A buddy and I were given the opportunity to take a 599 GTB out for several hours yesterday - right before the snow!

Was really looking forward to this as i've always heard about those classic Ferrari V12's but had never driven one before. I have a good amount of seat time with F430's so was interested to see how this compared.

Car was black on black. first thought upon walking up to it is "this is a big car". Started it up and it sounded great from the outside. Inside, the finish was beautiful and literally not an inch that was not covered in leather. I had seen a 599 once before that had black interior with red stitching and it was one of the nices interiors i've ever seen. no deviated stitching or piping on this one but very nice.

Seats were carbon-backed and extremely comfortable. visibility was great and overall just a very roomy, comfortable place to be. Would have no issue pointing this car to the opposite coast and just start driving. Easy to drive, you could definitely communte every day in this thing. Also, I didn't see anyone paying any attention to this car - unlike the 430.

Never thought a Ferrari could fly under the radar but this car was as stealthy as a ferrari could be.

beacuse the temps were hovering around 25F and summer tires, I couldn't push it too hard. We did have some opportunities to have some fun with some twisties and it's amazing how the car seems to shrink underneath you. I don't know how they do it, but the car steers, and feels no where near as big as it is.

As far as staight line acceleration - it is very, very fast. My buddy says my modded TT is the fastest car he's driven but the 599 is really fast - not sure if faster, but different. Certainly, the F1 tranny makes it feel faster and the linear response of the V12 is amazing. It almost doesn't matter what gear your in, what revs, just hit it and it goes. In the sweet spot, it hauls *** though. The only negative I would say is the exhaust - I thought it was too quiet, at least inside. i'm sure outside was a different story.

The gear changes are literally neck snapping, which raises an interesting point. I've driven PDK and to me, it's almost too good. You can barely feel the gear changes. I know the Ferrari gear box is "older" technology but I much prefer it to the newer systems. it's just more fun and engaging. In fact, was just reading an article about the next gereration Lambo Murci. and they said they purposely built into the tranny the feeling of the gear changes. thought that was interesting.

This particular car had about 22,000 miles on it, no squeaks or rattles and felt very solid. A great GT car that can handle and drag race with the best of them when the mood strikes.

I think i'd still rather have an F430 (or certainly a scud) as they're just more engaging - particularly as a gargae mate to my TT. Because of it's useability (like the TT) the 599 would make for the ultimate GT/fun car.

 

Sounds like you had a great time- thanks for the impressions.

 

Nice report, thanks for sharing. How much power is your TT making?

 

Great write up...Thanks a lot for the real world impressions.
D

 

I drove one briefly, it looks big and was too quite inside and not a big fan of GT car's.
F430 better suits my taste. I am told the F458 is the ultimate, razor sharp handling.
Have started specing my 458 and hope to have it by June.

 

Thanks for your write up.All 2005 and up Ferraris are great cars.I've owned 360 cupe in early 2001 and it felt very fragile So true about the size of those cars,it seems they are getting bigger and bigger .

 

Thanks for the impression. The 599 is the one Ferrari that had me checking used prices. I think they are just terrific and the fact that it didn't turn head everywhere you went makes it even better. My view is a Ferrari needs a v12, notwithstanding what a great looking car the 458 is.

 

Thanks for sharing. It's amazing a car that big could feel as fast as a Turbo!

 

family member of mine has a 599 which i take out quite often, it is silver so it shows itself much more than a black one.
Even here in LA it is a ridiculous head turner, i have had people chase me around with video cameras and crowds form around the car when i park it.

Comparing it to a scuderia isn't very fair in my opinion, they target two completely different demographics. 599 being more luxury/gt oriented customers who want the ferrari v12 feel, and scuderia attracting the more race oriented customers. I dont think anyone who sincerely wants one of the cars would choose one over the othere, they are just two completely different animals.

However, end of the day i still prefer my modded turbo on a twisty road for some odd reason. Perhaps it is the manual tranny in addition to the comfort of it being my own car.

 

not sure where I compared it to a scud. in fact, I said exactly what you said - the 599 is the ultimate GT car.

 

Chris your hooked man. Its just a matter of time now! You always wanted one of these beasts. Nice write up. Very interesting.