550 Maranello v 612 Scaglietti

[Ewan]

The 612 is verging on becoming the cheapest way into a V12 Ferrari. A similar mileage 456 could well be more, as could a 400/412. It may not be the prettiest ever Ferrari, but it strikes me as cracking value now. A stylish way to do the school run, for not much more than the price of a new Evoque (or similar family SUV).

 

[Guy]

The 612 is verging on becoming the cheapest way into a V12 Ferrari. A similar mileage 456 could well be more, as could a 400/412. It may not be the prettiest ever Ferrari, but it strikes me as cracking value now. A stylish way to do the school run, for not much more than the price of a new Evoque (or similar family SUV).

but buy a later one as they are so much better than the early ones.

 

[allandwf]

but buy a later one as they are so much better than the early ones.

Objective, I'm sure an early one won't exactly be awful! lol
The majority of us are running around in 10+ years old Maseratis.

 

[Felonious Crud]

I have driven my 550 96.000 kms. myself over the last ten years and it has been the best car I have ever owned. I would say ultra reliable. Much less expencive to own than a Maserati 3200 or 4200. It tops out at 330-332 kph. every time I try it in Germany. And it has huge luggage space too. In fact three places. The boot which is much bigger than the one of a 3200/4200 + the shelf where you can either get the two medium sized fitted luggage bags (or 3-4 normal bags), or even two original rear mufflers or the X-pipe for the car which is about one meter long. Additionally, there are surpricingly much space behind the seats. It has OK AC but it is no good to sit in traffic for longer periods. You need to have AC on to cool the interior even if it is only 16 degrees outside because there is a huge amount of heat coming from the engine and exhaust. The performance is good even today. It blast past 300 kph. as fast as a XR3i pass the 100 kph. mark.... Consumption around town is horrendous, but at a steady 110 kph. on my custom fitted cruise control, it gets exactly 100 kms. on 10 liters of fuel. Pretty impressive for a 5,5 liter V12. I love driving it at it seems like it does now wear much at all. Compared to a 612, it feels much older and don't have the same finish, but itbis more old school in its own unique way which is of course much more modern than the 275 it replaced... The car har 169.600 kms. now and the engine runs like a brand new 550 engine. Never been rebuilt. I have changed the water pump and the AC compressor + new ignition couls. Thats it!

Never mind the car, what a beautiful Gordon Setter!

 

[dickygrace]

Objective, I'm sure an early one won't exactly be awful! lol
The majority of us are running around in 10+ years old Maseratis.

You’d be surprised.

 

[philw696]

The reason I bought a 456 was the value for little cash back in 2012 and at the time mine was only 14 years old so relatively new compared to the 28 year old Jaguar I drive now that feels perfect.
Sometimes I feel we get uptight on how old something is.
Like everything it's how they are looked after and usually the service history is far more than you pay for the car.
Everyone needs to try a V12 Ferrari just once.

 

[zagatoes30]

No V12 Ferrari is going to be totally bad but maintenance and condition is paramount. These thoroughbreds need to be treated well and skimming in the past can leave problems for future owners but if you go in with eyes open, get a specialist inspection and have a decent war chest you should be prepared for what's coming down the line.

The 612, IMO, is one of the great GT cars capable of covering miles in style and comfort and at the moment they look ti be excellent value for money. A bit more aggressive looking than the 456, with a bit of a cads edge to it. Those front lights always split opinion but over time I have grown to like them, it certainly ticks all the boxes but do I prefer it over the 400?

 

[Ewan]

An early 612 is still a leap on from the 456, so I’m not convinced of the necessity to go for a later version (at more money), even though they are better. A well maintained early 612 is still fabulous by most metrics. Certainly the best modern V12 Ferrari available at under £60k.

The 400 is in a different market, although similarly priced. It’s one for the stylists and classic car lovers.

612 values are maybe still edging south, while 400 values slowly climb. Just something to consider.

It‘s dry and bright here today, so I’m now thinking I’ll use the 400 to go to watch my daughter play netball. It’s the local derby, against Bryanston, so a crunch game.

 

[Guy]

Objective, I'm sure an early one won't exactly be awful! lol
The majority of us are running around in 10+ years old Maseratis.

I drove a 50k mile '05 car and certainly would not have swapped my '14 MC Shift for it. I was happy to swap my MC Strad for the '08 car though. They transformed them from '07 onwards.

 

[williamsmix]

I drove a 50k mile '05 car and certainly would not have swapped my '14 MC Shift for it. I was happy to swap my MC Strad for the '08 car though. They transformed them from '07 onwards.

In what way were they improved? Is it mainly the F1 system or does it go further than that?

One reason I like the 456 is because they did it in GTA form with automatic box, thus avoiding the issues of early F1 systems.

 

[dickygrace]

In what way were they improved? Is it mainly the F1 system or does it go further than that?

One reason I like the 456 is because they did it in GTA form with automatic box, thus avoiding the issues of early F1 systems.

The 456 ‘box is problematic and NLA. Re 612’s, every way imaginable, an early one is £45k and up, a late one is >£70k, the 50% increase isn’t as they’re a couple of years newer, it’s build quality, gear change, suspension etc.

 

[Guy]

In what way were they improved? Is it mainly the F1 system or does it go further than that?

One reason I like the 456 is because they did it in GTA form with automatic box, thus avoiding the issues of early F1 systems.

As Dicky says, there are a lot of improvements. For me the gearbox was significant, as was the handling - mine had the sports suspension package and the carbon brakes. On UK roads it was best in sports gearbox and non sport suspension. It also sounded much better with the sports exhaust too! Apart from a new Battery, a couple of ABS sensor/hubs and a small air leak in the auxiliary air system, mine was trouble free over 7000 miles and two years. Two MD services at 1k and 1.25k and no depreciation so apart from fuel at 13-15 mpg it was cheap V12 Ferrari motoring.

 

[Motorsport3]

As Dicky says, there are a lot of improvements. For me the gearbox was significant, as was the handling - mine had the sports suspension package and the carbon brakes. On UK roads it was best in sports gearbox and non sport suspension. It also sounded much better with the sports exhaust too! Apart from a new Battery, a couple of ABS sensor/hubs and a small air leak in the auxiliary air system, mine was trouble free over 7000 miles and two years. Two MD services at 1k and 1.25k and no depreciation so apart from fuel at 13-15 mpg it was cheap V12 Ferrari motoring.

View attachment 122195

Am I right to say that both of these were designed by the same person?

 

[Gazcw]

As Dicky says, there are a lot of improvements. For me the gearbox was significant, as was the handling - mine had the sports suspension package and the carbon brakes. On UK roads it was best in sports gearbox and non sport suspension. It also sounded much better with the sports exhaust too! Apart from a new Battery, a couple of ABS sensor/hubs and a small air leak in the auxiliary air system, mine was trouble free over 7000 miles and two years. Two MD services at 1k and 1.25k and no depreciation so apart from fuel at 13-15 mpg it was cheap V12 Ferrari motoring.

View attachment 122195

I guess it is the angle but the qp looks dwarfed by the 612

 

[MarkMas]

I guess it is the angle but the qp looks dwarfed by the 612

True, and the Scag is a bit wider.

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Wheelbase 2,950 mm (116.1 in)
Length 4,902 mm (193.0 in)
Width 1,957 mm (77.0 in)
Height 1,344 mm (52.9 in)

Maserati Quattroporte (2008–12)
Wheelbase 3,064 mm (120.6 in)
Length 5,097 mm (200.7 in)
Width 1,895 mm (74.6 in)
Height 1,423 mm (56.0 in)-1,438 mm (56.6 in)

 

[Guy]

I guess it is the angle but the qp looks dwarfed by the 612

Perhaps better angle to make the comparison

 

[Guy]

or from rear

 

[Gazcw]

Perhaps better angle to make the comparison

View attachment 122219

Stop with these pornographic images!!

 

[F456M]

Never mind the car, what a beautiful Gordon Setter!

ENZO is the best dog! Sometimws he get to lay on top of the parcel shelf. Another reason to buy a 550 over a 612...

 

[Ebenezer]

or from rear

View attachment 122221

Now that is a sight for sore eyes!
Eb