456 buying questions
Discussion
One problem with my 550 is that I cannot carry both my wife and daughter as passengers at the same time, which leads to problems on occasions. I am therefore considering the purchase of a 456 to complement it.
My initial thought is that I should be looking for a 456M with manual box, but they seem to be rather difficult to find: most of the 456s on the market are automatics and the few manuals I have noticed for sale are not Ms.
So, my questions are:
1. What is the automatic like to drive? Is it a good box compared to other autos? Can someone who has driven, or preferably owned, both manual and auto, tell me whether the auto option suits the car, or is it very much "second best"? I know this is a bit like asking "how long is a piece of string", as the choice between manual and auto is a very personal one, but any thoughts on the matter will be very much appreciated.
2. Is the Modificato distinctly better than the original? What are the major advantages? Are there any disadvantages?
3. Is the 456 a genuine 4-seater, or really no more than a 2+2?
All contributions will be gratefully received, either on forum or by PM. And if anyone (in the UK) is considering selling your car, I should be interested to hear from you. Thanks.
My initial thought is that I should be looking for a 456M with manual box, but they seem to be rather difficult to find: most of the 456s on the market are automatics and the few manuals I have noticed for sale are not Ms.
So, my questions are:
1. What is the automatic like to drive? Is it a good box compared to other autos? Can someone who has driven, or preferably owned, both manual and auto, tell me whether the auto option suits the car, or is it very much "second best"? I know this is a bit like asking "how long is a piece of string", as the choice between manual and auto is a very personal one, but any thoughts on the matter will be very much appreciated.
2. Is the Modificato distinctly better than the original? What are the major advantages? Are there any disadvantages?
3. Is the 456 a genuine 4-seater, or really no more than a 2+2?
All contributions will be gratefully received, either on forum or by PM. And if anyone (in the UK) is considering selling your car, I should be interested to hear from you. Thanks.
Hello,
The Auto is very basic but it kind of adds to the charm of the car, you must make sure the auto box is a good one, they are very expensive to replace even though it was sourced from an american truck. As long as your daughter is not 6ft then there is reasonable space in the back - they are very comfortable cars - definately less sporty than the 550 but you can feel the linage where the 550 came from as they share a lot of character and parts.
Due to them costing quite a lot to run correctly finding a good one will be hardest part, suspension leaks, oil leaks and auto box tend to be the weakest links, the car will carry on with all these faults because generally they are pretty tough. check also for wet carpets - this can lead to expensive ECU damagewhich are located in the footwells either side of the A pillars.
Annoyingly the b pillar seal will not meet the glass on most cars so a degree of wind noise is usually apparent, you can realign the glass to fit better but they hardly ever fit right.
T.
Happy to discuss if want to talk through any points.
The Auto is very basic but it kind of adds to the charm of the car, you must make sure the auto box is a good one, they are very expensive to replace even though it was sourced from an american truck. As long as your daughter is not 6ft then there is reasonable space in the back - they are very comfortable cars - definately less sporty than the 550 but you can feel the linage where the 550 came from as they share a lot of character and parts.
Due to them costing quite a lot to run correctly finding a good one will be hardest part, suspension leaks, oil leaks and auto box tend to be the weakest links, the car will carry on with all these faults because generally they are pretty tough. check also for wet carpets - this can lead to expensive ECU damagewhich are located in the footwells either side of the A pillars.
Annoyingly the b pillar seal will not meet the glass on most cars so a degree of wind noise is usually apparent, you can realign the glass to fit better but they hardly ever fit right.
T.
Happy to discuss if want to talk through any points.
best advice I got - buy the best you can.
a good car will cost little to maintain, so the increased purchase price, saves you money later.
Manual is great, a little more involving, if you want it to be - there's always a lot of autos for sale.
The M has an updated interior, but loses the classic Daytona like bonnet. Depends on your thoughts on the styling. Those over 6 feet tall will not survive more than 1 hour in the back, with a 6 footer in the front.
The main issue with the car is the window design - this was solved by a kit available later on, but can be adjusted every few years to work around it.
The leaking rear shock absorbers are a BMW 7 series part, and leak more through lack of use.
happy to help, if you want more help, had 7 years with my GT now, with very few issues.
a good car will cost little to maintain, so the increased purchase price, saves you money later.
Manual is great, a little more involving, if you want it to be - there's always a lot of autos for sale.
The M has an updated interior, but loses the classic Daytona like bonnet. Depends on your thoughts on the styling. Those over 6 feet tall will not survive more than 1 hour in the back, with a 6 footer in the front.
The main issue with the car is the window design - this was solved by a kit available later on, but can be adjusted every few years to work around it.
The leaking rear shock absorbers are a BMW 7 series part, and leak more through lack of use.
happy to help, if you want more help, had 7 years with my GT now, with very few issues.
Edited by Davo456gt on Tuesday 7th January 15:09
I did look at upgrading to a 612, and whilst the interior is far nicer place with more space, I just couldn't pull the trigger - it just isn't that pretty outside, and seems just too big in my opinion.
I also think the 456M looks a little bland with that huge flat bonnet.
The FF on the other hand I would have in a heartbeat !
every one to there own I suppose...
PS. a manual 612 is as rare thing, as is a red one (which would have been my choice of colour too)
I also think the 456M looks a little bland with that huge flat bonnet.
The FF on the other hand I would have in a heartbeat !
every one to there own I suppose...
PS. a manual 612 is as rare thing, as is a red one (which would have been my choice of colour too)
Edited by Davo456gt on Tuesday 7th January 19:47
Very nearly bought a 456 but went for a 360 (stories of bonnet and exhaust replacements scared me!). Obviously both very different cars. Wanted a manual in TdF/tan. Ended up with a Nero/Nero F1 360. Not such a bad choice....
As the pitter patter of tiny feet are approaching, please some good news stories on 456s....do not want to leave the Ferrai fold!
As the pitter patter of tiny feet are approaching, please some good news stories on 456s....do not want to leave the Ferrai fold!
Like most pre-first-time Ferrari buyers, I have spent many moons looking for my first Ferrari, and still haven't pulled the trigger! My summer car is a BMW 650i Convertible, and I do love it - it's quick, comfy and modern, and it has four good seats. I had a driving holiday down to Lake Garda last year, and on those post-restauarant top-down runs back to the villa, it was great. That said, I spent lots of time thinking "I wish I was in a Ferrari"! So this year, i'm going to really make the effort and buy one.
I drove a manual 612 last year, and it was nice, but not quite as special as I was expecting. Ferrari manuals are an acquired taste, but this one felt a bit clunky, which freaked me a bit. Plus it was top money at £67k, and I think it eventually sold for well south of that.
I have tried a couple of 456 Manuals, and they are excellent. Somehow they feel a bit more involving than the 612 - there are fewer lights and buttons and digital stuff - they feel mechanical and analogue, which is what you really want from a ferrari. There are lots of autos out there, but they fail and are very dear to replace, or even rebuild. I have ruled these out in my mind and I'm holding out for a Manual Modificato. They are rarely for sale though, and prices are in that weird place at the bottom of the depreciation curve, but are starting to look like they are appreciating a bit too. Values all over the place. I am budgeting £35 - £40kish.
Good luck! Think v carefully before shelling £30k on the auto.....
I drove a manual 612 last year, and it was nice, but not quite as special as I was expecting. Ferrari manuals are an acquired taste, but this one felt a bit clunky, which freaked me a bit. Plus it was top money at £67k, and I think it eventually sold for well south of that.
I have tried a couple of 456 Manuals, and they are excellent. Somehow they feel a bit more involving than the 612 - there are fewer lights and buttons and digital stuff - they feel mechanical and analogue, which is what you really want from a ferrari. There are lots of autos out there, but they fail and are very dear to replace, or even rebuild. I have ruled these out in my mind and I'm holding out for a Manual Modificato. They are rarely for sale though, and prices are in that weird place at the bottom of the depreciation curve, but are starting to look like they are appreciating a bit too. Values all over the place. I am budgeting £35 - £40kish.
Good luck! Think v carefully before shelling £30k on the auto.....
I own a '95 manual 456GT since 2009 and covered 13k miles to date in it. I always wanted a Ferrari and the 4 seats are important to me as well. They are very nice discrete cars and as practical as Ferraris can be. They are getting older though so will require some attention. I am using mine at least for a quick spin every week or two and I think it is a lot better when used frequently. I've seen a few with over 60k miles which is a good sign of reliability. Check also ferrarichat.com under the 456/550/575 section for more details.
Quick answers:
1. I find the GTA brilliant for long trips and very quick. I sometimes get knee problems on long journeys in manual cars - too many sportscars for too long. The auto suits the Gentleman's Express nature of the 456.
2. In my humble opinion, the earlier cars are slightly prettier - something to do with the bonnet vents and brake duct vents looking right at the front and a great looking rear end (see pic). It's also how Pininfarina designed it.
3. It's a 2+2 really - I'm just 5ft 11" and can take wife and two kids away for long weekends, but any further and it wouldn't be as practical. Had an awesome road trip to France with wife and toddler, then left family for a few days drive to a wedding in Tuscany with a best mate. One of the best drives ever over the Alps in summer. Strangely, the 456 worked really well when our boys were toddlers - Ferrari car seats in the back and a twin buggy in the boot.
I think one of each - 550 and 456 - would be a great pair. On a Sunday, I'd take the 550 out before breakfast for some fun and then the 456 to the pub for Sunday lunch. It looks cool driven quickly or slowly and you rarely get any jealous remarks.
1. I find the GTA brilliant for long trips and very quick. I sometimes get knee problems on long journeys in manual cars - too many sportscars for too long. The auto suits the Gentleman's Express nature of the 456.
2. In my humble opinion, the earlier cars are slightly prettier - something to do with the bonnet vents and brake duct vents looking right at the front and a great looking rear end (see pic). It's also how Pininfarina designed it.
3. It's a 2+2 really - I'm just 5ft 11" and can take wife and two kids away for long weekends, but any further and it wouldn't be as practical. Had an awesome road trip to France with wife and toddler, then left family for a few days drive to a wedding in Tuscany with a best mate. One of the best drives ever over the Alps in summer. Strangely, the 456 worked really well when our boys were toddlers - Ferrari car seats in the back and a twin buggy in the boot.
I think one of each - 550 and 456 - would be a great pair. On a Sunday, I'd take the 550 out before breakfast for some fun and then the 456 to the pub for Sunday lunch. It looks cool driven quickly or slowly and you rarely get any jealous remarks.
I'm getting mine from the garage on Thursday and looking forward to it. It is not a 4 seater, although the rear seats are usable and have more space than some 2+2 coupes. I have driven it a number of times to Italy, France and Scotland with me, the wife and our 13 yr old son who is around 5 ft tall with no problems. The boot and rear seats are slightly smaller than my BMW coupes so you are alittle tight for space but it is do-able for a week to ten day trip. I have taken out 4 adults in it and they have all been surprised at the space in the rear seats, but for a long journey I think they would have started to find it a little tight. It is a surprisingly fast and subtle car, not many people notice it or realise that it is a Ferrari. I would say that it is GT more than a sportscar, much like the 550. I took it around Spa on a track day with my mates 328 and his 328 ran out of puff!!! although my brakes struggled as the car is pretty heavy !!!!
161BMW said:
I do like the 456 very rare
I remember one right up my backside ince when I was in a then new E46 M3 SMGII
Cars produced:I remember one right up my backside ince when I was in a then new E46 M3 SMGII
456 GTs 1,548 cars:
- 141 UK RHD GT's
456 GTAs 403 cars:
- 61 UK RHD GTA's
456 Venice (all produced specially for the Sultan of Brunei):
- 7 RHD 4 door estates
- 3 RHD Cabriolets
- 2 RHD 4 door saloons
suspect these 12 cars are actually included in the 1548 total number of 456GTs produced.
456M GT's 688 cars:
- 33 UK RHD M GT's
456M GTA's 650 cars:
- 136 UK RHD M GTA's
Total Number produced: 3289 of all versions of the 456GT.
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