Ferrari F40 and 512BB

[dabest2500]

I've taken these two cars STOCK and with only ABS 1 with a wheel around Suzuka and the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
From what I've read on here, people seem to love both these cars, especially the F40.
I don't understand what people love about these cars, I've driven them and the 512BB and F40 and alright cars to drive, but nothing special.
This is not a flame/troll thread, I just want to understand what I'm missing

 

[McClarenDesign]

Technology of the time. Only thing missing is the 959. Check out this month's Top Gear magazine.

 

[Tvensky]

F40 one of my favorite, its MR car so its already very FUN, driver aids off, even more fun, historic car with unique tehnology at the time + even more fun added and its just a cool loking car with one of my favorite cock-pits. And very challenging to handle in corners, good for long drifts.

 

[M-POWER_FTW]

Technology of the time.

Yup.

There's a Top Gear episode where they compared the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959. Hammond was saying how if it weren't for those 2 cars, sports cars wouldn't be where they are now. I think the F40 at the time could do 201 mph, which was faster than any road car at the time.

 

[phil bell]

The F40 is a very focused "no nonsense",only essentials kind of car with chassis technology that has transcended into todays supercars,which not only makes it a prominent benchmark in history but also a riot to drive.Excellent balance,stability,feedback and involvement/viscerality.Bellismo!

 

[analog]

I don't understand what people love about these cars, I've driven them and the 512BB and F40 and alright cars to drive, but nothing special.

That's the thing isn't it? Define special and more importantly what's your specific definition of what makes a car special?
Not saying you're wrong when unimpressed with these cars, you may like different sort of cars and their performance/handling aspects, like others have said they're classics and can't be compared directly with more modern supercars as you may feel underwhelmed with the actual outright speed.

They do both handle in a very unique way, the 512BB has a very short wheel base with a Boxer-12 (actually technically a flat V12) mounted quite high with the gearbox underneath (to make that short wheelbase possible) creating a high centre of gravity which both result in a very tricky handling car on the limit.

The F40 is essentially a road legal racecar, a reaction or answer and complete antidote to the high-tech and sophisticated (at the time ofcourse) Porsche 959, a quite simple and crudely engineered turbocharged monster with no compromise for daily use or passenger comfort created in a time where that was still possible, unlike now I guess with high tech gimmickery and safety/enviromental concerns being so predominant.

Maybe it boils down to knowing and appreciating these aspects and therefor appreciating or enjoying the subtleties of their handling characteristics being accurately replicated in a videogame.
I say subtleties, although there's nothing subtle about these car when you get it wrong...

 

[gogatrs]

There is a Ferrari badge on the front.

 

[DrSibo]

Yup.

There's a Top Gear episode where they compared the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959. Hammond was saying how if it weren't for those 2 cars, sports cars wouldn't be where they are now. I think the F40 at the time could do 201 mph, which was faster than any road car at the time.

And in that very episode he couldn't stop grinning and giggling like a hyperactive schoolkid when he was driving them...

 

[Dan_]

Outdated suspensions, low grip tyres and classic styling, these two and the P4 are the most awesome Ferraris in the game.

They do both handle in a very unique way, the 512BB has a very short wheel base with a Boxer-12...

That's n...

(actually technically a flat V12)...

Oh yeah, this man speaks the truth.

 

[Crumpet]

I think the F40 is amazing to drive, got to love the cheap looking interior.

 

[dabest2500]

That's the thing isn't it? Define special and more importantly what's your specific definition of what makes a car special?
Not saying you're wrong when unimpressed with these cars, you may like different sort of cars and their performance/handling aspects, like others have said they're classics and can't be compared directly with more modern supercars as you may feel underwhelmed with the actual outright speed.

They do both handle in a very unique way, the 512BB has a very short wheel base with a Boxer-12 (actually technically a flat V12) mounted quite high with the gearbox underneath (to make that short wheelbase possible) creating a high centre of gravity which both result in a very tricky handling car on the limit.

The F40 is essentially a road legal racecar, a reaction or answer and complete antidote to the high-tech and sophisticated (at the time ofcourse) Porsche 959, a quite simple and crudely engineered turbocharged monster with no compromise for daily use or passenger comfort created in a time where that was still possible, unlike now I guess with high tech gimmickery and safety/enviromental concerns being so predominant.

Maybe it boils down to knowing and appreciating these aspects and therefor appreciating or enjoying the subtleties of their handling characteristics being accurately replicated in a videogame.
I say subtleties, although there's nothing subtle about these car when you get it wrong...

I expected awesome handling/acceleration, but they're just normal cars.
From what I've read it seemed like it would be some kind of track monster.
I didn't realise that it was only the heritage and technology that made it special.

 

[dark_ruffo]

^ Fun

 

[Tonnie073]

Technology of the time. Only thing missing is the 959. Check out this month's Top Gear magazine.

Read it too, i wouldnt want that porsche, still looks the same as new porches

 

[analog]

I expected awesome handling/acceleration, but they're just normal cars.
From what I've read it seemed like it would be some kind of track monster.
I didn't realise that it was only the heritage and technology that made it special.

No that wasn't what I meant, just the heritage, I meant to see them within the proper context, historically and technically (which is the defining aspect of the handling/performance of any car obviously so not irrelevant like you seem to make it out to be).
Again these cars shouldn't be directly be compared with more modern supercars as the performance figures of an F40, although extremely impressive in the eighties, are easily beaten by most of todays "standard" supercars.

Another thing is that all those modern supercars can be driven without any driving aids in GT5, unlike real life in most cases, making them seem more ferocious perhaps and make a car like the F40 seem relatively tame in comparison (which it isn't in real life as it doesn't have any driving aids).
Although all supercars (including the F40) are ofcourse much more of a challenge to drive in real life (even with driving aids) than a videogame can ever replicate.

Expecting "awesome" handling/acceleration from these cars might just be a case of expectations build on wrong assumptions or lack of knowledge, not saying that's your fault if you only based these expectations on what other people on these forums tell you but it sure wouldn't hurt to read up on some cars before assuming they are what they aren't.
One is a supercar from 1987 and one a mid-engined GT from 1976, that should tell you something perhaps.

 

[dabest2500]

No that wasn't what I meant, just the heritage, I meant to see them within the proper context, historically and technically (which is the defining aspect of the handling/performance of any car obviously so not irrelevant like you seem to make it out to be).
Again these cars shouldn't be directly be compared with more modern supercars as the performance figures of an F40, although extremely impressive in the eighties, are easily beaten by most of todays "standard" supercars.

Another thing is that all those modern supercars can be driven without any driving aids in GT5, unlike real life in most cases, making them seem more ferocious perhaps and make a car like the F40 seem relatively tame in comparison (which it isn't in real life as it doesn't have any driving aids).
Although all supercars (including the F40) are ofcourse much more of a challenge to drive in real life (even with driving aids) than a videogame can ever replicate.

Expecting "awesome" handling/acceleration from these cars might just be a case of expectations build on wrong assumptions or lack of knowledge, not saying that's your fault if you only based these expectations on what other people on these forums tell you but it sure wouldn't hurt to read up on some cars before assuming they are what they aren't.
One is a supercar from 1987 and one a mid-engined GT from 1976, that should tell you something perhaps.

No, it was my fault, I over hyped the car in my head, and ended up disappointed with it.
I should have actually expected LESS since it was from the 80s.
At least I've learnt something from this thread

 

[analog]

No, it was my fault, I over hyped the car in my head, and ended up disappointed with it.
I should have actually expected LESS since it was from the 80s.
At least I've learnt something from this thread

Well, the F40 was probably overhyped in real life as well (the 512BB however was largely overlooked for a long time) and I didn't meant to say to expect less with it being from the eighties, just expect something different (might be less or even more depending on your own preference) and match your expectations by seeing these cars in the proper context.
I don't expect my Jaguar XJ13 to match the laptimes of my Audi R10 TDi but I wouldn't call the experience any lesser, in fact the XJ13 puts a bigger smile on my face (love the Audi too by the way).

 

[dabest2500]

Well, the F40 was probably overhyped in real life as well (the 512BB however was largely overlooked for a long time) and I didn't meant to say to expect less with it being from the eighties, just expect something different (might be less or even more depending on your own preference) and match your expectations by seeing these cars in the proper context.
I don't expect my Jaguar XJ13 to match the laptimes of my Audi R10 TDi but I wouldn't call the experience any lesser, in fact the XJ13 puts a bigger smile on my face (love the Audi too by the way).

The XJ13 and Ferrari P4 330 are both AMAZING cars.
The Ford on the other hand...
I need to expect less to avoid disappointment
Over hyping GT5 is another example

 

[Felix]

The F40 in the game has too much pitch and roll in it IMO. I have been luckily enough to be a passenger in an F40 , and it is like a go-kart with a twin turbo V8. The car does suffer with some turbo lag , which is missing from the game , again IMO. I just wished they could actually get the engine sounds right , as most of the cars sound like a turbo charged food blender.

 

[HuygensHeroes]

The car does suffer with some turbo lag , which is missing from the game , again IMO.

Have you driven the F40 in the game? The turbo lag is definitely represented, that's not much of an opinion thing. If you thing that it is not represented properly that is your opinion, but I think you'd have a hard time arguing that it doesn't exist at all...

 

[Fredde_swe]

The F40 in the game has too much pitch and roll in it IMO. I have been luckily enough to be a passenger in an F40 , and it is like a go-kart with a twin turbo V8. The car does suffer with some turbo lag , which is missing from the game , again IMO. I just wished they could actually get the engine sounds right , as most of the cars sound like a turbo charged food blender.

Have you never noticed the turbo lag in game?

Floor it.....wait.....wait.....wrooooom

The F40 is one of my favorite supercars. Why? Because it's raw, looks amazing and represent the end of the old supercar era and at the same time the beginning of the new.

 

[Felix]

Honestly I've never noticed it in the game. Going to have to take my F40 out lol.

 

[Bigbazz]

Both of those cars are really good fun to drive, they have character. Probably among my favourite cars in the game, and in real life.

 

[HuygensHeroes]

Honestly I've never noticed it in the game. Going to have to take my F40 out lol.

Perhaps you had TC on when you drove it, take all aids off and see what happens
Think you'll be pleasantly surprised

 

[zedextreme8177]

F40 on Nurburgring with ALL driving aids off and Sports Hard Tyres= Pure cargasm

It may not be the quickest car, but it definitely ranks as the one most enjoyable to drive: for me atleast

 

[JJ72]

It's very hard to put into words, but character is the main thing.

Neither are perfect handling cars, but I like them because they are different, I actually like the 512BB more, it's light and agile however still soft, reminds me of the old Lotus Europa, however I doubt the real car is actually this good to drive.

I think the F40 should feel harder and more focused, in GT5 it is still exciting but not as precise as I imagine a road going lemans racer would be.

 

[Felix]

Perhaps you had TC on when you drove it, take all aids off and see what happens
Think you'll be pleasantly surprised

Just driven a stock F40 and realised why I've never noticed it. My car IRL , an Alpina C2 has a very defined power band in the rev rang , which feels like it come to life around 4000 rpm.

Again the sound let's the car down as there is no real engine note change when your in the sweet spot. I am still disappointed how utterly crap and pathetic all the car sounds are in GT5.

 

[Mazziko]

I suggest test driving a few sports or supercars from the F40 era. You'll be pleasantly surprised. As for the Veyron, the thing accelerates like no other road car. You are carrying mire speed through a corner, hence the perceived understeer. You'll also be amazed once you go beyond it's limits. It doesn't have the finesse of other supercars, but by changing the driving style, it becomes more effective. I prefer the adjustability on the limit of the 430 Scuderia.

 

[Remy Zero]

'I don't care about radios and power windows. I want the driver to p*ss in his pants the moment he steps the gas' - Enzo Ferrari on the F40.

The F40 is special, because it marked the 40th anniversary of the marque, as well as the last car Enzo overlooked from head to toe. The F40 is also Ferrari's second supercar, after the 288 GTO. The F40 is the first ever road car to be made out of carbon fibre, dual turbo V8s, and is just slightly more heavier than the Lotus Elise. It's the first ever road car to break the 200 MPH barrier, and without electronics such ac TC, it was very scary to drive, especially in the wet. Happens to be Jer Clarkson's favourite supercar of all time too.

 

[Poppins]

Lol its like twice as heavy as a lotus man.

 

[TheFlyingKiwi]

How to put this. A 512BB went to war with the Lamborghini Countach. Now the Countach was the star of the show. Big exciting and doors that went upwards like a space ship. Now the Ferrari was the understatement. Overlooked because it didn't look as radical as the Lamborghini. But the Ferrari had the last laugh because it was the better car.
Then we come to the F40 which took on the 959 with it's sophistication by being as unsophisticated as possible. As Clarkson said "road seat ass, the end" that's what made the F40 great. It was fun because it was simple. The new cars even from Ferrari are cold and clinical with there electronics. Now don't get me wrong I love technology especially in the new 458 where it's breathtaking but not as exciting as the F40 or 512BB. So in short old is gold.