couple questions on the 456

I like the maser but I don't think it's serious competition for a 456 - you'd buy it, find it a reliable and entertaining daily driver but always wish you were in a Ferrari. Besides - those fake intakes on the C pillars should make up your mind alone!

I don't know about prices in the US, but certainly here in the UK the dealers are hard-nosed. I guess at the end of the day they're aren't that many around. Think about it though - you could pay as little as a third of what the guys who bought a 456 new last year paid, and still have an almost comparable car!

Reliability - I can only pass on what I've heard as I've only had mine for 3 weeks... Better than most Ferrari's but these cars can be very expensive when they go wrong. My car's PO had a problem with the Management system - this cost him £5K to eventually put right and left him with the impression that the car couldn't be depended on. He sold it as he couldn't rely on it as a daily driver. I have it as a weekend car, so I'm less worried, and I wouldn't try to use it daily. My experience of reliability has not been great in three weeks to be honest - I got home the other night and the drivers window wouldn't go back up - it's in the shop right now being repaired.

Of course, get one that's just had all the major bills paid - a service including cambelts and the rear shocks replaced. Also, a car that's had the factory window upgrade would be worth seeking out, though this apparently doesn't resolve the sealing problem for good.

Regarding the door windows - apparently a lot of cars have had the upgrade done under warranty, which suggests Ferrari do admit and resolve their own mistakes WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY PERIOD. Most older cars have not had the upgrade, which suggests they won't do it outside of it.

Insurance - not as bad as you might think unless you're getting a very new one. I stuck with my newish 928GTS policy and only had to pay an additional £400 ($720). Another reason for getting an older car! Mine is a 97. Of course, I'm assuming US underwriters assess risk similarly to UK ones.

I decided an M wasn't worth the extra cost, they're at least £10K ($18K) more here in the UK. Besides, I prefer the front end styling of the non-M.

Definitely pay cash if you can - apart from the saving in interest (which you'd find it tough to make up investing the cash elsewhere) you'll have a nice warm feeling knowing that the V12 Ferrari on your drive is ALL YOURS. MMMMmmm.

Go on, get one - despite my window problem, having developed a limp from the heavy clutch and being alternately cooked and frozen by the rubbish climate control, I still love mine to bits - best purchase I ever made.

Dan

 

Regarding price it seems like you always hear these stories of people getting these incredible deals that seem to disappear when you're looking. So I think a great car at a fair price will save you $$ in the end.

Check the search function re: extended warranties. You may find a guy willing to throw one in for you as long as you're not grinding him on price.

Buy what you think you'll enjoy, do your homework and get a great car at a fair price and you'll be happy

 

I have owned my 95 456 since last August.

My car has been relatively trouble-free, once we got past some teething problems-- the car had not been driven much the previous few years. Maintenance, however, is not cheap, and I am very happy that the dealer I bought my car from was local and stood behind it when I had some issues.

As far as Ferrari North America, you have to remember that the 456 is now an out of production (i.e. "old") car. If you buy a nine year old car, it's probably too much to expect them to do anything for you.

However, up until last year they were doing the window fixes under warranty in the US. My car was done in 2001, 4 years after the warranty expired, at no charge! I believe they are no longer doing this, however, and the bill is around $8k.

So, I would look for one with the window fix done.

All in all, 456s are phenomenal cars. I absolutely love mine, and I highly recommend them.

 

Among other cars, I also briefly considered a 456 before I purchased my Maser Coupe 2 months back.

FWIW, here are my 2 cents…

Reasons to buy the 456:
The Ferrari name and heritage
the V12 noise
the open-gated shifter feels great (if you get the manual)

Reasons to buy the Maserati:
The Maser will be the newer car, under warranty (4 years/ 50K miles)
Service costs are lower (major service is only at 50K miles as the car uses timing chains instead of belts.
Cambiocorsa Paddle Shifters (if that is your preference) or 6 speed stick shift
Nimbler handling than the Ferrari 456
Nicer interior than the 456


Depreciation would be significant with either car – count that as a given. In the Maserati’s case, the depreciation is somewhat offset by lower service and repair costs – which can be significant.

Overtaking acceleration of the two cars is pretty similar – 440 hp for the Ferrari versus 390 hp for the Maserati, but the Maser is a smaller and lighter car.

I preferred driving the Maserati so I chose that car. I would highly recommend driving both the Ferrari and Maserati so you can see which suits you better.

Keep in mind that the driving experience is totally different depending on whether you have the Camiocorsa or GT (for the Maser), and whether you have the manual or auto (the 456). So when you drive examples of each car – try to do the drive in the car with the gearbox of your preference.

Good luck with your choice
- Jon


BTW, my primary alternative to the Maser was the Porsche 911 Turbo. You can see my comments here:
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13429

 

smg2 - that's too bad!

But you do fit in the Maser?

 

The only other F-car that I think would work for a giant such as yourself would be the 360 or the Maranello.

That's the advantage to being 5"10, 156lbs: it's perfect Ferrari dimensions!

As a Ferrari owner and die hard enthusiast, I would take the Maserati. I absolutely love that car for a daily driver. I could be a daily driver that no Ferrari could ever be because of three things:

1) not as much unwanted attention as a Ferrari so you can park it
2) 4 year warranty
3) lower service prices and faster services.

 

The windows on my 99 456m were repaired by the dealer, f of sf for 800 dollars of which I paid half. I purchased the car two years ago. Now you may buy this car for 100 thousand, give or take. You may have 12 cylinder car that has depreciated a lot. If you wait you may buy for less. The Maser has more rear leg room and is easier to get in and out of the rear seats. The paint on the nose of the 456 is very prone to chips. Ouch. I have heard the Maser is not so reliable. I hope if you are not in a hurry, you may buy either for less tomorrow. The torque of the 456m is outstanding!
Good luck.

 

Have you driven the Maser yet? I'll tell you what, if you really want to be impressed, drive a 360 coupe and then get behind the wheel of the Maserati. It is such a great car. I love Ferraris but I think that would take the Maserati over the 456 for a driver. I wouldn't take it over any of the modern two seaters: i.e. F355, 360, or 550 but it makes such a great 2+2 that I would take it over the 456.

 

I would try a 456GT. I am 6'4, 230, and I fit in the 456GT fine. In fact, I move the seat forward a bit.

I have heard that the 456GT has more room for taller drivers, so you might want to consider it. And, IMO the 456GT looks better than the 456M.

 

I think the 456GT looks better too. It's worth a try - let us know if you fit!

 

Shaq had his rear seats removed so the front seat could go back further Of course, that kind of defeats the purpose of the 2+2...

 

I think Ferrari purposely made the Maserati blend and unattractive. Ok I know beauty is in the eye's of beholder, but I personally will not buy a Maserati cuz it doesn't remotely look good. It should not be, if it is exotic look like a F360, it is be taking sales away from it, same look with 90% performance at 1/3 of price.

 

Scott - yeah I guess you might find it a bit cramped given your dimensions, though the 456 has to have one of the largest cabs of any Ferrari. I'm a BB too, but am 5'9", 165lbs and have a 31" inside leg, so I fit perfectly . One of the few times I feel a decent height is when I go to Italy!

Definitely drive a 456GT - the seats are an entirely different design and I think the recent Forza 456 buyers guide makes a comment about the M being less capable of accomodating taller drivers. The 6'4" reviewer says something about getting the runners put back if the test car were his.

I can email the Forza guide to you if you like.

Cheers,
Ittybitty Dan of Lilliput

 

Scott if you are that size and your son is heading in the same direction I suggest you try something with a little more room -






Like a Humvee!

 

It's not as good looking as a 360, but if you pick the right color the Maserati can look pretty damn good. Ferrari is the more dramatically styled and high performance product line. Maserati is more of an Italian BMW/MB- so the design is more understated and leans toward more luxury and comfort. So it's a bit difficult to compare a Maserati GT coupe to a Ferrari sportscar. The only Ferrari that the Maserati could compete with is the 456/612. But there's such a huge price difference, so it attracts different buyers.

And if you can't quite afford a Ferrari, a Maserati is a pretty good deal- it's cheaper, you get the 3yr warranty, a Ferrari-developed engine, the f1 shifter (if you prefer it), and you may not totally agree with the looks, but park a one next to a BMW or MB coupe, and the Maserati will get all the attention.