at this moment. The car is UNREAL in many aspects and currently represents the best value per $ in the Ferrari world. Jim
The 599 is quite a potent grand touring package with the classic front V-12 and prodigious power. I am having mine converted to manual shift just because--plus it will still be relatively rare. I had a Daytona and miss the three pedal manual shift interaction. The 599 value will remain strong and be more appreciated as time goes by. Lower production numbers as compared with the mid engine V8 cars.
I purchased my 2010 599 GTB about 3 years ago and driven it about 8000 miles. All of my drives have been enjoyed and at times thrilling. I have also driven it on track at COTA ( Circuit of the Americas) and was impressed in many ways with its track performance. And I love the looks of the 599 a large part of the reasons for the purchase. It is my first Ferrari that I purchased and my plans are to keep it for long term. I too have thought these cars are under valued, when I bought mine and continuing. Time will tell if they eventually increase in value in a significant way. I think part of the reason for many cars appearing undervalued is there are so many choices one can take when considering spending $ 150 K or so dollars on a vehicle.
FWIW I fully agree - I think the 599 (and the 612 for that matter) are woefully underrated and undervalued - BUT sssssssshhhhh!! I want a 599 to be my first FE/V12 Ferrari after owning 3 ME/V8s and 1 ME/Flat-12 and want to "buy the dip" before they catch on!! Once the right TdF/Crema w Challenge Wheels/yellow rotors/shields comes along there will be a new horse in the stable Cheers!
I agree that the 599 is one that looks far better in person than in pictures. I hated it when I first saw early photos of it, but it has definitely grown on me over time, especially after seeing them in person.
Hi KB599GTB, I took my, new to me, 08 599 w 15K dealer serviced car on the track today. First lap, immediately after getting waived to go out, the power was way down but no CEL or anything. I knew it wasn't right so I didn't push it, just wanted to make it back to the pits. I did get a Catalyst high temp warning light half way back to the pits. I tried the Ferrari fix back in the pits, stopping and restarting it. Gave it a little of the beans in the pits and I had full power so I headed back out. I didn't like the feel of the brakes. Mine felt wooden and needed a lot of pedal pressure to do anything coming down from speed. Someone at the track said I needed to get more heat in them because they're the carbon ones. It blew my confidence in the car so I only did two laps @ 6/10ths pace and went in. Later that day, I drove a Ferrari Portofino at speed on the track for 5 8/10s pace laps and its brakes felt great. I'm the 4th owner on my car and it hasn't been on the track w the previous owner who had if for 5 years. Could it just be the pads or something, or do you really need a lot of heat in these brakes? Or is my car special Thx!
Something is definitely wrong and I don't think it's the brakes. You should be able to beat a small airplane on the track.
Brakes do need heat in them, and once heated they do bite, but it can take quite a few hard stops to get the heat in, but its also a big old car, heavier and less nimble than the Portofino so may also be your experience of what you've come from ??
Thanks for the input. I've been an HPDE instructor for the last 10 years. Currently track my 06 Lotus Elise and a 96 Miata turbocharged, yeah so much smaller cars. But I had a 16 Vette Z06 and tracked that about 10 times so I know what heavier cars feel like on the track. The 599 has about 1,000 miles since its last annual service at the Ferrari dealer. I'll run it for its annual in the spring to an indy shop w a very good reputation my friend takes his 512 TR to. I'll have them look at the brakes while it's there. I don't intend to track it at all, but wanted to see how it performed at the limit, which I did get to test through some turns, just not in the braking zones.
Hi 851duck, I am glad you got some comments from others about the 599 and braking on track. I am very familiar with the COTA track as I have done track events there with a few different cars. The car I have tracked there the most is my 2017 Shelby Mustang GT350R a car with about the same weight as the 599 but about 100 hp less and with comparable brakes. My comment about being impressed with my 599 performance around COTA relates to comparing it with my experience with my 350R and mostly I could go thru the turns about the same or faster in some cases with the 599 even though it has lower performance tires on it - concerning the braking of the 599 I did not push the brakes but I do agree with previous comments about getting heat into them. I have also driven a couple other cars around COTA including a McLaren 720S. I do not plan to regularly track my 599 but I will probably be taking it to Daytona next year to a FCA track event and put it on track there.
Interestingly enough, the extra 100 hp probably means that the brakes are better on the 599, assuming they feel about the same. That hp means higher speeds in the straights and thus, harder braking at the braking zones. If it feels the same, the brakes have to be better.
Have always loved the way the 599 looks. I also think the rear end is a better execution than on my F12
Our cars are definitely under valued but the prices are rising. I still believe the 599 will go down as one of the all time great v12 powered cars. While the 812 super fast is a monster I suspect the fact that our cars contain the Enzo v12 will put them above the F12 and 812 10 years from now. Either way, I love mine. Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
851, your Elise and miatas weigh next to nothing and I would call those featherweight. Z06 is light weight. 599 is heavy! Brakes and tires would exponentially work much harder as the poundage increases, esp 1000lbs+ diferences between 599 and elise/miata.
All the front engine v12 somehow take longer to be appreciated imo. Case in point, 550/575 hovered around the low to mid hundred for what seemed to be 2 decades or so...look how they have taken off now. We have beautiful cars George! Just glad we got them for what seems like peanuts and hold on long enough to watch the appreciation soar.
E=MV^2 In net, you are 100% correct. The weight has a linear impact. The difference in acceleration has an exponential impact. When I sent from my old car the the 360 the brakes were terrifyingly poor. In reality, I was just going a LOT faster in the same amount of time. Jump to the 599 and the brakes were brilliant by comparison but that is because they are very good even though the car is shockingly fast (and comfortable).
