One year with a 599

Hi Inadeje,

Just some clarification regarding the points you wrote as quoted above:

1) The last Pininfarina-designed V12 Ferrari was not the 599 but the F12, even though Flavio Manzoni (Centro Stile) was also involved and collaborated. In the name of Ferrari, Flavio Manzoni accepted the Compasso D'Oro award for the design and technology of the F12 in 2014. Regardless if you look at any picture of the F12's sides, you'll see the Pininfarina badge visible on the front fender panel just in front of the doors.

2) The actual 599 lead designer at Pininfarina was Jason Castriota. Frank Stephenson's last design at Ferrari was the F430, though he was also involved in designing the 612 and the FXX.

 

Da Butcher, thanks for correcting those points. While was convinced that the F12 was an in-house design, I stand corrected. Regarding Stevenson, he wasn’t the lead designer, but are you sure he wasn’t involved in the 599 design? He appears as part of the design group at the time and I believe he has commented on his involvement, however minor.

 

Here is some early 599 artwork. If anyone can recognize the signature on the sketch that may give indication who was involved in 599 design.
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I don't know about the signature, but wasn't Ken Okuyama the main designer of the 599 and 612?

 

Tom, great to hear your enthusiasm and even better to see you enjoying it locally. Saw you in passing at this year's Petit during the last couple of night racing hours. Come see me at The Dog House next time your at Road Atlanta!

 

Ed,

That's Jason Castriota's signature.
"How the Ferrari 599 GTB Accidentally Changed Car Design"

Ken Okuyama, then as Pininfarina's Creative Director (from 2004 until 2006 when he left PF to set up his own design firm), may have been an overseer of Jason's 599 design.

 

How reliable has it been? Im cross shopping this and the CLK63BS.

https://www.marshallgoldmanbh.com/used-vehicle-2007-ferrari-599-gtb-fiorano-c-388/

I will get a warranty, just in case.

Thank you.

 

There are quite a few threads here, search is your friend. I believe the only major issues are the leaking shocks and sticky interior buttons but I am not an expert. Only suggestion I would have is to look for a 2008+ model so that you can fully upgrade it to HGTE specs if you ever feel like it. Again search for HGTE upgrade and you will find what I am talking about. Cheers!

 

In 2008 for USA the OBD2 standard was quite improved so you can get more diagnostic data too.

 

Thank you guys! I will keep doing my research. So far it seems if you don't drive it much - you get the most amount of problems. Luckily for me, I love driving!

 

I'm a big Mercedes fan and I've been driving them now for 40 years. They are truly great but not that special even in the configuration you are looking at. If you want a car that is fairly unique, beautiful (much more than the CLK), powerful, and just a thrill to drive, you want the 599. The one you posted at Marshall's looks very nice! I also have mine in black, currio.

 

IMHO, cross shopping a 599 GTB vs a CLK63 BS is not an even or a close comparison.

I've been driving MB's since '93 (27 years now and started with a 300CD family coupè) and currently have an '07 SL55-AMG as daily driver for the last 13 years (75k miles now). I've had an '11 599 HGTE for two years now (plus an '07 599 GTB for a year prior) and I can vouch that Ferraris' mode of driving or raison d'être (which challenges any drivers' know-how and ability) is the anti-thesis of MB sporty models which are aimed at luxury GT cruising for hours on end without experiencing driver's fatigue.

No comparison at all, although the SLS63-AMG Gullwing models are fantastically classic (fully AMG designed and built in Affalterbach and will most probably appreciate in future value) and its Black Series version, though quite expensive, is the one to check out! Amazingly, the current resale value of its Roadster version is not as expensive or holding its value in comparison to the Gullwing.

Good hunting and keep us apprised of how you finally decide on your ride. Cheers!

 

Yep, she's very docile and smooth until you put your right foot down and becomes very racy. It's a supercar, enjoy it! reads like you already are

 

Nice thread, interesting information on 599. Sometimes I look at AMG GT-S, especially the Edition One version. Sounds amazing, nice toys, beats 599 on track but quite small interior, impossible to find the proper seat position and way worse visibility to 599 due to sitting position. If I would be tracking most of the time, I would go with GTS still but for GT diving (both names claim to be GT), 599GTB is the clear winner. I just nees to install my Fiamenghi 6 in 1 headers, add remote controlled valves for backbox and I should be fine. Novitec front and rear lower aero bits are waiting also their turn.

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Ok guys... no way a chick would say this, "I Just turned (50,52,53) and got my 599" .... are you mocking me? LoL I guess I'm late to the party at 57... Cheers!!

 

The car is OK. But that guy in the Black Jacket is a good looking man!

 

I bought it last year nowadays, when I was 56 so we are in the same club Anthony

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I called on that one last week and was told it's sold. Still seeing it listed....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-Ferrari-599-GTB-Fiorano/393094933558?hash=item5b8648ac36:g:FzsAAOSwFN9ffXmj

 

I bought it 5 years ago and I'm 57 now .. so equals!

 

tom -

how many miles on it now?

 

Loved mine .. but was getting a bit leggy for a ferrari at 45k miles.

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Mine has 44.3K


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What do you mean by "leggy"? Expensive? Boring?

Jim