Looking to purchase a V12 Ferrari

I'm in the market for my first front-engine Ferrari, and would like some guidance from the community.

The budget is less than $180k but the stretch could be $260k but I would have to sell a car.

Not selling any existing cars, just adding. Here is my current collection

• '21 M5 Comp (semi daily)
• '21 Gladiator (very custom done with huge 37s, semi daily)
• '20 Escalade ESV (kid mover and wife's daily)
• 14' Vanquish Volante (wife's weekend)
• '04 360 F1 spider (my weekend)
• '97 F355 gated spider (another weekend for me)
• '90 Humvee (custom and used 4x a year for charities)
• 2 superbikes (garage queens and need to sell)

We have 3 kids (7 girl, twin 4yr old boys)

I've always lusted after a F12 but would have to sell the M5 to make that happen.

I've also loved the FF due to the engine, look, and the 2 back seats.

Questions:
1. Has anyone gone from a FF/GTCLusso to an F12, what was the experience?
2. Are there any major differences between the 2012 FF and the 2016 FF?

any other personal experience would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

Hello and welcome to the V12 section. to answer your questions;


1 Yes, people have done so. Some have regretted it, others not. It depends on your use case. In addition, some members have both FF/Lusso and a F12/812. Horses for courses and YMMV.

2 No major running changes apart from reduction of brittle tie wraps in the DCT box from 2013 onwards. Later cars have the option of CarPlay on the infotainment unit and pano roof as well. Member @Outrun has been told that the late cars also have improved software and his test drives seemed to prove that although we haven’t been able to verify it anywhere else. However, he put his money where his mouth is and bought a late car.

 

I know you say you don't want to sell any cars and and would have to sell the M5 to get into an F12 but I would highly highly consider doing just that.

I had a 2019 M5 that I never really gelled with - I thought it was a very boring, heavy sedan with super vague steering and overly boosted brake and throttle inputs. The F12 is just multiple leagues above it from multiple aspects and it has one of the greatest drivetrains ever fitted to a car that is one of the last of its breed. Seriously I could sit here and try and describe it but you just have to experience it - the sound, the responsiveness, the immense power.

Another thing that pushed me over the edge to pull the trigger is the fact that the F12 is the last Pininfarina-designed car.

At the end of the day it is usually the least expensive path to just buy what you have lusted over longest. The great thing is you have a bunch of other cars that can fulfill many other duties.

 

I went from an FF to an F12 and can whole-heartedly state that I prefer the F12. Lots of subjective reasons, but for me it simply feels incredibly more special. You won't regret it.

 

Thank you for all feedback and guidance. Struggling with getting rid of the M5 as I can get the 3 kids in the back, its' fast as crap, San Marino Blue, all the newest tech, and the wife thinks its hot. Also nice to have a sedan we can take long distance and leave the SUV with the nanny. Hard to do in the lifted gladiator.


Eyeing this FF: https://www.tacticalfleet.com/2014-ferrari-f12-berlinetta-c-13257/#details-68
My F355 and 360 are Rossa Corsa/Tan and want something different. Not sure if I want Batman difference but this is cool as **** looking.
This is my dream, and local (Tampa), price is out of budget: https://www.europeanexoticcenter.com/used-2016-ferrari-f12berlinetta--tampa-fl-id-45933347, has also lived in Cali its whole life.

This is a nice FF but it has some leather shrinkage, sticky buttons, and a few other bruises: https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/ZFF73SKA6E0198681
Love the black and yellow theme https://www.astonmartinboston.com/VehicleDetails/used-2014-Ferrari-FF-2dr_HB-Norwood-MA/5141292260 but miles are almost 30k and in Massachusetts

Thoughts on these choices?

 

Or trade the 355 [emoji6]


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The FF/Lusso are downright awesome over long distances. Come to think of it, they’re pretty awesome over short distances too as long as you aren’t stuck in stop-start traffic.

 

You have 5 people in your family, but you also have an Escalade so seats aren't NEEDED but preferred. I personally don't love blacked out cars, I feel like it was a fad 5-10 years ago and it's massively overrated but to each their own. Luckily, if that is your cup of tea you'll find lots of FF/F12s in that spec. But you also don't have to get your car in resale red either.

You love your M5, and it has the stated benefit of holding your kids when needed. If I was you and not married to the 360, I'd sell that on and get an F12 in its stead. You'd have a modern DCT ferrari (excellent) an incredible manual one (355) and still have your daily drivers. That is of course if I'm understanding the financial situation you've presented.

Cheers and post pics when you get one!

 

You'll hear nothing but praises for the F12. It can rack up the miles. It's mostly reliable. It's the "last of many" car.

Just keep in mind, F12 will feel slower coming out of F90 M5 since the boosted torque curve just feels a lot faster. That push you get at mid range will be gone. What you will give up in sensation of speed and practicality, you'll get back in the engine sound and uniqueness of driving a Ferrari. I have both (M5 & F12), and I think they complement each other nicely. I personally would sell the 360 instead if you need to sell.

 

F12. Sell the bmw.
Hell sell the kids.


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https://www.vegasautogallery.com/used-vehicle-2015-ferrari-f12-berlinetta-c-1252/

I went down to see these guys and just poke around the showroom. If you call them ask for Blake and tell him "free help Jim with the F12" sent you. lol I looked at this F12 in person and it looks very well sorted. If you can stretch your budget a bit, it's a great example.

And you could at least provide your first name in your profile so we could address you properly. There are lots of celebs and big baller types on here.

 

I was considering an FF and F12 also. Test drove and considered the FF for a while, decided it wasn't for me. Saved up for another year or two and bought the F12, very happy with it.

 

I owned both FF and F12 up to last December. Both pristine supernice late models. FF a 2015 Tailor Made 7000kms, F12 a 2017 10000km car. Sold the F12 in December. Preferred the understated looks of FF when going somewhere. F12 attracts to much eyes and cameras. FF in general a much more special car and special design. Loved the fact you can take the kids and misses on a ride, the pano roof is amazing. And it has much better traction! F12 was always stepping out and quite a handful. I also am of the opinion the FF ages nicer…I feel the F12 starts to look dated. All personal offcourse, but in fact am happy the F12 is gone, don’t miss it. I got a 458 spider instead and actually its a much better set to own in combination with the FF…FF is a family fun car, the 458 for weekend runs!

 

Ok good I didn't want to go first but forget the FF and get the F12. To me the FF seems the worst of both worlds. Why not keep the family cars as family cars and the sports cars as sports cars? The F12 is big already I can't imagine extending that to another row of seats.

 

@blkfxstc Did you consider the GTC4Lusso before moving to the F12?

 

Same arguement of the GTC4Lusso vs the F12 I assume?

 

This exactly. Only Ferrari I'd want with 4+ seats is the SUV, because it's not trying to be a sports car (hopefully)

Ultimately, go drive an FF/Lusso/F12 and make a decision though. Maybe one of them will speak to you more than another.

 

I did not, they were outside of my budget at the time and I knew after driving the FF the GTC4Lusso would not be for me (did not want a 4 seater).

 

Hard to compare a 4 seater and 2 seater, even given the same engine....The 2 seater is gonna be more engaging and a better "driver".....My opinion is the car you drive more is the better car....I have a V12 Lusso (from a 458) and it checks every box only because I have 2 little kids....

 

550 and 575 are gorgeous but more of a Mercedes’ drive characteristic. 599 or 599 HGTE is incredibly visceral but comfortable when taking it easy. I prefer the simplistic looks of the 599 over the f12 and 812 but to each their own.


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Sell the superbikes and the 355. Buy an F12.

 

I experience the FF as a good and very fast travel car, where you get out very fresh after long journeys.
In addition, you can experience the fun with more people.
That was the condition for me to buy a 4-seater.
You won't regret the FF.

 

F12 slower than an M5? Even the most recent M5 takes more than 2 seconds more from 0-200 km/h and has way less power (140PS less) than an F12...

 

He said “feel” and “sensation.” To the average driver, I agree that turbo torque curves will “feel” faster or give a “sensation” of speed.

Actual speed is very subjective to the driver, weather and road conditions, and the parameters of the race. My friends turbo Honda Civic can smoke my F430 or 599 HGTE on a free way pull, doesn’t mean it’s “faster.” Those kinds of “fast” cars are built so specific that the drivers know exactly what speed/RPMs to start a pull at…. Not my kinda driving but to each their own.


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F12 compares to Aventador. I think BMW compares to maybe Acura or other mass produced market.