456 6speed or FF for Euro roadtrip?

I posted this question on a UK based forum, but I thought that I should seek opinions on here too:

My wife and I have a 3-week trip coming up, UK, Provence, Costa Brava, Pyrenees then home via Santander ferry.

I have the option of a LHD 1995 456 manual or a 2012 RHD FF. We've done several similar trips in the 456 before and it is very comfortable for this purpose, while still feeling special. The FF is new to us, so untested. My choice is only between these 2 cars.

The grunt work of getting from the UK to Provence is tiresome and boring with a steady 130kph on the autoroute. Neither car wins for this section, as a diesel Discovery would be better at this dull part of the trip.

My question is more about taking a FF (or maybe any other low, wide recent Ferrari with carbon fibre exterior parts) to these regions. How would a modern Fezza (with a dual clutch 7 speed gearbox and front spoiler) cope with the steep entrances, difficult pavements and narrow streets of those medieval villages? Is this a world of frustration or am I missing something?

The 456 has some battle scars while the FF is still pristine.

Does anyone have experience with this scenario please? I know that I am lucky to have this choice, and I am a petrolhead romantic so our Eurotrip IS going to happen in a V12 Ferrari, more for the experience than the practicality.

Many thanks in advance. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Hey Belfry...trip sounds amazing.... I personally would pick the FF for mldern comfort and reliability vit both are a great choice! Are these rentals or ??? Would love to hire o e in EU
Richard

 

Thanks. My wife wants to take the 456 due to its amazing visibility, and we’ve taken it on a couple of euro trips before. I only bought the FF a month ago and I’m favouring this slightly. But, because it’s new to me, I’m worried about damage caused by the ancient roads, kerbs and streets. Also the French tend to “touch park” rather than use an awareness of space and judgement to get into a parking spot!

 

Does your FF have lift?

Mine does and it makes quite a big difference as it's all four wheels not just the front.

 

Partly it's about how much freedom you want to have on this excellent itinerary. You could plan ahead meticulously, so that there are no unexpected elements. Quite possible now. But if you want total spontaneity and to be in your car at all times, you have to be prepared for collateral damage in that part of Europe. As well as the extra dimensions, FF is more obviously a modern Ferrari and you would need to be more mindful of unwanted attention, potential for vandalism..

It's interesting you mention the grunt work of getting to Provence. It sounds like it's just two of you going, you and your wife. The drive to and from the south of France would actually have the best roads of your trip, if you avoided the autoroutes. Unless you are in a rush, add a night or two either end, and turn the grunt work into a joy and forget you ever mentioned a Land Rover Discovery.

Which car is more enjoyable for this, and the rest of the trip, is your own personal taste. Both will be highly memorable though as its new to you, I would personally give the FF a go, and plan around it accordingly. You can take taxis or rent a little car in certain locations if you need to. But don't think of France as grunt work. It should be a joy in any Ferrari.

 

LHD is way more fun on the Continent, which you probably already know. Have done a bunch of LHD driving in the UK, but no RHD driving on the Continent.

 

Yes. It has lift and ventilated seats.

 

I have put 40,000km on my 612 in France in the past 18 months with much of it coming on trips Paris to the south. The 612 and FF are basically the same size and if you are patient and do a little research you will find places to drive and park that don’t stress you too much but have great wow factor. My first suggestion, deviate to mont Ventoux on the way down ( or on the return). It is spectacular.

So FF all the way.

 

I use mine as a daily driver and it has the associated scuffs and rashes of daily driving life. I've never owned a car that picks up as many front bumper stone chips as the FF does.

Embrace it and enjoy it and accept once a year or once every two years it's going to need a mild cosmetic tidy up to bring it back up to nice visual condition. Don't be precious about it otherwise you'll be unwilling to take it anywhere and it will become a garage queen like so many of these cars sadly do.

These modern F cars are designed to be driven, They are not the delicate flowers that people think they are, there are a number of 100K km plus FF's running on the contintent reliably. It's obvious from my own experience of averaging only around 200 miles a week that my car drives better now that the day I picked it up simply because it's being used.

Take the FF, it's a continent crusher. It's what it was designed for. At 70mph in comfort on a motorway it eats miles and will give you 350 mile (560km) range maybe a little more on one tank

 

On the interesting roads my feeling is that RHD will not be convenient; that'd be my decision criteria.

 

This is so true. I'm in danger of not using the car for the job that it was designed for, because I don't want to spoil it.

Thanks for this reminder.

 

On the most fun roads you'll appreciate the LHD and 6 speed.

Either way you'll be on for a winner, with both cars it'll be enjoyable for sure!

Since the 456 has some battle scars already, lets not forget the parking skills (or lack thereof) from the French....

 

If both were LHD then I'd suggest the FF, but for this reason (and maybe a little of the gated manual...) I'd opt for the 456 personally. Sounds like an amazing trip, am a little envious!

 

Have owned 550’s and an FF in the past few years-both are phenominal in there own ways but LHD in Europe would be handy…

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login The 456 ended up being a good choice for our particular trip. 2,500 miles, South of France, Costa Brava, Spanish and French Pyrenees then ferry home.

Left hand drive was a definite advantage on the smaller roads.
6 speed manual engaging
Fun and engagement could be had at normal road speeds
Lots of love for an older classic Ferrari
Super comfortable seats
Lovely interior quality (Cream leather throughout)
3 suspension settings worked well.
No concerns about adding miles to a 60,000 mile car.
Smaller and easier to manoeuvre than the FF
Great aircon
Lack of cruise control for the autoroutes was boring

We picked up a cracked windscreen, 1 kerbed wheel and a couple of parking dinks from the car doors of others. My FF is mint so I would not have been some relaxed about these on the FF. A trip in the FF is still needed but I did not regret taking the 456 at all.

 

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Nice to have an attractive wife willing to help out under the dash.