612 - Which year to buy?
Discussion
I wonder if anyone can help - I'm currently looking to buy a 612 Scaglietti but not sure how important it is to buy a later model year.
I've read that a faster changing F1 box was added around 2007 / 2008 - Is it really that much better, and more importantly, is it much smoother?
Also, I think I read somewhere that some early cars had been recalled, is this a significant issue?
Most importantly, is for example a 2008 car a much better car than a 2005?
Any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated
Many thanks
I've read that a faster changing F1 box was added around 2007 / 2008 - Is it really that much better, and more importantly, is it much smoother?
Also, I think I read somewhere that some early cars had been recalled, is this a significant issue?
Most importantly, is for example a 2008 car a much better car than a 2005?
Any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated
Many thanks
Thank you all for your comments, also to thecook101 for the essay as he call's it - Please don't apologise, your time and thoughts are all greatly appreciated - The more information I can gather the better.
I completely agree that the 612 looks like a true gentleman's Ferrari and much understated. I'm also attracted by the fact that it appears to be a more comfortable looking Ferrari. Both of these factors are a big deal for me.
I've previously owned an F430 Spider (Manual) in Red, my wife hated it, in fact eventually she wouldn't get in it! Finding that it attracted the wrong kind of attention and the cabin got quite hot on sunny days.
The gearbox in the 612 is probably going to be the deciding factor for me, which is why I ask about the later version...... I know that what I'm about to say may not go down very well with some of the Ferrari purists, but I've always appreciated cars that offer a smooth ride and comfort, having recently owned a Rolls Royce Phantom and a 2016 Bentley Mulsanne, meaning comfort and seamless gear changes are kind of what I'm used to.
My expectations of the 612, rightly or wrongly, is that in Ferrari terms it will be one of the best options for my taste, providing good cabin space, comfortable seats, softer suspension and a great V12 engine.
Now I know that the 612 is not going to deliver this same kind of drive as a Rolls Royce or Bentley and I don't mind compromising that to a point, although I am slightly concerned about the F1 gearboxes, as the only time I've ever operated one was in a friends 2004 Maserati 3200 F1 and I hated it....... I thought I was going to break my neck!
I'm sure there's a skill to operating an F1 box, but I don't want it to be too much effort, or it be so jerky that it's unpleasant - I believe there's an auto feature on the 612, does this make the ride much smoother? - Would be interested to know on both the earlier (2004 onwards) and later (2008 onwards) cars?
Any owners opinions on the topic would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks once again
Allister
I completely agree that the 612 looks like a true gentleman's Ferrari and much understated. I'm also attracted by the fact that it appears to be a more comfortable looking Ferrari. Both of these factors are a big deal for me.
I've previously owned an F430 Spider (Manual) in Red, my wife hated it, in fact eventually she wouldn't get in it! Finding that it attracted the wrong kind of attention and the cabin got quite hot on sunny days.
The gearbox in the 612 is probably going to be the deciding factor for me, which is why I ask about the later version...... I know that what I'm about to say may not go down very well with some of the Ferrari purists, but I've always appreciated cars that offer a smooth ride and comfort, having recently owned a Rolls Royce Phantom and a 2016 Bentley Mulsanne, meaning comfort and seamless gear changes are kind of what I'm used to.
My expectations of the 612, rightly or wrongly, is that in Ferrari terms it will be one of the best options for my taste, providing good cabin space, comfortable seats, softer suspension and a great V12 engine.
Now I know that the 612 is not going to deliver this same kind of drive as a Rolls Royce or Bentley and I don't mind compromising that to a point, although I am slightly concerned about the F1 gearboxes, as the only time I've ever operated one was in a friends 2004 Maserati 3200 F1 and I hated it....... I thought I was going to break my neck!
I'm sure there's a skill to operating an F1 box, but I don't want it to be too much effort, or it be so jerky that it's unpleasant - I believe there's an auto feature on the 612, does this make the ride much smoother? - Would be interested to know on both the earlier (2004 onwards) and later (2008 onwards) cars?
Any owners opinions on the topic would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks once again
Allister
Thank you for your comments everybody - I have considered alternatives like the FF but for me, I think the lines and elegance of the 612 is quite unique, I think it's a beautiful car.
I could probably get used to the gearbox in the 612, but will my wife..... She said she'd quite like to drive the next car, I know the California is quite "woman friendly" but I'm not a fan.
Also, if she's a passenger and it's a bit jerky, am I going to have to listen to her complaining! - I don't really drive that quick, so I'm guessing at low speeds, it's probably not that jerky?
I think the only option is to drive one and find out for myself.
Thanks again everyone for sharing your thoughts.
I could probably get used to the gearbox in the 612, but will my wife..... She said she'd quite like to drive the next car, I know the California is quite "woman friendly" but I'm not a fan.
Also, if she's a passenger and it's a bit jerky, am I going to have to listen to her complaining! - I don't really drive that quick, so I'm guessing at low speeds, it's probably not that jerky?
I think the only option is to drive one and find out for myself.
Thanks again everyone for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you thecook101, that's really good to know...... I did try and find a copy of Modern Classics yesterday in my local Sainsbury's, they tend to have quite a good selection of magazines, but it wasn't there - Will try a specialist magazine shop tomorrow to give me some Boxing Day reading.
Thanks again
Allister
Thanks again
Allister
Hi MaserGT,
Thank you for taking the time to share details of your experiences, it's always good to hear from someone who has firsthand experience of the car in question and other luxury marques.
There's nothing available at the moment that I really want in terms of colour combo, I'm quite set on black paintwork with chocolate brown leather, which I know may take a while to find (if anyone has one for sale, please let me know).
In the meantime, I'll continue to monitor the classifieds
Thanks again MaserGT
Thank you for taking the time to share details of your experiences, it's always good to hear from someone who has firsthand experience of the car in question and other luxury marques.
There's nothing available at the moment that I really want in terms of colour combo, I'm quite set on black paintwork with chocolate brown leather, which I know may take a while to find (if anyone has one for sale, please let me know).
In the meantime, I'll continue to monitor the classifieds
Thanks again MaserGT
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