Ferrari v12 running costs

[jimmyslr]

I've been lurking for a while and am soon getting to the point where I might be making a v12 purchase. Specifically, I have in mind a 550. I have driven a few and also a 575 manual for comparison. The one nagging doubt is around 4 seats so I am off to look at a 612 tomorrow; I tried a Maserati GTS but, sorry Maserati owners, it didn't feel special like a Ferrari. Not a looker the 612 I grant you, but it's growing on me and is looking like serious value now and those extra seats might mean I use it more.

Anyway, that aside, I read the odd post that alludes to horrendous bills. I am more than happy to spend a couple of grand a year for normal stuff, and I know cambelts need doing now and then, but some seem to allude to an 8k bill every 3 years and I don't quite see where that comes from other than in exceptional circumstances given bulletproff engines and gearboxes. Ignore tyres, insurance, fuel, brakes etc, I'm just interested in big mechanical fixes/consumables. Bear in mind I will do only a couple of thousand miles a year.

Any perspective gratefully received. Thanks, James

Edited by jimmyslr on Friday 28th September 21:36

[jimmyslr]

Thanks all. I have no issues with fuel, insurance, brake usage, 6,000 or 12,000 services, belts, depreciation etc. They are all a given. It's the unexpected mechanical bits I am most interested in. The 1k ECU or 2k clutch examples are good. That's the sort of thing. I assume if you use a good indie you don't get the "the XXX is worn, so let's replace the whole assembly, and if we're doing the RHS we should do the LHS.... that's 5k sir". I am sure some owners have spent huge bills, but I too have learnt the hard way with my choice of mechanic over years of owning various performance cars and using them in variously extreme manners.

The 612 I was going to look at has been pulled from sale so I will leave that to another day. I agree in principle re the 550 vs 612 point made above, but thought I'd try and go in with an open mind and check it all out in the meatl and on a test drive.

[jimmyslr]

Colossus said:

If 4 useable seats are a priority (which they were for me) your choice is very very limited, as I am sure you will know. You are essentially down to a 612, Conti or Maser GT-S, the rest simply don't have seats that you could actually use. For me the Conti was a non starter, just not my thing although very impressive in many ways. I could not get past the looks of the 612 and did not find the interior anything special or particularly well built. I ended up going for the Maser and have been incredibly impressed with it as a package. Am surprised that it did not feel as special as an F-car as I think it looks way better than a 612, has a much better interior, especially if you get one with alcantara inserts and headlining and in something other than default black, and has an amazing soundtrack that is way better than a stock 612 imho. I also suspect that in the real world it is actually no slower than a 612 and will handle as well if not better round the twisty stuff.

True it does not have a Ferrari V12 but neither does it have Ferrari running costs with regular servicing being 2 years or 12,500 miles whichever comes first. I have also taken out a 2 year extended Maserati warranty which is bumper to bumper and cost £3000 which I reckon is good value for the cover provided, the equivalent Ferrari cover is significantly more expensive from previous posts on PH. There is of course a significant allure with a Ferrari, but if it was me I would be buying a 550/575 or 599 to tick the Ferrari V12 box (both of which I would happily take over my Maser), not the 612. I guess it depends where your priorities lie but I would not dismiss the Maser because as an ownership proposition it is one of the true bargains out there.

The Maser GTS is a pretty car, I wholly agree. I spent an afternoon at Meridien Modena and drove it back to back with a 550. There was that whole thing of "digital vs analogue", whatever that means, but also the 550 felt (to me) a bit more special and had more of a driver's car feel to it - not very precise I know. I'm also a sucker for a clicky-clacky gate.

It helps to know a bit of background. I'm coming from full-on racing car ownership and am now looking for something the kids are happier in, doesn't require ear protection and even the wife might passenger in.... I have sold my 996 GT3 Cup race car and I'm selling my 993 RS Clubsport. I'm keeping the Caterham racer and my Lancia Evo 1. So, I'm after a serious sports car, but with refinement. I'm not in the pipe/slippers/bling arena yet, so hold the Bentley!

I did start mulling an Aston Vanquich S, with the later manual box, at the weekend. It has that special factor at first glance. I fear it probably has unusable rear seats, but not inpsected one in the metal yet. You are right that it is a narrow market, so perhaps I just stick with a two seat 550 and chop it in if I'm not using it 12 months down the line. I will go see a 612 as I hoped it would perhaps drive like a 550, but with the Maser practicality. I will keep on the quest!