Gransport to 599?

[barbuckle]

After a decade of 4200 ownership I am looking at an "upgrade" to a Ferrari 599.
Any thoughts - anyone else able to compare the vehicles?
I am still working on the test drive - not as simple as for the average car!

 

[safrane]

Friends who have moved to V12 Ferrari have certainly noted the increase is costs.

 

[zagatoes30]

Cost is the biggest change by all accounts, not driven a 599 but 550 & 575 are more hardcore gran tourers a bit like the difference between the 4200 and the GS but more.

 

[conaero]

599 would tempt me away from the GS but cost is the issue. What are the starting prices, £70k???

 

[conaero]

Well that was a good guess, £75k is the cheapest one and it's a lovely colour and spec too, this is the colour combo I woud go for or with red or tan leather:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...s/1500/make/FERRARI/model/599/page/1/usedcars

 

[zagatoes30]

Never been a fan of the 599 but love the 550, 575. This would be my choice, dark blue with light interior (roll on lottery win)

Ferrari 575

 

[BJL]

Well that was a good guess, £75k is the cheapest one and it's a lovely colour and spec too, this is the colour combo I woud go for or with red or tan leather:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...s/1500/make/FERRARI/model/599/page/1/usedcars

I know this garage in London, he is a great guy and very particular in the cars he sells. Would have no worries with him. Car looks fantastic with 15ks worth of carbon options.

 

[Felonious Crud]

The 599 isn't the best looking Ferrari by a long way (though I love the interior) but something about it draws me. I've never driven one but the feedback I've had is that the ride is as harsh as h3ll and it's completely ill-suited to UK roads, you can't ever unleash the full power and - as others have said - the running costs are stratospheric. Head should say if you want a bit more hardcore but without sacrificing ride quality and comfort than a Strad would be a far better bet. Heart still gets a tug when it looks at 599s on Autotrader.

 

[stefanocirillo]

If you can afford it, do it.

 

[karatemaserati]

Will you mind the difference in treatment by other road users? People see a ferrari and they go 'c0ck'... People see a maserati and they still go 'mmm nice car'

And what about a used MC Stradale?!

 

[Felonious Crud]

Will you mind the difference in treatment by other road users? People see a ferrari and they go 'c0ck'... People see a maserati and they still go 'mmm nice car'

Bit of a perennial debate, that one. I've spoken to service techs who reckon they get treated as though they're wonkers when they drive a Ferrari but with courtesy when they drive a Maserati. For me it would definitely be a consideration. I get paranoid and twitchy if I leave the Maser parked on the street and I avoid public car parks like the plague. If I had a Ferrari I'd be an obsessive-compulsive nervous wreck. But I'd still love a 599. Maybe just for a summer, see how things go.

 

[mjheathcote]

Was at a customers site today, 'Willy Wonka's' in Sheffield and walked into a room with the factory manager and 3 other engineers.
The factory manager said openly, "Hi Mike, was thinking of you the other day"..."oh yeah!!" said the engineers..."Hah hah, saw a lovely Maserati in town thought it might have been you"! (in a nice complementary way)
The thing is, I can not recall ever mentioning to the factory manager or any other on site I actually own a Maser.... However 2 years ago I once took it to site and parked in the furthest corner of the car park...I must have been spotted!!
Generally, everyone loves a Maser.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Walked out of my house this evening to be greeted by a cheery shout of "I love your Maserati, mate" from someone I didn't know. Owning a Maserati is fun. Owning a 599 would be as well, I've no doubt... but I'm pretty sure it would be perceived differently by random passers by. Happy to be corrected by Fezza owners.

 

[barbuckle]

Thanks for your thoughts. I pretty much agree and have the same positive experience with the reaction to the Maserati marque. I am also aware of the daunting costs of the 599 - and without having tried one it looks on paper like a huge cost for another 4 cylinders! But I am keen to put it to the test... will let you know the outcome.

 

[zagatoes30]

Most people respect Maserati much more than many other performance cars, it is is an educated choice

 

[Felonious Crud]

Thanks for your thoughts. I pretty much agree and have the same positive experience with the reaction to the Maserati marque. I am also aware of the daunting costs of the 599 - and without having tried one it looks on paper like a huge cost for another 4 cylinders! But I am keen to put it to the test... will let you know the outcome.

Eyes wide open and all that. I still really like them. They seem quite raw, not sure why. Never driven one but it gives the impression you'd have to treat it with a lot of respect.

 

[fcz360]

As a fezza owner the costs are sometimes overrated, however I did look at buying a 599 before i got the GTS, but with the 599 service costs were enormous.

But i drove one for 2 days and I have to say its incredible to drive and was a great GT car. I didnt feel it was too harsh at all in fact it felt quite soft until you use it.

If you can afford the service go for it, they are amazing.

 

[Felonious Crud]

What kind of enormous are we talking about here, Frank?

 

[Ambient69]

I went to the Motorshow at London Excel a number of years ago before I got a GS. They had a VIP area upstairs with Spykers, Zondas, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Astons, Bentley etc, all available to sit in, open everywhere and appreciate. It was like a Willy Wonka car showroom, with Alcohol & Snacks on tap aswell. We had a very good afternoon there, whilst staying in London for the weekend.

I still remember sitting in the 599 they had on show, and was one of my favourite cars there, since it felt like it wrapped around you, and you became an integral part of it, which was very deceptive since it managed to hide its size so well. From inside it was very impressive, the quality, and the design flair, even without it starting I 100% loved it, even down to the rear parcel shelf. There is a noticeable step up from servicing a GS to a GTmc, and then again to a 599. If you can afford the car and to service it, and it ticks the desirable box, there has to be only one question/answer. Which colour! I would go blue.

With regards to being suited to UK roads, I am sure a few famous people have managed to prang theirs in tunnels in reverse etc, whilst checking them out at 30mph?

 

[c4sman]

I suspect some of the increased servicing costs will be offset by lack of depreciation on a 599 if bought sensibly compared with a GTS? They surely are at the bottom of their curve for an enzo engined tourer and could be the next big thing. I missed the 550 boom that has happened over the last couple of years so I think the 599 is next in line.

On the public perception thing there is a definite difference between Ferrari, Porsche treatment and maserati, with the latter 100% favourable.

Where do you guys think Lamborghini sits on that scale? Same as Ferrari, or more or less favourable?