Best classic manual V12 in 10-15 years from now?

Hi all,

I own a 328 and a 348, the latter on sale now.
I am thinking to replace the 348 with an ‘80s-‘90s classic manual V12 or the only possible alternative to a V12 might be a 360 Spider with the manual gearbox.
The manual gearbox would be a must.

Acknowledged that no Ferrari is an investment, and that each Ferrari must be purchased putting your reasoning at rest, in your opinion what model of my set will appreciate the most in 10-15 years from now?

I am asking this because one or the other as a second Fcar would be probably similar pleasure - nothing can compare to the 328 for me! - so I am putting the possible appreciation into the “equation”.
An equation with no rational solution, I know.

Note: the poll is only including the models I like.

All the best.
Nic

 

The 512 TR would be the one I would actually buy, as a child of the '80s. The styling is iconic, possibly second only to the 308 among Ferraris. The 1993-94 model years seem the best sorted.

The 512 BB is the real classic, though. If you have the cash to maintain it... a handmade Ferrari from the end of that era. The Daytona isn't on your list, but that blows away all of them for long term value and desirability. No cheap sticky plastic there.

 

A 512 TR is certainly tempting (personally, I really did not like the original testarossa driving experience). It has already appreciated though, so while it will probably continue to see its value increase, maybe it's limited.
A 550 maranello is more modern and less expensive to maintain; today it's still affordable but it could become a real classic in the 15 coming years - so it's also a good choice IMHO.

 

550 barchetta

 

Love mine.
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Twins

 

All very appreciated feedbacks, and the 550 Barchetta are wonderful!
You know what puzzles me? Whenever I went to the Ferrari museums in Modena and Maranello I saw multiple times on exhibition the grey 360 Spider (one off Barchetta), 208/308, the grey Testarossa aperta, BBs, but never a 550+, yet. Functionally the 550 is the last manual V12 produced in large numbers, but style wise to my eyes it does not look as iconic as the earlier V12s.
But I might be biased for having been a child of the ‘80s.
All the best.
Nic

 

i have driven or owned, or still own, all the cars on your list.

in order to answer your question, you would need to define what you mean by BEST.
you should also know that this type of question is very subjective.

the most engaging one on the list is the 512bbi. its a classic, no aids, and was even developed into a race car for lemans and daytona. not for wimps.
my favorite on the list is the 512tr, but it is a gt car, and less of a sports car. i love it.
the 550/575 cars are very competent and well built all rounder gt's
the 456's are all nice but even less sporty and more gt. comfortable tho
the 599 feels like a bus by comparison, but very capable. good luck finding a stick.
the 360 spider manual would be a great car to own. super capable sports car with added dimension of being fun and comfortable

 

I can speak to the gated 360 spider. The car is very nimble and a blast to drive.

 

550

 

I'm not sure what "desirable" means. The most valuable? The most wanted by the most people? The one with the best characteristics and driving pleasure? The most recognizable and treasured / iconic?

I can't answer the question until its more specific.

 

I love my Gated 456GT, but I also sought out a 456

 

For me, it wouldn't be a front engined car.....not sure why Ferrari went back to that anyway.

So if it has to be a Ferrari, and an F50 is out of the equation, the Boxer is the best choice.....beautiful design, reasonably low production numbers.

I own a Lamborghini Diablo Roadster, which meets the criteria that the Boxer does except much rarer (450 ish worldwide), 150 more hp and 30,000 feet of open headroom.

 

550/575, havent bought one yet but will do at some point

 

Well, I asked about guesses of future appreciation, that in this case was tied to desirability…

 

360 Gated Modena in Giallo or Rosso with original paint. Your title inquired about best V12, which the 360 is clearly not a V12, but IMO is the most undervalued of the cars in your list and the one most likely to go up the most in value going forward. My saying is "spiders are for collectors, coupes are for connieusseurs"

 

I was solely a mid and rear engined enthusiast… until I drove my gated 575. It is by far my favorite car that I’ve ever driven. Since i still veer towards lighter mid/rear engined cars, the 575 is likely the only front engined sports car I’d own, but Ferrari really hit it out of the ballpark

 

Wow, interesting. I also thought that anything without a mid-rear engine would be sort of boring. 25 years ago my first Ferrari drive was in a 456 GT and I was intoxicated by her noise and performance. Back then we were normal university students with cheap cars, so the comparison was explosive. Now that I upgraded from a 208 GTB to 328 GTS I can hardly think of a front closed cabin car, but your experience is interesting: what is so special about the 575 that a mid-rear can't give you?

 

To me the best right now of those listed in the 550 and of course the 550 barchetta.. However the question is the best in 10 to 15 years and while the 550 is getting to be a classic already. I think the F12 is a substantial improvement and has the dualclutch modern transmission.I think that car is a pinnicle the sound is vastly improved over the previous cars and itis a very comfortable well designed and built car.So i think that car will become a classic at some point..

 

Having driven most of the listed (except 599), by far the most personable is the 512TR.

The 575 is objectively the "best" (again caveat no 599 experience here) but who cares what's fastest / most precise / most reliable.

 

550 maranello and it’s not even close

 

The market will make the rarest the most expensive - 599.

For me the 550 Barchetta and Testarossa are most appealing. I still have a soft spot for the 456M though.

 

The 599 is an ugly duckling with great road stats. It will not be worth any money except the 599 GTO and the very few 599XX evoluzione. I would get excited about the 275GTB or the 599XX. No other Ferrari does it for me.


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If you want a 599xx let me know!

 

Compared to my f430, the 575 has way more torque, especially at low rpm’s, so power is there at all times cruising around town. In the 430, u have to rev it out a bit to get the power, but sometimes u don’t want all the noise/attention!

Also despite the weight and front engine, the steering feel is much better, feels more alive, has more feedback.

It also feels special to be in a gentleman’s Ferrari, something connected to the front engine v12s from decades ago. The leather smell, purr of the v12, metal clicks of the shifter, great visibility, and great driving position (no pedal offset like the 430) all add to the experience.