456 LOW COST V12 FERRARI ??

Can you elaborate on your comment above? Thanks!

 

The 456 looks bloated to me get a 55o instead.

 

Looks are less important (not un-important) to me than overall driving experience. If I can get a daily driver Ferrari 456 for $70k less than a 550, that's fine.

Just so you know, I like the 612 Scaglietti too!

 

Based on past performance, V12 2+2 Ferraris level off at about 18-20 years. The 412's are about as cheap as they are going to get (they sell for $35k regardless of what the asking price is). I'm guessing that a 456 GT will bottom out somewhere slightly above this. The GTA's will continue to take a beating.

That said, they really are great cars for a luxury GT, but I'm not going to get on my soap box.

Drive it. If you like it, buy it.

Search the archives, everyone knows what the problems are with them...

 

Me too, but at $200k more than my current V12 2+2, I don't plan on getting one any time soon...

 

My M is a UK car with all prices in sterling. FWIW here are the cumulative running costs (excl fuel) for almost 4 years:
http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?carId=2053

Kevin

 

The 456 is a wonderful daily driver for many reasons:

It has good power, reasonable room (both in the cabin and in the trunk),
comfortable, yet still has tremendous performance when you want to use it,
and it doesn't attract too much attention (but IMO it is still the most beautiful modern Ferrari)

The only thing that would make it better, IMO, is a remote trunk release. Maybe the 456M has this? (mine is a GT).

 

My 95 GT has been very trouble free. I have been the owner for the last 4.5 years and have had no major problems. As a matter of fact, my 456 has been far more reliable than my suppose to be reliable German cars.

1 - A/C belt - $200
1 - 30K service - $3,200
4 - Oil service - $800
1 - set of tires - $1,000
lots of gas - priceless

MB

 

Nope, M does not have remote trunk release. When you approach the car just put your briefcase, computer bag, raincoat and groceries on the pavement. Then unlock the door with the remote if it is working on this day, open door, kneel on pavement and then you can reach the release button on the center console. This is somewhat of a nuisance when it is raining but you can overcome the inconvenience by carrying a second suit in the trunk.The Gas lid has a similar convenient scheme, it will not release unless the ignition key is on. So, just pull up to the pump, shut off the engine, push the button next to the previous button, swear, put the key back in the ignition, turn it on, then off again so you can push the alarm button, then on and then you can easily release the lid. The lid is on the passenger side unlike my other three cars, so you need to remember that too.

 

Actually, this is true of the Pre-M models, but opposite of the M: Must have ignition off to open gas lid or trunk in M-model (or at least in my 2001 model).

Minor upgrade to avoid those embarassing moments when one sets one's coffee cup down on the gas lid button whilst cruising down the road...

And then there's the brilliant design that uses push buttons on a horizontal surface of the console that attracts crumbs, dust, dirt etc, and eventually sticks and ceases to work. Looks great, but I've had plenty of problems with those goofy buttons in both my 456s.

 

MY 99 456m just finished it's 30k service at 20k miles. I put inb new motor mounts, old ones sagging for 1000, and new rear shocks, each 900. Ouch.
Winston