Hello Gentlemen, I won't bore you. I've been out of Ferraris since I sold my TR in 88, a disappointment in the driving department, and now am back to F-Cars. I initially went in to look/buy a 430 Spyder and it is very nice. Then I saw a 612 and I can tell you honestly that I can see myself in one just as easy as the 430. Test drove them both, my dealer remembered me and was very accomodating. I cannot afford both right now, unless I want to push back retirement 2 yrs. I have a membership at a track Country Club and have dedicated iron for that purpose so I just want a "Special Car" for the street. In the end I know, "depends on what you want"/ "it's your money" and so forth. But why did you buy a 612 and not a 430??? Thank you for your time.
Well I kno the fight is between. F430 Spyder and 612 Scaglietti but I would suggest that you go back to your showroom and ask for a testdrive of the 599 GTB Fiorano. Now back to your answer. The 612 has 4 seats which would be handy if you have a family. And if you like to boast it has a V12. But performance wise their not much different except for a notch here n there in top speed n acceleration. And both have superb handling. But the 612 is definitley 10 times more uglier than the F430. Well there you go. But I would seriously siggest you check out the 599 GTB Fioranoand if they dont have one I would suggest waiting for a while.
I own both and can clearly tell you that they have nothing in common. The F430 is more agile and involving. The 612 is more of a big GT that has loads of torque and comfort. The 612 is a more civilized car than the F430. Not to mention that it can transport 4 people, although it is not going to be a comfortable experience if made for long periods.
Yes, thank you. BTW your Swiss 612 is positively a knockout beauty. The interior alone is to die for. Well you see I'm 56 yo. and married a young beauty and we have two year old twins, so in a way this would be a "family car" as well. The 430 would be a bit more "selfish". But I'm deeply conflicted since on one hand the 612 is a sublime "gentleman's Ferrari" and the 430 Spyder screams. Since I would like either in Silverstone, color is already decided. The maturity in me wants that sublime experience and near anonymity that the 430 will not provide no matter what. But I still appreciate flinging a car when the circumstances permit. Much of my racer tendancies get sated on the track now, so going fast on the street is not the necessity it once was. Decisions, decisions... You obviously have settled the dicotomy but that is not rational for me.
Your post and situation has 612 all over it. You should go for it. And trust me, if you order the sport exahusts on it, the 612 WILL scream and even barke. I seriously need to upload a sound clip of my 612. The sound is just crazy. I will try to do that tonight when I get home. Go for the 612. It has everything the F430 can offer especially if you take the GTC handling kit and sport exhausts options.
For the price of a new 430, you can get a 456 and a older 360. So dont have to choose between a cruiser and a screamer but have them both. Maintenance will be more for sure but you will have more fun!
I have a 360 and a 612 and they have nothing in common. I love the way they each look, as different as they are. My 360 is stick shift and the 612 is an F1. I fell in love with the 612 the moment I saw it. I drive it more than the 360 and appreciate the power of the 12 cylinders while enjoying the "civility" of a GT. The 360 is pure muscle, much more of a "driver's" car. It just itches to be pushed to it's limits. It almost dares you to "punch" it. I am in your same age group (no young kids) and if I had to chose, I would elect the 612. You can enjoy it around town, it'll go faster than you need to or should, when you desire and you will always enjoy the way it handles. Good luck!
I agree, i would wait and test a 599 GTB, its half way between pure sports and a GT, so it might be what u are looking for !!
Welcome abord the good ship FChat. Good luck with your quest. One of the things that will help is if you fill out a little on your profile and tell us what part of the world (us) you hail. There are neat little clusters of Fchatters all over the place who will, no doubt, be willing to help you.
Does the newest 612 share the 599's engine with over 600 HP? The reason I ask is this, and I know I'm going to catch some flack here, but wile there appear to be differences to be sure, there is no doubt that there are many similarities between the 612 and 599 cosmetically. If you think the 599 is beautiful, the 612 cannot be ugly. Of course I have not seen both in person, but the pictures of the 599 suggest a great deal of overlap in styling. While I'm at it, I want to press a little further. My problem is one of short attention span when it comes to cars (Jaime). Whatever one I buy, I'll be lusting in a year or so perhaps. (cars are cheaper than women or drugs my friends) If I buy a 430 Spyder for $300K or a 612 at MSRP (about $280K here) I'll lose ??? much when/if I trade up to whatever. I don't think the number will be much different but maybe I'm wrong? What do the more seasoned of you think?
Herman Suggest you contact some of the "OWNERS" in your area via the FCA or the regional forum for Chi town. These guys might be having a get together and you can stop by and introduce yourself and get a feel for what expertice is out there. They are a friendly bunch and putting faces (and cars) to the user names is invaluable this way you are getting assistance and advice from actual owners in your area. The down side of the internet is some of the expertise that gets shared sometimes comes from 14 year olds who have only driven a Ferrari on an xBox. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114835 http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115085 Hook up with Andreas I know he is not 14... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115085 I do hear he is a demon on an Xbox tho....
i do agree that your post and situation really do lead to a 612, although i happen to think that the 430 looks much better in Silverstone.
Ha ha... Funny, but true. While I am no 14 year old, I will refrain from giving you advice on this most delicious of dilemmas, and stick to enjoying my 308 --as pure a Ferrari as there ever was. Good luck, and please post pictures of your ultimate decision! Drive in good health. J.
Being an amost 50 year old with two year old twins, I solved my problem a different way. A 430 coupe, and a Porsche 997S cab. My sons love driving with the top down.
I love this idea the best of all. If it were me I would go with the F430 over the 612 and get another car for the family. The way I see it is if you are going to have one Ferrari you might as well make it the highest preforming one you can.
