I am planning to sell my manual 456MGT next year to go for a California. The child seat is only used few days a year, so i dont need a full 2+2. I think a convertible with the option of a 3rd seat would be more fun and after 5 seasons of great drives in the 456 i would like a new experience. My second Ferrari is a 348 Spider owned for 16 years. Will i miss the V12? Your thoughts? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Keep it See here, the newest: 1999 456 GT, 44.000 KM, EUR 89.500,-- https://www.classicdriver.com/de/car/ferrari/456/1999/431925
You should keep that lovely car for sure - or swap to a Maranello A California will bore you after a couple of months.
Maranello is no option as i need a 3rd seat from time to time. When i get bored by perfection i will take my 348 Spider out for a drive, but on longer distance drives as our Ferrari Club Austria Events are, the California will be the choice.
So you have to keep this true icon of design, understatement and driving pleasure And yes, you will miss the V12
No no, I Keep mine, just bought it '97, 9.000 KM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think you will miss the V12. I still regret selling my 330 over 40 years ago. I won't make that mistake with the 550!
Michael, you will not miss the V12. Yes, the 456M GT is one of the most beautiful Ferrari 2+2, imo THE most beautiful. But under the aspect of the driving pleasure there are a lot more exciting Ferraris. If you will change, I recommend the California T. Compared to the 456 much better driving pleasure (better chassis in all respects), superior driving performance, much more powerful torque than the V12 in your 456, coupe and convertible in one... Definitely a reasonable and sensible step.
I spent an afternoon driving a Cal T around Modena. I was pleasantly surprised by what a nice driving car it was. But I wouldn't trade a 456M for a pair of them. To me, nothing compares to the elegant smoothness of a V12.
Thank you for that emphatic statement. We don't own a Ferrari for a perfect driving pleasure, for that we have Mercedes, Porsche or BMW - or whatever you like to have. We own and drive a Ferrari for that special feeling. If you don't have it, this feeling, sell your Ferrari for another car, whatever it will be. Maybe a California t, which is a perfect car for sure - but not a Ferrari, how I feel it. That said, I'm proud to own a very true Maserati, too Image Unavailable, Please Login
Unless there is someone out there right now looking for that particular combo, I think that's optimistic. Just because it'll come with museum miles and a belt service, there's a whole lotta little bits that have been deteriorating over the last 16 years.
Yes, you will miss the V12. I drove a Cali shortly after my 456. It felt like a car that was made to a price point, and is compromised as such. Feels much less solid--and whereas the 456 has the gravitas and poise of a properly engine Ferrari, the Cali felt like a pastiche.
Mr Platzer, I would keep that very nice 456. Your car has the nicest color combo and is a nice 4 seat Ferrari V12.
I'm sure our Ferrari friends in the California section will like your statement. We are talking about the 456 right? The "paradigm" of Ferrari high-end quality?
I've driven both California's several times and was impressed. A perfect daily driver for those who want to. Not for me. And it's a matter of fact that the California was constructed for Maserati first and then swapped to Ferrari, rebadged �� The quality of the 456, Maranello, 355 and 360 is poor, a lot of minor and bigger issues. Without a heart for Ferrari one will sell such a car again after a couple of weeks and never will buy a Ferrari again in his lifetime. Otherwise he will sort out all issues and will get a longtime member in our worldwide community
My 456M GT, one of the last produced M's (2003/06), with 21k km in perfect conditions. I thought I'd keep him forever but it came differently, I have sold it this summer. The world of Ferrari has so many great cars to offer, also other car producers offer exceptional cars, our life is too short not to try different things. A 456 is a beautiful car, this is out of the question. But with regard to driving fun there are really more entertaining cars available. And if someone says a Cali T is not a real Ferrari, I wonder if this is an objective statement. Image Unavailable, Please Login
You are completely right, but: Michael did not ask for objektive statements but for personal thoughts 🙂 And no comment from me regarding the T cars...
