RE: Showpiece of the Week: Ferrari F50

[E65Ross]

PHMatt said:

I preferred it to the F40 from day dot.

I think it looks better, sounds better and in my head, drives better.

I thought I was alone. I've always preferred it to the F40. I think the front headlights on the F40 make it look a bit sad/upset. But maybe that's just me!

[daytona111r]

thecremeegg said:

Snubs said:

I was never convinced by the front end, which i thought looked a bit soft compared to the squarer lines of the F40. In the profile picture above it looks superb.

Yea the front is a mess, but the profile and back are stunning. I'd still just prefer an F40 myself but I appreciate I'm probably in the minority.

Agreed profile and rear are sublime. Annoyingly if you just cover the headlights with your finger just leaving the indicators on show, the front end sorts itself out.

[Jex]

I've always thought they look and sound fantastic. I expect most on here have seen Chris Harris' video www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MDTcXGsjuo
It seems strange given the apparent general preference for F40s that F50s go for about twice the amount.
The F40 always seemed a bit too brutal for me.
My concern is how well an F50 would get over speed bumps, so I'll pass on buying one.
(A rather sobering thought is if I sold my house and cashed in my pension, I still couldn't afford one).
I also didn't know about the F50GT - I agree that rear spoiler looks better on the GT.

[Jual Mass Flywheel]

Lovely but F40 for me all day long

[cuda]

Seeing a silver one on slicks come up very fast behind me at Blanchimont at Spa a few years ago is something I won't forget in a hurry...

[CM954]

One of the main attractions of the F40 for me is its relative lack of size.

The F50, on that basis alone, is relegated to a garage ornament.

[DJT14]

As a 6 year old this was my first ever dream car. Still looks a million dollars today, shame is costs closer to 3

[catso]

What size are the shoes?

[Jex]

catso said:

What size are the shoes?

[E65Ross]

I remember being in a B7 RS4 Avant a number of years back, my friend driving was flooring it and something was keeping up behind us quite easily and it looked rather wide. We pulled in and an F50 roared past us. It was heading back from the New Forest towards Southampton. Must be a good 7-8 years ago, mind....but still remember it very well indeed.

[gigglebug]

Jex said:

It seems strange given the apparent general preference for F40s that F50s go for about twice the amount.

Availability will be the main factor in that one. Around four times as many F40's produced all said and done. I can remember JK saying that he had no issues with selling his example as he knew that he would always be able to pick up another one at a later date with no problem if he wanted to.

Always loved the F50 and it's still one of my favorite interiors although the seats do look awfully bulky now when compared to the ultra thin examples use in most other supercars.

[gigglebug]

suffolk009 said:

I've seen just recently some chit-chat (sorry, I don't recall where) about how the ride is much harsher than an F40. Maybe it was SSO on his new blog, dunnow, sorry. But the gist was that you could drive an F40 for hours, but 2 hours in an F50 was all but intolerable.

I think you right, it was SSO. Down to the constant vibrations from having the engine bolted directly to the chassis was another factor. On the one hand helped determine the cars character but on the other makes it a bit wearing over long periods was the gist I got.

[C.A.R.]

Spine-tingling is a phrase used far too much in car journalism but in the case of the F50 it really is true. The Best Motoring video featuring the F50 is pretty awesome too, as you rarely get to see them being driven flat-out even in the old review videos.

Spine-tingling indeed.

[viggyp]

C.A.R. said:

Spine-tingling is a phrase used far too much in car journalism but in the case of the F50 it really is true. The Best Motoring video featuring the F50 is pretty awesome too, as you rarely get to see them being driven flat-out even in the old review videos.

Spine-tingling indeed.

I love the Best Motoring vids especially the one with the F40 V F50 V CTR Yellowbird amongst others. I find that the F50 sounds superb outside of the car in that vid but from inside it sounds quite weird.

[Davey S2]

456mgt said:

Amanitin said:

it is perfect (as far as mid engine cars go) inbetween the front bumper and the wing.
Those two, however, are just st and ruin the elegance.

How would you style it then? Genuine question by the way, given that you can now get bespoke carbon pieces made.

How many miles on yours now Kevin?

Ever been tempted to part with it given you must have done 'rather' well on it? Not sure what you could replace it with though.

[wtdoom]

CM954 said:

One of the main attractions of the F40 for me is its relative lack of size.

The F50, on that basis alone, is relegated to a garage ornament.

The f50 is a lot smaller than people think . It's way smaller than an aventador for example and even smaller than a 488 (when you fold the ears in , lol).
The shape is so over the top it looks gigantic but you are correct , it's not a small car.

Edited by wtdoom on Monday 19th February 17:11

[wtdoom]

Jex said:

I've always thought they look and sound fantastic. I expect most on here have seen Chris Harris' video www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MDTcXGsjuo
It seems strange given the apparent general preference for F40s that F50s go for about twice the amount.
The F40 always seemed a bit too brutal for me.
My concern is how well an F50 would get over speed bumps, so I'll pass on buying one.
(A rather sobering thought is if I sold my house and cashed in my pension, I still couldn't afford one).
I also didn't know about the F50GT - I agree that rear spoiler looks better on the GT.

Sorry to say the f50 is great over bumps . Rarely do you need to use the front lift

[Jex]

wtdoom said:

Jex said:

I've always thought they look and sound fantastic. I expect most on here have seen Chris Harris' video www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MDTcXGsjuo
It seems strange given the apparent general preference for F40s that F50s go for about twice the amount.
The F40 always seemed a bit too brutal for me.
My concern is how well an F50 would get over speed bumps, so I'll pass on buying one.
(A rather sobering thought is if I sold my house and cashed in my pension, I still couldn't afford one).
I also didn't know about the F50GT - I agree that rear spoiler looks better on the GT.

Sorry to say the f50 is great over bumps . Rarely do you need to use the front lift

I'll just have to decline based on the small matter of the cost then!

[wtdoom]

suffolk009 said:

Peter Stevens was apparently never a fan of the styling, he said it basically lost the plot in the middle. Mentioned here: https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features-h...

I've seen just recently some chit-chat (sorry, I don't recall where) about how the ride is much harsher than an F40. Maybe it was SSO on his new blog, dunnow, sorry. But the gist was that you could drive an F40 for hours, but 2 hours in an F50 was all but intolerable.

With only 349 in the world, I suppose a good number of those are taken up in people's collection who wish to own the full set, 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, LaF. That'll help keep the prices up.

F40 for me any day. FWIW.

The ride is not harsh in the f50 . With the roof on the noise offends some poeple because the engine bolted directly to the tub , it can be difficult .
Solution is remove the roof but the suspension is fine , much better than the f40 for example

[wtdoom]

Jex said:

I'll just have to decline based on the small matter of the cost then!

I wish I could say something similar about the price but unfortunately (and I do believe it's unfortunate ) these cars are too expensive now . Mines the only one I've seen on track , out in the rain etc etc for years now