Drove a 6-Speed manual 599 GTB!

Hey guys, this time I wanna share with you all my recent experience with a real gem, a 6-Speed manual Ferrari 599 GTB! A friend of mine has been kind enough to let me experience his car and I still can't believe that I drove what I consider as the ultimate 599 to drive.

The Ferrari 599 GTB is one of my fav F models and I drove many times a good friend's GTB with F1 'box but driving it with a 6-Speed manual is a totally different and sensational experience. If you think that driving with a F1 'box is fun, well doing it with a clutch pedal is FUN, you get the point?

It really felt weird to jump onboard and see the stick, it was just the 2nd manual 599 that I saw for real and it was pretty exciting the first moment I engaged the first gear, pressed the clutch pedal and fired up the engine. My goodness the GTB is one of my fav sounding V12 powered Ferraris of this era but the metallic noise when you change gear.. that's a proper noise! I don't understand people that care that much about the speed of gear changing and lap times, at the end what really matters is the emotions that a car conveys to the driver.

I guess you have understood that I hate double clutch and the F1 'boxes in general and it was really special for me to taste and tame again (first time was with the F40) so much power with a proper gearbox. You really feel the power and the control of the car in your hands! I have experienced both the 599 GTB F1, GTB manual and GTO (really loved it!) but I think that a GTB with a manual is the best compromise between speed, fun and emotions.

It's not even that hard to drive! The gearbox is so precise and lovely to play with and the clutch is not very hard as I imagined. The clutch pedal spoils a bit the daily usability but at the end.. I would be the happiest man in the world to open the garage and see it every time.

Oh, here's the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQb57_rL1N0

 

I love all your videos! I have seen your Challenge Stradale video at least 20 times!!

 

Interesting streets for a test drive! You are a very lucky guy to have such a friend.

 

"Clic-Clac - Ahahahah "

Best part of the video - When you push the Knob and laugh after.

Excellent post, excellent video.

I was suprised to see you. Your writing skills and automotive tastes belong to a silver haired man ahahaha.

 

Fantastic video! I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for posting.

 

That's just awesome!! Oh man, do I wish mine 599 was a manual 6 speed. I have a 2002 Viper as well as the GTB and there is no doubt the 599 is the much faster machine, but in all honesty, the Viper is the more engaging of the two to drive. Having that third pedal and rowing your own gears just adds more to the experience of driving. I mean, how often to you track your F-Car ( or do you even track it?) where laps times become relevant?

 

His excitement is real. I'm more excited to take my 599 6spd to see the fight tonight at my friends house more than the fight!

 

I find driving with a manual 599 only through the city of Monaco and not on one of the three Corniches not very impressive

regards
Johnny

 

I'm going to make a killer video driving mine this week God willing for you guys to see.

I know said the same thing when i was going to sell it, but it is hard to be in a rush to do so...

 

Thanks everyone for the positive feedbacks!

@Johnny Prezemullo: before test driving it, the owner took me for a blast in the hills with the manettino set in CST OFF, tires had to be replaced afterwards! Will post here the video when it will be online.

 

Cool video - thanks for sharing.

C'mon Ferrari! Make more manuals.

 

Great video, many thanks for sharing......There is a 599 manual with HGTE coming up for auction in the RM Sale in May.......let's see hoe she does.....

 

Great video Marco. Thanks for sharing.

 

Marchettino,

I just saw this video and got thinking about manual 599's. I just drove an F1 and it felt like the gearbox was holding back the amazing potential of the car.

You get some great videos. I've replayed many like the Aston Zagato revving. Keep it up!