If you ever had plans to own a Ferrari GT, then now is the best time. If you recall the 599 GTB, it came as the most powerful front-engined Ferrari up until then. Of course, the more refined F12 Berlinetta replaced the 599, but thanks to depreciation, owning a Ferrari Berlinetta can become a reality to some.
Bear in mind the 599 is a decade old car with the marque launching it back in 2007. Although the 599 got updated with special editions, the persona of having a massive Ferrari GT was established with the introduction of the 599 GTB. Replacing the 575 Maranello, the 599 proved to be a great success to the Italian moniker.
Today, the Ferrari 599 GTB goes from anywhere between $90,000 to $200,000 depending on the year and mileage. The more exclusive 599 GTO sells for over $600,000 with ultra-low mileage examples fetching $700,000.
Ferrari 599 GTB- A Brief
The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano was a direct replacement to the 575 Maranello, Ferrari’s then flagship GT. With typical Ferrari finesse, the 599 joined the stable with a sticker price of just over $300,000. In line with Ferrari’s tradition, the 599 came with a naturally aspirated V12 displacing 6.0-liters (5,999-cc to be exact). The monstrous engine produced 611 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque. Available transmissions were a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed sequential automatic that Ferrari called the F1 transmission.
As with any Ferrari, the quality was top notch and everything was built with extreme attention to detail. The steering wheel housed F1-inspired shift-lights that were a first on a Ferrari or any road car for that matter. Interiors were bathed in leather and Alcantara. The interior was pretty modern for the time but considering how modern technology has advanced, it looks rather dated by 2021 standards. Something that’s not dated, however, is the sound of the V12. Although Ferrari still makes naturally aspirated engines, there’s a noticeable difference in how an 812 Superfast sounds when compared to the 599. Emissions weren’t all that aggressive ten years ago and particulate filters were unheard of especially on exotics.
It’s Sort Of Affordable Now
Thanks to the miracle of depreciation, exotics like the Ferra 599 are accessible, to a few at least. Let’s break down the numbers. The Ferrari 599 went on sale from 2007 to 2011 wherein models like the 599 GTB, 599 SA Aperta, and 599 GTO were part of the lineup. As far as used 599 GTB’s go, you’ll find examples ranging from as low as $90,000 to around $200,000. Factors concerning the price are mileage, year of purchase, and something called HGTE; Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione, a $30,000 option from the factory. Aside from these, the amount of options added does influence the price but not as much as these three.
As explained by Fourwheel Trader, the depreciation on a 599 GTB varies between $3,400 for the earlier model years to $8,300 for the later ones. Highly specced 599 GTBs touch $200k which is in the ballpark of a base-spec F12 Berlinetta. Another distinct metric you come across with exotic cars is “depreciation per 1000 miles.” The Ferrari 599 GTB depreciates around $1,200 per 1000 miles whereas the F12 Berlinetta loses around $2,200 per 1000 miles. That’s largely due to the fact that there are more F12s on the market than there are 599s. Also, the F12 is a more recent model and depreciates a bit more than the 599 that’s older and has almost plateaued in terms of depreciation. On a general note, 40% of the 599 GTB’s price is determined based on mileage, 30% on model year, and 30% by spec with the HGTE package being an important selling point. Also, factors like having a manual transmission do add on to the cost along with the car’s condition.
Should You Eye The GTB Or GTO
The 599 GTO being the more exclusive with just 599 ever made makes it worth buying from an investment standpoint. However, if you’re an enthusiast looking to experience a Ferrari for a relatively cheap price, the 599 GTB should be ideal. Going for the F12 isn’t a bad idea but given the F12 still has room for depreciation could mean, you’ll be losing a fair chunk of money. Of course, if you can afford to lose that the F12 is an ideal buy, it comes with relatively modern technology and a refined driving experience. Getting your hands on the 599 SA Aperta won’t be easy since only 80 examples were made and the ones on sale go for well over a million dollars. Buying a used 599 has its own issues though. For instance, if you’re looking for a bargain, chances are it requires a lot more pampering and would cost you a lot of money. However, if you can work around that, the 599 is one of the best modern Ferrari GTs you can get.
Sources: YouTube, Wikipedia, Dupont Registry