Some people might say that Ferrari styling has lost its way in recent times - the cars just don't look as pretty as they should, but then again we should be thankful that they have not yet descended into awful pastiche. The reason the old classic Ferraris change hands for such outrageous amounts of money is not just because radio DJ Chris Evans is hogging half the available stock to himself. Classic Ferraris from the good old days are pure automotive sculpture, a joy to look at.
But what is the pleasure of a modern Ferrari? If there is no longer satisfaction in simply sitting and staring at a Ferrari, the pleasure must be in the driving. Where the new 599 is concerned, we had certainly better hope that there is pleasure in the driving...
The 599 is one of Ferrari's larger offerings - a grand tourer in the most honest sense. This feels like a car you could spend thousands of miles inside and still be enjoying yourself at the other end. It is not a family Ferrari, however. There are still only two seats available - if you have an extensive waiting list for passenger rides or you want to take the kids anywhere with you then you might consider the 612 Scaglietti. Or a Renault Scenic.
The thrumming heart of the car is a devastatingly capable 620bhp V12 engine. The visuals might have deteriorated since the Sixties, but the soundtrack is still there. It is a comfortable car too, with its magnetically-damped shock absorbers, but it never cossets. It keeps it real and it is a marvellous place to spend time.
Let's be frank here - you will never take the 599 to the garden centre or to pick up a Swedish sideboard. Most people would need a second mortgage just for the petrol, let alone actually buying one. But as a mark of extravagance? It is almost peerless.
In fact, the 599 feels so accomplished that it almost seems an eminently sensible way to sink £200,000 - if you wanted to ever see that money again, though, it's probably best to stick with the property portfolio. The 599 is not a perfect car, but then Cameron Diaz has a bump on her nose.
Love of this kind is entirely subjective and love the 599 you certainly shall. And it's a damn sight more reliable than those sickly old classics, thank goodness.