ok, i am going through my periodic boredom with my 2001 456mgt again. i have driven this car for nearly 30k km, since 2006 as my daily driver, a couple of road trips etc. the original purpose of the car was to be able to pick up the kids from school, or take them and their friends places etc, and my wife laid down the law at that time that i could not get any more 2 seaters before i had a 4 seater. fast forward to today, and we have one kid left at home and she is a senior in high school and doesnt need me to pick up her friends much, so really i dont need a 4 seater anymore. i am also bored with the car - having driven it so much and so often. and the cost of doing so has been extreme - easily the most costly car per mile i have ever owned, even though i bought it used (2k km on the clock) at 1/3rd original sticker. so i am contemplating various other candidates for daily driver, and since life is too short, i am not deviating from the ferrari stable, yet. i have a line on one of the 2007 599 gtb with manual gearbox, and it has about 37k km on it, and steel brakes (which i prefer for a non-track car), and it was owned by a semi famous person i know if that makes any difference. it is red over black, not my preferred color for a dd, but i plan to experiment with some wrapping designs. i would not be considering a 599 as a dd, or in this color, or at all for that matter, if it werent for the fact that it is one of the very rare manuals, and i prefer that for in-town driving. another car i am considering is my friend's black over tan california, with the manual tranny. i helped him get this from the dealer in 2010 with the proviso that he had to give me last look when he sold it. and he wants to sell. once again this is not my preferred car or my preferred color scheme, but since its one of the rare manual trannies, i will buy it. my other thought is that i would buy this for my wife and give it to her for her next bday or anniversary - still an option even if i dont buy it for myself. yes she can drive stick very well. so, these are my thoughts today. i wonder if i should post this thread in the sections for 599 and cali too, but the answers there will just be biased in a different way i guess. i also considered a queen mother again, but the thought of dealing with vintage issues on a daily basis kind of scare me. any other cars still on the viable list (if you recall, you all came up with opinions on the vanquish, db9, porsche, lambo's, etc last time, which was helpful to think about.) anybody have an opinion?
Hi Ross. I own both and if choosing for a DD I'd go with the California every time. 599 is just too big and thirsty, equally the ride is pretty firm for everyday, particularly at low speeds whereas the California just soaks it up, The California is also the next step ahead in terms of build quality.
Ross, I totally agree with Mark. As a DD, without question buy the California, amazing car and lots of fun. Here's a pic from today. Image Unavailable, Please Login
ross do u have a 512tr? also a car I wish I wld have bought long before I actually did is the 98 diablo SV...I had a cali for a few months...did nothing for me...I think the cali is a great for a one Ferrari owner type person...u have a CS?
I agree the California makes a very good choice for 1-Ferrari garages but by the same virtue it also makes an ideal Ferrari DD, especially if you like open-top motoring, which IMO makes it very hard to beat. I'm not sure how the exhaust valves behave on the manual but if it's similar to the DCT version's and you like it louder you might look into the Capristo exhaust controls. The car is already stupid fast compared to most cars and the 456. On British roads, especially off the motorways, it delivers way more speed than you can use. BTW, for those who don't know what the 6-speed Cali looks like the attached photo comes from a Machettino webpage that features a black-on-beige (LHD Italian?) 6-speed Cali. It's kind of funny the photos of that car all have an "456-boy" signature printed over them. The car also has sport seats. Image Unavailable, Please Login
same color scheme as the one i am looking at. also same racing seats that i have not seen on any other cali, even on the net. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Didn't realize your friend's car was LHD. The cars even share the same (CF?) door handles, matching leather upper dash and mats …and given the very small number built, it's got to be the same car!!! BTW, I found the racing seats comfortable at the showroom. I'm medium build and tried a large one which fitted me fine. Others would have to comment re longer drives and what their passengers thought of them.
I have been thinking the same thing. Got a buddy who drives a 599 all the time. He lets me scoot around in it, and could easily see it as a daily. I do not feel it as wide as my 575, but am not sure of the actual dimensions. I feel like it drives like a smaller car when I drive it compared to mine. I have never driven a California, but see people in Europe driving them everywhere like Mercedes. tough choice. wish I had that problem to make a decision.
599 is gorgeous and faster.... However, I would never use it as a daily. Too big, the bumps are felt and the mod cons such as a decent sat Nav are missing....
i looked up the pic off that website, the first couple in their series, and it is parked in front of the geneva dealership, so it will be the same car - ie your 456-boy pic is my friend's car prior to him purchasing it, and dates from approx may 2010. and actually a pretty rare catch because the dealer had only had the car for about a week before my friend bought it.
I think you should go with the Cali since it is better as a DD than the 599. The advantages are that it is a convertible, a stick and I think your wife will also like it better. Besides, she can drive it and enjoy it as much as you do.
Hello I ve a 456 m manual and i ve done clutch at 5mkm ,48 valve guides , rear schock seals improved and alternator (with flat bed included).Now i ve just changed my two fuel filters to check the rubber seals of the fuel pumps .They are ok ,because i think i only use fuel of 98 octane without ethanol but....can you give me the costy listing of things to be repaired soon ? But i love the beauty of the shape and... The 12 v sound with Nouvalary exhaust .You can use the suffisant level of power on open roads .That s not the case with moderns cars because you can t use 150 hp more on open roads now .I explain : you l not really drive modern cars but electronic systems will make it a lot for you'''what a driver!... Thank you for your answers Best regards Phil Yes indeed it s more relax to drive modern cars even of 700 hp electronicaly helped!!
what do you think of this one?FERRARI 612, Occasion, Benzin, 9'000 km, CHF 149'500 - AutoScout24
love it. has the glass roof and the diamond stitching....u will absolutely fall in love with it....no badges which is in my opinion the way to buy the 4 seaters....love love that car... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
nope, but its out of my price range for this job, and i dont yet completely love the shape.... whats the color on that OTO i linked above? is that blue swaters metallic?
That 612 you posted was gorgeous. The driver's side floor mat looks like it would need to be replaced, and the front bumper looks like it has a crack just above the little spoiler (also on the driver's side), but those should be simple fixes... love the color combo. The 612 is a perfect daily driver Ferrari.
Grigio alloy is a beautiful color. I have a 550 in Grigio alloy. It's appears more blue under the sun and blueish grey in the shade/sunset. This 612 is beautiful in this color combo.
Isn't that just the early 599s, just like the 612. In 2007 the 612 got a completely updated and modern Nav. I would think the 599 is the same. No? Jes
