Score out of 5 Design & engineering- 3 A technological triumph spoiled by fussy styling. Performance /brakes- 5 Towering performance, yet responsive and tractable. Handling & ride- 4 1/2 No car this big ever felt so small;excellant ride. Comfort, safety & equipment-4 Short on toys but big on interior space. Running costs- 2 Pricey, whatever waynyou measure it. AUTOCAR VERDICT - 4 IF ONLY IT LOOKED BETTER. The most broadly talented Ferrari ever? Probably. If the 612 was beautiful-and every tester had reservations about the exterior styling and the aesthetics of the interior-this would undoubtedly be an effortless 5 star car, for the dynamics and packaging desrve nothing less.Fortunately, you're not conscious of the clumsy proportions from behind the wheel, for it is here that the 612 shrugs off its size and weight and displays the enourmous range of talents that ensure it a place as one of the world's most illustrious GT cars. cost aside, no Ferrari has ever been so easy to live with, so effortless and friendly in its manners ,so honest in its behaviour.That it is also sensationally quick-yes, quicker in the real world than the 575M- and, at last for this particular V12, sounds great,is almost taken for granted. It has one other vital quality;in involving the driver directly in every level of dynamic communication, the 612 is unique and stands Ferrari far apart from new rivals such as Benley GT and MB CL 65. It might be practical , but this is a drivers' ferrari as much as any other. Ultimately, we can forgive the gawky appearance , because it is this alone that stands between the 612 and true greatness.
I was at the dealer today where I purchased my Ferrari. My salesman is not allowed to sell me a new Ferrari, only a used one. Nuts! The salesman who can, does not appear interested in selling me one. Crap. I know I will not see one until this fall but I wish he would at the very lease talk to me about it. Are the 612 selling so well he will not have one for me in a couple or years?
I just read the autocar article. Seems like every journalist thinks the 612 is almost a perfect car besides the design. Which leads me to believe that Ferrari will take notice. Therefore ensuring the Maranello replacement will be lot more exciting.
Maybe better to say the consensus seems to be that it’s ageing very well. I had a close look at a 456 the other day and I think the opposite is true whereas I thought it was lovely when it came out.
I think the 612 is the last of the beautiful Ferraris. It was hot back then and its even better now. The 456 is even better looking IMO.
