Hi there Thought id pop up and say hi. Currently I own a Maserati 4200 Gransport, but exploring the possibility of a 599 in the next 6 months or so. (Maybe a 550/575 but taken by the 599 for some reason) Quite a step up in every regard im fully aware. Having owned the Gransport for nearly 8 years, I am fully aware of the 'character' of Italian cars, but a certain set of circumstances has allowed me in a position to be looking at something like a 599, though i am yet to get beyond sitting in one. Not sure if its me, but seems like being able to get a drive in one appears to be a little difficult, though im sure this is true of all cars in this price bracket/exclusivity. Black or Red cars are not my thing, apart from the special order reds, of which there is currently one lovely one for sale at DL. I also have abit of a fetish for Carbon, and notice not all cars have the driver zone pack, though sill plates etc would be quite easy to fit I assume. (When you can find them) Look forward to exploring the forum more, and off to go stare at the pictures thread now.
Welcome, MrS! I’m new here, as well. Where are you trying to test drive cars? I’ve gone to 2 Ferrari dealerships, and they’ve both allowed me to test drive vehicles. The only exceptions were vehicles on consignment, and probably special edition cars, e.g. 458 Speciale. I didn’t ask to drive the latter, but I’d imagine they wouldn’t be keen on it.
Welcome. There’s a lot to love about either a 599 or 550/575. Personally, I like the timeless 550 styling better, but they’re all great cars. I almost went for a gated 599 when I was looking at my 430, but ultimately wanted the rear engine. Spend some time in the model-specific forums for these cars, and you’ll get a lot of input.
Tried to arrange 2 drives with specialist here in the UK, i live near Silverstone GP Track, but they are appear reluctant to let me do anything other than look, maybe i need to change my approach, as im very honest and say that im not 100% sure what I want, but would like to experience a few cars, rather than say yes, I want a 599. Im nearly 40, so not exactly a youth. I will persist, and im sure experiencing either of the 550/575 or 599, will leave me blown away.
Thanks, yes been looking and some very helpful info in the specific areas. I am in the process of rebuilding a fast road/track car (320HP VX220), so the thought process is that the mid engined criteria is already catered for. Maybe when it becomes more popular, and maybe cheaper and easier, a manual conversion 599 would be on the cards. Having experience of the F1 transmission, i already know what to expect from that side, and on the open road think its pretty decent. Truth is without driving, and even sitting in a 550/575, its difficult to make a decision. Hoping to get a look around a 550/575 and another 599 this weekend, though a drive of any is out of the equation im told.
Being in the US, I’m not familiar at all with the Opel - looks pretty fun! Enjoy that. If I’m remembering correctly, I think you would definitely need to drive a manual 599 before buying. Again, I could be misremembering, but it may not be a good manual experience. It’s unfortunate that so many dealers are not allowing test drives. I don’t know how one can buy a car like this without first driving it. When I bought mine, I walked into the dealer dressed in my usual VERY casual attire, and the dealer had no problem letting me test a few cars. He, in fact, wanted me to drive a gated 430 to decide whether he thought I would be OK to own it. After about two shifts, he said “OK, you can buy this one of you want.”
