| Author | Message | ||
| KCCK (Kenneth)
New member Username: Kenneth Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2002 |
The 456 is no doubt a dream car come true. There are no regrets. But yes, like all things, it can always be improved upon. Does anybody have the experience of the window switches in the 456 coming off when pushed, and have to be "clicked" on back again? Does anybody have the experience of having to fumble for the keyhole in the 456 when climbing into the driver's seat in the evening, becuase there is no guiding light for the keyhole? And does anybody have the experience of almost having his trousers torned up because he has not lowered the handbrake which is right between the driver's door and the seat, and therefore keeps getting in the way when getting out of the 456? Just some food for thought. KC | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 377 Registered: 3-2002 |
i would bet that the 456 replacement gets delayed by a year or more now, simply because the new bentley and the new merc cl600 are such beasts. ferrari could hardly hold its head up if these much bigger cars managed to still beat them to 60mph and the quarter mile, and seat 4 people more comfortably etc. so they are going to have to revamp the whole thing (maybe they can even be advised to look at the comments on this site to guide them.....) | ||
| Kevin Marcus (Rumordude)
Junior Member Username: Rumordude Post Number: 71 Registered: 9-2001 |
Hmm. now this conversation is starting to go the direction of a discussion i saw in a book talking abou the diablo vt and sv. (I think the book is called "dream cars" for anyone that cares). Anyway, the comment made is that as lamborghini made two types of cars: people who like to drive them (sv 'coupe') and people who like to be seen driving them (vt 'roadster'). as the murcielago should make it clear - they chose to focus on making cars for drivers, not posers (which isnt a statement about ferrari/owners - just the books comment). given that i consider it a family ferrari (and i live in seattle where it occasionally precipitates), i dont care for the convertible but i could see why one might. but i'd much rather have them come with a factory installed roll cage before the convertible offering. ;) oh yeah and the popup lights could go, i like that one. | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Junior Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 242 Registered: 3-2002 |
I think all new Ferrari's except road F1's like the Enzo should come in two flavors... a convertable hardtop(best config imho...) and a 'barchetta' version, a pure roadster with either windscreen only, or a softtop. These Barchetta's should be lightened and should come with sports seats, F1 system, roll bar, less restrictive exaust etc. standard. They should be umm... tricked out... and topless. | ||
| James B (Jimmy_b)
New member Username: Jimmy_b Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2002 |
You guys are right. You made me find a picture of the Brunei cabrio 456 on the web. Oooooh, mama. (Sorry, but a car that beautiful makes a Johnny Bravo of me.) So the 456 replacement has to have a cabrio roof (hard or soft) option without losing cabin space, be better than the new Bentley Continental GT Coupe - more power and an extra stiffer suspension setting - and still say, "I am more classy than you". Even as a loyal Ferrari owner I don't know if that's too much to ask for. I'll buy one if they can do it. We'll have to wait and see..... | ||
| Gene Agatep (Gagatep)
New member Username: Gagatep Post Number: 31 Registered: 8-2002 |
For us Californians... as a 2+2 GT the 456 ablsolutely needs to be offered in a Cab or offered only in a Cab and leave the hi-performance agile F's to the fixed top 3 and 5 series F's. We love our sunshine, therefor, we have to revert back to the Mondials as the most modern alternative F 4 seating cabriolet. I'm sure Miamian's share the same sentiments. | ||
| Aaron Williams (Aawil)
New member Username: Aawil Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2002 |
Speaking on expensive paint. I remember walking into the lambo dealer around 98 the paint option was called something like electric blue and it was a $10,000 option. At first I was blown away but alot of these custom car builders spend that on a paint job as well. I would expect to see the 456 lose the popup headlights as it and the corvette are the last to still have them off the top of my head. The vette will lose them for the C6. Personally I like them but they do add some weight. | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Junior Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 223 Registered: 3-2002 |
A convertable hardtop... I like! They should have it as an option on all future cars IMHO, except the fixed roof stuff that needs to have a fixed roof for performance reasons. | ||
| Kevin Johnson (Jammy)
Junior Member Username: Jammy Post Number: 73 Registered: 3-2002 |
I agree with the others here that the 456 is an exceptional car. In fact you really have to own one to realise just how good it is; there is no other sports car that I know of, in the world, quite as versatile as this one. There is (some) room for improvement 1) Heat management is pretty marginal, and entirely dependent on those fans kicking in if you're stopped for more than 30secs or pootling along. 2)More power! 3)I would like it to handle like the 360 please!Failing that, a second and VERY stiff 'sport' setting 4) Decent exhaust note as stock 5) Agree with William H: offer it as a hard or soft cabrio. Saw the Sultan of Brunei's one off 456 cabrio (now in the States) and it is staggeringly beautiful. Too good an opportunity to miss. And I almost didn't write it down but I'd like them to stop producing it altogether, since residuals are awful! And maybe then, it will be appreciated. The real competition, and it will be significant, is the Bentley Coupe. More power, more room, plently of style and at the 360 Modena price point. Not a Ferrari but I will take a long hard look at it. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1470 Registered: 2-2001 |
how about a top like the sublime SL55 ? or how about if Ferrari hires the guy who did the Pontiac Asstech to improve upon the 456 ?  | ||
| James B (Jimmy_b)
New member Username: Jimmy_b Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2002 |
Interesting isn't it? This is one heck of a challenge for Ferrari in the sense that the 456 is widely considered to be the best GT in the world. What can they do to better it? I have a black 456 and test drove the DB7 and 911 C4 for comparison. Both have way inferior rear accommodation (both seat size and headroom) which is okay for my children at 3 and 5 but occasionally I have adults in the back for short journeys. To be honest, the only improvements I would make are, another 1 or 2 inches of headroom in the rear (achieved by lowering the seats, not altering that beautiful roofline), engine as good as or better than 575M, fix the seal at the back of the windows that on some 456s doesn't close properly and uprate to more powerful Xenon headlights as per the 575M. All pretty minor issues, I'm sure you'll agree.... ....but easy to improve on. | ||
| Kevin Marcus (Rumordude)
Junior Member Username: Rumordude Post Number: 70 Registered: 9-2001 |
i asked for an enzo, but did no receive. Given that the likes of jon shirley, bruce mccaw, and an assortment of microsoft big-wigs are in the general region, that didn't really surprise me. If you want one that bad I hear you can pick them up for like $1.5 - $2M - but that's value that will never hold IMHO! At least they can put my deposit towards my racing expenses. | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Junior Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 216 Registered: 3-2002 |
The 456 is near perfect as it is IMHO, it can only get better though. Rumordude... "Moreso, i think of it as the *only* classy ferrari - (i'm sure i'll get the flames here) - the others either say 'i have a big ����', 'i'm faster than you' or 'i have more $ than you' Well, maybe some say more than one, but none other than the 456 says 'i am classier than you'. " Well if you have an F50, yes, you have more $ than most. ;) | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Member Username: Jay Post Number: 589 Registered: 10-2001 |
Kevin I agree. The 456 is one of my favorite "modern" ferraris. Understated yet eligant, and I love that color! BTW What video games are they in the background? | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Member Username: T88power Post Number: 744 Registered: 2-2001 |
Rumordude, that pic in your profile is the best! You have my dream garage (except swap the 3X8 for my 360). Enjoy them, you are truly blessed. Ernesto PS Did you get invited to purchase an Enzo? | ||
| Kevin Marcus (Rumordude)
Junior Member Username: Rumordude Post Number: 68 Registered: 9-2001 |
i dont think the current 456 is supposed to be a "race car". it's something i can throw my kids in the back seat, my wife can drive, and ultimately is more of a 'family sports car'. and in TDF blue oh my it is just a great looking car. I get more 'ooh ah oh's in that car than i do in the f50. my only complaint is the battery location (!). i would expect a 456 replacement to continue in that tradition. Moreso, i think of it as the *only* classy ferrari - (i'm sure i'll get the flames here) - the others either say 'i have a big ••••', 'i'm faster than you' or 'i have more $ than you' Well, maybe some say more than one, but none other than the 456 says 'i am classier than you'. | ||
| Phil S. (1989328gtb)
New member Username: 1989328gtb Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2002 |
Here is my 2 cents on the 456 replacement. My guess is that based on its release next year, they're already 80% there so lets hope they got it right. Competition-I don't think I have to name them all. You know an SL55 at 500 h.p. $113,000 is a steal. New Bentley GT W-12 twin turbo 550 h.p. $150,000, Porsche Turbo ...so on so forth. All these cars are giving you a package that doesn't justify spending $100-150K more to get a 456M. The 456M is honestly not worth the extra dough. What does Ferrari have to do to make it stand out. The VISION- As far as the outside/inside of the car, the styling has to be a true classic. Not extreme like the new Enzo, but more retro like a modern version of the 410 Superfast. A car that is unique to the rest of the Ferrari range. Make a pallete of colors available both standard and custom colors to your unique match. Do not charge customers for custom colors, contrasting stitching or piping. If you spending north of $200,000, please don't try to squeeze an extra few grand from your loyal customers who wants to use red stitching on his black leather seats or red brake calipers. This car should be totally customised in terms of exterior paint and interior colors to whichever the customer wants, again at no extra charge. If Mini Cooper gives you a ton of choices at $16,000, why can't Ferrari at $200,000 plus??? This car and experience has to give you the feel that Ferrari is building a custom car for each of its well deserving customers a la Duesenberg. As far as power and performance, lets face it the 456M will get beat by many sports cars today, but its not meant to be an all out track car. Other than the Enzo, I believe it must lead in terms of horsepower. A minimum of 550-600 horsepower. Although its focus should continue to be on gran touring, at that price it should provide more power than the Maranello. Keep the price point the same as it is now. I know wishful thinking, but if you jack it up to $275,000, make sure the customer is put first, meaning all options are at no charge. Just my 2 cents, Phil |