612 or GT S?

[MaserGT]

I'm thinking of trading my Maser Spider for a 612 Scaglietti or Grand Turismo S as a weekend and holiday car - i have two kids under five (both in baby/kid seats) and want something I can use more with them, especially on long trips across Europea few times a year.

The GT S feels a lot more exciting - razor sharp turn in, great noise. But love the rare manual on the 612, and have never owned a V12 Ferrari (had a manual F355 GTS).

Would love to hear experiences / thoughts from existing owners. Don't care about running costs (high vs higher!) but reliability is crucial on long trips.
thx a lot

[fade2grey]

I've currently got a gransport & did 3000 miles in the summer across europe in it. Bearing in mind that mine's technically a 2+2 & you can easily sit 4 adults in it. If that's anything to go by the GT S will be very good at the job. Personally, I'd probably go for a 612 - always liked em. Love the moon roof.

[MogulBoy]

Seen the manual 612 in the classified (at Maranellos) with isoFIX preparation..... for £80k. Much cheapness...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/830330.htm

P.S. Love the near tennis-ball sized gear knob! Is it heated?

[Davey S2]

Manual 612 must be a very rare beast.

[BillyWhiz]

I'd love a manual 612 and would consider replacing my 550 with one. I understand that they use similar suspension to 360's and are therefore a weak spot on the car.

[clorenzen]

I have had the same idea to try to get the"all in one" supercar able to take the family on a holiday trip. So effectively pack the Range Rover and the DB9 into one. A 612 fits the picture, however it is not that pretty, very wide and is it really that practical - and where do we put the dog?

I think this still is wishful thinking and a Panamerica, Grandtourismo or Aston Rapide just makes one fell old.

[MaserGT]

Thanks guys - i test drove the Maranello manual - felt very cool in a '60's GT type of way, but it didn't leave me that excited otherwise - very muted noise, stable ride and turn in - not alive. Still tempted....but it feels likes it got a long way to fall at £80k

Clorenzen, we've got to continue the quest - I've done too many miles around Europe in my Range since having kids already! I don't think the coupes (612 and Gran Turismo) are "old" cars - but the four doors are - not a fan of the panamera or rapide, they're both just stretches.

Your question on practicality is real - guess you just have to leave the dog and pack less.

The true "have it all" car may be the Grand Turismo S convertible if they keep it four seats and soft top - it would be criminal if they shorten it. I'll probably wait to see what that looks like when its launched at Geneva