599 to V12V or Vice Versa - anyone made the move?

[GusB]

Hi everyone,

Could anyone offer any advice? I am close to pulling the trigger on a 599, however I am now having second thoughts as a V12V has caught my eye... Now suffering a high degree of confusion I wanted to get some input from anyone who has had both or just generally wants to offer advice...

Thanks

GusB

[ds2000]

Drive both, buy the one you like the most

[yeti]

Well you're on the AM forum so you're unlikely to get any unbiased opinions...

The 599 is probably more of a technical tour-de-force, the V12V is perhaps more of an old school muscle car, especially with the manual gearbox.

There is no answer to this other than trying them both. And I think there is no bad choice either

FWIW, I would say the AM will be cheaper to run, probably more useable (plenty use them as daily drivers) and dare I say more reliable. Sometimes simplicity is good

[GusB]

Thanks guys, I know asking on the AM forum would get pro AM thoughts, however I know people from the Ferrari camp and they are very pro 599 so thought I would test the water here to balance them out...

GusB

[mikey k]

Two very very different animals
I looked at 599's when I was looking at V12VR's
As Yeti says the V12V is a true manual muscle car, 599 is a technical tour de force
You need to ask yourself what is it you are looking for

OH and size might count in this case the 599 is massive!

[krisdelta]

Forget what anyone else thinks, make a list of why you are buying this type of car (e.g. awesome!) drive them both and go with your gut instinct

For many an Aston or a Ferrari is an itch that needs to be scratched, childhood dreams and all that

They'll both be an event to drive, monsters in their own way.

I'd vote Aston, but a Rosso / Crema 599 would make a great argument!

[Zod]

I haven't driven a 599, but I did have a long chat with an Aston test driver who was ex-Ferrari when I was on a day out with a Rapide. His view was that the 599 "just wasn't right". it didn't excite him. The V12V, on the other hand did. To show that he hadn't just changed his loyalty with his employer, he went on to say that the 599 GTO was by far the most exciting car he'd ever driven.

[erics]

Very valid comparison. I actually considered both.

I think the 599 will take your breath away the day you drive it but you may grow tired of its intensity and its gearbox particularly if you drive it at lower speeds. Running costs will prob finish you off. The flash factor is much greater with the F car.

V12v is much much smaller, nicer to drive at low speeds and probably less 'intense'. You'll probably end up keeping it longer.

[GusB]

Thanks Erics. You are right, when I took a 599 out for a test drive it was eye opening... With regard to running costs I thought they were pretty similar now that Ferrari have improved their servicing etc.

What are the annuals like on a V12V?

GusB

[erics]

GusB said:

Thanks Erics. You are right, when I took a 599 out for a test drive it was eye opening... With regard to running costs I thought they were pretty similar now that Ferrari have improved their servicing etc.

What are the annuals like on a V12V?

GusB

was just offered an annual for £798 inc vat for v12v.

[yeti]

The 599 has never 'got to me' in the way the 550/575 did. 575 is probably the last of the great Grand Tourers of the old style from Ferrari; manual gearbox, simple electrics, a driver's car of the golden era of motoring and a real successor to the 365 Daytona, in Tour De FRance blue and tan leather. And a Le Mans winner with Prodrive

The 599 just seems a very expensive version of the Nissan GTR, very clever, loads of electrickery and consequently very fast. I'd rather do it myself and be slightly slower, but feel better about it

550/575 are an undervalued bargain, but not as much as the 456. Great car for the cash and possibly my first Ferrari one day

[erics]

another car that's worth a look is a Merc sls. May get slagged around here for saying this but they are lovely motors and prices are becoming almost palatable.

[jonby]

erics said:

another car that's worth a look is a Merc sls. May get slagged around here for saying this but they are lovely motors and prices are becoming almost palatable.

the replacement will drop the gullwings and move down a price band or two - they will be a great buy whilst they continue to drop and in the future I think will become a classic

[erics]

jonby said:

erics said:

another car that's worth a look is a Merc sls. May get slagged around here for saying this but they are lovely motors and prices are becoming almost palatable.

the replacement will drop the gullwings and move down a price band or two - they will be a great buy whilst they continue to drop and in the future I think will become a classic

as long as they do not make gazillions of them

[Vee12V]

yeti said:

550/575 are an undervalued bargain, but not as much as the 456. Great car for the cash and possibly my first Ferrari one day

Someone mentioned this 550 to me this morning. Never been a contemporary Ferrari person, but I do like this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

[cayman-black]

Would have thought that the 550/575 are closer to the drive of the v12v.
599s are a little ugly imo.

[yeti]

cayman-black said:

Would have thought that the 550/575 are closer to the drive of the v12v.

Probably closer to a DB9/DBS I would think, same sort of power and long wheelbase.

[erics]

v12v and 550/575 are very different. The former is nimble and fun, the latter are more long legged and do not like being overly hussled.

cayman-black said:

Would have thought that the 550/575 are closer to the drive of the v12v.
599s are a little ugly imo.

[erics]

that is very very sweet. Particularly with these wheels. Good price too if everything on the car is fine.

Vee12V said:

Someone mentioned this 550 to me this morning. Never been a contemporary Ferrari person, but I do like this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

[yeti]

To be sold on standard wheels and it's a little bit left-hand drive!

A friend has a TdF blu one. It's as beautiful as the DB9, although strangely didn't look good when it came out. They have aged well.