Discussion
I bought a 2012 FF just before Christmas - my first Ferrari after more than 20 years of undivided loyalty to things German. I bought it from Top555, and had a first rate buying experience dealing with Tim there, securing a car which had clearly been very well looked after by its previous owner. I am delighted to be finding out first hand why other FF owners have been raving about it. Today was a case in point: that noise on start-up first thing, sure-footed progress on damp roads this morning, that noise on start-up again the next time, then great fun on some dry A- and B-roads on the return trip to meet the extended family for lunch (with plenty of room for my daughter in the back and some late Christmas presents in the boot), comfortable and relaxed cruising on the motorway when required, and it even managed to still feel special crawling along the North Circular this evening (with the comments from the Chris Harris review I'd watched before buying it playing back in my mind...). I do, however, keep finding myself regularly needing to take routes which involve the Hatfield Tunnel even when logic would suggest it being in the wrong direction, and I just wish the family were as keen as me on keeping the windows open, however cold it might be outside, to hear that absolutely magnificent V12 in all its glory!
Matisse said:
I bought a 2012 FF just before Christmas - my first Ferrari after more than 20 years of undivided loyalty to things German. I bought it from Top555, and had a first rate buying experience dealing with Tim there, securing a car which had clearly been very well looked after by its previous owner. I am delighted to be finding out first hand why other FF owners have been raving about it. Today was a case in point: that noise on start-up first thing, sure-footed progress on damp roads this morning, that noise on start-up again the next time, then great fun on some dry A- and B-roads on the return trip to meet the extended family for lunch (with plenty of room for my daughter in the back and some late Christmas presents in the boot), comfortable and relaxed cruising on the motorway when required, and it even managed to still feel special crawling along the North Circular this evening (with the comments from the Chris Harris review I'd watched before buying it playing back in my mind...). I do, however, keep finding myself regularly needing to take routes which involve the Hatfield Tunnel even when logic would suggest it being in the wrong direction, and I just wish the family were as keen as me on keeping the windows open, however cold it might be outside, to hear that absolutely magnificent V12 in all its glory!
I know the car - black with silver wheels right?Looked a very good example and very well specced. Glad to hear you are enjoying it. I think the only downside to the FF as a daily driver will be the fuel consumption and the care that you must take as it is still a £150k car.
AyBee said:
Pics? 
TP321 said:
black with silver wheels right?
I haven't taken any decent pics of it myself, yet, but these are what sparked my interest on the dealer website (in full black/black/privacy "drug dealer in a hurry" spec...which wasn't what I was initially looking for...but I couldn't resist when I saw it):
Pork said:
That's a very handsome car Congrats.
TP321 said:
I have been keeping an eye out for one. Not sure if i want a black interior though - seem to look more dashing when there is a bit of cream or tan leather
Yes, I get where you are coming from. I didn't think I wanted a black exterior or a black interior! I thought I might find a nice one with black leather with the cream Daytona inserts, or the Cuoio leather (maybe also with the Daytona style seats). I'd decided I definitely couldn't cope with the anticipated stress of having a full Crema interior, given that my justification for buying an FF was that it was a practical family hatchback (and clothing discussions with a nearly-teen daughter didn't need the added dimension of whether the colour might transfer and stain the car seats!). I thought plain black might be too "ordinary", but when I saw how the white stitching on this one lifted the interior and set things off so well to my eyes (in real life, at least - maybe not as obviously in the photos), I quickly convinced myself that the original owner had spec'd it really well and it didn't need more. I hope you find the right one for you, anyway!
Matisse said:
Yes, I get where you are coming from. I didn't think I wanted a black exterior or a black interior! I thought I might find a nice one with black leather with the cream Daytona inserts, or the Cuoio leather (maybe also with the Daytona style seats). I'd decided I definitely couldn't cope with the anticipated stress of having a full Crema interior, given that my justification for buying an FF was that it was a practical family hatchback (and clothing discussions with a nearly-teen daughter didn't need the added dimension of whether the colour might transfer and stain the car seats!). I thought plain black might be too "ordinary", but when I saw how the white stitching on this one lifted the interior and set things off so well to my eyes (in real life, at least - maybe not as obviously in the photos), I quickly convinced myself that the original owner had spec'd it really well and it didn't need more. I hope you find the right one for you, anyway!
yes i know what you mean with the full cream interior - i think thats a bit too much. I guess if its an every day car, black leather is the safest choice. (and clothing discussions with a nearly-teen daughter didn't need the added dimension of whether the colour might transfer and stain the car seats!). I thought plain black might be too "ordinary", but when I saw how the white stitching on this one lifted the interior and set things off so well to my eyes (in real life, at least - maybe not as obviously in the photos), I quickly convinced myself that the original owner had spec'd it really well and it didn't need more. I hope you find the right one for you, anyway!How are you finding it as a family car? And big are the rear seats - what coupe would they compare in size to?
Matisse said:
AyBee said:
Pics?
TP321 said:
black with silver wheels right?
I haven't taken any decent pics of it myself, yet, but these are what sparked my interest on the dealer website (in full black/black/privacy "drug dealer in a hurry" spec...which wasn't what I was initially looking for...but I couldn't resist when I saw it):[Pics]
That's lovely. Like you, I never thought black on black for an FF would work, but it does. Please keep the wheels as they are though 
bertie said:
Nice car!
Like has been said I too was that naming I wanted cream or tan but when I saw mine I just loved it.
Over a year on and I still do, every day.
Like has been said I too was that naming I wanted cream or tan but when I saw mine I just loved it.
Over a year on and I still do, every day.
Edited by bertie on Tuesday 12th January 12:10
Matisse said:
I haven't taken any decent pics of it myself, yet, but these are what sparked my interest on the dealer website (in full black/black/privacy "drug dealer in a hurry" spec...which wasn't what I was initially looking for...but I couldn't resist when I saw it):
I live in the town where you bought the FF from (I'm currently away in France for an extended period of time though) - I did think it would sell very quickly at that price. The only thing I was unsure on was the carbon wheel centres and the wheels, but in hindsight it suits the spec of the car well. I like the fact in this kind of spec the FF is even more understated, but you can still unleash that 6.3 Litre N/A Lump with just a hint of right foot whenever you like! It really must make you feel special if you've previously been sticking with the germans? Welcome to the flamboyant italian club!
That FF is specced well inside - it has all the carbon goodies, which for me personally when I have looked for friends is one of the things I look for - it looks great, and also helps the cars residuals/resale potential when it eventually leaves your service... I think your only problem now will be when it comes to replacing it you HAVE to have another one ... just ask Bertie - he has the same dilemma now
What is your planned usage for the vehicle?
TP321 said:
yes i know what you mean with the full cream interior - i think thats a bit too much. I guess if its an every day car, black leather is the safest choice.
How are you finding it as a family car? And big are the rear seats - what coupe would they compare in size to?
Id seats are similar to that of Maserati Granturismo e.g. very good... Im 6 ft 1 and fitted in the back comfortably with the drivers seat in the position I would drive in...How are you finding it as a family car? And big are the rear seats - what coupe would they compare in size to?
mattf93 said:
The only thing I was unsure on was the carbon wheel centres...
The original owner had bought the carbon ones after acquiring the car, so I got the original yellow ones in a box, too, in case I ever wanted to change them back mattf93 said:
It really must make you feel special if you've previously been sticking with the germans? Welcome to the flamboyant italian club!
It is indeed a wonderful feeling driving the FF (and just starting the engine - did I mention the noise?!), but the transition to Ferrari ownership has perhaps been made less traumatic by the fact that I've been fortunate to have been in the more outgoing GT3 branch of the German club in recent years (including an RS with bright red wheels and graffiti decals), and the Mezger engine in particular has provided plenty of dynamic and aural pleasure even with only half the number of cylinders...mattf93 said:
What is your planned usage for the vehicle?
TP321 said:
How are you finding it as a family car?
I won't be using it daily, by any stretch of the imagination - it will primarily be a weekend car - but whereas previously I've been driving a rather tired VW for over an hour out of town to get to where I keep and drive my "fun" cars, with the FF as a more accomplished all-rounder I now plan to spend a greater proportion of the restricted time I have for driving in cars that I actually enjoy. And, from a family perspective, having proper rear seats is certainly a bit more practical than the scaffolding in the GT3s when it comes to carrying more than one passenger...
The quilted red interior of Bertie's car does look stunning!
have to admit I have been following this thread and FF pricing of late, as something about them really appeals to me. never owned a Ferrari before, very much a hard core 911 owner (various GT3's, air cooled RS's litter my past and present), but the FF would make an awesome road car in which I could ferry the kids about in as well. and I could use it all year round.
been offered a generous deal on a low miles 2014 car from a friend, but the one thing he warned me of is the sheer size of the car. it's both very wide and long, which can be an issue especially in London. does anyone else have a problem with it's exterior dimensions, or am I worrying unduly ?
been offered a generous deal on a low miles 2014 car from a friend, but the one thing he warned me of is the sheer size of the car. it's both very wide and long, which can be an issue especially in London. does anyone else have a problem with it's exterior dimensions, or am I worrying unduly ?
seawise said:
have to admit I have been following this thread and FF pricing of late, as something about them really appeals to me. never owned a Ferrari before, very much a hard core 911 owner (various GT3's, air cooled RS's litter my past and present), but the FF would make an awesome road car in which I could ferry the kids about in as well. and I could use it all year round.
been offered a generous deal on a low miles 2014 car from a friend, but the one thing he warned me of is the sheer size of the car. it's both very wide and long, which can be an issue especially in London. does anyone else have a problem with it's exterior dimensions, or am I worrying unduly ?
I use mine daily and I'd happily use it times when I'd avoid using the wife's Range Rover due to its size.been offered a generous deal on a low miles 2014 car from a friend, but the one thing he warned me of is the sheer size of the car. it's both very wide and long, which can be an issue especially in London. does anyone else have a problem with it's exterior dimensions, or am I worrying unduly ?
Fabulously comfy, used mine in all weathers, including snow.,
Almost got caught out today with petrol ... Long trip up the M6, on the way back home and had plenty of miles left on the range with no petrol light, then came off the motorway and got stuck in traffic and within a minute or two, the petrol light came on, the range display went from 40+ miles straight to " - - " (zero) and the petrol gauge dropped to the last red bar .... And I was still sat in traffic !!!!
After a VERY anxious 10 minutes of crawling along and just hoping I made it to the next garage, fortunately I got there and avoided the embarrassment of being stranded in gridlock rush hour.
Maybe I just wasn't paying as much attention to it as I should have been, but thought I'd share this, just to warn others to be mindful that on a longer run the car "thinks" it's got plenty in the tank and adjusts the range and all seems perfectly fine, but as soon as you hit slower traffic it literally drops like a stone (far more-so than I've ever experienced before).
Other than that, nice to give the car a reasonable run out.
After a VERY anxious 10 minutes of crawling along and just hoping I made it to the next garage, fortunately I got there and avoided the embarrassment of being stranded in gridlock rush hour.
Maybe I just wasn't paying as much attention to it as I should have been, but thought I'd share this, just to warn others to be mindful that on a longer run the car "thinks" it's got plenty in the tank and adjusts the range and all seems perfectly fine, but as soon as you hit slower traffic it literally drops like a stone (far more-so than I've ever experienced before).
Other than that, nice to give the car a reasonable run out.
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