Discussion
I sold a 458 about 18 months ago. I’m thinking about returning to Ferrari (I can never stay away for long) and can’t really decide what I fancy next. It may sound like a slightly odd pair of options but ...
I’ve never owned a v12, so I’m considering a 599. I’m told it’s a bit of animal to drive. I’ve also read it can be a bit unreliable. What’s it like to drive and what’s the real world reliability like?!
For around the same money I can now also get a 2015 Cali T (I prefer the shape to the Cali). Benefits being it’s a convertible, it’s quite a bit newer and I suspect a bit more useable. Would it be around the same speed as the 458? Does it just feel a bit softer? How reliable are they?
So which would you buy and why?
I’ve never owned a v12, so I’m considering a 599. I’m told it’s a bit of animal to drive. I’ve also read it can be a bit unreliable. What’s it like to drive and what’s the real world reliability like?!
For around the same money I can now also get a 2015 Cali T (I prefer the shape to the Cali). Benefits being it’s a convertible, it’s quite a bit newer and I suspect a bit more useable. Would it be around the same speed as the 458? Does it just feel a bit softer? How reliable are they?
So which would you buy and why?
If you've come from the 458, the 599 ergonomics will feel like a step back in time. Whereas the Cali T has the same steering wheel and DCT box as the 458 so you'll feel right at home.
The Cali T is plenty fast but not as low slung or racy feeling as the 458.
The 599 has that glorious Enzo V12 and will sound miles better than the Cali T. Both cars are practical cruisers and B-road blatters but the 599 favours wider roads and grand tours whereas the Cali is more biased to the twisties.
The Cali's party trick is obviously the folding roof. How much does that matter to you?
The Cali T is plenty fast but not as low slung or racy feeling as the 458.
The 599 has that glorious Enzo V12 and will sound miles better than the Cali T. Both cars are practical cruisers and B-road blatters but the 599 favours wider roads and grand tours whereas the Cali is more biased to the twisties.
The Cali's party trick is obviously the folding roof. How much does that matter to you?
I ran a 599 as my daily for about 20 months, although typically I only do about 8k miles a year. Mine had the HGTE pack. It was a bloody gorgeous thing. That V12 engine is, of course, incredible. Sounds amazing. Very quick. I didn't find it too big (as some say). The seats are the best I've ever sat in. Fuel economy is hilarious. However, mine did have a lot of niggles. It was mostly chaotic electrics and parking sensors going haywire for no reason. The gearbox can do some odd things, too. It would slip into neutral at junctions, roundabouts, which led to a few hairy moments. And once in a while the revs would flare-up at low speeds...and in a 599 that's a VERY loud event. It happened once when I was creeping into a petrol station and I think it might have shortened the life of the poor elderly gent at the next pump!
Overall I loved it...but I sort of wasn't that upset to see it go, which puzzle me still. I preferred my 550, but that's not relevant to this discussion.
The Cali T would undoubtedly be a better daily driver, for all the obvious reasons, but somewhat less of an event perhaps.
Nice dilemma though!
Overall I loved it...but I sort of wasn't that upset to see it go, which puzzle me still. I preferred my 550, but that's not relevant to this discussion.
The Cali T would undoubtedly be a better daily driver, for all the obvious reasons, but somewhat less of an event perhaps.
Nice dilemma though!
I had a 599 for 15 months and swapped it for a 458.
It was utterly reliable throughout my ownership. As has been said, the v12 is something else, but when you’re up the rev range, even in second, you are *properly* motoring. You can see some pretty high numbers if you aren’t paying attention and the motor isn’t remotely stressed by it.
Infotainment etc is dreadful. I didn’t use the nav in my 2010 car once. It’s practical and quiet when pootling and in a muted colour (mine was black) it can fly under the radar if you want it to. Mine too had the HGTE pack so was a bit harsh on rubbish roads, but it felt planted on smooth asphalt.
I got out of the car after a road trip to the NC500. It was just too wide for overtaking without wincing.
The elephant in the room: The gearbox. I didn’t mind it as I’d never had a DCT in my life at that stage. If you lift as you upshift, shifts are smooth(er) but now I have the 458 I don’t think I could go back.
The 599 is a beautiful car, far better suited to wide roads and cruising rather than ringing its neck on back roads.
It was utterly reliable throughout my ownership. As has been said, the v12 is something else, but when you’re up the rev range, even in second, you are *properly* motoring. You can see some pretty high numbers if you aren’t paying attention and the motor isn’t remotely stressed by it.
Infotainment etc is dreadful. I didn’t use the nav in my 2010 car once. It’s practical and quiet when pootling and in a muted colour (mine was black) it can fly under the radar if you want it to. Mine too had the HGTE pack so was a bit harsh on rubbish roads, but it felt planted on smooth asphalt.
I got out of the car after a road trip to the NC500. It was just too wide for overtaking without wincing.
The elephant in the room: The gearbox. I didn’t mind it as I’d never had a DCT in my life at that stage. If you lift as you upshift, shifts are smooth(er) but now I have the 458 I don’t think I could go back.
The 599 is a beautiful car, far better suited to wide roads and cruising rather than ringing its neck on back roads.
I love the looks of the 599 but was put off by the f1 box, old tech now. Had 2 Cali T’s the only issues I had was a front parking sensor on the first one, dealt with under warranty and some rogue dash lights traced back to a chafed wire in the door, again warranty fix. Note however that most had an airbag recall for passenger airbag and as of a year ago there were no replacements available. So you will be driving round with a potentially lethal airbag. If buying one main dealer can check campaigns and will know availability status
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