Hi all, I've been lurking on this site for 6 months (and have been a Ferrari fan for most of my life). I am now in the fortunate position where I can actually acquire a Ferrari and I am really excited. First off, I am enamored with the 612. I was considering a Mas Granturismo, but the 612 just draws me in. I do want to use as a daily driver 4 or 5 days a week. I typically drive about 10 miles a day, half that in slower (but not bumper to bumper) traffic. The other half I can open up above 50 mph. I test drove a 2005 with the F1A, but, at least on auto setting, the transmission was quite jerky in traffic under 30 mph. I completely understand that the 612 is not a commuter car, but my prior was a Carrera S and now an 2011 Audi A8, and both are basically smooth as butter. My question is respectfully this -- is the jerkiness of the auto mode in low gear with the 612 just a fact of life, or is perhaps the car I test drove just a bad example? (It only had 5k miles). Secondly, how much better is the auto shifting mode on the model years 2008+ versus prior model years? I guess this is the key question. Don't get me wrong, I fully intend to utilize the F1 paddles, but if it is not a comfortable ride around town (especially when the bride is occasionally driving), then it will get the veto for sure. The 2005 & 2006 612s seem like GREAT values, but if the experience of the 2008 is considerably better, then it could be worth the possible 30% more cost. But it really has to be worth it. There are no local 2008+ model years for me to test drive for myself presently. I would really appreciate owner's thoughts on this, your posts in the past are really great and I thank you in advance. I want to join your ranks desperately, but want to make sure I really love this car.
The '05s and '06s are indeed great values. The software for the F1 was updated in 2007. Nevertheless, I think you'll find it more drivable in manual rather than auto. Those cars are not really meant for stop and go.
The early 612s (pre-OTO) are that way. The OTO transmission is much, much better for stop and go. That said, I have learned with the OTO that I can almost shift it with my foot in auto mode. If I back off the throttle at around 2,000 - 2,500 RPM, it will smoothly upshift, and off you go. I don't know if that would work as well in an early car or not, but it might be worth trying. IMO, the worst thing about auto mode in the OTO is the kickdown-- the car has so much torque that it's almost dangerous.
I recently purchased a 2007 612 HGTC and the start from stop is excellent - no jerking nor slip of clutch of notice at low speeds. When shifting at high RPM and load, with a little practice you can get it super smooth by lifting just a tiny, tiny bit at the time of shift. I would not hesitate to use it as a daily driver, and by applying the gas pedal with consideration I suspect the clutch will last a long time. Of course, if you creep with marginal gas, requiring slipping the clutch, start and stop on inclines, etc. you will likely wear the clutch faster, but so will a 3-pedal car. Jes
I personally find that shifting smooths out when the car warms up. I have a '10 OTO and, when in automatic mode, notice a more pronounced shifting experience when I have just started the cold engine and pull out onto the street. The first few shifts give the sensation of an airplane going from cruise mode to landing/approach mode. Bear in mind that my 612 is almost perpetually in Sport mode, which probably contributes. After a couple miles and a happy warm engine you'll hardly notice the shifts (the big V12 warms up to normal running temp quickly). One nice thing about the OTO is the Manetinno switch on the steering wheel with driving modes that include a "Comfort" setting that provides for a perceptively smoother gear shift. I honestly haven't been in Comfort mode on a cold engine to tell you if it makes a difference from the first gear shift, but I suspect it does. I concur with ar4me about the suitability of the 612 for daily driving. If fuel consumption isn't an issue for you, the 612 is one of the most pleasurable and exciting driving experiences rolled into one on every drive. I have an ear to ear grin when I'm behind the wheel, even for something as mundane as going to grab a burrito. My problem is that I live in a sleepy beach town and revving around in my car attracts a lot of attention, which I try to avoid on such occasions as dropping the kids at school (which you can actually do in a gorgeous 612!).
Thanks for the insight and opinions. Im also looking at 612s as a DD as well, but right now its more a theoretical. I love the look and useability factor. Dropping kids at school, going to work, all more magical. I get too many looks in my f430 to do that all the time. May I ask what OTO is? Does this refer to the upgraded transmission? Thanks again. More looking for now. scott
F12, thanks for info. Funny you mention about revving the engine. I like the 612 precisely because it is a bit incognito. I think Ferrari knew who their market was with the design of it. I also need the 4 seater for the kids. I like the F1 paddles and from others on this board it seems once you learn how to throttle it right it can be very smooth. I would love a 2008+OTO, but the wife would probably ice pick me if I paid that much, so I am looking primarily at '06s right now. Slightly slower and less refined transmission than the OTOs.
I had a 6 speed HGTC and drove it everyday with no issues. Not many of them out there but worth a look if you would rather shift it yourself.
OTO is an acronym for One-to-One, which signifies Ferrari's customization of each car to the specifications of the ordering owner, which I believe (I welcome any corrections) was offered to 612 customers ordering in late 2007. The OTO 612s came standard with most of the big ticket goodies like the electro chromatic glass roof, Manetinno and start button on the steering wheel, and the upgraded 599 gearbox.
+1. I have yet to have the ice pick surgically removed. I can say that my wife now loves my 612, and that same sentiment even extends to my mother-in-law, and I hope one day she'll admit to the error of her ways and remove the ice pick herself. You very astutely described the understated quality of the 612. The car has an overpowering appeal that drops jaws, which is something that emanates more from elegance and beautiful design than ferocious sports car looks. When appreciated in person versus photos, the 612 is a stunning vehicle that people study when they see it, and the engine note leaves little doubt about its soul and pedigree. Just the other day as a nearby school was getting out I was driving by and had three Middle School kids snap their heads at the sound of my car downshifting to a stop sign. I heard one of them say, "Whoa, check out the Ferrari." Then his friend retorts, "I don't think that's a Ferrari," despite yellow shields glaring on my fenders. The third kid says, "Whatever, tell the guy he has a COOL CAR," which they all did with thumbs up.
As you know the F1A gearbox is just a hydraulically powered manual, once the clutch is engaged that smoothness of the drive is down to your accelerator inputs. I have a 612 (had it since 2005 when I bought it new), Panamera Turbo, Audi S8 and Maserati QP S (Auto). They're *all* different to drive, especially at slow speed. With the 612 you have to forget Auto (yes it's slow and occasionally unpredictable) and drive the car in manual mode remembering that the accelerator input directly effects clutch engagement, so you have to be very gentle and smooth on as the gears change, and once engaged there's no torque converter 'buffer'. Funnily enough despite its dual-clutch gearbox the Panamera drives similarly (if quicker changes and a bit smoother), you have to feed the power on and think about throttle position on gear change. There's nothing wrong with you or the car, and in a couple of months you'll 'have it'.
the 612 is a great daily driver with smooth response in traffic (no jerking). It also has great power on demand but remains quiet when needed. Highly recommended!
I also have a 07 HGTC and drive it daily. Put about 8,000 miles on it in the last year and most of that in city traffic with plenty of bumper to bumper. It's pretty smooth in traffic, but I always drive in manual. Only thing it doesn't really like is an uphill on-ramp with a traffic control light that I can't avoid. I just let a few spaces in front of me clear and catch-up. The clutch will eventually jerk on you if you try to keep it partially engaged with the gas pedal, plus it's probably horrible for the clutch. I lowered my car an inch or so also, so I find a way to scrape every couple days or so, but it is nothing that can easily be seen and can be easily fixed. Absolutely no issues with the car. Love it. Kids climbing in and out of it constantly and they love it also.
Thanks for the responses. I've now test driven 2 more 612's (2006 & 2007) and it turns out that the first I drove (model year 2005) was a bad example, with what I now suspect was some issues with the clutch. The F1 in the two vehicles I drove, whether in Auto or manual mode, were very smooth. I could not perceive any noticeable shifting difference in the F1 between the two model years '06 & '07 - if there is any. I am now convinced that I can live with the F1 set up as a daily driver. This is probably an obvious point to most of you, but I was riding in a friend's newer Carrera S this weekend and I just could not get over how much more refined and competent the 612 felt than the Porsche both on the highway and in moderate city traffic. The Scag just seems like such a special vehicle.
I've also got a Quattroporte Sport and every time I get into the 612 the difference in the chassis / steering (ignoring the extra power) always give me the goosebumps.
Well, I pulled the trigger. Have had the car for about 2 days, with fairly moderate rain where I am located so I am reluctant to open her up. It has Pirelli PZero's which I understand have poor wet traction, in addition to being rather loud. My next stop will be to fit Michelin's to her. The F1 system is working well for me. I'm having fun learning its nuances and finding the perfect shift points. Also, I found that I don't hate the auto mode when I'm in city traffic, it does its job. As others have commented, the car really shrinks around you when driving, especially at speed. Then, when I get out of the car I realize how big it is. Very pleased with the car. I believe I made the right decision for my first Fcar!
Congratulations! Post some pictures when you get a chance. I'm thinking about a 612 in the future when my son gets a little older. Enjoy!
10 miles a day, WON'T even bring the oil up to temperature. The MOST wear on any engine & moving parts occurs when they are COLD, you are basically driving around a COLD Ferrari....based on your very limited daily round trip mileage, I would strongly suggest a different "daily Driver".....Mark
I've found the 612 seems to come up to temperature pretty quickly. I assume it has a good thermostat.
A 612 engine holds 13 liters or 3.4 gallons of oil. Please explain to me how that MUCH oil gets to operating temp in "1" mile?!....recommended operating oil temperarture is 220 fahrenheit or 104 celsius. This temperature is to ensure any residual water in the oil is removed by the heated oil. Everyone is FREE to operate their cars as they see fit. Would "1" drive a 612 Ferrari a short distance to work, turn off a cold ( in my opinion) engine, then do the same thing on the way back home ( cold engine)...day after day after day?!....100%....NO!!!!.....Mark
