Boys..... they broke the mold when they made this one. I've had it for 3 weeks and it is absolutely the best overall driving machine that I've ever owned. (and I've owned them all) It eclipses not only other GT cars but also other sports cars....I never thought my GT2RS would be made obsolete by a front engined GT car, but it is...mortgage the house, sell the kids, do what you have to, but get your hands on a BERLINETTA and you wont regret it. 160mph efforless corners , turns, braking handling effortless the car should really be illegal
I found it to feel so much like the 458 (except that it had more power), that if you closed your eyes you could not tell the difference. That's impressive for a front engine car like this. Let me see... when is more power a bad thing? Never. I'll be honest with you... I think it's better looking than the 458 also. Maybe not as sporty, but more elegant like the great GT's that Ferrari has made in the past.
+1 have not driven an F12 but it is an awesome looking car. the front is mean. I like it. But I just can't give up top down driving and mid-engine is more fun in the twisties for me.
i have a 458 spider as well and honestly i only want to drive the Berlinetta. It is just so complete and as has been pointed out, when is more power a bad thing? But also the chassis is tremendous, a bit less nimble than the 458 but really not enough to matter or to offset the other positives, like 730hp!! if you had to have one, i think its no contest that the Berlinetta would stay in the garage
the f12 is a huge jump forward from the 599. much more nimble, much better driver ergonomics and ,of course, the shifting are the big differences. i really didnt expect the f12 to be this good. its an extraordinary car. the other thing that they finally got really right is the overall level of feedback from the controls, whether the steering or throttle or brakes, the tactile feel and response makes the car a joy to operate at any speed.
I am so pleased to hear you say that as I am trading in my Spider for an F12 which I am speccing tomorrow and have been having serious second thoughts so great is the spider, the more so after a quick 170mph blast over the weekend in rare sunshine.
It was a great pleasure to read this. I can litterally feel the enjoyement and excitement you had running this beast. Enjoy her to the max. Darling ? I just sold the house, because Lone Wolf told me to do so.
What,s interesting is that the cost difference isn't really that much. The 458 comes with very little standard equipment and the F12 quite a bit. When you look at what will probably be the most often selected things, the F12 is probably within 10 or 15 grand of a similarly equipped 458 spider.
I agree, which is why I postulated some time back that the F12 was actually good value. Relatively that is. Go back to the 430 and 599 and if memory serves me correct there was a substantially larger difference, substantially?
I have the 458 Spider now, after having the Italia, 599 and twelve more. I love this car. I can order an F12 soon, but must admit I love the "Open Top Option". Your enthusiam helps me decide I won't regret it. Everytime I move on to a new model, I think I should buy the old model, because of the cost savings, but after having the new one for a while, the technology is so superior, I don't won't the old one anymore. I need to make some more money I guess!
I am in total agreement with you. The game just keeps moving on and on. I get sentimental and practical about having the last model but the new one does always seem to triumph. You are going to LOVE the F12!
i have test driven the GTO only. Nice car, but not enough different over my GTB to merit owning especially as F12 was on the horizon. No comparison between GTO and F12. Just like vs the GTB. The F12 just does everything better. reminds me of 360CS to F430 and Scud to 458 coupe. Although they are 'special' models, the new car obliterates them and you get a full interior to boot, which helps keep the lady friends happy!
Can't wait for my F12. A couple of months I think. I sold my 458 spider to make room. I think the 458 spider is cool but I had two major issues with it: the chassis is quite flexy. Cowl shake with the top down, and squeaky with the roof up. Quite surprising. Second, I felt the exhaust flaps opening up felt very artificial and contrived but that is my subjective opinion.
Did I mention the sound this car makes? Not about the usual exhaust shriek, driving through tunnels wailing away, etc.,. that is expected and normal from these cars, I am talking about the engine sound when the windows are up and you're over 5k rpm...It sounds so mean, like it may just explode! (hopefully not)
