612 vs 599

My vote goes to the 599.........but then, I might be biased!

 

I vote 612....It is my favorite exotic so far.....looks, performance, and usability....all in the same package....but I could be biased also

 

My take on the 612 is that is is essentially based on the 575 architecture and technology whereas the 599 represents newer technology and also has an a Enzo engine.
If you need the back seats there is no question. If you don't need the back seats, there is also no question.
I vote the 599 and if you have more than one person needing a ride, call a cab for them.

 

IMO - the 612 offers more than the 599 on a daily basis ... but the weekends are made for the 599. I vote 612 especially a 2008

 

The 599 is a wonderful machine, you'll love it.

 

oxford- The 612 has essentially the same engine as the 575M except for manifold and ECU changes. Essentially the same 5748 cc engine with identical block, pistons, heads, valves and camshafts. Plus virtually the same transmission, suitably updated. Same five year change interval on the cam belts, too.

The 599 has a newer generation engine with no maintenance chains replacing the cam belts and much higher performance at much higher revs (8250 rpm redline) than the 7500 rpm redline 575M/SA/612 engine.

The 599 is the replacement for the 575M, just like the 612 was the replacement for the 456M. If you need four seats, the 612 is what you want. If not, the 599 has a whole lot more performance in a very attractive package.

612s are available for less money, but the 599 is seeing some significant price drops as well, at least for used cars. If both are available for the same money, the 599 is a better buy in my opinion, and will hold its value better, if you care.

Your choice. You should try and drive both and see which you prefer.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

i dont know where u live, but even in westside L.A, i dont think either can be good for daily drivers. They are both too low to get in and out of drive ways comfortably. And im probably the only one in traffic loaded taiwan to drive mine to dinners and such.

i have both and i really cant pick a winner myself.
In my heart, i really love the 612 because its just so beautiful and elegant with just the right amount of power to have fun with. But it is a bit long and big for citys.
Backseats arent as bad as for emergencies only, but the honez getting in and out wont be graceful. And unless u have the HGTexhaust it doesnt have much of a ferrari sound too.

for me, the 599 felt very weird in the beginning and it still is too powerful for its own good, the HGTE is definitely a must have which i dont. Most friends that have 599s said its awesome, but these friends of mine go slow and buy them because its the most HP in ferrari's line up, and they put 1k miles a year on them. In other words, they can care less on how it drives. I bought the 599 under the same intentions, because of the enzo's 620hp engine..., but i love to go out and terrorize myself. But the 430 is better for that job.

not surprisingly, i think the best daily driver, if u have to do it in a ferrari, is the 430. No questions IMO. Most awesome DD in town so far, bar none if i have too. The doors open much wider than the 612/599 and u move along in city traffic like a hero, while the other 2 have this bogging feel which im still getting used to. It feels like a leashed lion.
In other words, just get a camry for a DD, its much better.
But if u rephrase your question and ask me what else the 599/612 can do, besides a DD, i'll tell u later.

my impressions when new:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=255222

 

im probably the only one in the world that thinks the 612 is more pleasing to the eye than the 599, but u have to get the challenge wheels or bigger.

and like i said before, the 612 and 599 actually drives and feels like they do come from the same platform. Just the 599 got MORE of everything. More power, more sensations, more sound, more speed in a set distance, more hard (is that a word??)...... but they really feel quite the same when u drive it.

 

612!!!! Yes I am biased,

Both wont dissapoint.

 

Such a hard question...

My decision was, after four years away from Ferrari ownership, to come back via the 612. I felt at the time of ordering (as I still do) that the 612 is an incredible mix of values of old Ferrari models together with cutting edge technology; the 599 is to me a Ferrari that is extreme from the word "go", too rapidly perfect for my more "romantic" approach. Therein lies the success of Maranello, offering two sports V12s without a generic, boring feel.

I had a Blu NART 575M, one of the first ones as a matter of fact; the grace and elegance of that car was close to the 612; the performance demeanor closer to the 599. One has to look deep in their soul and find out which is longer lasting.

 

Went through the same problem. 430, 599 or 612. 430 was a no, not that much into racing and wanted something a little more comfortable. The 599 looks great to me, it's a beast. But would I really use the HP and the car to 90 percent of what it is capable of, I figured not. So the 612 fit me perfect. Good long hauler, enough power to have fun with and I do like the looks. Now that I have mine, I still believe I made the right choice. No matter what you get, you will be happy. By the way, a low milleage 612 with 500 to 1200 miles should be about $230K to $250K with at least 24 months left on the warranty. I only paid $275 for mine NEW last month with first service included. Also watch out for options, options can vary by 20K easy. Later model 08's have chromatic roof too, a must.

 

It would make for a very interesting back-to-back comparison, particularly if the 612 has the sportier suspension setup.

 

History says 2+2s depreciate way faster than 2 seaters. No reason to think that will suddenly change. 456 GT/456M owners thought it would not happen, but it did.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

oxford, is your 575 a stick or f1?

 

I've owned both, and sold my 612 when I bought the 599. To me, the 612 is the greatest luxury car in the world -- my wife loved that car, it was fantastically comfortable, you could haul a couple of friends in the back, and in TdF over Cuoio it was awesome looking, although it always seemed a bit ponderous to me.

The 599 is everything people say -- I love mine! That said, even on the softer suspension settings it's a pretty firm ride -- not out of line for a daily driver (I routinely run errands around town in it) but not as plush as the 612. For my tastes, the 599 is the greatest GT car in the world.

There are times when I wish that I had a car with the plushness of the 612 over the more focused power of the 599. That said, I always felt that the 612 was a bit soft, and even lacking in power for my tastes (my prior Ferrari was a 512TR, which was a torque monster more like the 599 - and which I drove all over Chicago for many years).

You have what I call a high-class problem! If I hadn't taken some losses in the ol' retirement fund, I might have kept the 612 and bought a Scud -- bracketing both ends of the spectrum. Having to choose a single car, the 599 was the clear choice for me.

Hope these musings are of some help. Have fun choosing!

 

Best of luck - either choice was a winner

IMO - the 612 offers more and does it all

 

599

 

Lap times at Fiorano
1. Ferrari 430 Scuderia 1:23.9
2. Ferrari Enzo 1:24.9
3. Ferrari 458 Italia 1:25.00
4. Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE 1:25.900
5. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 1:26.5
6. Ferrari 360 CS 1:26.50
7. Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M 1:26.500
8. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE 1:26.500
9. Ferrari F50 1:27.00
10. Ferrari F430 1:27.00
11. Ferrari F430 Spyder 1:27.00
12. Ferrari F40 1:29.60
13. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 1:30.5
14. Ferrari 360 Modena 1:31.00
15. Ferrari 575 Maranello 1:31.51
16. Ferrari 550 Maranello 1:32.52

I will give up the 4 seconds and take the back seats / exterior that is unmatched.
Plus thats the 05 612 not the updated sports pkg available.

 

599. I wanted a 612 until I drove an 08 612 back to back with a 08 599. 599 handles way better and obviously accelerates in another league. And I think the 599 has a mor contemporary edgier look. But then there is the back seat issue ...

 

Either will work.

 

Nice 2005 612 in FerrariAds for ~$120k. If you want a 612, might as well save $160K. Will be a while before you see a 599 at that price.

456 GT ~$50K, 550 ~$80K

365 GTC/4 ~$100K, 365 GTB/4 ~$300K+.

365 GT 2+2 ~$125K, 365 GTC ~$300K+

330 GT 2+2 ~$100K, 275 GTB ~$500K+.



You get the idea, I hope.


Taz
Terry Phillips