550 vs. 456, am I missing something ?

Sorry if this has been discussed, someone just point me to the thread.

Just curious as to why the 550 is so much more higly regarded than the 456 ?

Both are 12's, except 456 has bonus of two extra seats, (even if they are small)
I personally like the looks of the 456 better (jumping into me nomex) I love the 550, except for the (just IMHO) hood scoop.

Just wondering why everyone is in love with the 550 but not the 456 ?

Is it performance ? styling ? true two seat vs. 2+2 ?

Thats guys.
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I agree with you-- I prefer the 456 to the 550. That's why I own a 456.

 

Actually, considering the aftermarket value of these models, it would appear that neither is universally loved, just that the 456 is a little less loved than the 550. Indeed, it is a mystery of the modern Fcar market why these cars play second fiddle to the V8's. It's great for those people in the market for a used one, bad for those who bought one new.

Dave

 

i have always loved the idea of a 456 a daily driver.

 

It must be an incredible bargain, to find a cherry 456M w/ a 6-speed. Much more car than a new Merc 2 + 2. Fortunately or unfortunately, they are probably going to go down even more. It will not help with the introduction of new models.

 

All us bottom feeders say "hallelujah"!

 

You are absolutly right thats why I don't care for either, compared to other Ferrari's, but I would love one over other cars.
They could have made the 456 more sporty looking and still have 4 seats. I LOVE the V12 idea tho.

 

The 12s aren't as well liked because from the 355 onward, the 8s have worked better. They're almost as fast, now have increased torque, and are much more agile. Around the track, they smoke the 121s, and they are just about as good from a comfort standpoint.

Art

 

The 550 has about 50 more HP, and about 170 more lbs-ft of torque. It is about 7 inches shorter, and 1 inch lower.

The 550 has a tranaxle for better weight distribution. The auto tranny on the 456 is not a transaxle. I don't know about the stick on the 456.

All in all, the differences on the Maranello transform it into a Shark. It is much more of a sports car than the 456, but it weighs too much to be a real sports car.

The main thing is that it is one hell of a torque monster. There is little finer than hitting that muther in third gear coming out of a tight corner. GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!

Dale

ps I don't mean to imply that the 456 is a dog, but you asked...

 

Actually the 456 has a transaxle with either type of trans. On the auto even the torque converter is in the back, the clutch on both cars is in front.

 

I stand corrected. Did I miss anything else?

 

Not that I'm aware of. Agree with your driving impressions. Two very different cars in character, both good, but different.

 

Exactly:

That being the case, they should take a page out of the Japanese deportivo motorcycle book. Art - you of all people know what I am talking about. What has happened with the organ donor bikes the last ten years ? Since the intro of the Honda CBR 900RR, the bikes have been eating tofu. Why do
the car manufacturers not downsize their sports cars ? They are getting bigger and bigger. I am not advocating to sell a 12cyl F 40 "type" car, as a GT. Someone can come up with a car with less weight. They can produce a 3000 pound luxurious 12 cyl car with small dimensions. The problem is not limited to Ferrari. The Murcie is a pig. The 996 turbo is no featherweight either.

 

i like both of them. but will probably by the 456 before i buy a maranello. just because they are more practical and therefore easier to argue with the wife.....
my guess is that for 90pct of us out there, and certainly those who have no intention of going to the track, we would not notice a significant performance difference.

as for the 12's vs 8's...having owned one of each i will never go back to the 8...nuff said

 

I like the side vent on the 456, and the daytona style hood scoops on early 456's.

Aside from that, I like the 550 better. It looks sleeker and the tail design is much much better.

 

I guess most people buy their F-car b/c of the performance. From this viewpoint the 2 extra seats are just ballast which impedes the car.

If it wasn´t for the kids I would have preferred a 2-seater, too. My cabrios before were all 2 seaters ...

In any case, the 456 looks very elegant, I like the design.

 

Ralph:

I think the new 612 is a sort of attempt at losing weight. Had the made the car the same size, used alum in that, they'd have had something. However, the 360 is 10% bigger than the 355, and interior wise is close to a 550/575, however, with better performance in areas that the average driver will use them.

Art

 

Picture comparing is one thing, seeing and driving them is another. Perry, next time at a dealer if you see them side by side the 456 looks too bulky and maybe a little too round in my eyes and some buddies agree. That side vent is great yes, but I like the fact that the Maranello performs and feels like a big GT/sportcar mix, not just a big car with a big engine with an artsy flair as with the 456. I drive a 575 but at least have gone for a ride in a 456. Not the best comparison but for performance there is no reason to compare. The 456 felt heavy but quick, the 575 like it was made it eat empty highway.
The 456 really shows a business side of things: good cruiser with speed and for the odd reason extra passenger/space. I think the 550 is a great throwback to Daytona and GTO type style. Steve McQueen and Evil Keneval, ( American pop idols and passionate Daytona owners,) are always going to be more interesting than Donald Trump, ( the American image of a business magnate seems too dry as he ages, not as mobile, maybe a little too serious but still rare and interesting.)
One thing I hate seeing compared is the need for a family transport. First a Ferrari is a sports car. It's a V12 and interior wise the back seats have no room for any kid older than 8. For the same amount of money after options a new E55 or M5 performs better, has better realibilty, you're covered under warranty, the back seats will actually hold people. I think its riddicuous people who are looking to buy cars capable of going beyond 180 mph throw out a really false statement of compassion saying, " I want to get something the family and I can enjoy." Would a first grader care about the engine note or that Shrek is playing on the DVD? The owner of the Ferrari seems to be trying too hard to say the kid actually knows and understand the commitment Ferrari owning is.
The 550 vs 456 is comparing passion to style. A better fit would be the 456 vs 612. The new Scag is amazing: size, perforance, electric gizmos. Throw that 456 side vent on that car, I think less would complain about the lack of edge. However, and as stated in a Forza article, it might look a bit too Hyundai Tiboron.

RocketBoy

 

612 Dry Weight: 3803
Kerb Weight: 4056

I think the 550 used to weigh about 3900lbs (not sure of exact number currently)

Of course neither of these cars are meant to be light weight automobiles but are more GT cars. However, Art, I am confused by your statement that 612 is an attempt to losing weight. That is like saying a 300lb Oprah is skinny compared to a 305lb Oprah Winfrey.

 

Other issue is maintenance. 456 does not have hydraulic valves, and maintenance costs are concommitantly higher. since this is a used purchase, add in uncertain service history, or 2nd/3rd owner who cut corners, and you could have an expensive project on your hands.
OTOH, a nicely maintained and driven 456 is a great car, for 60-75% of a 550. But very different cars at the outer extremes. Country club duty, daily driver, both are killer, but 456 gets nod for more room. Hard running, using like a thumper of a sportscar, 550 gets it. Price is only part of puzzle.
Lessee, new 645, or used 456...no contest. Used CL vs 456, harder choice.
If you like it, buy it.
Lee

 

"hallelujah"!

 

I don't really think that the 456 would be purchased using the rationalization that it would be a practical car that a family of two parents and their teenage basketball stars would enjoy in comfort. Instead, it would be that a guy that has kids cannot rationalize a two-seater like the 550. The loss of utility in a two-seater would make him shy away from the Maranello or 360 for that matter.

A guy who can spend $250k to buy the car new can drive anything he wants, for some people having the extra room and the ability to carry three other people could push him toward the 456. FWIW, Enzo Ferrari primarily drove 2+2's, I'm pretty sure he could have had any model he wanted.

Disregarding the preference of a buyer based on looks alone, maybe we could sum it up to:
550: faster, less practical, more expensive.
456: not as fast, more practical, more affordable.

 

550 is marketed as the TOP Ferrari currently on offer.
456 was marketed as a 2+2 and thus a compromise.

Many people have to have the latest and supposedly greatest thing ... hence why the 550 is a little more popular than the 456.

A 456 with a worked motor would be the perfect car ... easily done, infact just stick the 575 motor in one!

Basically Ferrari correctly toned down the 456's engine as it has a different purpose, but when viewing all design requirements it is a better car than the space wasting 550/575 and 612 ... but ofcourse that is not what Ferraris are about

I believe that Ferrari will eventually stop making the 550/575 line as eventually, great cars that they, even new Ferrari buyers will stop buying them and purchase the dynamically supperior Dino series.

There are plenty of front engined cars in the world, Ferrari does not need to add to it ... it just makes no sense (except for the 2+2's).

Pete

 

I like them both, but I love the 550 Maranello. Looks sleek and elegant. And you can not beat that V12 power. Having driven a 550 Maranello and a 360 Modena I can tell you that anyone who says the V8 has the same power is very wrong, the torque advantage that the V12 has espically in the high rev range over 100 mph over the V8 is HUGE.