Swapping a 430 spider for a 599? Opinions?

I think a derivative of this topic may have already come up but the cirumstances are somewhat differant here.

Pretty much like the USA here in South Africa there is a rather large waiting list for 430's and there are people willing to pay premiums, as much as $90 000 over list price. Thats all good, if one wants to sell.

A friend of mine has a 430 spider, really loves the car but has been offered a hefty premium on it and should he sell it the dealer can get him a 599 in very early 07...

Now this is where it gets tricky, this friend of mine has only ever driven V8 Ferraris, loves the raciness of them, the screaming engine and the precise handling. I personally dont think a person that like the raciness of the V8;s would ever totally fall for the refinement of the V12 cars, sure some of you have probably made the swap from V8's to V12's, would be interested to hear if you could shed some light on the really special aspects of the 12 cylinder cars? Make no mistake I love the V12 rare as they are in South Africa but I just think the transition from a high revving V8 to a lower revving quiter V12 must be hard for some people. This is compouded by the fact that in SA you cannot fit a Tubi exhaust as for some stupid reason ones warranty is voided...

Another questions, whats the opinion on ordering a car that non of the motoring press have driven, and about which there are no independent opinions of? To me thats putting a lot of faith in Ferrari....

For some reason V12 Ferraris in SA dont quite have the same appeal as the racy V8 ones, of the total number of F cars in SA I would say V8's account for about 70-80% which sort of limits ones opinions regarding a market to sell a V12, unless one trades it in...

The other side of th coin is that my friend likes to change F cars pretty often, usually on a yearly basis so there realy isnt anything to trade up to at the moment, he doesnt want a 430 coupe...which leaves the 612 or the 599...

Anyone else in the similar 430 vs 599 dilema?

 

I had a 360 spyder and traded it in on a 575. I was never really happy with the 575's weight and handling and ended up trading it back in on a 360 coupe; I now have a 430 coupe.

In my opinion, the key thing to consider is that while the V12's torque and sound are intoxicating, the V12s are Grand Touring cars and the V8s are sports cars; if you want that incredibly tight handling and shrieking engine, the GTs just don' supply that.

On the other hand, if I was driving from Capetown to Plettenburg Bay (or San Francisco to Santa Barbara), I'd want the GT.

 

I'll do it without thinking.
First he has a spyder, wich I don't like hehe; and he's getting a Premium.
The 599GTB is going to become an Icon I'm almost sure, it weight's less than the 575 and has way more power, and the look's from my point of view are amazing, it looks so agressive.
On the track I think it will perform really similar to the F430 I think, but in it's own way.

 

if u ever worry about the resale value i wouldn't do it.

 

Are you a coupe GT guy or a spider sport guy?

That is the question.

GTs are more tight and comfortable, sports cars are not, but they're more agile.

Spiders also "flex" a bit and have quite a bit of noise: extrinsic (road/wind) and intrinsic (from flex).

Do you drive a lot long distance: GT, or short quick trips: spider.

As far as high revving, the V12 gets up in the revs. I don't know what the redline will be on the 599. Regardless, V8 red 8500, V12 7500? not that much difference and the last 1000rpm on a V8 get there slowly. V12s do have torque and will throw you back in your seats. The main difference is acoustic (V8) versus sensation (V12).

You need to drive them to decide.

Down here in Texas, in the summer, with a bit of wind and sun, and driving over 100mph for anything over 45mins with the top down frankly beats you up.

I like coupes (and torque), my wife likes convertibles. I'm thinking (shopping but don't tell her) of giving her my spider and trading her SL in on a Murcie.

 

The 599GTB will be much different than the other front engined Ferrari's of the last 15 years. It will be faster, more agile, and a true performance GT, not just a luxury GT. For these reasons, and also that it has a truly agressive look, I would predict that this new V12 will have similar if not better resale than the F430.

My first experience was going from high performance front engine, to high performance mid-engine. Unlike race cars, in my experience, street mid-engine cars will not corner as well as a street front engined car. You just can't go fast enough on the street to bring a mid eingined car up to its true potential.

On the other hand, there is something emotionally enjoyable about having a massive engine growling just behind you.

So stick with the F430 Spyder, wait until the 599GTB hits the streets, and then make the decision.

 

Thanks for the feedback, as usual its great useful info, much appreciated.

Thing is my friend uses his car most of the time for blasts over mountain passes and suchlike, so in this environment the mid engined cars do have an advantage.

Non of his Ferraris have ever done a long trip, i.e 200 miles plus so having a world class GT may be a bit of a waste and yes just like everywhere else V12 Ferraris in SA loose stack in depreciation...and are generally difficult to sell.

He drove a 575 at the Pilota Driving Course in Italy and didnt like it, thought from what I hear the 599 will handle much better, engine further back like the 612....

Its a difficult decision though....

 

Instead of swapping the 430 spider, why not take that money and just buy a tr or 512tr, or boxer with the difference on the trade. You have to great cars for different applications. Just my 2cents.

 

The 599 is a Mid engined car too.
but it is on the front, instead of the back.

 

Exactly, the 599 GTB will be a new kind of beast.