599, other V12 or 3 Corvettes + F355

I opted for a 599 with a dealer installed HGTE. It was also $60k less than the factory installed HGTE 599s I could find at the time.

 

I'm personally a GT fan especially due to ease of accessing the engine bay. My first was an '01 550 Maranello Titanio Grigio 6-years ago that I did the timing belts myself then was involved in an accident--RIP, then it I picked up this year my Black '05 612 and then a Silver '09 California for my wife. I put a Tubi Competition Cat Back on, aftermarket high-end sound system and Nav with a custom sub built for the space in the tool kit area with out loosing space in the trunk and 599 Challenge Rims on my 612. Then I purchased Forigato 22/21 Staggered Black Rims and Lowered it with Novitec Coilovers, Full Carbon Fiber Package, Tubi Race Exhaust and a ECU Novitec tune.

I'd say go with a V12 599 since you can get the 6.0, chain driven. I am familiar with the 550/575/early 612 engines so for me it was an easy decision.

All this said original Covettes with matching number will always generally appreciate, however I would probably consider a 360/430 where you have an access panel behind the seats to make working on the vehicle much simpler. Just my opinion though.
Cheers!

 

I'd get the C1 and a used F12. I don't see C4 and C6 as being very collectible long term. I've got a pretty large muscle car collection and a 599 with factory HGTE which I'll probably replace with 488 Spider in another year or two.

 

I would get the F12. I am a just few years past your stage in life and as I get older I find all the cars I have collected mostly just sit and collect dust. You will find that there is not enough time to drive them and taking care of them can be a drag (ie. finding a new brake/gas/oil fluid leak, dead battery, or seeing the dreaded mouse dropping). Then there is the cost of taxes and registration fees, smog tests (at least in my state) and other costs/hassles of ownership. My advice is get what you can afford, drive and enjoy it awhile, then sell it and move on to something else. Your automotive tastes will continue to change as you get older. That being said, I still enjoy looking at them while walking through the garages covered with their clear plastic drop sheets and sometimes tripping over the battery tender cables.

 

I was in sort of the same situation. I had a 355 and a 328 but wanted a V-12. So I sold the 328 basically straight across for a 612. I would have preferred the 599 but the 612 gives me the back seat when needed with all of the V-12 fun and I still have the 355 for when I want to drive the "go kart". For the price of a 599 HGTE, you should be able to pick up both a good F355 AND a 612 HGTS or HGT2.

 

I am also selling my 328, how do you like the 612? Am considering 550/575/599/612 or MB SLS.

 

Trojan fan, I like your taste. Having a front 12 and an rear 8 provides nice variety. I do, however, understand the love for American muscle. Good luck to the OP you can't go wrong either way. Would you be keeping the 430? Might not need both a 355 and a 430, even though they are somewhat different.

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Its only been a few weeks but so far I'm loving it. Totally different from the 328/355 experience. More of a "normal" big car experience but real quick. Took her on a canyon drive at she held her own but really excels on the longer drives . My wife is loving it.