2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Review - $160K V12 Bargain?

My first time in a Ferrari, and first time driving a V12!
zygrene

[@MrZyLeXx]

This has always been one of my favorite Ferraris ever, i'd say it's a bargain just because of what you're getting and i'd pay(assuming i pleeenty of money left to spare) 35k for the manual swap. I'd be if more people didnt do this, seems like such a insane value for money as a manual. V12 600 HP Manual semi modern Ferrari and one of the best IMO.

[@aaa84gt]

Ageing gracefully 👏 A V12 Ferrari is definitely a bucket list item

[@cben86]

Bargain until you have to get it serviced

[@KeenanStyles]

Not really, I used to work for Ferrari and there’s a maintenance free program offered that covers the car for 7 years. It comes free if you purchase a new model but the old ones it is an option

[@cben86]

@@KeenanStyles can you get 7 years on an older model? This 599 is 15 years old

[@Zygrene]

You're not wrong. Owner said the dealer charged $1000 for an oil change

[@CarsMeetsBikes]

@@Zygrene the oil capacity is 12.5 LITERS. of that charge, labor was probably the cheaper part

[@KeenanStyles]

@@cben86 yeah you can, we had a customer purchase a plan with his 550 too but that was 3 years ago. The older rear engine 12 cylinders it wasn’t an option for at least at our store but I can imagine why 🤣 what a nightmare. Also another catch is for some models it’s not transferable. Which to me makes no sense whatsoever

[@shakespeareracing7822]

As my driving skills grow, I'd love to try to drive a car like this with limited/no assists. I'm not sure how many other reviews I've seen of exotic cars being driven with some slip angle, great driving and great review.

[@mariodiniz21]

you actually got my hands sweaty just from watching you push that beauty so hard on the road, good job!

[@Datsun510zen]

Mannual all the way with a hand made Italian sports car. It would likely increase the value of the car, so it's money well spent. Being involved and connected with that hand built V12 work of art is the whole point of owning a car like that. Congrats on 2 very exciting new firsts in one go, what a treat.

[@slowcar828]

Great vid but Wish you would have opined on the driving experience more. What it’s like vs the other supercars, and even the 911s you’ve owned. From steering response/feel, to power delivery, noise etc. a compare and contrast would be awesome.

[@Zygrene]

Good feedback. I'll cover driving dynamics more in future videos.

[@KeenanStyles]

It’s absolutely a bargain especially when you consider there were only 30 units for the entire world that came from the factory in a gated manual. Those cars easily sell for 500k in modern day. Less than 200k for a gated manual 599 is amazing. Get enrolled in 7 year maintenance free program and you have one hell of a package. I have a hug weakness for the 599 they are so affordable in the states but here in Japan it’s appreciated a lot more and a lot more rare so they’re very expensive. What I wouldn’t give for an EAG gated example.

[@cobra1010]

A fantastic car - and a very good review! Thank you for sharing!

[@Fee.1]

People (not you, just speaking generally) often mistakingly assume these Ferrari V12’s have a flat plane crankshaft…but they do not. What they do have however is that Ferrari signature firing order making sure we get alternate bank firing order regardless of the layout out and that sweet sweet sound

[@bobbyrios2k223]

Music from the gods! Awesome you got to drive this beautiful machine! 35k for a manual conversion is expensive, but its a ferrari and considering the price they bought it at.. its worth it!

[@dlugsch]

What a beautiful car! Definitely a steal at that price. Love the "modern classics" from the 2000s. I'd probably lean towards an F430 though for the mid-engine layout and to get a more driver-centric car for the canyons and track, was always the poster car for me as a kid. They've depreciated quite a bit as well, though the manuals still command a huge premium

[@Spencer_Marks]

I bought my F430 in 2019 for 86k. Just sold it for 130k. I’d say the current market is strong but we’re headed for a recession. So these cars are going to be much affordable in the near future.

[@clkgtr12]

@@Spencer_Marks these ferraris seem to just get more expensive

[@janwlaa]

Thank you for driving it properly. 👏

[@DC5Brandon]

Thanks for giving us the curb weight for cars. Some KZbinrs don't mention this, but I think it is just as important as the HP and TQ.

[@Zygrene]

For canyon driving I'd argue it's even more important than HP/torque

[@carguy7627]

I've always loved the look of these. Like a pretty Mk4 Supra in my mind. I think I just came as close as I'll get to driving one by watching your video. As far as "is it worth it for the manual conversion", to me that's only a question that the owner can answer. If that's what they value then it is. $35k isn't the same to everyone. Since it's all subjective who cares what the rest of us think?

[@bruceeide4359]

I have a solid twin to this '99. Grigio Silverstone, Cuoio Interior, 2007, $343,000.00.. A fantastic car, great driving experience. I would never consider adulterating the car and the transmission. I met a guy with a 599. I think he is on his third shop in three years trying to get the conversion finished. And, he told me that that he had spent a lot more than $35, 000.00. sounds like a nightmare to me.

[@vlat18]

how much you spend on your car in one year? fuel not included

[@telemaster]

Doesn’t sound quite as special as I expected, but what an awesome get!

[@sleebanger]

amazing sped. love the 599.

[@miaouchat495]

Nice car. What's the retail on one of those?

[@Fee.1]

Ferrari’s are a huge part of why I have to own a motorcycle…for me that light flywheel extremely quick revving motor experience is GODLY and the only way I can have something Ferrari level on that front, or actually far better in many sport bike cases…is motorcycles…but I won’t pretend I wouldn’t kill to be able to have that experience in a car as well MV agusta F3 800 RC is my current bike bae. Italian low volume visual art and audible sex on wheels

[@Aladdin5cave]

My cousin in law bought a low mileage one 8 years ago and as soon as he drove it out of the dealer the check engine warning light came on. It was 'fixed' but every now and then it would happen again. Otherwise its beautiful car especially in red.

[@mikefadell1520]

ecu may need to replace

[@jubbalandcars]

That's a spicy meatball

[@Zygrene]

🧆

[@llorencorpuz8193]

The car is awesome and road looks good I’m guessing this is in California, is this in the Bay Area? Where exactly?

[@dylansorenson2784]

Hey Zygrene would love to hear your thoughts and reasonings for switching from GR86 to GRC! I'm renting a manual GR86 from turo - have it till monday - to make sure I'll be happy with purchasing one. Currently

[@Zygrene]

The more I drive and mod my BRZ, the less motivated I am to make the switch. It's a really great every day sportscar. My thought process behind the GRC involves its exclusivity, practicality, power, and what it would do for my channel. I doubt I would prefer its driving dynamics over my BRZ in its current form.

[@dylansorenson2784]

@@Zygrene Totally agree, and I had the same thoughts. That carbon fiber roof too makes it such an appealing package. One's a hot hatch and one's a dedicated sports car, though. Honestly hard to go wrong, we have so many good options as enthusiasts.

[@chorn74]

for us mere mortals the maintenance is the problem. lets assume 3% of new car cost per year (which i think is grossly low assumption for a v12 flagship ferrari) you are walking into $12k per year before anything big breaks. this is a huge step up in cost for ownership than the price suggests. and i would bet that its well north of 5% per year or $20k for maintenance (again before anything big breaks and you get a surprise $5k+ bill). gotta have deep pockets for cars like this... i think that is why people generally do not keep them very long. they are a money pit for us mortals.

[@KeenanStyles]

That’s what the 7 year maintenance free program is for.

[@chorn74]

@@KeenanStyles lol. yeah, if only they stayed 7 years old or younger and were available at that price. 2008 is no bueno.

[@KeenanStyles]

@@chorn74 I used to work for Ferrari 3 years ago and we had a customer enroll his 550 in the program. That’s the oldest car I’ve ever seen be accepted. We wouldn’t cover 355s or 360s though. It was also non transferable on certain models. Which to me made absolutely zero sense whatsoever if the previous owner was keeping up on it. But a 599 would have to go through the initial application all over again.

[@johnmitchell2269]

Would you (have you) ever considered buying a 360 or a 550? I think you would fall in love with a 550. They only came in manual and they have more of a sporty feel (but less premium) than the 599 GTB So yeah, instead of spending 160k + 35k to have a manual 599, I think it would be better to spend much less on a 550 without any drastic changes. Yes the 550 has less power, but it's also lighter.

[@KeenanStyles]

Personally I would go with the newer 575M over the 550 just because it’s more modern and refined. 550s have appreciated a lot due to being gated and there are a lot of situations where the 575M actually costs less. In the end it would cost more than a 550 after sending it to European Auto Group for the gated conversion but I would rather have a new and more powerful model than the 550.

[@Zygrene]

At one point I toyed with the idea of selling my NSX and getting a manual 360, years ago when they were 5 figure cars

[@sprezzatura8755]

You can have it. I will take a C8 ZO6 Corvette.

[@asianyangster916]

Is it worth the money to convert it? I don't know but let me drive it and I'll let you know. LOL. Wish I can drive one too. Sick asf on the exhaust note.

[@James-ti3vl]

side profile of this car in the thumbnail looks awfully similar to the A80 supra...

[@Brian-or2jy]

The only thing that dates this car are the wheels. Chrome/polished wheels scream 2000s.

[@Zygrene]

Yup owner hates the chrome as well

[@mikefadu]

if still available buy it this is best car ever by Ferrari love it

[@kekethetoad]

Sounds like a lion cub roaring haha

[@Fee.1]

4:20 it’s just enough…what? Power?!?!

[@verdict1163]

360 Modena 6-speed would be fun

[@Zygrene]

Very. Would love to drive one.

[@DC5Brandon]

Cool car, and owning a V12 is compelling, but for that $, i'd be thinking GT4RS and that crazy intake sound 😍...that is if I could find one for sale 😞

[@Zygrene]

Yup, as sweet as the 599 is, I'd take a similarly priced Porsche GT car any day.

[@joeracer302]

Even if you had the $ you ain’t getting an allocation for a GT4RS unless you’re Jesus himself. You can actually go out and buy one of these 599 on the used market today.

[@DC5Brandon]

@@joeracer302 Agreed, but I can dream hypothetically.

[@joeracer302]

@@DC5Brandon I’m just burned out on Porsche releasing cars that I can afford but never actually buy. I count myself lucky to have a Carrera T, but maybe some day, if I get some blackmail on my dealer, and sacrifice some animal on a blood moon, I’ll maybe, maaaaaaybe, get a GT allocation. I know there is no way I will ever get any RS or other limited (e.g. Sport Classic) that comes out. It just bums me out, because I would love to own and experience those cars and know the only way is if I pay some insane premium on the used market when someone flips their allocation and makes $100k just because they’re rich/famous and had connections to get it in the first place. The entire system is a joke.

[@DC5Brandon]

@@joeracer302 Cool. I have a limited black edition Cayman S. I guess it's wishful to think people consider this Cayman to be the "poor man's" Porsche anymore? 😁 Although the head Porsche guy did say this will not be a limited run, but how many years will they sell it? Maybe if I'm lucky, I will find one used for $90K ten years from now. Until then I'll enjoy my own modified Cayman 👍

[@Cavallino69]

I think that car came from North Carolina and I saw it right before it was listed on BAT. Beautiful car! I 100% think the conversion is worth it. A 599 with a factory manual is easily $100K more, so if that's what you want the conversion is a bargain. Good job on the review, was very enjoyable.

[@billybromberg5024]

Did you give the mileage? Does it belong to a private or dealer? The interior looks like several colors, what color is it?

[@VQSeries]

Idk about bargain, but still a beautiful coupé nonetheless 👌

[@alastairfaulds8184]

I've read it's very fast and capable, but I've seen a few which have left me underwhelmed. The styling is just rather bland; it's ok but lacks the wow factor of its predecessors. When I see a testarossa my blood pumps faster and boyhood dreams come rushing back. When I see a 599 the reaction isn't half as passionate.

[@Zygrene]

Can't argue with that. 80's and (to a lesser extent) 90's Ferraris are drop dead gorgeous.

[@patelandco]

Porsche is prancing horse too 😏

[@Ruinatori]

😀👍