Need advice for first Ferrari: 599 for sale in Charleston

I purchased a 599 about 3 weeks ago. I just love it! I bought mine certified from the dealership, but still recommend a PPI. Sorry I can’t help you there but a few items I have been addressing since my purchase:

1) Repairing leather on dash and rear shelf
2) Leather headliner is starting to come loose
3) Replacing sticky parts. I have that on my F430 so not a big deal.
4) Replaced hood and trunk struts

These are all minor items. Also just back from cars and coffee where there were five 599s. All the owners were very positive about there experiences.

 

My former 599 is at Motorcars of Atlanta. It is an HGTE car. I traded it for a Mac. Local Atlanta car will all service done at FOA. It is a very nice car with no issues. I have no financial gain from it’s sale. Feel free to contact me for history of the car . PM and I will be glad to call you if you wish.

 

Grey with red stripe?

 

Yes

 

Car looks fine in the photos but I question why a new clutch was needed. I have more mileage on mine at 23,000 miles which is also a 2008 model which I do track and my clutch wear is at 37% worn. I have had no issues. I do service after each track event and annually. Coming from a collection for me is not a positive. To me it means that the car has not been driven so there will be potential issues. All Ferraris need to be driven otherwise seals start leaking, F1 pump leaks etc. Sticky buttons are part of Ferrari ownership as is leather shrinkage. So far I just have the sticky buttons mainly the reverse, auto button and headlight switch. Check the age of the tyres because if they are old you will not have enough rear grip and the ride will be crap. New tyres, go for Michelin will improve traction and ride. I currently have Corsas because Michelins were not available and I am happy with them , they are much better than the P Zeros. 599 is awesome for the money and these cars do handle (especially if HGTE equipped) if you know how to handle them.

 

Aclmin, the clutch on my 599 was replaced at 15k miles by the dealer, I have 15.5k miles now. I looked at the service records and saw that the car had an issue with the F1 going into "N" after selecting a gear. Speaking with the several 599 owners yesterday, it seems that several have had to replace their clutches around the 14-16k miles range. I don't ever drive in "auto" mode, but I suspect that could be some of the problems.

 

Replacing the clutch at 14 to 16k miles seems quite low mileage to me. The clutch lasts much longer than this. Maybe the PIS was not set right or could be F1 pump related. Slipping into N is clutch related. I would say driving style has a lot to do with it. As Taz has repeatedly pointed out, the F1 system is to be treated like a normal manual when driving.

The PPI will reveal leaking shocks if they are in fact leaking or have started to weep. If there is no evidence of an oil weep then the report will be clear. There is no sign of when the shocks will start to leak you just wait for it to happen. Just as you wait for the sticky buttons.

 

As I was reading it occurred to me that the clutch may have been replaced for reasons other than wear. Maybe a bad or leaking throwout bearing, seal, etc. We tend to jump to a bad conclusion with insufficient data. Not blaming, I do the same thing just an observation.

 

Skidkid valid point but a leaking bearing or seal would not require the clutch to be replaced unless there was serious signs of wear that made it economical to replace since everything was already out would just involve the cost of the clutch as there would be no significant additional labour cost.

 

Incorrect. A leaking seal gets oil on the clutch and it HAS to be replaced.

 

Hi, i've got both in my garage - sls and 599 HGTE. Whenever I think about using one of them, I go with the sls. More dramatic, more history, more fascinating sound. I like them both - but would rather go for sls if I were you. Regards from Switzerland, Marc

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I understand that, what I meant was that if there was no oil on the clutch itself.

 

I have been searching for a yellow 599 for the last 2 years ever since I saw one in person at Scottsdale Ferrari a few years back. I put a deposit on that car as I had a car going through Barrett Jackson and was anticipating a bigger number than the car sold for. I had to pass on the car and get my deposit back and I was so sad since I went nuts over the car. Funny thing is that David Spade was there looking to buy a 599 at the same time. I didn't realize just how rare yellow was in a 599 until I started my search. I saw this car advertised on Ebay several weeks ago and was going back and forth between a 550, 458, or this 599. Finally decided to pull the trigger and not let this one get away and have to wait another 2 years to find a yellow one. Hope Aclmin finds the right car. He has the right cars in his sight. Either a 599 or SLS would be a great addition to any collection.

 

So you grabbed it. I saw that car and considered it but went with red. Good catch.

 

I have a red 512 bbi and love it. I just have this thing for yellow cars. Had a 2001 Lambo Diablo in fly yellow and sold it and still kicking myself for doing so. Yellow just screams when you see it driving down the road.

 

Wife wanted yellow but the red I got was just too nice, a lot of options. I will add a yellow again one day but not sure what yet.