612 as a family car.....

[Bolebroke]

Afternoon. I have been fortunate enough over the years to have a 355 spyder and a 360 F1..both wonderful cars that I should never have sold (bought a Vanquish - shocking!). I love the 612. At these current prices they are worth a look as a weekend car for a fat 44 year old...Does anyone have any experience of using them with baby / child seat or am I being silly ? What should I be wary of with 612s..?

[burriana]

No experience of 612 but I would be interested to hear why you dislike the Vanquish.

I am considering one over the next year or so and it would not be an everyday car, though I suppose it could be. I know that they are not maybe as refined as a DB9, but I don't mind a few quirks and foibles.

Was it the car's inherent character that you didn't get on with or was the car physically and mechanically bad?

Thanks,
al

[touching cloth]

If you haven't already seen it, then Chris Harris has recently purchased one and is running it as a longer termer on Drivers Republic.

Reports are here
http://www.drivers-republic.com/community/groups/l...

and if you are signed up on there then you can post questions for him on the wall etc.

[Wanta996Gotta]

Bolebroke said:

Afternoon. I have been fortunate enough over the years to have a 355 spyder and a 360 F1..both wonderful cars that I should never have sold (bought a Vanquish - shocking!). I love the 612. At these current prices they are worth a look as a weekend car for a fat 44 year old...Does anyone have any experience of using them with baby / child seat or am I being silly ? What should I be wary of with 612s..?

I think they tick all of the boxes as a grand tourer, apparently two adults can sit in the back comfortably and there is more than enough room for golf clubs and luggage in the boot. Only minus is the 100litre fuel tank averaging 12mpg. From what i remember, all publications were very positive about the car minus its conservative looks.

A car costing £175k new would scare me at the thought of something going wrong. They do look great value at the moment.

Some links from Top Gear/5th Gear:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k7NkBheEMs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGuyHaPolEU&fea...

[Bolebroke]

Sorry for delay re Vanquish, Al. The first time I saw a vanquish i found it so striking and its presence was astounding. Over time the looks just dated. It is neither 1 thing nor another - not a fast, fun weekend car nor an everyday car. Running expenses were bearable until the auto gearbox warning light came on...also main dealer was not best at sorting various inlet valve problems. Overall a nice enough car but just rather insipid - no passion, no excitement.

Will look at the long-term fleet reports as well - thanks for the tip !

[lex1]

I recently exchanged my 430 for a 612 HGTS having had a baby boy a couple of months ago: it was pretty clear the 430 was going to see little use now there are three of us and I am not ready to buy an MPV/SUV yet. It has worked well so far: the rear-facing baby seat fits perfectly into the rear seat (and there are Isofix fittings in cars built since 2006), and it is still sporty enough to keep a smile on my face. Definitely not as pin-sharp as the 430: it is a big car and the steering feels over-powered / a little light in comparison, but this is more than compensated by the power and the V12 rumble. If our family grows I imagine the boot will be a little on the small side, and I am not sure the cream leather will look great with baby sick on it, but I can't think of a more fun family car and I look forward to telling my son we used to change his nappy on the bootlid...

[Anjum]

Great car to live with every day. A superb GT.

Rear seats esily accomodate 6 footers - or two baby seats.

And the car was rediculously quick around Goodwood last year.

The car grown on me - whilst it's not the prettiest Ferrari - in the right colour combinations, it's discreet, understated - and very, very capable.