| Author | Message | ||
| KCCK (Kenneth)
Member Username: Kenneth Post Number: 650 Registered: 10-2002 |
Don, I think you are quite right on the styling of the 456. It is common consensus that the timeless lines of the 456 are amongst the best that the world has seen. I have not heard one bad word being said against the shape of the 456. I can only speak for myself, but I have no reliability problems with the 456, either. Also, as I am not a wild driver, it gives me all the performance that I could ever need. And the roar of the V12, and the excitement that it brings to the kids --- nothing else can come close. | ||
| Don Vollum (Donv)
Junior Member Username: Donv Post Number: 163 Registered: 1-2002 |
I have to stand up for the 456 in this thread. IMO, I like the styling of the 456 more than the 550, although I realize that's a minority view. The 456 isn't a track car, it's a touring car. As a touring car, it's phenomenal. Smooth, relatively quiet, comfortable, and still fast as all hell. And, if you can use the rear seats (I have two kids), it's great. It's true that 456s can have some issues (mine is in the shop right now), but generally mechanics and shop owners I have spoken with have said they have not seen a lot of problems with the cars, aside from a few things (including the window issue) which have been covered under warranty or a recall. Of course, if you are buying a 456 you want to make sure all of the updates have been done. I understand things like the window fix are not being handled at no charge any longer. | ||
| Malcolm West (Ferrari_uk_tech)
Junior Member Username: Ferrari_uk_tech Post Number: 119 Registered: 7-2003 |
Martin, Don't know if it's the condition of the roads here in the UK, but I would say 2 out of every 5 cars that we service have leaking rear shocks (25000 miles and over) MW | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 6045 Registered: 5-2001 |
Decent 550 early models as low as $110,000, cheap at $100K. Decent 456 early models at $ 75K, cheap at under $ 65K. Do a PPI and you know what you are buying. Malcom, I never knew the 456 had leaking shocks. Funny you mention that. The car I looked ovr for my wife (97 456GTA) did hav two bad shocks in the rear , which I thought was odd. | ||
| KCCK (Kenneth)
Member Username: Kenneth Post Number: 649 Registered: 10-2002 |
Early 456s are notorious, but Ferrari has done a lot to remove the problems in the later models. Some say that the 456 is overpriced. It is difficult not to agree with that.  Some say that the money must go somewhere into the car, and so you get a lot of car for the money. It is difficult to see where. | ||
| Ray Buchner (Ray98)
New member Username: Ray98 Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2003 |
Two seats are just fine!!! Any idea how much of a premium I would pay for a 550 over the 456? The 456's are priced very well at this time. | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Intermediate Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 1267 Registered: 10-2001 |
If you dont need the extra space ..go 550 ! | ||
| Malcolm West (Ferrari_uk_tech)
Junior Member Username: Ferrari_uk_tech Post Number: 118 Registered: 7-2003 |
Two completely different cars, a lot depends whether you want four seats opposed to two seats. The 550 will be slightly cheaper to maintain, but watch out for transaxle / gearbox noises, the early cars did suffer with the mainshaft ring nut coming adrift. Avoid the early 456's - top end engine problems, waterleaks & wind noise from the windows, leaking shockabsorbers............ MW | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 261 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ray: I was advised to stay away from the 456 due to several reliability issues. Also, I understand it is alot harder to work on than the 550 and much less reliable...just what I have been told by mechanics and my salesman at Shelton. I have never driven one so I can't comment but I suspect the 550 is clearly more focused on performance and the 456 a bit softer. Good Luck with your search! | ||
| Ray Buchner (Ray98)
New member Username: Ray98 Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm seriously considering a purchase of a 456 or a 550. Any comments to lead me to one or the other would be appreciated. Looking for a driver, reliability and performance important issues. Any inherant proplems with either model to be aware of? Tnx, Ray |