My Ferrari 456GT (94)
Discussion
EarlofDrift said:
They also have to be the quietest Ferrari I have ever heard.
Yes, although this one does have a sports exhaust system. Such was the noise I had two extra muffler baffles installed. I'm not a fan of super loud exhausts.Even on the stock exhaust, its got a nice rumble, and really starts to shout over 5,000rpm... Here is my old blue one starting up.
https://vimeo.com/368826796
Alex
I too am a fan of the 456 - the fact they're the cheapest V12 is a bonus - and I looked at the advert of your red one before you bought it. I couldn't remember the last time i saw one in Rosso and on an L reg plate.
I too have an Afro'd Clarkson memory about the 456, although it was (I think) Motorworld Italy where they test driver thrashes it and the engine implodes! Still wanted on though.
I like how they aped the Daytona but it has pop up lights and 90s features.
I too have an Afro'd Clarkson memory about the 456, although it was (I think) Motorworld Italy where they test driver thrashes it and the engine implodes! Still wanted on though.
I like how they aped the Daytona but it has pop up lights and 90s features.
Mr E said:
Hero
I lust after a 456. I know there are better choices. I don’t care.
James, want to go halves? I'd dearly love one, nearly bought one when I sold the 996t, it was from forza 288, blue with manual and a whole £28k.I lust after a 456. I know there are better choices. I don’t care.
Edited by Mr E on Friday 25th October 20:08
Why not? as now I'm terrified of the running costs. I looked at the bills from a 612 and the figure of £9k kept cropping up....
It would work well for the ankle biters, we wouldn't need to take the seats out!
One day, maybe just maybe.
They are coming down slowly, I could buy one, but the costs.....
Great to see so many 456-lovers here!
Wouldn’t want to put anyone off, but worth flagging that the buying price of a 456 is only the start. Of course, we’ve all read scare stories about running costs for classic Ferraris, most of which are either ill-informed or largely avoidable by buying and maintaining well. Unfortunately that’s not true for the 456.
It was a very expensive car new, and had all sorts of novel technologies eg the composite bonnet construction. In addition, many parts aren’t available now. So whilst I don’t think it’s any more fragile than other cars of its era, when work does need doing it can easily be a 5-figure job.
It’s one of the reasons why prices got so low - I spoke to a Ferrari dealer 15 years ago who wouldn’t touch them, as they couldn’t make money bringing second hand cars up to the standard he needed for sale.
So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
Wouldn’t want to put anyone off, but worth flagging that the buying price of a 456 is only the start. Of course, we’ve all read scare stories about running costs for classic Ferraris, most of which are either ill-informed or largely avoidable by buying and maintaining well. Unfortunately that’s not true for the 456.
It was a very expensive car new, and had all sorts of novel technologies eg the composite bonnet construction. In addition, many parts aren’t available now. So whilst I don’t think it’s any more fragile than other cars of its era, when work does need doing it can easily be a 5-figure job.
It’s one of the reasons why prices got so low - I spoke to a Ferrari dealer 15 years ago who wouldn’t touch them, as they couldn’t make money bringing second hand cars up to the standard he needed for sale.
So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
DKL said:
James, want to go halves? I'd dearly love one, nearly bought one when I sold the 996t, it was from forza 288, blue with manual and a whole £28k.
Why not? as now I'm terrified of the running costs. I looked at the bills from a 612 and the figure of £9k kept cropping up....
It would work well for the ankle biters, we wouldn't need to take the seats out!
One day, maybe just maybe.
They are coming down slowly, I could buy one, but the costs.....
Blue. Tan interior. Manual box. Why not? as now I'm terrified of the running costs. I looked at the bills from a 612 and the figure of £9k kept cropping up....
It would work well for the ankle biters, we wouldn't need to take the seats out!
One day, maybe just maybe.
They are coming down slowly, I could buy one, but the costs.....
Don’t tempt me.
I suspect they’re even more of a liability than the E61 M5 I bottled out of for similar reasons.
67Dino said:
Great to see so many 456-lovers here!
Wouldn’t want to put anyone off, but worth flagging that the buying price of a 456 is only the start. Of course, we’ve all read scare stories about running costs for classic Ferraris, most of which are either ill-informed or largely avoidable by buying and maintaining well. Unfortunately that’s not true for the 456.
It was a very expensive car new, and had all sorts of novel technologies eg the composite bonnet construction. In addition, many parts aren’t available now. So whilst I don’t think it’s any more fragile than other cars of its era, when work does need doing it can easily be a 5-figure job.
It’s one of the reasons why prices got so low - I spoke to a Ferrari dealer 15 years ago who wouldn’t touch them, as they couldn’t make money bringing second hand cars up to the standard he needed for sale.
So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
I'm sure there was a rumour or anecdote of the 456's bonnet a replacement costing £15,000 from Ferrari? Wouldn’t want to put anyone off, but worth flagging that the buying price of a 456 is only the start. Of course, we’ve all read scare stories about running costs for classic Ferraris, most of which are either ill-informed or largely avoidable by buying and maintaining well. Unfortunately that’s not true for the 456.
It was a very expensive car new, and had all sorts of novel technologies eg the composite bonnet construction. In addition, many parts aren’t available now. So whilst I don’t think it’s any more fragile than other cars of its era, when work does need doing it can easily be a 5-figure job.
It’s one of the reasons why prices got so low - I spoke to a Ferrari dealer 15 years ago who wouldn’t touch them, as they couldn’t make money bringing second hand cars up to the standard he needed for sale.
So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
I always thought - how often do you need to buy or replace a bonnet..? But I suppose accidents like the OP can easily write off the car and at these values it makes more sense to strip a damaged car for parts.
I do genuinely think in a few decades time the 456 will be sought after and values will soar. It's always been the cheap 4 seat Ferrari (along with the 365/400/412) but I think it looks good and was the fastest most expensive Ferrari of its day.
67Dino said:
It was a very expensive car new, and had all sorts of novel technologies eg the composite bonnet construction. In addition, many parts aren’t available now. So whilst I don’t think it’s any more fragile than other cars of its era, when work does need doing it can easily be a 5-figure job.
So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
Whilst you're not wrong in terms of it's not mondeo money when it comes to running costs - they're actually not too bad either. Being front engine most work is cheaper, Cam belts depending on who you use plus a full service and let's say a couple of suspension bits, brakes or something and you're in for £1500.00-2000.00. That would be every two years or so. maybe generic servicing = £500.00 - 800.00 a year.So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
Ive had two of these cars and covered in excess of 20,000 miles and i've had no real major issues. No major mechanical failures. The engines are made really well and is basically a detuned V12 from a 550m. Known for doing good mileage. I think one thing Ferrari do very well is make engines. The headlamp risers have failed twice. They're straight out of a Volvo 480. The alternator on both cars. Straight out of a Ford. ECUs / some wiring can be problematic but they're off the shelf Bosch and any decent auto-elec will be fine. Tyres have gone vintage now so are about £350 a corner, but don't drive like a muppet and you'll be good for 3, maybe 4 years motoring.
So it's not necessarily as scary as you think!
Alex.
Still a fabulous looking car - one of the most under appreciated cars of that era.
A friend of mine bought a GTA a few years ago and I went with him to collect it. He let me drive it back to London as he didn’t feel well. I got behind the wheel thinking, “it’s the slush box. It’s only 4 speed. It’s quite old. The quoted power is probably optimistic,” but I was genuinely blown away by the performance. It is a really quick car. Really well fuelled and plenty of torque. It really picked up its skirts and flew with very little provocation. I was utterly seduced.
Unfortunately his turned out to be a bit of a dog and he moved it on within a year, but I got behind the wheel a few more times and really enjoyed the drive. It’s a very capable car.
A friend of mine bought a GTA a few years ago and I went with him to collect it. He let me drive it back to London as he didn’t feel well. I got behind the wheel thinking, “it’s the slush box. It’s only 4 speed. It’s quite old. The quoted power is probably optimistic,” but I was genuinely blown away by the performance. It is a really quick car. Really well fuelled and plenty of torque. It really picked up its skirts and flew with very little provocation. I was utterly seduced.
Unfortunately his turned out to be a bit of a dog and he moved it on within a year, but I got behind the wheel a few more times and really enjoyed the drive. It’s a very capable car.
idealstandard said:
67Dino said:
It was a very expensive car new, and had all sorts of novel technologies eg the composite bonnet construction. In addition, many parts aren’t available now. So whilst I don’t think it’s any more fragile than other cars of its era, when work does need doing it can easily be a 5-figure job.
So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
Whilst you're not wrong in terms of it's not mondeo money when it comes to running costs - they're actually not too bad either. Being front engine most work is cheaper, Cam belts depending on who you use plus a full service and let's say a couple of suspension bits, brakes or something and you're in for £1500.00-2000.00. That would be every two years or so. maybe generic servicing = £500.00 - 800.00 a year.So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
Ive had two of these cars and covered in excess of 20,000 miles and i've had no real major issues. No major mechanical failures. The engines are made really well and is basically a detuned V12 from a 550m. Known for doing good mileage. I think one thing Ferrari do very well is make engines. The headlamp risers have failed twice. They're straight out of a Volvo 480. The alternator on both cars. Straight out of a Ford. ECUs / some wiring can be problematic but they're off the shelf Bosch and any decent auto-elec will be fine. Tyres have gone vintage now so are about £350 a corner, but don't drive like a muppet and you'll be good for 3, maybe 4 years motoring.
So it's not necessarily as scary as you think!
Alex.
67Dino said:
Thanks Alex, good to hear an alternative experience. Can’t help thinking you may have been a bit lucky! Either way, suspect neither of us would promise someone who didn’t have £5-10k to hand that they were fine and would never need it.
I think that basically if you buy a car like this, or any not-brand-new Ferrari for that matter expecting to have a cheap motoring experience you're pretty mad. As I said, I like to drive my cars. I believe strongly in preventative maintenance and do things before they're needed to prevent bigger bills. My man-maths tells me that's probably better over a 5-10 year period than just this one year.If you want cheap to run supercar-ish thrills buy a Porsche 911. I think those will even do 25mpg. It does make me laugh reading various V8, V12 threads and people are asking about " real world MPG ". As if that's your priority when buying a NA V12?
No, they are expensive to run. This, along with my other "special" cars are where i spend maintenance money. It's why my daily driver is a 10 year old Volvo.
EarlofDrift said:
Anyone remember the story on Pistonheads a number of years ago about the guy who bought the cheapest 456 for sale. I can't find the exact link or remember the exact price he paid but it was a bit less than £20k.
£17k, the stuff of legend.OP that second car is hideous, I doubt even Khan himself could have made that interior look much worse. It actually highlights how perfect the first one was.
Good luck trying to sell it.
EarlofDrift said:
Anyone remember the story on Pistonheads a number of years ago about the guy who bought the cheapest 456 for sale. I can't find the exact link or remember the exact price he paid but it was a bit less than £20k.
Here you gohttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Thanks for telling your story.
It seems that the Japanese owner had an idea of what a Ferrari was - a racing car for the road - and attempted to modify it accordingly ? But it looks to me like trying to turn an elegant albeit fast grand tourer into something it's not.
If I were keeping it I'd try to sort out the suspension first, I can't stand bad coilovers. I wonder if they're at all adjustable? Otherwise try and look for something else. I may be wrong, but perhaps there are quite a few 456 owners who have the electronically adjustable factory suspension fail, and replace it with something aftermarket and simpler? In that case you might have a few options.
Are the seats non-standard, or the original seats re-covered in suede? Might be worth at least trying to get a couple of standard seats from a scrapped car, either way - at least if you can sit comfortably, the rest of the interior isn't so directly problematic.
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