F12 vs 599

While I do not own a 599 I have driven several . A couple of quick points the 599 has a F1 transmission while the F12 has a DCT transmission . Another thing the F12 has an incredible sound much different then the 599 . I have been told this is due to the fact the 599 has 6 into 2 headers while the F12 has 6 into one equal length headers .. This give the F12 a better sound. The 599GTO has the6 into one equal length headers hence the nice sound..
To me the sound of the F12 is just awesome..

 

Yes its easily worth the extra $125k. Easy as that. Shorter wheelbase, more power, better transmission, better performance, list goes on.

 

+1 for me it was

 

The double clutch trans, wich is a truly new robotized gearbox enginereed to work with the engine and the diff , is one of the most distinctive feature IMO. The F1 599 box a 6 speed trans with an electro-hydraulic system bolted on it.

 

the 599 is more raw feeling compare to the F12 .... i bough an 599 prior my f12 deliver cuz i wanna see the difference . its just like my 430 and 458. the order model always has more raw feeling compare to the modern ferrari

 

Rockit, There's a f12 in Ferrari new England l have been tracking. It's close to 310k now. Rosso berlinetta 3 stage paint as well. Check that one out. They sent me the sticker. It's nicely equipped imo..

 

I would add in a few other thoughts:

* Much more refined SCM suspension (magneto dampers)- I forget how many times a second the 599 system sampled, they put in a much faster sample rate into the GTO and I think the F12 is either that same or even faster sample rate. More samples / second = more refinement in the suspension (or should be!)

* Later generation brakes- though for the street the 599s were excellent once broken in. On the track you could cook the 599 brakes.

* Definitely DCT >> old style F1 for most people most of the time. The 599 was the first time I drove an F1 where I felt it was good enough to replace stick shift. But it hasn't aged well next to the DCT boxes. I am sure future DCT boxes will be even better and maybe even with more gears- but I don't know if we will see a jump as big as we've seen with the move from the old style F1 to the DCT.

* E-diff is now part of the package. The 599 I think had a mechanical locking diff + the first application of the F1 Trac predictive traction control. Now thats all together. I think the e-diff is a huge development in terms of being able to apply the insane power these cars can produce- especially on the street.

* Sound. F12 definitely sounds better but 599 is no slouch in the sound department.

* Solidity. The 599 is a very solidly built car, but some of the interior pieces could sometimes rattle or make crash type noises in the right circumstances (usually choppy pavement). The F12 I drove felt even more solid and better put together.

* Electronics. This is obvious but in its GT role the F12 works a little better because of updated amenities like better Nav and Sat Radio, etc. This might not be high up on your list of priorities, but I think if you're spending this kind of money you should have the complete package and if you were to take it on a long drive, these things begin to prove themselves.

My summary is along what Jerry430 says, it really is like going from 430->458. You do lose a little rawness/ directness- especially in the operation of the transmission but you gain everywhere else.

None of these cars I would describe as truly light, whether its the 430/458 (weight is OK) or the 599/F12 (near sedan territory). But I think in both the 458 and F12 cases, the power, chassis rigidity and suspension and steering tuning is such that the cars really effectively hide their weight. Of course, more power can never hide the demands of extra mass on braking and cornering, but again, these aren't really meant to be full time track cars. They are street cars that you can do a track day with if you like and do it all in comfort, style and have an absolute blast doing it.

The question of worth is a relative one. I would note you could buy an earlier edition 599 for far less than the 225 you mentioned. So I think you could say the gap is actually larger. It then becomes a question that pertains to your situation.

I loved the 599 but I was really blown away with the F12- so much so that I decided to trade out of my 599 for the F12.

 

Driving my F12 this weekend(I love this car and would say it is all round the best F car I have owned), everything Caeruleus says is spot on and I would add that on track, the F12 is far superior, the 599 really feeling like a barge in a high sea in comparison.

 

Thanks Tim.

I think I left off the obvious depreciation. The F12 has further to go. As great as it is, I suspect it will fall prey to a similar depreciation curve as the 599.

 

That's true but what would you choose, a used f12 for 310k or a new 488? Both will depreciate but about the same price as of now.

 

Ok, I see only 5'8 here. It's a nice car. Very tempting.

 

In the abstract thats a choice between a GT layout based super car or a mid engine layout super car. I think one is better for back roads and the other better for highway curves. One is more aggressive looking and the other less so. So it just depends on how you want to use it.

As far as depreciation goes I think the F12 is likely to depreciate faster right now as its a much older model and V12 tend to depreciate a little faster.

In my case I have a 458 which I truly enjoy and I was so impressed with the F12 that I made the decision to upgrade my 599. Time will tell on the 488. Clearly much more power but I really do love the 458 and the experience of the NA motor.

 

458 + f12 is awesome especially if you take turns driving both daily.
But a 488 and f12 might be a "better?" combo. You still have the normal atmospheric v12 and the new and much faster 488 to have something different to experience. Any word on the f12 replacement? Or will it be a " facelift "

 

Are you going to go all black again on the 12 cylinder or a different color?

 

Yes that's probably one of the closest dealers to me. I have seen it in person but haven't looked at it very closely. I think it's $ a bit higher than the rosso ber car. I can check it out/drive it for you if you want. It's literally a few minutes from where I work, especially when I drive the 458. Haha. Afaik it's been there for a long time, so maybe they will soften a bit on negotiation. It would be amazing if you had both cz it does complement your 458 nicely. Have you driven a f12 before?

 

Sounds like I good idea to me. We use a smaller MB and BMW as daily that we leave outside. Afaik the f12 has more headroom but it's been years (when it was released) since I sat in one. I remember it was definitely wider. It's a GT car so I would think it has more headroom. I can get back to you when I sit on the black with race seats and black with Daytona's to compare when I get back.

 

Do what I do and just import one lol. F12 now are worth 250-260K DELIVERY MILES! These cars are not worth what they are being charged now in the US. It's worth it...

 

Wow. For 250k I would definitely part with one of my v8s. Where did you import it from?

 

Here they are:

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Incidentally, there are 07/08 599s with HGTE upgrades available here for $150-175K. The F12 is way nicer, but the 599s are way cheaper.