488 or F12? Thoughts / experiences
Discussion
Hi
Both cars now price equivalent and trying to get a test drive . Had a 458 a few years ago. Loved it but a little edgy on the road (throttle pedal was too keen, hard to modulate ) , superb on track .
Looking to do 5000 road miles p.a and 2-3 track days .
Appreciate any thoughts , experiences or advice you could offer.
Not bothered re tech , prefer look of 488 , but want emotion through driving .
Best of health for 2021
Both cars now price equivalent and trying to get a test drive . Had a 458 a few years ago. Loved it but a little edgy on the road (throttle pedal was too keen, hard to modulate ) , superb on track .
Looking to do 5000 road miles p.a and 2-3 track days .
Appreciate any thoughts , experiences or advice you could offer.
Not bothered re tech , prefer look of 488 , but want emotion through driving .
Best of health for 2021
Just my 2c.
The 488 is a much better track car. The F12 is hilarious fun everywhere except when you want to just amble along and do a GT thing. Personally I wouldn't choose either for track use as the cost in consumables and CCBs in particular is too much and you will get more from other cars like a GT3 or a Lotus. Or a £10k track hack. Get something else for the track. The 488 does cure the defects of the 458 you mention but at the cost of drama and well, just IMHO, fun. Of the two, I'd have the F12. That said, I've driven it more on track and my memory of being on the road in it is that it makes you clench your buttocks and concentrate a lot such is the sensitivity of the steering. Not a GT thing as I said. The trouble is you need a couple of thousand miles to decide. Or a lot less if its a track thing. Which may be why these types of car seem to move among owners a lot.
But I have a 458 and I have decided that a 488 does not offer anything I need, and based on a short drive in it, neither does an F8, murderously competent though it may be on a track so I'm thinking of an F12 too. I drove an 812 at Silverstone and it has cured any wayardness of the F12 if you can get that within budget and want something awesome on the road and the track which is just a tad less dramatic and you don't care about consumables.
The 488 is a much better track car. The F12 is hilarious fun everywhere except when you want to just amble along and do a GT thing. Personally I wouldn't choose either for track use as the cost in consumables and CCBs in particular is too much and you will get more from other cars like a GT3 or a Lotus. Or a £10k track hack. Get something else for the track. The 488 does cure the defects of the 458 you mention but at the cost of drama and well, just IMHO, fun. Of the two, I'd have the F12. That said, I've driven it more on track and my memory of being on the road in it is that it makes you clench your buttocks and concentrate a lot such is the sensitivity of the steering. Not a GT thing as I said. The trouble is you need a couple of thousand miles to decide. Or a lot less if its a track thing. Which may be why these types of car seem to move among owners a lot.
But I have a 458 and I have decided that a 488 does not offer anything I need, and based on a short drive in it, neither does an F8, murderously competent though it may be on a track so I'm thinking of an F12 too. I drove an 812 at Silverstone and it has cured any wayardness of the F12 if you can get that within budget and want something awesome on the road and the track which is just a tad less dramatic and you don't care about consumables.
Edited by MingtheMerciless on Sunday 3rd January 20:18
Edited by MingtheMerciless on Sunday 3rd January 20:18
WCZ said:
f12.
imo a 458 /f12 combo is one of the best possible
What he said. I've done umpteen road trips round Europe in this pair. F12 for when I'm with the Mrs, Spider for when I'm with my mates. Completely different cars though. Fast GT versus hilarious sports car.imo a 458 /f12 combo is one of the best possible
I wouldn't track either, as someone above already said, get a specific track car. I track an Exige 460KT. More fun, way more suitable, much better on consumables.
SagMan said:
What a great combo of exotics . So you would GT tour a F12 with the misses but tour a 488 Spider with mates. Does the open top roof make a difference to which lovely car you take ?
Internet feedback suggests F12 not easy for relaxed drive , which appeals !
F12 is fine for a relaxed drive. No idea what people are on about. I have both in Race mode unless it’s absolutely pissing down and it’s fine. Mind you, I’ve toured in my Exige and I drive my vintage and classic cars plenty too. After a track prepped Exige or a 1930 Model A everything is relaxing. Haha.Internet feedback suggests F12 not easy for relaxed drive , which appeals !
Roof down, mountain pass, sun out, mates ahead and behind. Bliss, absolute bliss. Roof down also helps
With switchbacks as you can look across the corner.
But it’s also pretty awesome touring Italy in the F12.
One’s about the drive, ones about the event.
Edited by _Leg_ on Monday 4th January 23:33
SagMan said:
Thanks for sharing experiences with both, I get surprised by how many people comment online about F12 being so difficult to tour with.
But not having driven one, its good to hear your thoughts.
F12 makes a perfectly decent tourer - i did Davos to London in one hit in mine, no issue at all. Just have to use the cruise on the dull autoroutes to keep the speed semi-sensible. But not having driven one, its good to hear your thoughts.
Yes all these comments on F12 being so sensitive in steering,it is not, and I have done 10,000 miles in mine. It is more sensitive than a 991.2 GT3 - which feels a tad wishy washy after f12 steering but when your driving f12 with your pants on fire then the steering is perfect, super fast and hence safe I find, as can make small corrections instantly. I think this fast steering is needed as f12 can break free at rear even more instantly too ...so the Italians can probably catch it with this fast steering.
speedbird1000 said:
Yes all these comments on F12 being so sensitive in steering,it is not, and I have done 10,000 miles in mine. It is more sensitive than a 991.2 GT3 - which feels a tad wishy washy after f12 steering but when your driving f12 with your pants on fire then the steering is perfect, super fast and hence safe I find, as can make small corrections instantly. I think this fast steering is needed as f12 can break free at rear even more instantly too ...so the Italians can probably catch it with this fast steering.
Totally agree, I think the F12 steering is spot on. I've come from a 599 and that was way too light/too quick. F12 is a hooligan but also a very comfortable tourer, it can do anything. I think it's more of an event than a 488, that V12 !!! F12 is one of the best cars Ferrari ever made IMHO.
Indeed best to add a spider, 488 is great but I went for a Mac.
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