599 - HGTE or not?

[Araantonak]

I am looking to buy a used 599 early next year. Now I am wondering whether I should stretch my budget an extra 20k or so for one with the HGTE pack?

Anyone have experienced both versions?

I am wondering if:

a) I will notice the difference much when driving? (I like spirited-on road driving but I am just a passionate amateur with no racing-experience)
b) Whether the HGTE will prove to be a much better investment long-term

Also: Are there any other options I should look for? Do the carbon brakes make a difference or are the stock ones good enough? I almost melted the stock brakes on my V8 Vantage last time I drove down the Schauinsland-Pass...

What color choice would you make?

I personally love the dark-red metallic:


but might also just go for the classic red (easier to find)



In terms of wheels, I like either the star-shaped ones or the HGTE-wheels. The 20" challenge ones don't do it for me...



curious about your opinion

[AmoCS]

This one looks stunning.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

HGTE looks more aggressive.

[Araantonak]

it does! Exept for the grey interior - so ... grey :P

[Carbonio]

I'll be interested in the response too.

Waiting for prices to drop a little further, though it will be a keeper.

[F355GTS]

All UK cars have the carbon brakes so difficult to offer a comparison.

Personally I find the HGTE is significantly better it's much more planted on uneven roads than the std car and in general rides better. Exhaust sounds a bit better (louder).

I also love the dark metallic reds, well I would would't I

[msdes123]

Ive had my 599 for 4 m now. My budget was 100K max so it put most of the newer HGTE cars out of my range but I did test drive a couple as well as my eventual non HGTE purchase. As a ferrari novice I personally didnt notice any appreciable difference, think you'd have to be a serial supercar buyer/expert to really appreciate the difference and unless your doing lots of track days or european driving is a stiffer suspension/lower ride height what you really want on UK roads? Suspension set up on my non HGTE car is not exactly what you'd call soft in sport or race mode! Note the post above, just my humble opinion. Autocar did a review on the HGTE upgrade, still available on their website as I read it just a few days ago as I have been thinking about getting the HGTE exhaust as a standalone upgrade

As for options there are lots of 599 threads on the supercars general forum going back over time asking about the options to have, I started one myself in July 2013, many others exist before and after this.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

As for colour and wheels; one dealer told me that not that many were specced in classic ferrari red compared with the V8 models and most did appear to be grey or black on ferrari approved when I was looking. Of course the dark red metallic is even rarer. One dealer also told me that the classic rosso corsa paint and creme interior attracted a slight approved used price premium c/w other colours. I suppose the HGTE pack would add to residuals if your not looking for a long term purchase. My personal view would be go for an older non HGTE car thats already taken even more of a depreciation hit, drive it without worrying about the mileage and enjoy. You'll be getting more value for money that way than buying a more expensive car and only doing 1000 mileage per year while it otherwise just sits in the garage for long periods. Keep the extra 20K for petrol costs.

Hope it all goes to plan whatever you decide, its certainly a rollercoster ride!

Edited by msdes123 on Sunday 8th December 18:08

[msdes123]

F355GTS said:

I also love the dark metallic reds, well I would would't I

Dark metallic red looks awesome in the sunlight on your photo. Your front grille looks much more aggressive (and better) than the one on my car, has less horizontal and vertical bars, was that part of the HGTE package?

[GrahamPM]

Try and test drive both - and not a twenty minute drive in heavy traffic as I did! They are a big car and take some getting used to - not a country lane car, but a consummate GT cruiser! They look absolutely stunning especially in metallic red with a HGTE pack; but I never got on with mine and was pleased to see the back of it.



Graham

[F355GTS]

msdes123 said:

F355GTS said:

I also love the dark metallic reds, well I would would't I

Dark metallic red looks awesome in the sunlight on your photo. Your front grille looks much more aggressive (and better) than the one on my car, has less horizontal and vertical bars, was that part of the HGTE package?

Yes part of the HGTE package

[willy wombat]

My 599 is standard GTB. I drove an HGTE version at Millbrook as part of Ferrari's effort to get GTB owners to upgrade their cars to HGTE (£17K IIRC). I found that the HGTE pack made the car too firm on the road for my liking. However what it does do is 1/ remove the slight understeer that the non HGTE cars have and 2/ keeps the car more level under hard acceleration/heavy braking. If you accelerate very hard in a non HGTE car you will see that the nose really points up and likewise of you brake really hard the nose really dips. In my opinion, if you want the car primarily for track or mountain road use then go for the HGTE pack. If its more for every day and general touring, go GTB. Having said that, I've had my car on track quite a few times, and have done my share of Italian mountain passes with no problems except for spending a lot of dosh on brake pads and tyres. Re colour - I think only black and silver/grey work. Re wheels - the star wheels are the original 19 inch wheels and if that's what you want you should get a discount because they were not popular!

[Carbonio]

GrahamPM said:

Try and test drive both - and not a twenty minute drive in heavy traffic as I did! They are a big car and take some getting used to - not a country lane car, but a consummate GT cruiser! They look absolutely stunning especially in metallic red with a HGTE pack; but I never got on with mine and was pleased to see the back of it.



Graham

What didn't you get on with Graham, was it the size?

[GrahamPM]

Size was one issue, it never instilled confidence in me to throw it about like I could with any of my previous Astons or Porsches. The 'chassis' felt un-connected with the body and used to squirm under either hard braking or acceleration. I even took it in to my local dealer for one of the Tech's to drive, and he said mine was well set-up and handled 'as good as they get'! Plus sides were the fantastic acceleration with an epic V12 engine that defy's physics the way it revved - far better than the DBS which I'd also been looking at. Mine was a gorgeous looking, high spec, special car; even had a ....599 chassis number! It transpired that the previous owner was a member of a Middle Eastern Royal family! Obviously a Summer toy, as it had only 1650 miles at 3 years old!
Always felt that the exhaust noise could have been louder, despite the HGTE exhaust - I had the vac pipes disconnected so it was always running 4 outlets.
Then, my local friendly Ferrari dealership lent me a 458 for weekend - and the rest is history!
Graham

[Carbonio]

GrahamPM said:

Size was one issue, it never instilled confidence in me to throw it about like I could with any of my previous Astons or Porsches. The 'chassis' felt un-connected with the body and used to squirm under either hard braking or acceleration. I even took it in to my local dealer for one of the Tech's to drive, and he said mine was well set-up and handled 'as good as they get'! Plus sides were the fantastic acceleration with an epic V12 engine that defy's physics the way it revved - far better than the DBS which I'd also been looking at. Mine was a gorgeous looking, high spec, special car; even had a ....599 chassis number! It transpired that the previous owner was a member of a Middle Eastern Royal family! Obviously a Summer toy, as it had only 1650 miles at 3 years old!
Always felt that the exhaust noise could have been louder, despite the HGTE exhaust - I had the vac pipes disconnected so it was always running 4 outlets.
Then, my local friendly Ferrari dealership lent me a 458 for weekend - and the rest is history!
Graham

Thanks for the reply Graham.

[Araantonak]

GrahamPM said:

Size was one issue, it never instilled confidence in me to throw it about like I could with any of my previous Astons or Porsches. The 'chassis' felt un-connected with the body and used to squirm under either hard braking or acceleration.

That is some good feedback - I will defenitely go for some extensive test-driving before I sign on the dotted line! I would use the car mainly for spirited drives on b and c roads so I need to be comfortable with it's size and handling

Now before everybody tells me to get a different car that handles better around corners: I just love the look of the 599 and I drive for fun not best lap times so as long at it's FUN up a mountain pass I'll still buy it

[Camlet]

I'd go for a March 2007 fully loaded mint condition 599 GTB F1 approaching 13K on the clock with FFSH in delicious Silverstone with full carbon and Nero/Daytona interior. Always a head turner on the rare occasion she ventures into Central London. Always a scream when road conditions allow

[F355GTS]

Araantonak said:

GrahamPM said:

Size was one issue, it never instilled confidence in me to throw it about like I could with any of my previous Astons or Porsches. The 'chassis' felt un-connected with the body and used to squirm under either hard braking or acceleration.

That is some good feedback - I will defenitely go for some extensive test-driving before I sign on the dotted line! I would use the car mainly for spirited drives on b and c roads so I need to be comfortable with it's size and handling

Now before everybody tells me to get a different car that handles better around corners: I just love the look of the 599 and I drive for fun not best lap times so as long at it's FUN up a mountain pass I'll still buy it

Big car for B roads, C roads will have you breathing in when meeting oncoming traffic , they are however absolutely fantastic on a mountain pass

[GusB]

I use mine for any trip I can and must say they are fantastic... re size the Range Rover is 2073mm wide vs the 599 which is 1962mm... a Bentley GTC is 1966mm wide and even WAGs can drive them...

For me having a Ferrari that can carry two sets of clubs and luggage as well as being nippy with a fantastic engine won out vs the 458 which I also love...

Try one.

GusB

[Bluebottle911]

Araantonak said:

it does! Exept for the grey interior - so ... grey :P

Yes, seriously dull! A car's interior is what its owner will see most: it should be stimulating and uplifting, not depressing.

No idea about GTB vs. HGTE, but whichever it is, go for Rosso Corsa with tan interior.

Edited by Bluebottle911 on Tuesday 10th December 11:50

[Araantonak]

I'm sure I can handle the size... threw this around a lot of twisties in the black forrest the other day and it was surprisingly fun: