[cdkhopkar]

As a new (and very very pleased) 430 owner, I'm curious about GT Ferraris. So:

If you completely ignore price for comparison purposes, what would you rather own and drive: a 550,575 or a 599?

[JazzyO]

I have no need to upgrade my 550. I think it's every bit as fast as I'll ever need. It's slightly better looking than the 575, IMHO, although it's only a minor difference, of course.

The 599 is a very different car in many respects. Although it is epic, a true engineering accomplishment, at the same time it's all a bit too electronicky for me. It's certainly not as pretty as a 550, either, although it has a brutish charm of it's own and I do like them a lot. But my word is it large. It dwarfs a 550 which I think is a pretty big car anyway.

All in all, I'm ecstatic about my 550 and given a choice of all three and ignoring the status of owning the latest V12 of Ferrari, that's the one I would pick. But I realise I'm very likely in a minority.

Onno

[212Export]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

I have no need to upgrade my 550. I think it's every bit as fast as I'll ever need. It's slightly better looking than the 575, IMHO, although it's only a minor difference, of course.

The 599 is a very different car in many respects. Although it is epic, a true engineering accomplishment, at the same time it's all a bit too electronicky for me. It's certainly not as pretty as a 550, either, although it has a brutish charm of it's own and I do like them a lot. But my word is it large. It dwarfs a 550 which I think is a pretty big car anyway.

All in all, I'm ecstatic about my 550 and given a choice of all three and ignoring the status of owning the latest V12 of Ferrari, that's the one I would pick. But I realise I'm very likely in a minority.

Onno

You have very good reason to argue as you do. Just compare todays prices for a 550 with say 30' km's and you reailze you get a great piece of machinery for the price of a better BMW. I think its great bang for the back and beautiful as well

[JazzyO]

But even having lost 40% of the value of the car in the last 2 years, I'm still perfectly happy. Not what I was expecting, because it looked like she was almost at the bottom of the curve, but she's worth it.


Onno

[il Capolino]

Dear cdkhopcar,

Congratulations on your 430! Now that you already have a true sport Ferrari and looking at adding a GT to your collection, go for a Scaglietti. All the other GT:s you mention try to be a bit of both which really is impossible.

Luckily, few people have realised the discrete elegance of a Scaglietti. And let me tell you my friend: With the Scaglietti's optimum weight distribution, sport handling pack and carbon-ceramic discs, I will do the Pepsi-Challenge any old day with any GT.

Sincerely,
il Capolino

[Granucci]

All or nothing? Too difficult.

I would have given these selections for rankings.

a only [never]
b only "
c only "
abc
acb
bac
bca
cab
cba

BUT IF I understand your question I would get the 599. Still had the stick and just a few notches up the ladder as having been the last to have one.

And although many will debate looks, I DO like the 599---wouldn't 'kick it out of bed' so to speak.

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by il Capolino

Dear cdkhopcar,

Congratulations on your 430! Now that you already have a true sport Ferrari and looking at adding a GT to your collection, go for a Scaglietti. All the other GT:s you mention try to be a bit of both which really is impossible.

Luckily, few people have realised the discrete elegance of a Scaglietti. And let me tell you my friend: With the Scaglietti's optimum weight distribution, sport handling pack and carbon-ceramic discs, I will do the Pepsi-Challenge any old day with any GT.

Sincerely,
il Capolino

il Cap=-- I think he's talking two-seaters here.

[il Capolino]

Originally Posted by Granucci

il Cap=-- I think he's talking two-seaters here.

I am aware of that. Nevertheless, It is worth wile taking the 612 into consideration. Have you compared a 575 with a 612 on the track?

[cdkhopkar]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've found that I prefer the looks of the 612 to the 599, but I think the 550 is the prettiest of the lot. However, my local Ferrari dealer swears that the 612 is one of the best cars he's ever driven.

[il Capolino]

Originally Posted by cdkhopkar

Thanks for all the replies.

I've found that I prefer the looks of the 612 to the 599, but I think the 550 is the prettiest of the lot. However, my local Ferrari dealer swears that the 612 is one of the best cars he's ever driven.

I can only agree. I am on my second Scaglietti having cancelled my order for the 599. I have taken the 575 around the Fiorano track a whole afternoon ( many laps), and I sincerely think it is a shite track car. But it is good for high speed continent crossing and boulevard cruising.

[Toggie]

I'll admit I'm biased, but I prefer the 550.
It is a beautiful design with amazing performance.

Here is a pic of my '98 tdf blue one the day I picked it up from Algar Ferrari in Philadelphia a little over a year ago.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Toggie

Here is a pic of my '98 tdf blue one the day I picked it up from Algar Ferrari in Philadelphia a little over a year ago.

A good day that was! 20th June 2007 is the date for me.


Onno

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by il Capolino

I am aware of that. Nevertheless, It is worth wile taking the 612 into consideration. Have you compared a 575 with a 612 on the track?

I had a 612 on the track at Goodwood and was very impressed with the handling.

[il Capolino]

Originally Posted by Boxer

I had a 612 on the track at Goodwood and was very impressed with the handling.

...And the difference between the standard 612 and the 612 version with sport handling pack suspension with 20" wheels and the six pot calipers biting relentlessly like a pit bull on the carbon-ceramic discs brings the 612 to a whole new level...

Kind regards,
il Capolino

[viscount aero]

I'd have to drive them all to clearly understand it; I've only driven a 550. It was fantastic. It handled crisply for such a big car. I can't imagine the 599 is even bigger, yikes.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by viscount aero

I'd have to drive them all to clearly understand it; I've only driven a 550. It was fantastic. It handled crisply for such a big car. I can't imagine the 599 is even bigger, yikes.

Yes but the 599 GTB shrinks around you when you begin to push it hard.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Yes but the 599 GTB shrinks around you when you begin to push it hard.

+1. That is true for all cars going very fast, your visual angle and scope narrow down considerably, making everything look "tight". w/ smiles Jimmy

[viscount aero]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Yes but the 599 GTB shrinks around you when you begin to push it hard.

Then it must have superior handling to the 550; I'd love to drive one.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by viscount aero

Then it must have superior handling to the 550; I'd love to drive one.

It does, you can carry quite a bit more speed through a corner.

[JazzyO]

If anyone is interested, I saw an interesting beast yesterday: a manual 575 for sale at Kroymans Hilversum, Holland. Dutch car prices being what they are, it's not really of interest to non-Cloggies but... it looked like a nice example. If you like dark green.


Onno