My Ferrari 456GT (94)
Discussion
Jex said:
Thanks for the post - good to hear from other 456 owners. I did the NC500 in May in mine - it was fantastic. I also discovered that the rears are pretty pricey now, having got two new ones fitted before I headed up north. The trip really proved that these cars like to be driven - after the first 500 miles (getting up there) it was running better than ever. I averaged 19 mpg over about 2,000 miles (mine also has an 'intermittent' fuel gauge). The photo shows it at Kylesku Bridge in the NW Highlands. It is Le Mans blue wih crema trim, manual 456 GT.
An acquaintance gave me few PAX laps around Mallory Park in once of these, back in the day. Okay, it's a GT car and was never fully intended to be doing track days, but it went pretty well and sounded utterly glorious. Beautiful cars too.Edited by Jex on Saturday 2nd November 18:19
Digga said:
An acquaintance gave me few PAX laps around Mallory Park in once of these, back in the day. Okay, it's a GT car and was never fully intended to be doing track days, but it went pretty well and sounded utterly glorious. Beautiful cars too.
Agreed, the sound is where it's at. I particularly love coming out of French toll booths back up to "motorway speed"...!Digga said:
An acquaintance gave me few PAX laps around Mallory Park in once of these, back in the day. Okay, it's a GT car and was never fully intended to be doing track days, but it went pretty well and sounded utterly glorious. Beautiful cars too.
I've never taken my 456 on the track, because, as you say, it isn't really that sort of car. Fortunately I have had the opportunity to go on a track in other cars.My favourite Ferrari. I remember seeing one like the OP's original at a French service station back in 1998. I was gawping at it when the owner arrived. I said "Belle voiture, monsieur." to which he smiled, replied 'Merci" and when he got in and started it, he floored it. I could hear it long after I lost sight of it.
I remember that day and the glorious noise like it was yesterday.
I remember that day and the glorious noise like it was yesterday.
TR4man said:
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&...
The 456 is a superb GT car and if you can find one at a price that suits your wallet I’d definitely recommend it 👍
I've said it before, and shall say it again a 456 GTA/M in Le Mans blue and tan hide is probably the only realistic Ferrari ownership proposition I'll ever achieve... What a lovely thing, as a serial Lancisti and Alfa owner, I know that they're not without their foibles, but go in with your eyes open, and a sensible operating budget, you can have a continitent crushing GT. I'd dearly like to do the London to Cape Town route in something of that ilk.
SVX said:
I've said it before, and shall say it again a 456 GTA/M in Le Mans blue and tan hide is probably the only realistic Ferrari ownership proposition I'll ever achieve... What a lovely thing, as a serial Lancisti and Alfa owner, I know that they're not without their foibles, but go in with your eyes open, and a sensible operating budget, you can have a continitent crushing GT. I'd dearly like to do the London to Cape Town route in something of that ilk.
Now that would be a trip!https://vimeo.com/371864362
Video of some nice sunday afternoon driving a few months ago.
67Dino said:
Great story and good to hear from a fan of the 456 too. I really liked mine (456 GTA in Grey/Burgundy), and think it’s one of the most underrated cars in the world. Never met anyone who agrees before though!
Personally think your suede interior looks awful, so given prices are low again after a brief blip, I’d say trade it in and get one you really like. Bravo for championing the 456 though, someone needs to.
Never really been "in to" Ferraris but I've always loved the 456. Most Ferrari's are too shouty and "look at me" for my liking but I do appreciate the technology and engineering. Personally think your suede interior looks awful, so given prices are low again after a brief blip, I’d say trade it in and get one you really like. Bravo for championing the 456 though, someone needs to.
A 456 I would have tomorrow though as they are a truly beautiful piece of design and that engine is reckoned to be just wonderful. A very under valued car - especially when gauged against their new price back in the day, £175K before options, I believe they were.
5490 said:
I'm sure there was a rumour or anecdote of the 456's bonnet a replacement costing £15,000 from Ferrari?
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.
I definitely think you are correct here. It's such an unusual car, especially for its time, and has a lot going for it. I suspect that the inevitable rise in other Ferraris of its era will have the effect of dragging up 456 prices as the other ones go beyond some buyers pockets. Lots of very rare cars get written off and scrapped after accidents due to the cost of parts. If the OP's original 456 was worth 80K+ it would probably have been repaired. Of course this will mean that I'll probably never own one but that's preferable to them being scrapped in my eyes. 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.
5490 said:
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.
I love mine. So much torque it seems quicker than other cars which are quicker on paper. Very relaxed when you want it to be, 4 proper seats (I had someone 5' 8" sitting behind someone 6'1" and they both had enough room) and a decent sized boot. It passed the valet test at a famous hotel.idealstandard said:
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.
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.
About twelve years back I was considering a 308 (one of the few other Ferraris I like - Magnum PI from being a kid and all that) when a lovely, well sorted one could be had for under £25k. One of the things which concerned me was reliability and breakdowns and suchlike.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.
After a lot of reading it became apparent that the reputation they have for being unreliable seems to stem largely from the fact that they aren't driven very much. The owners who said they used them regularly seemed to have far fewer problems than those who took them out only on summer bank holidays. Cars, especially high performance ones, are designed to be used. They don't cope well with doing nothing just sitting around. Things seize, seals perish, rubber cracks, fuel and oil stagnates, etc, etc.
AJL308 said:
About twelve years back I was considering a 308 (one of the few other Ferraris I like - Magnum PI from being a kid and all that) when a lovely, well sorted one could be had for under £25k. One of the things which concerned me was reliability and breakdowns and suchlike.
After a lot of reading it became apparent that the reputation they have for being unreliable seems to stem largely from the fact that they aren't driven very much. The owners who said they used them regularly seemed to have far fewer problems than those who took them out only on summer bank holidays. Cars, especially high performance ones, are designed to be used. They don't cope well with doing nothing just sitting around. Things seize, seals perish, rubber cracks, fuel and oil stagnates, etc, etc.
This is so true - these cars need to be used. We had a 328GTS that we used quite a lot, never had any serious probs (they inadvertently ‘trapped’ the air con hose at a service once, but that wasn’t the cars fault) - tyres were less than a new Mini Coopers ‘run flats’ at the time - IMO its all down to the owner and how well cared for the car is - a very low mileage car can still have been awfully abused. After a lot of reading it became apparent that the reputation they have for being unreliable seems to stem largely from the fact that they aren't driven very much. The owners who said they used them regularly seemed to have far fewer problems than those who took them out only on summer bank holidays. Cars, especially high performance ones, are designed to be used. They don't cope well with doing nothing just sitting around. Things seize, seals perish, rubber cracks, fuel and oil stagnates, etc, etc.
AJL308 said:
After a lot of reading it became apparent that the reputation they have for being unreliable seems to stem largely from the fact that they aren't driven very much.
That's basically it. I know a few people with high performance cars that drive them daily (Tuscan, old Jags, Ferraris) and they have no issues. I cannot understand people that buy these high end vehicles and then worry about mileage. I'm never going to be worried about residual as my priority and passion is driving the cars, enjoying the experience and of course some high speed motoring.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff