| Author |
Message |
Eric Hawley (Eric)
New member
Username: Eric
Post Number: 23
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 12:15 pm: | |
I owned a 95 for two years, and have just recently traded it for a new, 2001 M.
I preferred the styling of the 95 over the M, specifically the hood vents, and more subtly, the flatter profile of the hood. I also find the nose on the M to have a more pronounced point to it than the 95 did, which I find less attractive.
In daily driving, I find the ride in the M to be more taut, crisp, and confidence inspiring. We recently drove it 4500 miles, and kept feeling amazed at how much more comfortable it felt at speed. It just feels right, not that the 95 ever felt bad, just a little more edgy.
I find the interior of the M to be nicely different, but not significantly better. To me, it's mostly just different, with a few things I like better, a few I like less. For instance, I like the layout of the guages better, but miss having the window controls on the doors. I like that the fuel filler cap can't be opened while the ignition is on, but I find the placement and quality of the swith itelf to be really weak (crumbs from my In-n-Out Double-Double easily fall into and jamb it).
The transmission is smoother, easier to shift, and the engine seems to idle more smoothly. It also has a bit of a beefier growl to it at full song than the 95 did. In regular driving, I couldn't really tell any difference in overall performance.
But on the track, the M really shows it's superiority over the older model. It just has a better, more immediate pull out of the corners than the 95 did (flatter torque curve?). I've not spent as much time in the M on the track as I spent in the 95 yet, but the difference was amazing in the little time I have spent. The biggest difference has to be the useable range of torque. It sems to pull even more strongly from lower rpm, allowing me to leave it in 3rd where I might have used the top end of second before. In either gear, I can induce oversteer if I'm not feathering the throttle out of the apex, almost all the way to turn-out. I think my times will be qiucker just because I have a couple fewer shifts to make.
I also love the traction control! It works amazingly in snow and ice. Pulling out of a gravel or icy patch, the car jsut goes like it's hooked up. Turn off traction control, and it sprays ice and gravel all over the place while hardly making any headway, no matter how much you try to feather the throttle. In Sport mode, the traction control allows wheel spin, but still helps out, while turning it off gives you full access to tire smoking torque. The more I drive the car in varying conditions, the more I find to love about this system.
I can't really speak to dependability. I have had my share of issues with both cars, but frankly don't feel any of the issues have been unreasonable. It's a limited production automobile with the inherent lack of consumer feedback and testing that includes. The cars have never really left me stranded, but let me know they'd like to visit the dealership now and then for a little 1-1 time with their favorite mechanics/programmers.
Overall, I think the M is a better car, but sacrifices some styling edge over the earlier model.
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Malcolm Barksdale (Malcolmb)
New member
Username: Malcolmb
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 9:39 pm: | |
I have owned a '95 456 and currently own a '99456MGT. I love the car and updated to the M even though it would be impossible to justify it, it is the old " I could so I did". I believe the old ca felt stronger, it came on the cam at 4000 and pulled hard to the cutout. The M feels smootyher and doesnt seem to come on the cam as strongly but I think it is actually just as fast. Either way it is plenty fast. I love the way they both look and wanted a recent model as a keeper, I suspect the next version will be full of more electronics and I am not so fascinated with that. The interior is nicer, the a/c seems better, and the control layout is better. The okd instruments were better[white on blcack, like God intended] not green on black.The new car has been no troublre at 16000 miles. I drove the 95 untill it had 30000 miles. The old car rattled more. Trouble spots are the windows, the mechanizim just isnt strong enough and requires periodic ajustment. The dealers and any good independant can do this. I also like the remote entry on the new car but like all Ferraris[I think] you have to go inside to open the trunk which is a pain when you come out of work with bags. Any $10000 japanese car does this better, why is that? Other than that I love the M and I loved the 95, I would have been very happy to keep it forever.I have not driven the automatic. |
bruno bandaras (Originalsinner)
Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 251
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 8:54 pm: | |
I prefered the early one. Jmo |
Kevin Johnson (Jammy)
New member
Username: Jammy
Post Number: 45
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 3:38 pm: | |
The bottom line, IMO, is that the M is the better car, though whether it is worth the premium is arguable. I'm not an expert on the differences by any means.
Aesthetically, the M loses the bonnet vents (shame) and the movable rear wing (good riddance). The front grille was changed too. The more significant changes are to the interior, and the dynamics.
The interior of the M is more modern and pretty sumptuous. The steering wheel & switchgear were changed, as were the locations of the switches &dials. The seats were also reprofiled to make more use of interior space, especially in the back. Even after nearly two years with the M I'm struck by the feeling of occasion whenever I slide behind the wheel. I greatly prefer the interior of the M to it's predecessor.
I am told the suspension & damping was overhauled too. Whatever, the M is more settled than the earlier car, corners pretty flat and with lots of poise. Still amazes me how well it handles for such a big car. It's also difficult to describe, but it feels like this car's on your side. It's predictable; you can feel the masses shifting, and can tell what it's going to do next. You can be pressing on through the twisties with the tyres chirping away, always knowing where you are wrt the limit. I've heard many stories from track days about 456s embarrassing more exotic machinery and I believe this must be due to its ability to inspire confidence in the driver. I was out in the 360 earlier today, and leaning on it pretty hard; breaks away VERY quickly and with not a whole lot of warning. You can see a 5 degree slip angle becoming 720 degree pretty damn easily. Anyway, I've changed my pants now, and have had a chance to reflect on vehicle dynamics.
However, it's hard enough to justify the cost of these cars in the first place- I don't even try. How do you then justify the price difference between different model years of the same car? With great difficulty I think, and again I didn't even try when I made my mind up to buy the M. I did it because I wanted to, and because I could.
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Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member
Username: Willis360
Post Number: 794
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 1:19 pm: | |
There are a few FerrariChatter who owned either the 456 or 456M, or both. I'd wait for them to chim in with their assesement.
The hood vents are neat but isn't the 456M a slightly lighter and quicker car? The later car also have traction control. |
Tenney (Tenney)
Junior Member
Username: Tenney
Post Number: 185
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 1:07 pm: | |
Haven't owned or driven one. Have been told of some fairly general build/quality issues with year one ('95). Am also more a fan of '95-8 (non-M) aesthetic. Suppose I'd shop '96-98 6spd. were I in the market. |
stephen r chong (Ethans_dad)
Junior Member
Username: Ethans_dad
Post Number: 53
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 12:53 pm: | |
Prefer the hood vents of the early 456s over the smooth late hood. Direct bloodline to the Daytona's. That's about it though IMHO. Both fabulous cars. Hope to have one some day too. |
Charles rich (Ccr2002)
New member
Username: Ccr2002
Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 12:29 pm: | |
What are the cognescenti thoughts on the 95-98 456s and the later 456 changes. I know the price is a huge difference but what about how they drive? dependability? how do you all think the two styles match up asthetically? I kind of like the old lines better but the newer interior? which would you buy? |
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