Need advice from Pista owners

I think you will love the Pista
But it’s all a matter of preference


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Very hard to say if you will love it or not. It is an awesome machine and I take my wife out all the time in it. But it’s no “comfy” ride- no floor mats, light glass, very little insulation.

see if you can test drive one. You have some great cars already so no wrong choices. Good luck.

 

No the ride is not harsh at all. It's not nearly as stiff and rigid feeling at very low speeds as the 3rs.2 is and has very much a road car feel to it where as in the 3rs you know it has serious intent in the suspension at all times. The road noise intrusion in Pista is there but its really only on the courser chip bitumen surfaces where it intrudes as say how the gt3rs can do at times. But on general road surfaces the Pista is pretty damn good and although you will know there is a lack of sound deadening in the car in comparison to a regular Ferrari it isn't a deal breaker in any sense. The only real compromise there is when you are driving on coarse chip blacktop on long straight roads at higher speeds covering ground where the road noise can intrude and knock out the sound system but if you're sporty driving it or pushing it around corners you won't have any issues there.

The engine sounds good and lively too. It's a really good experience overall although the car gathers speed so ridiculously quickly it can make the moments of sound enjoyment brief and left a little wanting on occasions where you can't continue the action.

Insofar as general comfort as I've said Pista is very very regular in ride, comfort and feel for a so called track focused car. Mine has carpet mats and inside doesn't feel any less comfortable than a 488 gtb. In fact I would say it rides better than a 488gtb. Frankly I would call it a road car without sound deadening. Insofar as the engine sound goes, it sounds very docile with the valves closed around town speeds and this is very disappointing and lackluster so this is where you will find a valve controller very useful so you can control the sound levels to give a more sporty feel during these times when the engine is not under sustained power.

The Pista is not going to give you the scream of a 9000 rpm atmo engine so if you are expecting that then spare yourself the disappointment and don't buy it. That said it isn't a disaster by any stretch as it still sounds very good under power with the valves open. The sound experiences are different but equally compelling in their own individual ways.

I find the sound of Pista more enjoyable than say the 3rs sounds at lower town speeds where the 3 can be a bit docile in the sound as well until you start getting up it. As you know its really only when the engine gets over 4000 that it starts coming alive in sound and power, whereas the Pista is alive sound-wise at lower revs (with valves open) and will give plenty shove too. It's never short on power I can assure you of that. The difference between the 3 and the Pista at town speeds is that the Pista has that nicer louder growl to it. It's only in the upper rev ranges where the Pista is a bit monotone lacking the level of crescendo you get with the 3rs or v12 which both take longer to rev out and reaching their head. With the Pista, because of the gearing and the sheer torque, it revs out super fast so that also means less enjoyment than say the atmo which is is slower in revving out between each gear.

I think what you plan doing will work well. I think the Pista is fun for the odd track here and there but realistically is more of a road car. I prefer driving the gt porsches on a circuit and understand if you have a dedicated track car then it wouldn't make a lot of sense bothering with the Pista other than to stretch its legs right out down the straight on the track. Also if the tires aren't all chaffed up from the rigors of circuit driving the Pista will be nicer and less noisier to drive on the road surfaces....which is where you'll find yourself driving it most of the time anyway.

 

What he said, exactly. I had a 488GTB for a short time, and the Pista is exactly what I was missing from that car. Today is day 2 with my brand new Pista.

I considered a Speciale, Scud, owned a 991.2 RS. Glad I chose the Pista. It’s a focused road car that can turn into a monster when you want it. Rides every bit if not better than the GTB. Insane steering, lively chassis. Best most liveable road car I’ve ever experienced at any price point.


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What about an 812SF it drives better than an F12 and very close to a pista on acceleration

 

Get a 458. The sound is better.









Sorry. Couldn’t resist.

 

As a wise Australian used to say DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR go and test drive one. Every time I see one at the dealer I am amazed.

 

Main problem is they usually don't offer Pista for test drives unless they know it's a definite sale and, the test drive in the actual car being purchased becomes more or less just an obligatory gesture.

If only it was cloaked in a Pista body. And there lays the problem. It also doesn't have the on tap torque of the Pista.

 

I have a Pista, F12 and GT3 so similar line up to what you are asking about. The F12 IMO is the better date/daily car, my wife loves it. The F12 is more comfortable and under the radar. The Pista will get a lot of attention and you might be afraid of parking it where you cant see it. I dont feel the same with the F12 or GT3. From a driving perspective the Pista is a blast and neither the F12 or the Porsche will provide the same level of performance or excitement. I would ditch the RS and keep the F12 and try to get the Pista. This would be an ideal line up.

 

The Pista is simply a beautiful Ferrari and that alone is a good enough reason to jump into one!
I've owned the Italia, Speciale and now a Pista and out of the 3, preferred the sound of the Italia. Ive not owned or driven a 488 GTB - but can say the Pista sounds almost like a Speciale (blare) than that high pitched sound of a V12 or a F355 V8 once made. Would I swap an F12 for a Pista - for sure.
Good luck whatever you decide - both great cars!

 

Drive one first, or at least a 488 so you will understand the visceral differences the engine and exhaust sounds make in the turbo cars. If you can live with the downsides, by all means Pista a great car. Stunning looks and performance.

 

Excellent replies. If your wife is comfortable with the greater attention and likely lower seating position then the Pista ticks all the boxes. The car can be quite civilized if you are in sport mode and you drive gently or a real brute if you put it into race and drive aggressively. The one thing I would also caution you on are the tires, they are really high performance tires and if you plan to use the car year round, you will want to invest in a set of tires for lower temperatures. The Cup2 tires are fantastic when warm, but they are simply not made for cooler temps and can be there one minute and not there another when its cold.


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Having owned a Scuderia,the Pista does not give you the harsh ride of the latter. Road noise has been reduced to some extent by the use of felt like material around the front wheel arches. There are some threads on exhaust valve controllers which you can adjust sound to your taste. I have floor mats which snap into place.

 

Get the Pista. You won't regret it. You can get one of several exhaust options that make the Pista sound great. Do it and don't look back.

 

Did you think Pista owners would tell you to keep the F12 and avoid the Pista?

 

I believe several recommended that he try to drive one and make an informed decision on that basis.

 

First, let me get this bit off my chest.

ON TRACK: I had the chance to drive both the Pista and the 812SF side by side on track at Corsa Pilota last year in Las Vegas. Both cars are amazing and very fast. The difference from road to track is that you **really** start to feel the advantage of the Pista, being the lighter, track-tuned, mid-engined supercar. If you drive the 812SF before getting in the Pista, as I did, you're really impressed. Coming from a 991.1 GT3, 458 Speciale, and a McLaren 570S, the 812SF had gobs of new power that I never experienced. Really fun on track, and the soundtrack was phenomenal.

Phenomenal until you get into the Pista. It's been said before many times on this forum, but you really appreciate it once you experience it: the way the Pista picks up speed is scary fast. I've owned electric cars and have felt that type of speed as well -- this is different and way better. During Corsa Pilota, when the instructors first take you out for the "tour" of the course in the Pista, the Italian instructors really try to scare the sh*t out of you. In the Pista, the feeling of acceleration on the back straight of the track felt endlessly scary. The way Ferrari manages torque and continues to amp it up proportionally to drag resistance as you gain speed makes the car feel like it's accelerating equally as fast in every gear. It's nuts -- so nuts I had to check that mine weren't missing.

The sound coming from the Pista is still distinctly Ferrari. But it is different than usual, especially the sound the the turbo makes from outside the car. You either like that sound or you don't. But from inside the car as you are hauling ass

ON ROAD: The Pista begs you to drive fast, all the time. The soundtrack on it, as mentioned by @Shadowfax, is really special when on throttle. Ferrari has added theatre to the upshifts that make the experience really mind blowing when you're operating it at pace. In pedestrian environments, the honest truth is the that the Pista desperately needs an exhaust valve controller, at minimum. If you're cruising at 70mph on the highway without an exhaust controller, it's quiet enough that you could easily take a business call on the bluetooth system (which they've massively improved as well). The ability to flip the valves open and closed should have been a factory button or part of the Manettino.

You really notice and feel the lack of drama when decelerating. The valve slam shut and the car goes nearly silent. GPF cars will sound even worse. Ultimately, if you're comfortable adding a controller or asking the dealer to pin the valves open, then, IMHO, the missing piece of the Pista puzzle is complete.

To my eyes, it's one of the most beautiful, aggressive, modern, and soulful designs that Ferrari has come up with in recent years. I haven't found an angle that I do not love. The interior feels dated, but familiar. It could have used the F8's updated vents and steering wheel, but as Ferrari always do, they just a tad to be desired. Almost a Ferrari signature.

Do I believe the Pista is a good car for the OP? Only the OP can answer that. For me, it's an easy choice between the F12 and the Pista.

 

"I would use the car for occasional drives and date night with my wife. The F12 suits this purpose quite well, and the sound is magnificent."

That does not sound like the Pista mission. Let your wife ride in whatever your thinking about before your purchase it. Most people don't have a difficult time choosing between a turbo mid engine and a mid-front NA V12. With both F12 and Pista you would have all bases covered.

 

Been reading the posts by fellow members and mostly all good advice. However, I will say while the F12 is beautiful and a capable car, in my personal opinion, it misses some what of that sense of occasion the Pista gives you. Im sure some of you will be quick to disagree.
I took a F12 for a test drive a few years ago and while it was blisteringly fast - I felt it missed what my V8s at the time offered. My driving abilities will never be capable enough to extract fully any of the Ferrari line up (and certainly not on public roads) - but I genuinely felt I enjoyed the V8's much more at the time.
I drive my cars in town and also across the continent from the UK to Germany - comfort has not been a factor for me in buying any Ferrari thus far. For that I have a Range Rover. Buy a Pista - it will put a smile on your face before you even fire it up!

 

While I have not driven the Pista, coming from Ferrari V-8's including the 360, 2 F-430's, 458 and 488 and now onto the 812, I really miss my 488. There is nothing else like hearing the V-12 screaming towards 9k and yes my valves are pinned open. After my trade regret, I looked on the dealers website to see if my 488 was still available but it had sold a few days earlier as I was going to buy it back. Have I regretted my 812 purchase, absolutely not but could have been very happy staying with the 488. If possible, my advise is to KEEP your F-12 and add the Pista or another V-8 and then you will have the best of both the V-8 and V-12.

 

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The 812 engine and sound are amazing! Out of curiosity, what specifically made you change your mind to want to go back to the V8?

 

If I had to sell or trade the 812, I would stay with the 812. It does almost everything except the nimbleness of the V-8's. I was wanting to just add back the 488 and have both.