612 Usability? How reliable is it? Can I commute in it?

[AJSG]

Afternoon all, have been a big fan of this car for a while, but don't know anybody who has used one on a regular basis.

I have a 15mile (each way) commute, 50s and 30s, every morning...plus the occasional trip down to Italy.

I currently drive a Quattroporte, and have done for the last 3 years...before that I had a 3200GT and they have both been superbly reliable. In fact the only problem I have ever had with either was to do with the battery discharging too quickly.

So I'll be stuck in traffic a lot of the time. Can this be done in a 612 or will I just end up with a string of courtesy 318d (or some other miserable vehicle)?

Thanks in advance...

Andrew.

[markynicks]

Andrew,

I have a 612! and they are fantastic cars, but are very underrated! You will have no problem doing what you want to do with it, and it will be a joy travling to your work every morning. I have had no problem at all apart from when it was new it needed a new clutch! but this was due to the way the gear box had been fitted at the factory, so it was all done under waranty and I have had no probs at all since then. I have taken it to my place in the south of france and it was one of the best cars for the trip!
I may be intrested in selling my 612, if you like the sound of a grigio Silverstone with tan daytona style seats and low mileage along with meany more extras. drop me a pm if you would like any more info.

Mark.....

[AJSG]

Thanks, must say I do have a weak spot for the Grey cars....my old 3200 was Blue...very nice but it needed washing every single weekend...QP is grey/black...however I must say that I would prefer a super boring grey with black interior...also I want to squeeze a 3yr warranty out of a dealer.

[SAGPACK]

I've just sold my 612 and would say in answer to the OP that yes the 612 is perfectly capable of doing what you want, but personally I found it a bit of a supertanker around town. They are big cars and are more suited to 'long' trips and open roads....and before anyone jumps up and down....I'm not saying they can't be used for the daily commute into a built up area but I found that it wasn't perhaps the best enviroment for it.

Apart from that it was flippin brilliant....made a great noise (had a novitec exhaust) and looked like the batmobile!(cos it was black.....!);)

[AJSG]

SAGPACK said:

Apart from that it was flippin brilliant....made a great noise (had a novitec exhaust) and looked like the batmobile!(cos it was black.....!);)

Sounds like fun...how did the g/box behave in town? Jumpy or smooth? My QP has the early semi and once I got used to it it is fine...also I am used to 5m plus length machines so that isn't a problem.

In general though you didn't have reliability issues?

[Mr_C]

Like other F1 box's is it advisable to put in in neutral in traffic rather thank keeping your foot on the brake with it in 1st?

[v12]

I have an '08 car. Used most days and perfectly up to the job you require! Can highly recommend it.

[AJSG]

[redacted]

[pjac67]

A friend of mine is selling his '56' plate 612 - c.£100k with low mileage.....

[AJSG]

Thanks for that, but in lieu of what is happening I am going to wait a little longer...think they have to come to 70-80 before it becomes an attractive proposition....also not having a dealer warranty is a killer for me as I intened to do quite a reasonable amount of miles in it.

[Godzilla]

Hi Andy, fancy seeing you on here!

Not my favourite colour for the 612, but the 20" Novitec wheels are a must to visually shorten that huge wheelbase:


Tinted Novitec lights look good too:


Had a good blat with him down the motorway after the event.

I just don't know if you can buy a 3 year old car and get a genuine Ferrari 3 year warranty.
Try www.ferrarichat.com and www.fcars.co.uk for owners' opinions too.

[AJSG]

Hey David...wheels make a big diffrence.

Realistically I am prepared to have a single year warranty, but as long as it is a proper one, not those extended/limited claims ones.

One year should be enough to sort out most of the inherent problems of these low milage cars.

Driven the Granturismo yet? This may be a more sensible alternative...