612 or Nissan GT-R?
Discussion
Please bear with me, it is not as daft as it sounds!
Do any of you have experience of both? I need a car with rear seats and will be living in Germany, so was tempted to purchase a 612 cheaply (cheapest on mobile.de is €54000), with right facing headlamps, rather than the GT-R, which I am sure may be a more impressive (newer) machine.
I am very keen to not lose too much on depreciation and would have a warranty, so I am fairly sure that the Ferrari would prove to be reliable enough and a reasonable daily driver for 10000 miles pa. It is just a huge leap into the unknown. Is the Ferrari 'specialness' really that great?
I do know that the answer to this is to drive them both. The GTR is easy enough and I have done so twice. It is a little cramped inside and has a slightly uninspiring interior but is a fascinating car and I really liked it. The Ferrari is so much rarer and, living in Cyprus at the moment, difficult to find.
Other possibles are:
Bentley Conti (just doesn't do it for me)
Aston DB9 (I do not like it, because I tend to find 'aesthetically challenging' cars like the GT-R or the 612 more attractive than 'pretty' ones like the F355 or aston.
BMW M5/M6.... I have had too many BMWs in the past. They have been good, but keen to try something else.
Mercedes CL 63/65... Too much depreciating left to do, I think.
Audi R8.. Too small. I do not fit in them and they only have two seats.
Do any of you have experience of both? I need a car with rear seats and will be living in Germany, so was tempted to purchase a 612 cheaply (cheapest on mobile.de is €54000), with right facing headlamps, rather than the GT-R, which I am sure may be a more impressive (newer) machine.
I am very keen to not lose too much on depreciation and would have a warranty, so I am fairly sure that the Ferrari would prove to be reliable enough and a reasonable daily driver for 10000 miles pa. It is just a huge leap into the unknown. Is the Ferrari 'specialness' really that great?
I do know that the answer to this is to drive them both. The GTR is easy enough and I have done so twice. It is a little cramped inside and has a slightly uninspiring interior but is a fascinating car and I really liked it. The Ferrari is so much rarer and, living in Cyprus at the moment, difficult to find.
Other possibles are:
Bentley Conti (just doesn't do it for me)
Aston DB9 (I do not like it, because I tend to find 'aesthetically challenging' cars like the GT-R or the 612 more attractive than 'pretty' ones like the F355 or aston.
BMW M5/M6.... I have had too many BMWs in the past. They have been good, but keen to try something else.
Mercedes CL 63/65... Too much depreciating left to do, I think.
Audi R8.. Too small. I do not fit in them and they only have two seats.
minerva said:
The GT-R... is a little cramped inside and has a slightly uninspiring interior but is a fascinating car and I really liked it.
I can't offer any advice based on personal experience but the below thread has some interesting insights into 612 ownership which you may find useful.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
From what you have stated in your post, the GT-R doesn't sound like it has you hooked. Cars like this should provoke an emotional desire. I like lots of cars but only want to buy the ones that really get into my head.
sneaky schnell said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
From what you have stated in your post, the GT-R doesn't sound like it has you hooked. Cars like this should provoke an emotional desire. I like lots of cars but only want to buy the ones that really get into my head.
Read that thread several times, thank you! However, I totally understand what you mean by 'get into my head'. I thought that the GT-R had done that, but not too sure. I think that it will be by far the less painful in terms of ownership prospect, but then maybe so much less rewarding?From what you have stated in your post, the GT-R doesn't sound like it has you hooked. Cars like this should provoke an emotional desire. I like lots of cars but only want to buy the ones that really get into my head.
There are not many people on here who have a 612, which is making me slightly wary of them.
I've not owned a 612 but driven a few and been on some driving holidays with others. the 612 is a very very capable car both for spirited driving and crossing continents, as a daily I wonder if you not find it too big though. Is it special?, absolutely!
My biggest piece of advice though is to revisit your buying plans, if you are thinking of buying a 612, or any Ferrari for that matter, starting off with the view of buying the 'cheapest' will bite you, probably very very hard!, it's easy to spend £5k+++ on these cars on a big service, some tyres and a few bits so always buy on condition not price! As a start you should look for one that's just had a major service, cambelts, tyres and the clutch wear is at a reasonable level (£2.5k for a new one)
My biggest piece of advice though is to revisit your buying plans, if you are thinking of buying a 612, or any Ferrari for that matter, starting off with the view of buying the 'cheapest' will bite you, probably very very hard!, it's easy to spend £5k+++ on these cars on a big service, some tyres and a few bits so always buy on condition not price! As a start you should look for one that's just had a major service, cambelts, tyres and the clutch wear is at a reasonable level (£2.5k for a new one)
Lambo FirstBlood said:
612 has proper back seats, GTR doesn't. Even for small kids, they are very small seats.
This. I've sat in the back of a 612 for 2 hours and was perfectly comfortable, whereas I can't fit in the back of a gtr.Although on paper they are very comparable with pretty much same levels of power and weight (my09 gtr), they couldn't be more different in the
way they drive.
I've only driven an early gtr so it may not apply to the current model but I felt as though the car only made sense when pushing on and didn't feel comfortable at normal speeds.
I've passengered in a 612 quite a fair bit and driven it a handful of times, that was what I'd call a proper grand tourer.
Lambo FirstBlood said:
Haven't owner either but have driven both.
612 has proper back seats, GTR doesn't. Even for small kids, they are very small seats.
The rear seats are deceptive on the GTR, the look a tight fit but as they are "bucket type" there is plenty of room. I've covered 500 mile trip with four non midget adults in the car no problem. 612 has proper back seats, GTR doesn't. Even for small kids, they are very small seats.
The GTR can cover ground amazingly quickly and is great as a daily driver too. For a bit more insight I recommend watching the Chris Harris vid comparison of the GTR and the new M5.
The 612 is an impressive proposition which will probably have more space inside. Although it is a Ferrari will it retain that special feel I don't know. I personally think it will soon become a big thirsty coupe with challenging looks. I would guess it still has some depreciation to go just look as previous 4 seater F cars. Where the GTR on the other hand could possibly become a cult classic.
Early 09 GTR at around £30k are looking a good buy.
Good luck with the purchase and enjoy to the max which ever you choose.
RevHappy said:
Service on the 612 is every 6k or yearly, doing 10k+ pa means a service every seven months or so, ouch.
I have a 612. The service interval is annual or 12500 miles. Keep it away from the track and don't play the boy racer, you'll be fine.I've driven a GT-R many times. I agree with the previous poster who wrote that you have to go at warp speed to get the best out of it. At the end of the day, it's a Nissan... Despite its moniker, I wouldn't call it a GT. I'd say it's more at home in traffic than an early 612, but nowhere near as versatile. And... it's a Nissan.
On the road, the 612 is a very imposing car, with a brilliant sound track. And... it's a Ferrari. By comparison, IMHO (that's all), the GT-R sounds a bit shrill. And... it's a Nissan.
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