Thinking of buying an FF, first Ferrari

Welcome to the forum of delights.........we are, or rather can be, a rather opinionated lot on occasion but have a vast amount of combined knowledge and all love the marque.
The FF is by far the easiest Ferrari to live with, it has no vices and can out run an F12 on greasy back roads or waft you to your destination in supreme comfort. Best of all worlds.
Buy as late as you can in a colour combo YOU love and just drive it. Some colour combos can be a bit challenging but are reflected in their apparent lower price. Mileage is a factor on price but not to a significant extent but mileage is of little consequence to how it will perform or overall reliability. The more you drive them the better they get. Most will tell you they are bullet proof, that is my experience too but one or two have been a nightmare for their unfortunate owners. They were generally among the early ones but any warranty work would be well documented and upgrades applied making them as good as all the others. Keep us posted on progress and good luck, you will not regret it for a second.

 

If you can afford it just get the car. It is its own segment of the car industry, nothing comes close to it.

 

I own an F12,(love it) but as your criteria and quite rightly so states you want your kids to enjoy your experience , there is nothing out there that can really compare to an FF. not only is it an Icon as all Ferrari's are. read the thread by Fritz called my white FF , Fritz drove for Ferrari so it is an excellent thread and will probably swing you if not already heading to the showroom , Good Luck

 

Ff is daily hell even weekend bliss

And I also have a McLaren, Superleggera and Gt2 in the stable and saying that!

It gives you all the thrills you'd want from your Supercar, plus the room/comfort , amenities etc

I was very hesitant as you are, I think the stigma of people calling it ugly get in the way at times.

After owning it and pouring on the miles, not only is the drive amazing but I get out and say wow that's beautiful!

People in my condo think it's the most beautiful car I've had, the attention in the wild is more so than my Mclaren and people just love it

But that's not why I bought it obviously, it gives you everything in a daily package and nothing comes close!
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Check the chassis number in front of the engine and look it up. A few 2015 builds are still with dealers at very attractive prices.

Unlike many I chose not to have a pano roof after it condensed up during alpine driving. Not a problem until it started dripping.

 

The Pano roof was also available in late 2013 FFs and early 2014 FF models . Fantastic driving automobile . One of the best driving cars Ferrari has produced in terms of overall power and comfort . You will really get a lot of bang for your buck in a slightly used pre-owned FF .

 

Are you attracted to the car? Go for it. You may be one of the rare! Welcome to the club.

2012 vs. 2014, really shouldn't matter, but I went with a year old 600 mile 2014 and paid a lot more, yes still way under MSRP. As was said new ones should be available for a great price and a lease allows you to walk. If you think you will keep the car, a buy is a great value with the styling isssues, high MSRP and new Lusso on the market. Although all used cars are at great prices, definitely avoid bottom feeding. Pedigree/past ownership history and build/look always matter for Fcars even a DD.

The car is not really a car, it's a serious machine in it's own class. It does everything any car is called to do and does it with aplomb. You can even get 17 mpg if you drive it like an old lady, but what fun would that be !!?

I have the pano, in a mostly warm climate, and it's beautiful in the sun and the rain and occasional snow. I don't care about the stereo being lame or the Chrysler touch screen lacking what the new Lusso offers, as I listen to the engine music. I was happy with the stock exhaust but did go to Capristo with X pipe and enjoy the sound and subjective feeling to the engine response. I do like the daytona seats, full electric seats, LED wheel a must for resale.

The factory warranty can be extended, or you can self insure after 3 years.

Some people in other Fcars with suspect taste and a need for more masculine lines will tell you it's ugly ... in the real world everyone I know personally and see out when driving takes photos and marvels at the cars beauty, unique styling and incredible performance.

You will enjoy it every day, every drive, it's always an occasion.

 

Get an F12.

Seriously kids in the back as criteria for a Ferrari?

 

Why not?

 

The FF is Ferrari's best kept secret. Go for it.

Have you considered putting a deposit on a GT4C Lusso and buying a used FF in the meantime ? You might be able to pull a great deal on the FF and it's a good way to start building a relationship with your local Ferrari dealer.

 

^^^^ This!

S

 

My car is grigio titanio
Oddly enough I have titanium (almost same color) on Mclaren

I think both cars are transformed in this color as it goes from lights to dark and shows off every crease and line!

I love the pano roof however decided I wouldn't want it full time with no option to shut the light out, if it opened? 100%

I also hated the led steering wheel at night constantly blinking in my face

Everyone is different

 

welcome to the board, and hopefully to the land of Ferrari ownership.

We've had several V8 and V12's, but we are on our second FF.

1) the car is astonishingly good. really. It performs and is highly livable.

2) the design remains controversial. we happen to love it, some don't. worst case, you can't see the exterior when you're driving it.

3) the cars have been relatively bulletproof, as most current generation Ferraris are. There are the odd problem cars, but the FF's have been more robust than our BMW M versions....

4) re point 3, if you buy pre-owned, you should get a great deal and work the extended warranty into it if that's a concern.

5) we have 2 young girls, we use the car to bring them with us - my wife does school runs, and we go on the occasional road trip. Quite honestly, my wife has now attended 5 performance driving schools, and those skills plus the capabilities of the FF equal a much safer driving machine than an SUV (i.e. avoid the problem)

6) the GTC4 looks to be great, it might be worth a conversation with your dealer about picking an FF now and swapping later.

7) I have no experience with Pano roof; we purposefully skipped it, I rarely look up when driving....it looks cool and is well done, but I can't remember last time I opened a sunroof...

8) many 2012's were loaded up with options (i.e. high MSRP) and many in the US were dealer demo's. 2013+ had additional equipment as standard vs. option. If your car has all the updates and campaigns done, essentially they are the same platform.

9) there are some cars out there that are low priced, but have also been ridden hard and put away wet....sort of beat up. I'd skip those, even if bargain priced. It's a Ferrari...I think aside from the UK, where supply seems limited, most markets have enough FF's available to provide a decent selection and buyer's market. I would buy from a dealer (and perhaps pay more) to create a relationship for future Ferrari adventures

10) see point #1 - car is awesome. FWIW, seems like most people who dislike it have never driven or owned it, it's the "design". Most owners swear by them. Only downside, Ferrari V12 2+2's depreciate quickly (though not as much as some would speculate)

 

I'm with you 100%.

We took my stepson and his fiance to Big Sur on a rainy 4 days in January and they loved the pano, and the car, 100%. On the way back it was warm and dry and we found a place to stretch it to high 3 digits.

Cars are a vehicle for EXPERIENCES with loved ones (TM). lol

You can't go wrong taking out kids or couples in the FF. They love it.

 

Four seat Ferrari is an awesome way to share your passion with the kids. Wouldn't trade that for anything. Absolutely love taking them for ice cream, cars and coffee, daddy daughter donut day or whatever in it. And you don't have to sacrifice performance to do it.

 

Agree 100% on 1-6. I've warn a few people out with critiques of the new Lusso. In short? Many marketing driving ideas, not artfully integrated. Trying hard to be macho, countering the lines of the FF. Dated styling not brave and groundbreaking. I miss Pinanfarina, the FF being the last in line with the 458.

If you need more power, you can add an exhaust for more air, and even a chip, and get close to 700 hp and 715 nm. That's not going to happen anytime soon, just get in and drive ! The FF incorporates everything Ferrari knew in 2011, it's got a lot of tech already and plenty of power! 3.5 to 60 and the 50 to 150 is a blast. Over 150 it sucks to the road.

One issue of flexibility, is warranty renewal. A 2013 or 2014 coming out of warranty this year is eligible for a 2 year extension for $13,500, if done within 30 days of the 36 months. Also, ANY FF out of the original warranty you're able to add a so-called Power 2 warranty ($6500 a year in the US) for up to 12 years. This covers 80% of everything and all the costly stuff. So a 2013 might be worth it for you, adding in the 13,500. The pano is only later cars so that's all in line.


Welcome to a great car experience, and a machine you'll love for many years. I may never sell mine. Famous last words! Time will tell.

 

I agree, I wish they had made a sliding sun shade like many other cars have.

 

I completely disagree with Brian about the Lusso and am also an FF owner and lover.

On the other hand I completely agree with your idea about a four seat Ferrari, the FF is my first, the others having been 2 seat, including a current Speciale. I have teenage and older children and also use the car for nights out with friends. It's not the same as a 2 seat car, of course, but it gives that Ferrari V12 a wider audience and allows more of you to share in what is Ferrari's view of how a multi person GT car should be. Gotta love that!

More controversial than a Ferrari with four seats is a Ferrari with four wheel drive. Yet again though, Ferrari understand their brand perfectly - four wheel drive can be useful but not at the expense of that rear wheel drive balance and feeling. So they went ahead and invented a unique four wheel drive system that achieves a large degree of the best of both worlds. A proper Ferrari solution and a complete success.

The best Ferrari models do not denigrate or undermine their predecessors (are you listening McLaren....?). And so it is with the Lusso, which I have seen up close. It has its own identity, a refinement and enhancement of the FF, without invalidating the language used in the FF, which now assumes its own place in Ferrari history, made all the more significant by the fact that the Lusso is a development of the theme it started. Not sure why Brian can't see that but be assured, it is not a universal view that the Lusso is not worthy.....it very much is as far as I'm concerned.

Back to the FF. It's a great car and a wonderful choice. And if you stay there, you've done well, if you progress to a Lusso you've done well also. I did what others seem to be recommending, bought a used (2012) FF with a deposit on the Lusso. Enjoying the first very much. Looking forward to the second too.

 

6 Ferrari's in the garage including a 2016 F12 and I spend 90% of my time driving the FF. Its by far the most useable daily driving car I've ever owned (Except for a range rover) and I absolutely love it. In fact, as crazy as it sounds, sometimes when I get home from work...I wish my drive wasnt over yet. At times I sit in the car for a few minutes and then park and go inside. On days I don't drive the FF, I actually miss driving it. Its just a combination of so many factors that make this car so awesome.
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I think you make Brian's point superbly.