Will the 612 survive against the Bentley C-GT and MB CL AMG?

As far as the Bentley being a badged VW ? I doubt many would even figure
out that it is a VW engine. The looks of the B car are nice. EVO said the
interior and build quality are terrific. None of the cars mentioned will ever
get near a track (as you all know). The majority of buyers will care less
about the weight issue. It is amazing MB has not figured out how to make
a killer set up ~ drop this motor in a lightweight package and mate it to a
6-Speed. It sure might be fun ! When was the last fun real MB ? The
early 60's 300 SL. I think 1963 ?

I think the Ferrari is going to be fighting a losing battle here. It is funny to
hear about the wife demanding the four seater. Cmon that is a poor excuse to put the $$ into a 4 door Ferrari. The enthusiast should just purchase a
very nice beater to keep her happy. Buy the beater and the 2 seater. Of course if you WANT the four seater ~ that is your decision. The MB and
Bentley are priced very reasonably in relation to the Ferrari. EVO thought
the Bentley represented value. You do not hear that too often when one
talks about 150+ vehicles.

 

Wow, can you fwd me your source for this? Here is the real world, I paid $73k for a 2001 MB E55. I will be overjoyed if I can get $42k for this car with 33k miles. 43% depreciation in less than 3 years. My wife is not happy.

And this is not a chump change car. I know, I know, the BMW guys will scream and cry that their M5s are better, but we know better, eh?

Dr "Depreciated" Tax

 

Yeah because actully liking the car is something impossible ?

 

Yes there is! You are rich, smart, and articulate, and I am none of those things!

 

The Bentley will sell a lot because its cheap and it has a name. But its just a fat VW with a lot of gizmos and none of the Bentley charisma.

The CL on the other hand is a beautiful car and very very fast. But its just not exclusive enough for the rich crowd. Dont say the 65 will be exclusive because its built on order..it looks exactly as a 55 or as a 500 with a AMG body kit..

The Scaglietti will be the choice for those who still like to drive.

 

Very funny, but I'm none of the above. Perhaps my profession blinds me, but I have worked for some very rich people, and I ain't rich.

One quick story... When I was a young IRS agent, I was auditing this guy who couldn't explain a $500,000 deposit into his bank account. He later popped in and told me, "Hey, I just remembered something. You know, that $500,000 deposit you were asking about? I just remembered. It came from that small CD that I cashed in. You know, the one we talked about earlier? Sorry, I forgot all about it."

The time, 1978. My monthly bring home, less than $500. Small CD my hinny.

But do you know what is interesting? With a very few exceptions, and most of those being recent dot.com types, the wealthiest people that I have known have been the classiest. Indeed, the richest guy I have ever known was worth over a billion dollars. He drove a ratty Caddy Seville (no body guard, no chauffeur, pumped his own gas), and when we did lunch, guess what we ate... hot dogs. Even though he was in his 70s, a mind like a tack.

I just hope that I am half as sharp as that guy when I'm 70.

Dr "Still got dirt on my shoes" Tax

 

Very well put, as always, goes to prove my point about you being articulate. You might not be "rich" compared to billionaires, but I guess being rich is relative. I just think you truly are a great role model and a terrific asset to this board.

Ok back to the topic. CL65 all the way

 

Guess buying the Mini Cooper was a good move for me That breaks my argument down that cars besides the Japanese ones, don't hold very good resale value. HEHE.

 

If price is a consideration, like the car or not, in my opinion the extra cost for the Ferrari is a serious detriment. If cost is no object than who cares.

 

Ryan true. I think my argument only hold water when you are talking your average car, Accord vs Taurus. When you bring in the exotics or higher end cars, its more of a niche market and my argument folds like a house of cards.

I thought you were perfect, but now I found your flaw! Can't believe you like the ugly Z8 Eh well, whatever floats your boat That is one BMW I cannot stand.

 

Great write up Dr Tax. There is a book about such people called the Mind of a Millionaire or soemthing like that. Very insightful.

 

612 will leave the Conti standing still in acceleration in any speed range and will outhandle it completely(GT is a total pig in that regard).
It will kill the CL everywhere but a 1/4 mile dragstrip(as long as the CL is equipped with drag radials,otherwise it will loose too-awfull traction-I know- had both CL55 and new CL600)
AS far as the resale is concerned,I would'nt worry about it at least for the first 3-4 years(456 had a pretty good resale in first 4 years,started dropping like a rock after being in production for over 5 years)
Percentage wise ,even now ,456 is comparable to most other highline cars,so be realistic;don't expect not to lose money on any car(even if it is a Ferrari)

 

I think the 612 looks the best of the bunch. I suppose I'd want to go for a test drive...trying to guess who'll buy these cars without having driven one is a little pointless. After having a good look at the C-GT and 612, the shape, engineering, the interior etc and knowing the the Merc just blends into the crowd, price aside, I can't think of any reason why anyone would buy anything except the 612 out of the 3 choices. If the price is an issue, then obviously one shouldn't be buying one!

 

Good point!
Of course Ferraris are overpriced vs competition,but if the price is such an issue here,then you(anybody picking an MB over the F car ) are on the wrong forum.

 

Here's something more funny. The stripped down version (E200) is being used as a taxi here. Did I mention I live in China? MB's are only a big deal in the states.

Cheers.

 

I always chuckle when these debates pop up. I mean, listen to yourselves! Here we are, a community of FERRARI-LOVERS -- cars that are pretty much NEVER bought based on reasoning or logic, yet when another Ferrari comes out, we bring out the logical arguments.

Here is where I place my wager: Let the CL65, the Cont-GT, and the 612 drive by (preferably the 612 will have a tubi), and then see which one you want. These are not logical purchases based on statistical, or even cost/benefit analysis. They're EMOTIONAL!

The Ferrari 360 Modena is the only material object that drives me to be successful. I cannot explain to my wife why the 2nd bedroom in our college apartment has its walls covered with a Cavallino Rampante flag, or a 360 Poster, or 1:18 360's (every model) on top of dressers. IT'S EMOTIONAL.

You can't argue against emotion with logic. It is like someone trying to speak Mandarin to me -- I simply don't comprehend.

There is my two cents -- please comment!?!?

 

Andy well said.

 

Hey, Judgy baby, howza we cut a deal. You broker ny E55 in China, and I'll give you a bite of the apple? It would make one hellva taxi!

Dr "What do I have to do to get you to buy a car today?" Tax

 

Putonghua (Manderin) only takes time to learn. You'd be amazed how quick you pick it up if you have to use it day in and day out.

Dr. Tax, sorry, too busy to play used car salesman. I prefer businesses with healthy margins...

 

Ferrari-lovers perhaps, but not unconditionally, blindly or religiously so. You can love these cars objectively, on the basis of a certain set of criterias, some of them rational, some of them irrational.
Haven't driven either, have not even read yet about how the 612 drives, but based on looks alone, I'd buy a Cont-GT over a 612 without hesitation, assuming that I had a need or taste for such a type of car.

 

Fair enough. I hope my rant didn't sound as if I was upset, actually I was just the opposite. I was sitting at my desk chuckling to myself about how all these grown men who drive totally irrational vehicles were rationally debating about another irrational vehicle.

I do agree that the 612 lacks the one thing that cements my desire for a Modena -- breathtaking beauty. I feel certain this is a generational thing (you need only look at the number of 328 owners who could afford nearly any car they wanted). They didn't buy this car for performance -- they bought it because they LOVED it, because for 20 years they lusted after it.

In twenty years, that will be me when I buy my Modena. I'm 21, so I have several years before it will be "practical" (if you can EVER call it that) for me to own a third car like a Ferrari, but granted I live that long, I have NO DOUBT that I WILL own a 360. It isn't an option, I will own one. I just need to build my real estate portfolio for the next 15-20 years and I'll be in really good shape when I'm early 40's.

Sorry for the rant (again), but we all get passionate about this from time to time.

Andy