CL65 AMG is a nice car.. Good forced induction engine, but is a very very very heavy car(2030kg).. i think, the handle is not so good. But, if you don´t like put the car on track or get fun on curves.. is a good choice.
A friend has a 612... and my wife and I love it. The absolute epitome of a Lux GT. My wife is comortable in the back seat (5'5", about 115#). I'm comfortable once I'm in (5-10, 150#), but headroom is close for me. Signif more backseat room than a 456...
I sat in the back of a 456 and was very uncomfortable; the back of a 612 is delightful. The 612 is also beautiful, very fast and handles wonderfully... The second you turn that wheel, it's like the car drops a thousand pounds... I know it looks big, but go drive one and see for yourself... The interior is luxurious, the exterior is elegant and beautiful and the acceleration is not to be scoffed at... This thread is a no-brainer; get the 612.
If you don't mind that falling-stone depreciation factor, go for the 612. It will always be like a fine timepiece and shows that the owner may be more of a connoisseur than poseur. I love the Bentley, and honestly, it would probably be my choice if I had to drive it every day. I've owned a few Mercedes, but while fine cars, they don't exactly make valets swoon and only the annointed know what AMG means. From 50 feet, S550 or S65 = who knows? If getting your backside handed to you on depreciation matters, then go for a 456. I can't imagine prices weakening much more and out of production ensures its rarity.
thanks martin ! my cheap-bastard side is voting for the 456, my extravagant side is voting scag....will see how the bonus comes out in a couple months.... re the hotels, just closing on second one this week...will have to meet there for dinner next time i come thru, probably not until next easter. will tell you and william. hope all is well with you.
Methinks the 612 would serve you well as the support vehicle for your 512TR on those high speed intercontinental sorties!
well i just took a drive in the 612 f1a...and oh my god ! wonderful effortless acceleration, fantastic gear changes, luxurious interior wow! i love it ! makes the 456 seem a little backward. i thought the f1a would be jerky like my friend's 355 was. but no, it is very smoothe. the auto mode is also very silky, makes me wonder what software they put into the maserati qp for everyone to complain so much about it. a few months away form decision time, but its looking more and more like scag or nothing.....
a couple more months and a few more hours searching......i think the lowest price 612 has already gone, and i am also getting interested in another piece of property.....so am likely to be going for a 456mgta. i know i should be going for the manual, but if i get an automatic it will go over easier with the wife since she can drive it too, and it will be cheaper. (i posted pics in the 456 section). comments?
If you drive both the auto and the manual version, all will become clear. Avoid the auto would be my advice. Although smooth, it takes a lot away from the driving experience. Servicing costs for the auto can also be higher, due to there being a filter in it's sump which should be replaced during maintenance. If your looking at manuals, make sure the clutch pedal doesn't feel overly-heavy, as this is indicative of worn plate springs, and that the electric window mechanisms work properly. It's common for them to mess-up, and they are very costly to put right.
A 456 now (probably the lowest depreciator of the group) and then a trade up to a 612 in a couple of years sounds like the best way to go to me. The only other car I'd ask whether you've considered is the Aston DB9 - regarded by many as better than the Vanquish and likely to be more reliable too...
If price was no object I'd do the 612. Lets face it, it's a FERRARI! It would also do everything you need. If price were an object a CL65 can be had for a song. A buddy just passed on a CL65 with 30k on the odo for 75K. Those kind of deals are out there. Big difference between 75k and what a 612 is still going for. Darrell.
ok, it has taken a while, but i am now down to the last decision....its either going to be a 456m or a maserati qp. more specifically, my choices are: a 2001 456mgt in anthracite with a grey interior with full service history and one owner with 3500 km on the clock. or a 2006 qp with full service history and a dealer guarantee for another 2 years, and 40,000 km on the clock. all options. anthracite with beige interior. the qp has been thrown to me by the dealer who owes me one, so it is about $12k cheaper than the 456. keep in mind that my ultimate objective is to trade this car in for a 612 in 12 months time. so, any advice or thoughts?