An almost impossible choice...

I havent driven a 599 extensively but as for the sound part , i can say that it sounds absolutely amazing. Different than a F430.Not better nor worse but he wont be disappointed in this department.

My only negative point from my short drive with the 599 was its size and how you feel inside. You dont have that race car cocoon feeling you have in a mid engined car.

 

I would imagine that in the S. African context a closed roof car is safer from hijackers than a convertible with a cloth top.
The 599 will also be faster at the top end, the better to speed away from pursuing thugs

 

Honestly, it would even be difficult to compare a 430Spider vs. a 430Coupe. Comparing a 430Spider to a 599GTB is again more difficult...

A Coupe can never substitute a Spider, IF you love to drive without a roof (quite obvious statement...).

The 599GTB has a very nice engine sound. However, the interior engine sound level is below that of the 430.

As posted above, the interior of the 599GTB is fairly roomy (making it an excellent GT car, BTW). Though, the 599GTB's interior does not extrude the race car feeling of a F430 or even a Gallardo (which is king in that aspect).

Having said all that, the 599GTB is still the superior sports car. More power, better suspension, better F1 gear-box, faster in a straight line and on the track etc. etc. Simply faster and more efficient in each and every aspect.

Best decision would be to keep both cars if your friend is a true Spider enthusiast or to sell the F430 if not.

 

For whatever it is worth. We recently had both a CS and a 575m in our stable at the same time (his and her F-cars). Every time the wife and I wanted to go for a spin it was the stradale.The stradale was terrific at the local track where as the 575m was lets say not the best. The stradale felt like a supercar while the 575's physics seemed all wrong (too nose heavy to easy to lose rear end). now if your intent is to make long distant trips in a F-car the 12 cyl is the only way to go very very comfortable and easy to live with. I suspect that the 599 is much more sporty than the 575m with the big HP increase and better suspension etc. but if it is visceral thrill you are after you probably would prefer to keep the 430 or better yet trade for the 430 cs when it comes out. Final point the cs didnt lose any money when we traded it. cannot make same case for 575. I am all but certain that will remain in the new cars. makes no sense to me but the 8 cyls hold there value while the 12's sink like rocks. Thats why my current F-car is a 430 spider.
///MK

 

speaking of the f430 cs fo you know anything about this car?

 

It's a no-go. Airbags, if I remember properly.

 

thanks for the reply, I hope they find a way to get around that. I was very excited about the 430 cs

 

it's been discussed extensively on other threads...it appears there won't be one, but if there is, it is unlikey to make U.S soil.

 

I couldn't believe the difference in feel between the 430 (a Spider in this case) and the 599. I was in both last night, and it was a dramatic difference. The 430 motor screaming right behind your ears, relatively small, race-car like feel vs. larger, much more quiet, yet very very firm suspension in the 599 and that special 612hp V12. If you have the means it would be a difficult choice. The 430 begs you to push it hard, the 599 however seems very driveable and quite comfortable, yet of course has plenty of power at hand. Its size is felt more in the car than looking at it. You don't realize how big it is until getting it on the road. It should be a phenomenal high-speed tourer. But the 430 is amazing in its own right - this was my first exposure to it, and it it is very impressive, more so than I expected.