Considering FF

F

Frans-Jacques

New Member
Messages
5
Ewan said:
A bit like my one then!View attachment 49568
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Gosh where ARE these cars on a day to day basis? Just seeing this or a 612 or a 456 or an old Magnum 308 would make my day SO much better. Maybe my council could run a service to have owners drive their cars around and people would stop knifing each other for 10 seconds and decide to set a new, higher-aiming path in life for success and achievement... (ok got a bit carried away there, can't hope for a Ferrari filled utopia)
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

Centenary Club
Messages
12,195
Frans-Jacques said:
Gosh where ARE these cars on a day to day basis? Just seeing this or a 612 or a 456 or an old Magnum 308 would make my day SO much better. Maybe my council could run a service to have owners drive their cars around and people would stop knifing each other for 10 seconds and decide to set a new, higher-aiming path in life for success and achievement... (ok got a bit carried away there, can't hope for a Ferrari filled utopia)
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Bloody good idea, I reckon!
 
BJL

BJL

Centenary Club
Messages
1,229
Loved my FF and most owners I know who have changed would still own theirs if the Lusso hadn't been launched.
The 612 is fantastic value and a great car to drive but by god it likes a drink and we are talking 10mpg in and around town and even less on a track but cruising on the Autostrada at around 100 it will return about 16 -17 dependant on right foot. Bullet proof engines and gearboxes as long as service has been done properly and not too many computers to go wrong. They must be right at the bottom of the curve now and can only go up in value but really high milers (60k +) and any lacking in service provenience will be hard to shift.
The FF is a revelation and for me it reminded me of the Scimitar GTE ( in appearance) which I adored as a car and as a concept (long time ago mind). I made the mistake of waiting too long to buy one, mine was a late 2015 and benefitted from quite a few subtle upgrades over the early 2012 cars. Not all of them appreciated like the rubbish DAB radio which never worked well due to the combined aerial interfering with both VHF and DAB so more often than not all you had was static. Best value ones are the late 2013 (Sept onwards) which had most of the software updates, slight gearbox update and a few extras came as standard by then. Fantastically quick and supremely comfortable on long haul trips. My fuel average was 18 mpg over my entire ownership with no issues at all. Best colours are the 3 layer reds, black and all the dark greys. TDF blue looks very smart with crema interior and the Diamond cut wheels cost 5k extra when new and have to be in perfect condition as they are well over 2k each to replace. Ferrari warranty is a must but if you buy from a F dealer you will most likely get a 2 year full warranty worth 6k. With the Lusso price holding up very well at 220k for nearly 2 year old examples the FF price has hardened in the last year.

The Lusso feels as if the FF has grown into a Swan and does everything and more with less fuss. Faster to 60 but smoother, more stable at near top speed due to better aero and ground effect, four wheel steer takes some getting used to but once you know how crisp the turn in is you just don't use so much wheel. Torque vectoring is greatly improved with 90% going to the wheel that needs it and fuel consumption is averaging 19+ with over 20 easily achieved on a run. Equal length headers, higher compression and precise balancing and matching of all the internal bits lets the engine noticeably spool up more quickly.

I drove the V12 Rapide a couple of years ago and it felt old fashioned, front end felt heavy, not nimble at all. the power delivery was adequate but not thrilling and the steering still suffered from the old problem of judder at low speeds on full lock. Plus at less than half price after 2 years tells its own story.

Sad thing is that if I had traded my QP for a GTS in black with black leather and Burr walnut dash and door inserts back in 2009 as I very nearly did I would have probably saved myself a lot of money.
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

Centenary Club
Messages
12,195
hoyin said:
I reckon there would be more knifing. Unfortunately too many people in this world can’t be happy with other people’s success.

Jealousy is a sad reality.
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Yes, but it's not universal. My wife often comments how virtually every delivery driver, from Tesco to Amazon to whatever other crarp we get delivered, comments on the Vantage and how much they like it. "It's every man's dream car", said one last week, "but it needs a wash. It's filthy!"
 
iainw

iainw

Member
Messages
2,696
BJL said:
Loved my FF and most owners I know who have changed would still own theirs if the Lusso hadn't been launched.
The 612 is fantastic value and a great car to drive but by god it likes a drink and we are talking 10mpg in and around town and even less on a track but cruising on the Autostrada at around 100 it will return about 16 -17 dependant on right foot. Bullet proof engines and gearboxes as long as service has been done properly and not too many computers to go wrong. They must be right at the bottom of the curve now and can only go up in value but really high milers (60k +) and any lacking in service provenience will be hard to shift.
The FF is a revelation and for me it reminded me of the Scimitar GTE ( in appearance) which I adored as a car and as a concept (long time ago mind). I made the mistake of waiting too long to buy one, mine was a late 2015 and benefitted from quite a few subtle upgrades over the early 2012 cars. Not all of them appreciated like the rubbish DAB radio which never worked well due to the combined aerial interfering with both VHF and DAB so more often than not all you had was static. Best value ones are the late 2013 (Sept onwards) which had most of the software updates, slight gearbox update and a few extras came as standard by then. Fantastically quick and supremely comfortable on long haul trips. My fuel average was 18 mpg over my entire ownership with no issues at all. Best colours are the 3 layer reds, black and all the dark greys. TDF blue looks very smart with crema interior and the Diamond cut wheels cost 5k extra when new and have to be in perfect condition as they are well over 2k each to replace. Ferrari warranty is a must but if you buy from a F dealer you will most likely get a 2 year full warranty worth 6k. With the Lusso price holding up very well at 220k for nearly 2 year old examples the FF price has hardened in the last year.

The Lusso feels as if the FF has grown into a Swan and does everything and more with less fuss. Faster to 60 but smoother, more stable at near top speed due to better aero and ground effect, four wheel steer takes some getting used to but once you know how crisp the turn in is you just don't use so much wheel. Torque vectoring is greatly improved with 90% going to the wheel that needs it and fuel consumption is averaging 19+ with over 20 easily achieved on a run. Equal length headers, higher compression and precise balancing and matching of all the internal bits lets the engine noticeably spool up more quickly.

I drove the V12 Rapide a couple of years ago and it felt old fashioned, front end felt heavy, not nimble at all. the power delivery was adequate but not thrilling and the steering still suffered from the old problem of judder at low speeds on full lock. Plus at less than half price after 2 years tells its own story.

Sad thing is that if I had traded my QP for a GTS in black with black leather and Burr walnut dash and door inserts back in 2009 as I very nearly did I would have probably saved myself a lot of money.
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Do you have your portofino yet? Please could I have first refusal if you move it on?
 
outrun

outrun

Centenary Club
Messages
3,853
BJL said:
Loved my FF and most owners I know who have changed would still own theirs if the Lusso hadn't been launched.
The 612 is fantastic value and a great car to drive but by god it likes a drink and we are talking 10mpg in and around town and even less on a track but cruising on the Autostrada at around 100 it will return about 16 -17 dependant on right foot. Bullet proof engines and gearboxes as long as service has been done properly and not too many computers to go wrong. They must be right at the bottom of the curve now and can only go up in value but really high milers (60k +) and any lacking in service provenience will be hard to shift.
The FF is a revelation and for me it reminded me of the Scimitar GTE ( in appearance) which I adored as a car and as a concept (long time ago mind). I made the mistake of waiting too long to buy one, mine was a late 2015 and benefitted from quite a few subtle upgrades over the early 2012 cars. Not all of them appreciated like the rubbish DAB radio which never worked well due to the combined aerial interfering with both VHF and DAB so more often than not all you had was static. Best value ones are the late 2013 (Sept onwards) which had most of the software updates, slight gearbox update and a few extras came as standard by then. Fantastically quick and supremely comfortable on long haul trips. My fuel average was 18 mpg over my entire ownership with no issues at all. Best colours are the 3 layer reds, black and all the dark greys. TDF blue looks very smart with crema interior and the Diamond cut wheels cost 5k extra when new and have to be in perfect condition as they are well over 2k each to replace. Ferrari warranty is a must but if you buy from a F dealer you will most likely get a 2 year full warranty worth 6k. With the Lusso price holding up very well at 220k for nearly 2 year old examples the FF price has hardened in the last year.

The Lusso feels as if the FF has grown into a Swan and does everything and more with less fuss. Faster to 60 but smoother, more stable at near top speed due to better aero and ground effect, four wheel steer takes some getting used to but once you know how crisp the turn in is you just don't use so much wheel. Torque vectoring is greatly improved with 90% going to the wheel that needs it and fuel consumption is averaging 19+ with over 20 easily achieved on a run. Equal length headers, higher compression and precise balancing and matching of all the internal bits lets the engine noticeably spool up more quickly.

I drove the V12 Rapide a couple of years ago and it felt old fashioned, front end felt heavy, not nimble at all. the power delivery was adequate but not thrilling and the steering still suffered from the old problem of judder at low speeds on full lock. Plus at less than half price after 2 years tells its own story.

Sad thing is that if I had traded my QP for a GTS in black with black leather and Burr walnut dash and door inserts back in 2009 as I very nearly did I would have probably saved myself a lot of money.
Click to expand...
Good summary of the FF, very similar to what i'm finding. I drove a Lusso as well and it felt less dramatic and awfully modern, neither of which appeal to me too much! Good job really as I'd have needed to part with quite a lot more dough and watched it depreciate quite a lot more too I think! Mine has 2 years warranty and 2 more services left, plus was fully serviced prior to collection to that helps (at least in my mind) to mitigate against extreme bills for the next wee while. Definitely agree on the post-13 software tweaks which made the early car that I also looked at feel much less polished than the one I bought which is a late 14, 64 plate car.

Looking forward to hearing how the Portofino experience is. I want to take my family on a Euro trip or 3 and so the FF fits that bill perfectly. Good job really as I might have brought home something really silly otherwise!
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
13,188
If all my stars align, I’ll be after a Portofino if not, a late Cali T HS will have to do. I’m not going to die wondering.
 
BJL

BJL

Centenary Club
Messages
1,229
The Portofino is a long story. Loved it when I saw it in Portofino at the launch, loved it in the flesh in London and couldn’t wait for delivery due Spring 2019 but then someone close to me said.....’ don’t you think men your age look a bit of a knob in convertible’. Well that brought the curtain crashing down so the order is deferred pending first glimpse of the Alfieri which is due I believe when **** freezes over. So sorry Iain, could be a long wait.
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
13,188
IMO, it’s listening to idiots makes you look like a knob; it’s not what they think that matters, it’s what you think that counts. I drive a 14 year old bitsa with the roof down, whatever the weather, and I don’t give a tuppenny toss what any tw4t thinks, I do it because I like it. Life really is too short to give ground to trolls, go for it and if I can ever afford a PF, I’ll f*cking have one.
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
51,035
Any man over a certain looks a cock in a Convertable no matter what one it is but add Ferrari name to it and you may as well have knob head tattooed on your forehead......and I include me in that...drove a 430 Spyder in the summer and saw my reflection in a shop window....Yep cock came to mind.......BJL your friend was right.
 
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Rwc13

Rwc13

Member
Messages
1,120
BennyD said:
IMO, it’s listening to idiots makes you look like a knob; it’s not what they think that matters, it’s what you think that counts. I drive a 14 year old bitsa with the roof down, whatever the weather, and I don’t give a tuppenny toss what any tw4t thinks, I do it because I like it. Life really is too short to give ground to trolls, go for it and if I can ever afford a PF, I’ll f*cking have one.
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Agee with Ian, you own a convertible, at whatever age, because you love the feeling of driving in the open air, with all the additional sensory inputs that provides. Why rob yourself of that just because you fear what some narrow minded people might think? Such people probably think you’re a cock for driving any Italian “sports car” whatever your age, tin top or not!
 
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