612 or 456

Should be relatively easy to do. The 360 owners update to a Challenge Stradale TCU all the time. Specific procedure to follow that the dealer or tech should know and takes an SD3 to do on a 612 with Motronic 7.1.1. Note these instructions are for a 360, so the PIS will likely be more like 7.7 to start than 4.7 because of the different clutch. Dealer or tech should know this. Will have to get the HGTC/HGTS TCU part numbers from the dealer, since I have not seen that info on line.
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612 more comfortable and feels like a modern car, but prefer 456 body styling.

Also prefer better driver view of 456 hood line which makes the car feels very compact almost like a 355. Whereas 612 and 599 feel like boats.

If can only have one, then for sure late 456GT 6 speed with 5.2Motronic (not M) would be my pick.

 

I've been searching for our next car for about a year now. Final candidates narrowed to the Maserati GT, the 612, and the 456M. The 456 won. Along the way we drove a couple 612s. Nice cars, very smooth, powerful, and like some have stated, more "modern." However, the car felt HUGE. Although it did shrink around you once on the highway, it still felt way too big, probably in part do to the very long bonnet.

We've driven six 456s during our search, and one consistent factor in each of them was that the car "just felt right", like it was tailor made for us.

I cant relate to the "vintage" comments, although my viewpoint may be a bit skewed: my oldest car is now 59 years old, the middle ones 30-50. Their one kid brother is 13....

 

Contact forum member MoeD. He went through the full HGTS upgrade for his 2005 612. If I remember correctly, it took a while to get everything done.

 

OK if you like older cars test drive a Merc CL55 2003 - 2006, very classic lines. More of a GT cruiser than sports car. The CL65 has way more power but way more expensive to maintain. I have a 2003 CL55 I got in 2004 with 6k miles and now with almost 200k miles on the clock. It is the best value all around DD I have ever owned. You can find low mile cars 50k – 75k mile cars for $20k - $30k maybe less.

 

Funny thing is, the upgrade to 612 HGTS (HGTC includes CCMs) suspension and TCU was much less expensive than for the 575M or 599. A real bargain. Not sure which pieces Moe actually bought. Memory fades.

 

Thank you everyone . Now here is something else. lets add a 550 into the mix.
I may begin my search this weekend.
Since I live in a very warm climate , what type of performance can I expect from the air conditioning system?

 

Agree, one of my relatives has one and it is indeed a lovely car.
However, can't stray from the home country. E una cosa Italiana...

 

I know I'm going to receive a ton of hate for this, but we ruled out the 550 for the same reason as the Maserati - it just felt too big and heavy. Though I have to admit, it's a lovey car, great looking and very nice inside.

 

550 is a classic beauty and I've owned my 98 since new. AC is plenty cold enough for hot and humid sub-tropic Hong Kong environment. So I imagine should be good for Florida too.

However, I prefer to drive my 456 now. So currently 550 is parked in warehouse and 456 is in my driveway. Extra two seats are quite useful!

 

Interesting thread. To me the 456 feels modern apart from the somewhat heavy clutch and lack of digital inside. I guess that it can be defined as the last truly "analog" Ferrari.

It is funny that if I get into a 15 year old car that has some digital entertainment screen, it will immediately feel antiquated because of that, whilst if nothing like that is there, I seem to overlook that.

On maintenance, it's hard to say which one is more reliable in the end, in my experience as a car ages, you will get to a point where some parts fail due to age, mainly rubber bits like (brake and cooling) hoses, rubber boots protecting suspension and electrical bits from corrosion etc. The 456 simply already reached that stage while the 612 is now getting there. You will seemingly find more 456 issues because of this, and there are more people doing DIY on them, which could be another reason I suppose.

Can't you just buy both?

 

i have been driving my gated 456m for 4 years now, and while i have never driven a 612, let me pose a question to you. what are you going to use the car for? if you are going to use it for long distance commuting on freeways, i would imagine that the 612, with its modern accoutrements, would be the better choice. BUT, if you want the classic ferrari experience, with that wonderful, metallic "clank" every time you change gears, if you drive on curvy, undulating roads that present a challenge, and you want to improve your skills as a driver.....well, i think the answer is obvious. sorting the car has been an ongoing issue, but since i am in this for the long haul, i see it more as a challenge and less as a major problem.

 

Thanks for that - i think that does look like a worthy 2017 project!

 

Let's not forget that some of the 1st gen 612 also have a gated MT, and there has been plenty of spirited discussion on converting the remaining F1-A 612s to MT as well. Later OTO 612 came with the more aggressive F1-S systems.

 

What's funny is that the F1 system is now somewhat antiquated. A few years from now, or maybe even now, someone is going to comment on the "vintage" feel of the F1 in comparison to modern dual-clutch transmissions.

"If you want the vintage feel of Ferrari's F1-era transmissions, go with a 612 or 599..."

 

There's some validity to this.

Consider the fact that the modern DCT is NOT from Ferrari - it's from Getrag and used on other brands as well. Of course, it is a very good performance system.

F1, love it or hate it, was actually derived from Ferrari racing and used exclusively on Ferraris and some Maseratis. I'm sure some prospectors will try and amplify this at some point in the future to drive up prices and attract the usual M&Ms (Morons with Money). The rest of us know better.

 

I've driven all 3, and an OTO ended up in the stable.

If you want a 4 seater, then get an OTO. The drive experience is many miles different from the 456. If you want a manual, then a 550 or if you find a 612MT then go for that.

As far as size, the 612 is more agile and sporty than a 456, and the OTO amplifies that further.

With that said, the best balance all around with the best combination of tactile feedback, comfortable cruise, and the ability to be sporty and giggles in a fun run is an OTO.

I have no problems keeping up with 430's on drives in the twisties, but they can't haul 2 extra people in a pinch etc. etc..

The turn in and responsiveness of an OTO is better than a 456 or 550. It's also the most powerful of the 3 models..

My A/C works great in my OTO on 90+F days....

Best is to drive good condition models and see what suits your lifestyle and makes you feel good. F cars are an entirely emotional decision..... If you like how it makes you feel, that's the one for you..!!

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