812 SF - Post Test Drive Feedback | Page 2 | FerrariChat

812 SF - Post Test Drive Feedback

Discussion in 'F12/812' started by MaranelloAllTheWay, Oct 23, 2023.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Ngcanada

    Ngcanada Formula Junior

    May 16, 2016
    765
    Ottawa Canada
    Finally someone who gets it...I couldn't put it into words like you did. Excellent depiction of why one wants to own an 812. And, why I do not see them dropping in value a whole lot as the OP wishes for.
     
    Lukeylikey likes this.
  2. nickorette

    nickorette Formula Junior

    Jun 19, 2017
    380
    Canada
    #27 nickorette, Oct 25, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2023
    I haven't driven the 812 SF, but I am an owner of an 812 GTS and have done a few laps with a GT3 on track before

    -The throttle response increases with RPM, if going between 3-4k is a lot different from 7-8k. One of the things I love about the F140GA is the crescendo of horsepower and torque to the redline, it rewards and excites to bang through the gears

    -I have no problems ripping down a bumpy backroad, it's able to soak up bumps while remaining completely composed at speed, I don't feel any chassis flex whatsoever. It is a long car with a long wheelbase, you are also sitting much further back from the front axle. In comparison to the cars mentioned with rear/mid engined weight bias and shorter wheelbase, the front end will feel sharper off center, more go-kart esc in comparison to the 812.

    -The shifts are designed to give a bit of feedback when shifting, much more satisfying and rewarding. That being said the shifts increase in feedback depending on manitino, the smoothest shifts are in wet mode

    -It is a very quiet car inside, has a lot of sound insulation, which is great for long drives. Much more characterful with Capristo exhaust remote and putting windows (or roof) down

    -I think if going into this expecting the 812 to be like a 720S or a GT3 one would be disappointed. For more of that go-kart high-strung feeling from Ferrari you'll want to look to something like an 458/488/F8 (moreso the Speciale/Pista). Think of it as a hugely capable super GT. The engine is a masterpiece, one of the greats of our time, a NA V12 that revs to 9k is worth the admission alone. It is quiet, comfortable and easy to drive and great for effortless performance on the motorway and long distance cruising to your next destination or winding backroad. The RWS and additional tech/tuning allow the near-800hp to be controlled and exploited leading to high levels of driver confidence at speed.
     
    day355 and Thecadster like this.
  3. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 8, 2006
    4,938
    Los Angeles
    I 100% agree with this!
     
    Lukeylikey and Thecadster like this.
  4. day355

    day355 F1 Rookie

    Jun 25, 2006
    2,707
    The 812 is an excellent car, but personally, there is a reason in terms of "content" that I would never replace my F 12, it's the electric steering of the 812... I don't like it at all, but really not at all...
     
    Frank_C, Condor Man and Caeruleus11 like this.
  5. This is honestly one of the most incongruous reviews of the 812 that I have read.
     
    Thecadster likes this.
  6. Ngcanada

    Ngcanada Formula Junior

    May 16, 2016
    765
    Ottawa Canada
    Isnt it?? That is why I was trying to explain to him that the cars he needs to compare to are the F8/488/458....and he harps on the price of admission as a stumbling block compared to the 720S or Porsche. Maybe it is out of his price range and he is trying to convince or vindicate himself. Especially since he is praying for a huge price drop in his dialogue.
     
  7. No, I don't think he has to compare it to other Ferraris to make his review apt.

    His comparisons to other cars is what is like a stick in the eye.

    The V12 in the 812 is as responsive, if not more, than in the 991 or 992 GT3, both cars which I have driven and/or owned.

    The sound inside the 812 is not quiet, and certainly not more quiet than in a 720S (which I have driven on track) or a 991/992 GT3.

    The 812 is more compliant than a 911 TT/TTS; to say otherwise would suggest you don't know what the word "compliant" means. The 812 is not as compliant as a 720S or any Mclaren, few cars are, in part because Mclaren has mastered their own trick suspension system.

    I could go on, but this is the OP's opinion and he's entitled to it.

    It's just very jarring to read. Not because I am a Ferrari fanboi, but because it goes against everything I know about these cars and everything I have others tell me about these cars (either friends or from reviewers).

    One thing that I am in total agreement with the OP on is the backup screen and camera. Typical Ferrari UX.
     
    Thecadster likes this.
  8. Fastmd

    Fastmd Karting

    Dec 1, 2011
    96
    New Jersey
    It's very similar(if not the same person-3 pedals) to a poster on RL. I also didn't understand the comparison as I have owned/own the same cars and the 812 is superior on almost all aspects. But, it's his opinion.
     
  9. MaranelloAllTheWay

    MaranelloAllTheWay Formula Junior

    Apr 30, 2023
    267
    https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a22792556/2018-ferrari-812-superfast-by-the-numbers/

    “the 812 emits 91 decibels to the Porsche's 100 and the McLaren's 95”

    Clearly I am not alone in that observation.

    Anyhow, I was able to drive a fellow enthusiast’s car yesterday. This was an older car (2018), had novitec exhaust with 200 cell cats, lighter forged wheels, different tires, different tire pressures, custom alignment and slightly lowered.

    To say that my experience yesterday vs a week ago was so different is an understatement. It felt like a completely different car. Every single thing I didnt like from the first ride, this car was a substantial improvement. I also now realized my first drive was of a car with GPF, which I believe is even quieter than what C&D recorded - hence even lower than 91db vs 95/100.

    I came away from this drive yesterday smiling ear to ear. I was laughing the entire drive.

    The reason I even explored this avenue was people’s feedback on this thread which I am extremely appreciative of. I have gone from one extreme end of the spectrum to the other as far as how I feel about this car. I was ready to call it quits and now I am searching for the right car - but I am absolutely certain this is the right car for me.

    And the other thing I realized is if I put the car in Auto mode, the shifts become much smoother. Also moving the dial to wet mode somehow softens things up even more.

    I think the auroral feedback was a huge let down from the first drive but overall as someone here pointed out little things add up. Car yesterday was properly dialed and I cannot believe they were both the same car.

    Lastly, I am thankful for the comments (and PMs for trying to help). Thanks to this group I might own one of these (soon). Now the search for the right spec begins.

    Thank you
     
  10. PTG1

    PTG1 Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2017
    789
    UK
    Full Name:
    Pete
    Lol
    Sent from my SM-S9180 using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
    omercan likes this.
  11. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 8, 2006
    4,938
    Los Angeles
    Sound is everything.

    Which would have been 80% of the experience.

    What did you think of the 200 cell cats?


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  12. gliazzurri

    gliazzurri Formula Junior

    Jun 11, 2016
    524
    Maryland
    I wonder how many really find the 812 transmission to be raw. Personally I think it is fairly smooth all things taken into account compared with other prior vehicles made. I don’t find myself getting thrown around when shifting at red line or WOT. The setup to me is powerful but not uncomfortable at all specifically about the transmission. As far as suspension maybe different and not cushioned at all times but transmission no not that. It does not compare to the aggressive single clutch feeling of the SVJ for example and is substantially smooth given what it is. The total experience of the car being loud and accelerating very freely may give some sense of aggression but I would not say from the way the car shifts.
     
  13. bamaman

    bamaman Formula Junior

    Nov 27, 2015
    955
    Mobile Alabama
    Full Name:
    William M (B.J.) Lyon, Jr.
    Can't the GPF be "opened" up, like say internals removed? I recall a video of removal of the internals of a Porsche GPF. The inside looked to be like drywall and completely impervious which had to kill any flow and sound. Maybe I am crazy.
     
  14. Fastmd

    Fastmd Karting

    Dec 1, 2011
    96
    New Jersey
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    This is what gpf looks like. This is from my 23’ GT3. I took it out when replacing my exhaust with a custom inconel system.

    However, in Porsche it’s not a monitored system in the US. With Ferrari, I’m pretty sure it’s monitored, so won’t be removing them from my 812 GTS.

    My buddy is having a custom 812 inconel system from the same race shop in the UK and pretty sure it will sound better than the Novitec system. He is also replacing the cats. But, his car is a 2018 with no GPF.
     
  15. MaranelloAllTheWay

    MaranelloAllTheWay Formula Junior

    Apr 30, 2023
    267
    I cant stress enough how much better the second car I drove was. The throttle response was also noticeably crisper. I dont know if the existence of GPF in the first drive was detrimental to throttle response OR the exhaust system in the second car improved it OR its both. The sound was also extremely crisp. Its loud at low RPM but very clean. There is literally zero drone/boomyness in cabin. I am very impressed with the exhaust. Obviously I cant know what part of the custom exhaust improved the sound/throttle response by how much as this would require you to try out every permutation separately but if past experience is of any indication, 200 cell cats usually improve sound and throttle response quite a bit in N/A engines.
     
  16. REALZEUS

    REALZEUS F1 Veteran

    Feb 16, 2011
    8,492
    Bournemouth, UK
    Even the factory PPF car should be like that. That's why I believe that there was something wrong with the 1st car.
     
  17. omercan

    omercan Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Apr 27, 2023
    446
    Full Name:
    omer can
    valves closed = LFA
    valves open = v12 h2r
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CyoIgz4qkqZ/
    scuderiacarparts' 812gts I don't know what they did the sound is amazing the best sound I have seen after 355 tubi
     
  18. Frank_C

    Frank_C F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2004
    3,026
    Whistling through the wheat field in Texas
    Full Name:
    Frank
    I never drove my RS on the street. I only tracked it (6,000 mi of 6,670). It was just too brutal to drive on the road- tram lined like an epileptic. Also had a fr/rear muffler delete & Dundon Crack pipe, which didn’t help (needed to buy AirPods for the noise cancellation).

    All Ferraris have excessive roll on track (just follow one) they are sports cars which you can track whereas the GTs are track cars, which you can street. The brakes & suspensions (and ride) clearly reflect that. One needs to lower & replace springs to nudge the 812 into track territory. Although the ride is stiffer, it doesn’t approach that titty-jiggler ride of the RS.

    Once I stopped tracking I traded it on my Vanquish. A better accompaniment now- a 12 sports car for the weekend and a 12 GT for daily driving.

    Now the Porsche launch control is the only thing I miss. Every one has been great from my wife’s previous Cayenne GTS & my old Panamera Turbo.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
    day355 likes this.
  19. PTG1

    PTG1 Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2017
    789
    UK
    Full Name:
    Pete
    Which shop is doing it? I'm considering 200 cel cats for my sf as long as they do not make a warning show, I already have novi x pipe and back boxes, does anyone know the effect the 200 cels will have and if they will prompt a warning light
    Sent from my SM-S9180 using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  20. vonbeeler

    vonbeeler Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2012
    481
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Same. After three years.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
    gliazzurri and Thecadster like this.
  21. AMN

    AMN Karting
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 27, 2018
    111
    NYC, Minneapolis, Bozeman
    Full Name:
    A M N
    To the original poster... I am coming from various Porsches including the latest GT3 and Ferraris including 812SF.

    Let me introduce 296GTB... that could be the last car you will want even if you hate "electrification". Before you start laughing, let me admit that I was also laughing when they announced it. It's not funny any more.

    It does the "ring" at under 7min, it traps 1/4 at over 150mph, and can be driven daily at the same time. With minor suspension modifications it will do crazy magic on the track. Go find one to drive with standard or preferably AF track package (very GT3-like).
     
  22. day355

    day355 F1 Rookie

    Jun 25, 2006
    2,707
    Tell us about the emotion you feel inside this car...:rolleyes:as exciting as watching a goldfish spin in a bowl for hours... The lap times are reserved for professional drivers in my opinion
     
  23. AMN

    AMN Karting
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 27, 2018
    111
    NYC, Minneapolis, Bozeman
    Full Name:
    A M N
    Well... "emotion" is relative. Since the original poster is interested in tracking the car, I would highly recommend 296 over any front-engined V12 Ferrari because their auditory superiority will not help with track times. I would also skip 488/F8 which I have also owned. 296 is THAT good. 296 with Assetto Fiorano is what people like him should look into if they are benchmarking F cars against GT products from Porsche.

    Having said all of that, I am beyond tingly about the upcoming F167 replacement for 812. Apparently the dealer can't take the deposit money until May. :)
     
  24. ForeverNA

    ForeverNA F1 Rookie

    Dec 14, 2014
    2,624
    Hahah, awesome, I knew this comment would come. Was about to say the same thing myself.
     
  25. ForeverNA

    ForeverNA F1 Rookie

    Dec 14, 2014
    2,624
    and buttons... hheheh. Every else I wholeheartedly agree. Also had bunches of Porsche GT cars...not in the same realm with Ferrari V12 engine. I don't even get the point of op post. What was the point? He meant to post it in RL, right?
     

Share This Page