Help me decide: 575 or 612

612!!! Especially with some of the deals around today! The car is so perfect and usable....you will find yourself not wanting to drive anything else. I always use the back seats, kids, freinds, almost any excuse to use it!

Keep us posted and Good luck.

 

Definitely a 612: a lass act and fun for the whole family.

 

Yes, I have children and they ride in the back of the 612 regularly. My kids are 11 and 8, and last year we toured Europe for two weeks in the 612. Other than the lack of luggage space (which we planned for), we had no problems.

Personally, I would take the 612 over a 575, but then I've never owned a 575. I did own a 456 for several years, and the 612 is no comparison-- and I really like the 456. The 612 is simply a phenomenal car.

 

612.

 

Drive them both before making a decision.

The Fiorano Handling Pack is a MUST for the 575 IMVHO. I got to test drive one a few months ago and it felt horribly soft. The FHP can be retrofitted btw.

 

If you have kids, go for the 612. Similar power and perhaps a tad smoother. Good luck!!!

 

Same here, we've done a bunch of weekend trips in the 612 with the kids in the back. Mine are now 6 and 8, but even adults can ride in the back if the driver isn't too tall. I actually prefer the looks of the 612 also, plus in a subtle color you attract very little attention compared to a 575 in red.

 

The price levels of a 612 - are stupidly low - there are 80 430's 12 599's on e-bay and they hold their value better than the 5 612's. Go Figure! Look for the HGTC pkg. it makes a huge difference and have the wifey well skilled as the front end is long / low.

 

The back seat in 612 is huge when compared to other 2+2 GT cars.
My daily driver is CGT Speed and it's back seat is a joke next to Ferrari's.
I would choose 612 as a daily without hesitation if I lived in a more civilized climate then Chicago's (Bentley is AWD).

 

Jerry- They sold the red Scottsdale HGTC and the black SCC HGTC as well.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I picked it up new at the factory. Really a great experience-- I highly recommend it!

 

What about the 575 would be too much for wifey? The 612 is faster, after all. I doubt if there is that much difference in smoothness and comfort, especially if you are comparing HGTC cars in both models.

I've had my 612 out on the track, and it acquits itself quite well there. Mine is not an HGTC-- the OTO comes with the carbon brakes (which are fantastic), and I didn't want a loud exhaust.

 

Jerry- The drivetrains on the 575M/SA and the 612 are virtually identical, if that helps. For the engines, there are manifolding and ECU differences, but the engines are all 5748 cc with common block, crank, rods, pistons, heads and valvetrain. Same for the transmissions, where most major assemblies are interchangeable, with the 612 getting some evolutionary changes. Clutches are identical.

The 612 interior is completely updated and more modern. The 575M is more traditional.

Performance is virtually identical with the 612 ECU and manifolding updates essentially matching the HP of the 575 SA and Euro 575M HGTCs. The 575s have wider wheels and tires for more ultimate cornering power, especially with FHP or HCTC, if you care.

The 575M is prettier and the 612 has more room. Just depends on what you want. 612s can come with a warranty, too, which is always helpful.

Be advised that for a period in 2005 the Ferrari factory was simultaneously building 575Ms, 575 SAs, and 612s. The Owner's Manual I have for the 612 was published in 2004 for 2005 models.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

To each his own, I guess. I like the design of the 575, but I like the 612 a lot as well.

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the 575 looks dated to me, of course i said before my 612 is the most beautiful car i ever own.
no matter how big my back seat is and whatever i planned to take people around before delivery, it is all BS.
Because the back seat area is too beautifully smothered with leather, especially in my OTO with the whole floor covered in leather! I ONLY carry well trained females back there, u dont want spiky manolo blahniks punching holes in the floor.
i know of one 612 owner who lets his wife drive his 612 regularly, never asked her impression, but i bet she like an SUV better.

pictures might help u decide :

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/rennpository-video-clips-and-other-in-line-videos/513358-612-meet.html

 

I have two very well trained daughter's (an hour training program on how to properly close a car door when they turned 6). Both love the back seats. I am 6'3" and barely move the driver seat up with a rear passenger. The 612 is very deceiving in that it is very smooth and luxurious when driving at 5/10th, when you drive at 7/10th and above it changes into a real super-car. The balance and feedback is very confidence inspiring. The best part is that it is a "gentleman's" Ferrari and it does not attract the wrong kind of attention.

The only problems that I can see is that the front is very, very low, so you have to take many garage entrance/exits at an angle and rear tires are good for less than 4000 miles. My 612 is my daily driver and I just had my first service after 3700 miles of problem free driving. This is my first Ferrari (I avoided the brand for all the wrong reasons) and my last car was a 2007 Porsche Turbo and there is just no comparison.

My sense is that Ferrari's are like real estate, the cost of ownership is determined by the price you initially pay. So take your time and buy the best value 612 you can.