why people dislike the 612

Personally I LOVE the 612, I will buy one this half of the year, but a used one, the depreciation puts most off. Looks wise, you cannot beat it, makes the Bentley look boring, interior comfort is top, and power is endless. Amazing car. Damned by the perception of 4 seat Ferrari's and not the reality.

Prosperous New Year to all
Best
Michael J

 

maybe it's because they like the other cars better. for the obvious reasons. i don't think anyone would kick the 612 out of bed, but given a choice between that and a 550 or 599, well alot would prefer the 550 or 599. It's a tough crowd when you are comparing ferraris. Now compare it to a vette, i think it will come out better. Sort of like splitting hairs.

 

I agree that a Bentley looks rather staid next to the 612.

A fellow member of the Rocky Mountain Ferrari club recently bought one, and the power and driving experience (he tells me) are simply incredible. It is also perhaps the most comfortable and luxurious Ferrari yet.

I also agree that the 612 has been damned by perception and not reality. I plead guilty here; like many others, I tend to judge a car to some extent by its looks. I think this is why many prefer the 355s over the 612, and why I, too, prefer the F40 over the F50.

I do have a bit of trouble with the appearance of the 612, particularly the colliding angles of the two side vents. On the other hand, I do love the flying buttress. I respect that it's a hugely powerful car and great fun to drive. I'm sure I would love the experience of driving one, but I would probably choose a 575 just for its looks.

 

Great post.

However, I thought the term 'flying buttresses' refers specifically to the C-pillars on the 599 GTB, which have space between the pillar and the actual glasshouse of the vehicle, not to the 612's C-pillars, which do not. Am I wrong in this line of thinking?

 

I have never ACTUALLY seen a ferrari, chances are rare if i stay in Karachi,
The cars look different in real as they look in pics or movies, so i can say 612 must be way cooler than a i think

But 612 is not that sporty as some other smart cars i think like the 430, or 599 (its only what i think)
then you have the psycho factor (4 seater family car u know) that takes the credit away

currently i think F430 Scuderia is the best looking of the Ferraris (excluding P 4/5, the exceptional case)

 

I love the 612 too and I would have bought one a long time ago if I lived in a more spacious place than Hong Kong. I have driven a 612 HGTC on the track and it is a serious piece of kit. I have had 2 599's and a few others so I have some benchmarks against which to make that statement

 

612 isn't as flashy as the two seaters. At least in the States, people expect Ferraris to be extreme, rakish cars for two-and-only-two people.

Also, keep in mind that when car enthusiasts have meetings the whole point of it is to show off those weekend/toy cars, not the practical ones.

I agree, I think it's Ferrari's best-looking model right now, especially in the Sessanta color scheme with the black/grey.

 

My mistake!

My acquaintance in the Rocky Mountain Ferrari club recently bought a 599, not a 612. It's the flying butttresses of the 599 that I like, and the colliding angles of the same car that I don't.

As for the 612, once again, I'm told it's a wonderful, powerful car to drive, but I still think it's kind of plain-looking for a Ferrari.

As I said the first time, there's still a lot about looks.

 

I actually love the idea of the 612, my problem is with the styling. The side profile is to bland, other than that if I had the money, I would buy one in a heart beat! FOW had one on the floor for delivery this week, beauty of a car! Price tag as I remember was over $400k, holy smokes!
I saw a rare 6 speed this summer and posted pics in the "612 pic thread".


Robert

 

Ferraris 'used' to be lithe, shapely, sleek sportscars. The 612 is a B-O-A-T of a car. Even bigger than the 456 GT, which is bigger than the 412....see the trend? Flip the sucker upside-down and put a sail mast in it.....I have seen and sat in one in-person. The car is quite large. There is nothing lithe, shapely, or sleek about it. It is not a 'sports' car, per se, but a Grand-Touring car that would appear to be designed to pursue Mercedes market-share for GT Autobahn 'cruisers'. It makes a Testarossa look slim and sexy in comparison.

 

One reason may be the disconnect, and resulting disappointment, between the stunning sketch and reality. Probably the physical constraints of a 2+2 prevented Ferrari from achieving the dramatic angles, curves, and "tightness" apparent in the sketch.

I suspect the 612 design would've worked beautifully as a 2-seater, which allows more room for dramatic architecture. Instead, we see a bizarrely proportioned vehicle, very tall and ungainly, and most notably possesing an inexplicably large hood...even longer that the 599s though one would think the existence of rear seat room would mitagate against a long hood for the sake of balance.

2+2s work best when the designer starts form the paradigm of a sedan, than shortens the chassis and makes the car sportier. the 400 series is a great example of this, as well as some of the 60's ferraris, although I admit the 456 looks great despite using the paradigm of a 2-seater as a starting point.
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Personally, I do not think the issue is that people "dislike" the 612, it is more that they just are not enthusiastic about it. That's tough for a $300K car. You have to love it.

It seems that with the 456 the style was great but the mechanicals lacking. With the 612 is appears the reverse has happened; great mechanicals and problematic styling.

Ferrari makes mistakes, like everybody else. The way they softened up the 550 in arriving at the 575M for example. They went too far in trying to broaden appeal.

The main issue with the 612 as has been pointed out is size and proportions. They could not convert from the design sketches to the actual car, and much was lost.

It will be interesting to see how they do with the 612M when it arrives, and how far they can take the platform.

 

Regarding to information my dealer have Ferrari is planing to launch 612M during 2008. Now it is factory code 121 is given to this project. My dealer do not know any tech details of this project as for now but promiesd to keep me updating. It will be really interesting ito see if they will decide to equip 612M with 599 GTB engine and electronics as was rumored some time ago. Best.

 

I like it also.

 

Exactly my thoughts. I thought the sketches were fantastic and it would be one of the best looking cars ever. What ended up being produced was so very bland and uninspiring compared to the preproduction sketches. The nose got taller and goofier, the rear end doesn't look anything like that. On the production model, once past the doors it looks like they gave up and went home.

 

In my opinion you really can not compare two totally different cars. The 612 is a 2+2, while the 348, 355, TR and many others are two seaters. It is like comparing a Cobalt SS to an Impala. They are two totally different cars.
I do like the 612 very much, but it would not be my first choice if I were going to buy a Ferrari. I would say more people like 2 seaters than 2+2's, but there would be no way in the world I would buy a 355 before a 612 if I had unlimited cash.

 

I think its pretty simple. The 612 doesnt have that `super exotic` look that the 430 and 599 have which a lot of people who buy Ferraris are looking for. I like the 612 but I prefer more of thàt look at me type look that the 430 and 599 offer.

 

Just for the sake of argument, should Ferrari even be making 2+2s?

If four seaters are okay, then it's a short step to four-door sedans. From there, they might as well begin making station wagons, then mini-vans and SUVs. . .In a few years they'll have gone the way of Saab, from something unique and distinctive to a bland "something-for-everyone" mentality on a GM frame, indistinguishable from nearly everything else on the road. . .

(I know I'm getting carried away here, but where is the line? Is there one?)

 

May I please ask only one question. Have you ever driven 612S?
Because we can talk only in case you have done it. I have driven 612S with latest novelty - HGTC package right before holidays. Truly unique and awesome car. I suppose that F-chat comrade DM18 will be in 101% agreement with me. Only thing this car needs is refresh of its looks. I suppose that there is a place for this car in Ferrari palette. And there will be a place for sure. My dealer told me that there will be makeover of the 612S next summer. Now factory code "121" is given to this project. My dealer do not exculdes the possibility that next 612M will be equipped with 599 GTB engine and electronics. And I must say this is very logical and great scenario. Best.

 

The 612 is having the same problem as all Ferrari 2+2 models have had in the companys history, when you mention Ferrari people think of a sleek two seat sportscar and not a four seat sports saloon, all 2+2 Ferraris in my mind have been good looking cars especially the 400 series but they will never aquire the respect and status of a 2 seat Ferrari, i love the styling of the 612 and am willing to bet that in 10-15 years time people will realise what a great car it is.

 

Because it's ugly, purely subjective of course. I saw a few in La Jolla and I expected it to look better in real life than in pictures, I was mistaken!

 

You can't be serious! 430S as the best looking Ferrari, and then to say P4/5 topping that? I understand that this is purely subjective but I find it highly offensive to make a limited edition ferrari into a hideous car that the P4/5 is. Not to mention the inevitable crashing and wrecking of the Enzo's further reducing their numbers in the wild. 360CS>430S
every other Ferrari known to man>P4/5
355>360>430

 

. . .Maybe not for everything; any 600+ HP car has got to be fun to drive, but if you're going to put $350,000 into a car, it's a bitter pill if you don't like what it looks like, technology, comfort, and performance notwithstanding.

Ferraris are all a work of art. If its looks don't grab you, then it's hard to justify buying one.