First Ferrari ever-F430 vs 599 GTB

For your case and question: what differentiates 599 and 430? You have driven a 430 but seems not a 599. It is rare that I have bought an old car I have not driven because I want driving feel and hands-on sense of vehicle condition. That is separate from whether PPI types of further assessment are desired.

Where and how you drive may guide choice. Maintenance support becomes important as cars need more with age. Jump too quickly and you may find parachutes are expensive. Take your time to figure out your tastes with test drives, even if it takes a while.

Consider the old bull which walks down the hill and then savors each choice thoroughly instead of expending its energy running down the hill.

 

I agree if you need to drive both. This is a six figure purchase. If there's no 599s around you jump on a plane and go find one. Drive them both then decide.

 

One is a sports car. The other is a GT. Difference horses for different courses.

 

I haven't driven either, but would go "GT" for sure.

MDS

 

I dunno. I haven't completely hung up my dancing shoes.

 

I remember a long time ago watching a show called Victory By Design with Alan De Cadenet on the old cable channel, Speed Vision. He spoke about mid engine Ferraris vs. front , I recall that he preferred front for use on public roads. I cant say that I remember his reasoning for this. I love both the 430 and the 550 / 575 / 599 series of Ferraris.

 

Cross country in a 599 / F12 / 812 …. Sign me up …. Done several on a motorcycle …. Would like to try a V12

MDS

 

The torque of the v12 is unmatched. Also just the outright brutality of speed.

It is also a nicer riding better gt.

I would take a 599 over a 430 all day and twice on Sunday.

That being said .. the 430 is a great car too

 

it does depend on what you will be using it for. as people have said above, these are quite different cars.
i have the 430 and have said it is the best value bang for buck ferrari you can buy. its a great all rounder, good on track and livable on roadtrips.
i have driven the 599 and it is fantastic, but significantly bigger heavier and less agile than the 430. excellent car for longer drives and the wife will like it more.

maintenance costs should not be extreme on either example but the v12 will always cost more to service than the v8.

 

As Ferrari's recent reputation is built on sport models, I would struggle to buy a GT car as a first exotic. A mid-engined car (especially with a MT) is I think what pulled most first time buyers in.

 

I agree with this, also with ross' observation about the mass of the 599. I was in this exact position in 2021 when a 599 GTB was for sale at Bobileff in San Diego. I tried to generate enthusiasm for the car, because it offered easier ingress/egress, which matters to me. But there was a red F430 Spider that had just been sold and was being prepped for a customer. That customer invited me to sit in the F430, and I instantly lost interest in the 599.

If I had to choose, I'd go with an F430 coupe. Hopefully with a carbon fiber interior package -- interior plastics on both cars are rubbish.

If you like classic cars and already have a modern fast car, the 328 is fun, beautiful, and less costly to maintain. A nice one is probably priced similarly to an F430 F1 or 599 GTB. A Testarossa, if you like the looks, is another icon. These are definitely older cars now, with a very different driving experience. Personally, I love '80s and '90s sports cars. My 328 and now Porsche 964 have been my favorite cars. Both properly loud and rare on the roads in 2024, yet not so vintage as to be limited to cars and coffee -- really good to drive.

 

Actually I just remembered I did drive a 599 for 15 minutes, but it was GTO ( in white ) - lol - not sure how I forgot that one.

MDS

 

I would argue with that; one is a sports car (the F430), the other is a GT AND a sports car.
To me that's what makes the 599 GTB so amazing, its dual personality allowing long relaxed travels as well as having a blast on a race track. The 599 can provide comfort and luxury or thrilling rawness depending on your mood, and that's pretty unique for a single car.
Maybe the 599 is more difficult to understand than a single minded sports car, but the reward is worth it.

Another thing to consider though, if showing off is a part of the Ferrari ownership enjoyment (and I have nothing against that, it's just not in my case), the F430 wins over the 599.