[johns930]

the FF and aventador.

well, everyone needs to drive the FF and they will find themselves a best all around car, PERIOD.

it is as fast as a 458, brakes as good or better than the 458, handles better than anything in the rain, sounds better than a 458, looks awesome from the rear.

458, F1 like steering wheel is wierd in a utility car like this, i much prefer the old 612 wheel.
initial turn in creates body roll and a soft feeling of the suspension, but it sticks like glue, and still awesomely fun, throttle input is as sensitive and great as a 458.
overall handling not as light feeling as a 458, but better than anything else with a non F badge.

not that it matters, but rear seats roomier than my 612.
Pretty much can sell all ur cars for one FF and it would be practical, dont know how the fuel comsumption and gas tank size, but if its ok, it really can be a one and only car.

It can run with the best in the dry and beat everybody in the rain and most importantly it will still be fun to drive like any best ferrari. i would make the springs shock stiffer but its more than enough for any mountain driving.
Just cant help but imagine what the next 599 would be like, thats the first reason for not getting it, and the 2nd has to do with the frontal and side profile of this car, its no where near ugly, but they could of done much better. but if u want a mountain carver in a daily, THIS IS IT!!!!!


As for the aventador, i can only see it as good theatrics and not a drivers car. my advise is dont drive it before u buy it. Passengers and other outside tourists love it though.
Really wanted to love this and recommended it to all my buddies who can afford one, and love the looks and specs BEFORE getting behind the wheel. Feeling very confused after.

[Boxer]

+1 on the FF. Had very similar views on it.

[champagne612]

Nice write up and great pictures as always.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by champagne612

Nice write up and great pictures as always.

+1.

Interesting report on the FF. Starting to look like the drive is significantly better than the design.

[johns930]

seriously i was pleasantly surprised after the drive. everybody should too.

Originally Posted by Barry

...Starting to look like the drive is significantly better than the design.

[Scottish16M]

+1 on the FF, awesome car, very impressed with it's drivability and its a much better drivers car than a 458 IMO.

As an owner of a Maserati MC Stradale too, I hope you're enjoying your time in yours also!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Scottish16M

+1 on the FF, awesome car, very impressed with it's drivability and its a much better drivers car than a 458 IMO.

As an owner of a Maserati MC Stradale too, I hope you're enjoying your time in yours also!

How did you find the FF compared to the MC Stradale? Which is more of a sports car?

[Bill]

love to see em with dirt on them....

Nice,

Bill

[Scottish16M]

Originally Posted by Boxer

How did you find the FF compared to the MC Stradale? Which is more of a sports car?

Good question, when I drove the FF recently at the Milbrook Proving Ground I was left seriously impressed that such a large car could handle the way it did, not once could I upset it....and I tried, so much so I have booked a days test drive for this Thursday so well see how the second encounter goes very soon. Conversely, the MC Stradale is mind boggling fun, the sense of occasion it gives you on start-up is akin to a mischievous mistress waiting to tempt you to be naughty, very naught and I adore that about my MC Stradale, this is my 3rd GranTurismo model in the last year, first was the standard MC Shift, next was it's Sports Line upgrade and now I have a truly awesome Maserati and the difference over the previous two MC Shift Masers is night and day, it is instantly responsive, at any speed in any gear and is very, very....eager to play 24/7...if you haven't already seek one out and go test drive it....as a drivers tool it's great fun!

The end!

[tazandjan]

John- Sounds like great fun in the FF. I like the HGTE wheels on your 612, too. They really fill out the wheelwells and should increase cornering power with 1/2" more width in front and a full inch in the rear.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Scottish16M

Good question, when I drove the FF recently at the Milbrook Proving Ground I was left seriously impressed that such a large car could handle the way it did, not once could I upset it....and I tried, so much so I have booked a days test drive for this Thursday so well see how the second encounter goes very soon. Conversely, the MC Stradale is mind boggling fun, the sense of occasion it gives you on start-up is akin to a mischievous mistress waiting to tempt you to be naughty, very naught and I adore that about my MC Stradale, this is my 3rd GranTurismo model in the last year, first was the standard MC Shift, next was it's Sports Line upgrade and now I have a truly awesome Maserati and the difference over the previous two MC Shift Masers is night and day, it is instantly responsive, at any speed in any gear and is very, very....eager to play 24/7...if you haven't already seek one out and go test drive it....as a drivers tool it's great fun!

The end!

Great insights. Looks like I need to go test drive a MC Stradale now.

[johns930]

my raining mountain FF drive also prove that it is pretty much glued to the ground.

im used to 500+hp fcars, but my MC must be broken from what ur telling, because mine feels very slow and yes u do get power north of 6k RPM but u cant corner at those speeds, and lower than 6k it doesnt pull u out of the turn.
But i love how i can go anywhere at full throttle ALL the TIME! if i did that in any of the others like my slowest 612, i be in a ditch.

Originally Posted by Scottish16M

.. I drove the FF recently ...., not once could I upset it....and I tried, .... Conversely, the MC Stradale is mind boggling fun, the sense of occasion it gives you on start-up is ..... it is instantly responsive, at any speed in any gear and is very, very....eager to play 24/7...if you haven't already seek one out and go test drive it....as a drivers tool it's great fun!

The end!

[Scottish16M]

Originally Posted by johns930

my raining mountain FF drive also prove that it is pretty much glued to the ground.

im used to 500+hp fcars, but my MC must be broken from what ur telling, because mine feels very slow and yes u do get power north of 6k RPM but u cant corner at those speeds, and lower than 6k it doesnt pull u out of the turn.
But i love how i can go anywhere at full throttle ALL the TIME! if i did that in any of the others like my slowest 612, i be in a ditch.

Johns930, it's not a v8 Ferrari so it's not glued to the road 24/7, however, it gives a completely different drive to my Ferrari's and for that I just adore it.

Mind you on saying that it's engine is built at Maranello and the gearbox is indestructible and from the 599 & I believe it has the same CCM's as Ferraris, so its half way there and a huge bargain when comparing it to a 599 or similar beast and for a rapid and very compliant GT, it's loads of fun and malleable, in addition it has the same hold the paddle multiple downshift feature, as in the 599HGTE, which when attacking a twisty section of road makes it hugely entertaining, so it does sound like yours may very well be broken....

I drove two back to back at the dealership, before I drove my new one away, and they were both tremendous fun and very capable bearing in mind they're nearing 1.8 tonne. Also I find the CCM's on the button every time....but then again I could be looking through rose tinted specs a tad as I am comparing them to my previous & lessor capable 2 MC Shift GT's....but methinks not, and just listen to that v8 engine sound, it is just awesome, especially in race mode, it's seriously got to be one of the best sounding v8 engines out there currently & a great toy to have some proper raw fun it...let alone to tingle the spine with!

Boxer, I think you'd like it...just remember it's not a Ferrari & approach it that way, then once its warmed up give it the beans, it's a great car to have in any stable, its half the price of a 599HGTE, not quite as fast granted, but it's definitely old school meets modern...it might be a tad tame compared to your usual drivers though!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Scottish16M

Boxer, I think you'd like it...just remember it's not a Ferrari & approach it that way, then once its warmed up give it the beans, it's a great car to have in any stable, its half the price of a 599HGTE, not quite as fast granted, but it's definitely old school meets modern...it might be a tad tame compared to your usual drivers though!

Brings up an interesting dilemma, while it is half the price of a 599 HGTE, it would be a much smaller jump into an early 599 GTB (these are under GBP 100k now). Which is the better buy?

[johns930]

like new used 599s where im from are getting close to new MC-S prices now, especially on my check every option avaliable example.
my 599 feels 10 times faster and more powerful than my MC-S, the 2 cant be compared on any level.
if i never bought a new 599, i would buy a used one now over a MC-S anyday.
to this day, i still think my 599 is the most powerful car i ever owned, still regret i sold it.

and Boxer, like i mentioned to u many times, if u never owned a 599, i would get that over the 612 or any maserati. Used 599 prices are cheap now and its a lot more entertaining than all these u want as a daily.
when i used my 599 as a daily, i would jump over scooters, taxis, and buses, like a time machine strapped with a rocket. its just too damn fun and fast.

Originally Posted by Scottish16M

, its half the price of a 599HGTE, not quite as fast granted, but it's definitely old school meets modern...it might be a tad tame compared to your usual drivers though!

[Scottish16M]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Brings up an interesting dilemma, while it is half the price of a 599 HGTE, it would be a much smaller jump into an early 599 GTB (these are under GBP 100k now). Which is the better buy?

Depreciation wise the older 599GTB would be the more sensible buy, but as an overall drivers proposition I'll stay with the MC Stradale, its rawer and the sound from its v8 is simply magnificent.

However, if you ask me to compare it against an early 599 HGTE that'd be much, much tougher....if they were similarly priced I'd be moving towards one of those and putting on an aftermarket exhaust to boost the cabin noise & driver experience. I thoroughly enjoyed a 120 mile test drive in one late last year and for 80 of those smiles I had the CST off, it proved a hugely entertaining car and very well planted....but there's only so much you can use on the roads in real life and the MC Stradale with it's noise and looks just swing it for me....currently, but after my time with her is over I do believe a HGTE will be it's replacement....but thatll be a while yet as their pricing is still dropping like rocks and it has still to take the hit that the replacement to the 599 will provide us with!