PORTOFINO TEST DRIVE

Thanks for the write up. Nice looking in blue. $235K is closing in on early, high (by F-car standards) F12 territory.
I'll run your suggestion by the wife!

 

My wife and I are signed up for next weekend here in Austin. Looking forward to it.

 

Doc...My wife is a peach. She loves the F-12. Her only proviso is that I can only own one Ferrari @ a time! Which seems pretty reasonable to me.

Actually, I am due to test drive the Porto tomorrow morning @ Boardwalk. Right before I \ go out of town. The flight will be a good opp to do some mental cost-benefit analysis on new V8TT vs. used V12 vs. standing pat w/ the ivory/chocolate wonder.

Hope your still loving that awesome looking Huracan, Doc!

T

 

Drove the Porto this morning. Thanks to Julie, Jeff and Steve for fitting me in before my trip!

No need for a new thread so I'll piggyback on Doc's. Boarding in a few so I'll keep it short.

Steering is great. Tight and direct. Exhaust sound is very good. No sign of turbo lag, even when dawdling around town in Comfort. Good sight lines with top down; didn't drive with top up. Unlike the last car I drove with an iPad for a info center, you can turn the display off! Handsome car with top up and down. Standard wheels look fine in person. To be honest, couldn't see them from the cockpit, and didn't care once I started driving.

Steering wheel. Busy, buttons with buttons. But it now has a normal horn placement!

Photos courtesy of my lovely wife.

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T

 

To be honest, I can't answer that right now. The opportunity to personalize a new Ferrari to my and my wife's spec would be a dream come true. Likewise, there is nothing like a V12. It's a great conundrum to have! I think I need to test drive a V12!

T

 

More semi random thoughts, before we take off, the standard aluminum air /heat vents look cheesy. Not befitting a $200+K car IMO. Passenger display did nothing for me, but then again I was the driver. Liked the new TFT display which showed engine temps, tire pressure and temp, voltage, etc. Cruise control interface is yards better. Leather package, not sure if it was standard, was quite nice. Standard steering wheel has a nice feel to it, but it would benefit from the CF/LED upgrade.
T

 

If one doesnt prioritize the Portofino hardtop then I think the Huracan is the better choice. To me the Cali/Portofino selling point has always been the retractable hardtop.

 

Loved my test drive as well but did find something weird about the steering, a funny dead spot (glad yours did not have that). Additionally since I was coming from a CaliTHS I could see the softer side of the Portofino which was very welcomed but it leads me to believe that there is room to make it more aggressive hence I am waiting till they "hopefully" release an HS pack because I think it will almost be a 488 with a trunk and some space to squeeze the kids in I heard there will be plenty of options coming for this car to increase Ferrari margins.

 

I would get the F12, as there are some nice specs out there.

 

I have owned and driven my F12 for over 20,000 kms and I also test drove the Portofino last week on a short trip.

I felt that the steering feel was a little too soft and somewhat vague, however I am not buying it to take on the track. To be honest the Portofino is utterly brilliant at what it does and I think it is without peer.

The F12 on the other hand is an absolute animal. Huge HP with the noise to go with it.

If I could only choose one then it would be the F12.