Is the FF simply too large ?

This fellow uses his as a daily driver in London

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/143207267-post2.html

Read some more of his posts for further thoughts

Also for example http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ff-f12/443180-buying-s-h-ff-uk.html#post143037488

 

Not sure where you live and what kind of driving you do, but I use mine daily in all kind of driving, city, highway, track, mountain, I actually like the size as permits taking luggage and kids to many places, and if you drive aggressive the car does not feel big or heavy but actually quite nimble

 

Yes the FF is larger than other Ferrari's but not that much. Rear visibility is actually perfect. The rear camera is displayed in the right multifunction display so the steering wheel sometimes blocks it but between that and the three mirrors, rear vis is quite good. A front camera would be handy for avoiding parking lot bumpers until you get used to it but still no big deal.

 

I managed to drive mine into an underground car park in Bruges. Now those are really tight. No scrapes or bumps. I do have front and rear cameras though.

Admittedly in the middle of town it does feel like a caged animal wanting to be let out.

 

The car shrinks around you as you drive it. The more you drive it, the better it gets! Much of my driving is on narrow country lanes and it's no more of a handful than a car half its size.

 

echo this. we drive a mix of roads, most of them 2 lanes (many 1.8 lanes). as for driving complexity, I would put rear/side visibility in the same category as a Panamera, or even our X5M.

I would also say you need to get used to the car; it's large, you sit relatively low, and a bit far back from the front wheels, so your "sight picture" is a bit different.

I would not want one if i lived in Florence, but we've taken it to/thru Manhattan with zero concerns (other than potholes).

 

OK so I think you are in the UK and if it were my bucket list I would not buy an FF if I did not need the seats - it is a large car and this is about dreams which if you are worrying about size every time you drive it is inappropriate - the F12 (which I believe feels more compact) and 599 (even the 575 & 458) are just as wide give or take a few mm and end up a few inches larger than the 911 turbo which is not a Ferrari and therefore may not be appropriate for a bucket list : Alfa 4C it is !

 

It is never about sensibilities buying a Ferrari...

Have you sat in it and started it up -- with the door open or the windows down?

That will do it.

 

I've always found smaller cars to be more fun than larger ones. Every time I've bought something larger because I "potentially needed a back seat", I've ended up bored and sold or traded the vehicle within a couple of years.

That said, if you need to chauffeur kids, carry loads of stuff, etc., then a four seater hatchback might be what you need.

(And a 911 Turbo is basically a two seater with no cargo space -- so I wouldn't call it more sensible than an FF, other than having a better spares/service network.)

My two cents: Forget utility, if it's a bucket list thing. If you want a Ferrari tourer specifically, buy a low mileage 550/575/599. If you don't need the badge or relative rarity, grab a 911 Turbo and just have another car for more utilitarian needs and bad roads. I also think you'll come out better on depreciation/ownership costs on the Turbo, if that matters -- they seem to hold value better.

 

The FF is the same width as the F12 and I have done almost 10,000 miles in the F12 around cities, garages etc and have had no issues (FF is a foot longer almost but I don't think you will notice that). That being said, this is around New York. If you are going to be driving around side streets in Chelsea in London it is going to feel much wider than it would this side of the pond. The bottom line is that the FF is 5 inches narrower than a Range Rover and I don't think many would say the Range Rover is too large to drive around cities. Buy the car if you love it - no need to use size as an excuse not to though.

 

And the Ferrari FF is the best car in the world...

 

135i? 911 Turbo? I'm not sure you know what you want.

Forget about all the nostrums and opinions and practicalities. You're 60. Buy the car that moves you, and don't analyze why it does.

I don't like big cars, but I have an RS7 that I absolutely love. I never think of it as big. I just feels right.

If the FF just feels right, don't sweat the other stuff.

 

I have had many 911s (down to only one now) - they are great cars, cheaper, better value, easier to use, draw less attention, far easier to live with every day and generally far more practical in every way than an F12 or an FF. That being said, you feel more special behind the wheel of a Ferrari. If that special feeling is enough to overcome your practical side (it is for me), get a Ferrari.

 

And there you have it! You can't ask for a better endorsement than that!

 

+1 After owning 3 Porsche's over the years I now laugh my butt off every few days when I start either the FF or the Cali at how spectacular the Ferraris sound compared to ANYTHING else, Porsche or Prius ... although I guess a Porsche is a bit better than a Prius . The FF is Ferrari's best kept secret.

 

Big or small is all relative. Its long and has presence but its a 4 seating Ferrari. Honestly this is hands down the most capable and thrilling car I have ever owned as a DD. I have winters on it now and its incredible.

 

I made the very expensive mistake of sitting inside an FF.

 

This!

Mark

 

I just added an FF to the fleet. I have to tell you that everyone that loves the FF is not crazy. I didn't think it could get any better than my 458 but alas it can. If I could only have 1 Ferrari it would be the FF. Absolutely amazing driving experience. As Ferris Bueller famously said...if you have the means I would highly encourage you to get one.

 

You don't want to take no notice of this guy he doesn't know what he's talking about.

If only....

He's only an true legend of a racing driver, when drivers won races not cars.

 

In driving, the car feels amazingly smaller than it really is. It really is remarkable. The car comes alive when you push it and always feels that it wants to run. This feeling derives from the engine response and steering. For parking, you obviously need to be mindful of the ends of the car, esp. the long snout. But it is only an inch longer than my X5M that it replaced.

And that sound is to die for.

 

I think in the UK the FF makes a strong argument for being the ideal Ferrari. Practical, daily drivable easy to potter around in and fine in the city (use mine daily around London and South East). Great for moving the whole family - great boot (trunk) space, and explosive when you get the opportunity. And the noise!! Why a v8 just will not do.

As a bucket list item tick the true Ferrari v12 item. The regulations mean the v8 is dying and going turbo. The 12 will follow eventually. Get a true NA v12 while you can! You can't take it with you.
Life is short - live now.

 

Except I am making plans to have my V12 interred with me.