612M

I just got confirmation of the build on my Ferrari 612M for next week, with delivery scheduled for October 8. This is my first Ferrari and I am really excited about it. Can anyone who has taken delivery of one give me some feedback on what to expect? The dealership did not have one to drive, and I am just relying on reputation and the literature out there. The M is a new model, so there is not a lot of information.

 

Here is the car from the build sheet with my dealer info and personal information deleted:

Model F137 F1

Drive Type M07 US MY 2007 VERSION

612 SCAGLIETTI USA MY07 F1 ARR |
03 - Base
*EXT Externals.....................: 65427400 ROSSO CORSA DS 322
*INT Internals.....................: 364020552 CUOIO 4609
*CAR Carpets.......................: 364900152 NERO 152 (BLACK)
02 - Optionals
ALIH HEADLINER ALCANTARA UPHOL.....: 364704609 ALCANTARA CUOIO 4015
CALR RED BRAKE CALIPERS............:
DAY1 DAYTONA STYLE SEAT............: 364020552 CUOIO 4609
DEDI DEDICATION PLATE IN SILVE.....:
DSH5 COLOUR UPON REQUEST FOR D.....: 364020552 CUOIO 4609
HOLI HOME LINK.....................:
LOGO 'SCUDERIA FERRARI' SHIELD.....:
PAR2 FRONT & REAR PARKING SENS.....:
RIMZ BALL POLISHED MODULAR WHE.....:
RPMY YELLOW REV. COUNTER...........:
SND5 RADIONAVI. HIFI 2DIN BOSE.....:
STW1 COLOURED STEERING WHEEL.......: 364014609 CUOIO 4609
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

The dealer told me the M set up was new for '07, they have not seen one yet, and the first to be built/set up was this month. Since I never looked at anything else, and this was the only car I could get as soon as I wanted (its the dealership owner's car order that he transferred to me for reasons irrelevant to this), I never asked what was different about an M as opposed to just a 612.

 

On the order form, the M designation is in the "Drive Type M07" designating it as a "modified '07" model VERSION.

The transmission is manual, 6-speed, F1 paddle shifters, designated on the order form as "Model F137 F1" Like the Ferrari F1 cambriocorsa transmissions available on the Maserati Spyder, it has an automatic mode that lets a driver push a button and let a computer engage the clutch and shift for you. The transmission is 100% "manual" in its operation, but you can have a computer shift for you OR shift it yourself using the paddles.

 

I wanted the car because (1) its beautiful; (2) I have 2 kids to take to school when I am in town and want a back seat; (3) I think 200 mph and 0-60 in 4.1 seconds is performance enough; and (4) I don't care anything about depreciation. Its a car, not a stock, and I intend to drive it alot.

My current care is a custom built 2005 Arnage T, so its clear I don't care about depreciation. It has been a great car, but I want something a little faster (the T does 176), and not as big. I'll keep the T for special occasions with other couples, but most of the time I drive by myself and don't need the room.

The choices for high performance 4 seat cars is pretty slim. I would be shot before I bought a Mercedes -- every one of my neighbors drives one and they all look alike to me. The Maserati is decent, but not perfect even with the Ferrari block and transmission, and my wife drives a Spyder Cambriocorsa, so I already sort of have one, though she never lets me drive her car.

I have no idea if I got a good price. I just wanted to get one of those cars, built to my specs, and I wanted it without having to wait 14 months like I did for my T. Cars like this are a toy, and I just want to enjoy it and find other people who also love cars who can share the experience. My dad collects American cars and raced until I was 9 years old, so I grew up a car nut, and due to some hard work and luck, I am able to indulge that passion a little more than any responsible one should.

I hope I answered your question as to why anybody would want a 612. It just fits my needs (and desires) at this point in my married, two small children, life.

 

My kids are 9 (boy) and 7 (girl). My son loves my Dad's cars more than mine. My Dad has the following, fully restored:

1934 Ford Roadster, restored as a 1950s street rod
1936 Ford 5 window coupe, just like new
1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe, just like new
1962 Ford F-series pickup, just like new
1969 Datsun 2000 roadster race car, restored but made street legal with minor modifications

When I take them to school in my Arnage T, they ride in the back like little prince and princess, but they were oblivious until my son this year asked me one day, "Why do the 8th grade boys ask me about your car?" The 8th graders are in charge of helping the smaller kids out of the cars at car pool.

I thought about it for a second, and said, "When you get older, you will start to think about things like cars the way you think of Leggos today. Some cars you will thihk are super cool, just like you think Bionicles are supercool now. Some of your friends will think my car is really cool, some will think big trucks with big tires are cool, and some will like cars like Mommy's (Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa). There is no right answer about what you like or what someone else likes. The same is true for girls, the ones you like may not be the ones the other boys like."

He looked at me, gave it some thought, and said, "I like girls who can play soccer."

I think he is going to be ok.