My fears over purchase of 612 as a DD: your insight is truly needed

If those are your fears, I wouldn't worry about it. I put 7000 miles on my 612 in 3 weeks with absolutely no issues. They are rugged cars, and I think if you drive them regularly they actually cost less, not more. 5-6000 miles per year is about perfect. The Europeans get this, and often drive their cars this much, or significantly more. That is what the 612 is designed to do.

I don't know what will need to happen at 90-100,000 miles, but I'm sure it will be manageable. The car will be depreciated, but probably once you get past 50,000 miles I suspect it won't depreciate much, if any, more.

 

In Miami, I would think a 612 would be an ideal car. Like any used car, there will be things to sort out but once that is done if you perform regular service with a respected mechanic, the car is fairly bulletproof.

 

November 11 is the first anniversary of my 612 ownership. In the past twelve months i have put 30,000km on her and other than the famous cooling hose issue she has been absolutely perfect.

For the past six weeks my wife, son, and I have travelled 3000 km as a family and i could not be happier. The wife has been sitting in the back with our son (in his carseat) and she raves about the comfort of the rear seats.

Find a spec you like, build as comprehensive an understanding of the maintenance history as you can, and go on a good test drive - minimum 30 minutes. You will fall in love with this car.

Enjoy your search!

Bill

 

I saw in your other thread that you are considering a 612, FF and Cali. I can’t help with the Cali, but I own a 612 and FF.

I bought a 2008 612 OTO in Aug, 2013 with 4400 miles and currently have 54,200 on it. The 2015 FF was purchased in Nov, 2019 with 13,100 miles and now has 23,200. Though I do know a lot more about the 612 than the FF.

I’ve driven the 612 to Florida and Quebec several times, as well as a trip to Arizona for the FCA annual meeting and to Colorado for the Broadmoor Experience. The repair costs have been sway bar bushings $550, fuel pump $1610, left side exhaust manifold $5660, transmission hydraulic hose $6100. (Note: the hose cost only $270 to manufacture, but 32 hours of labor to replace.)

Although they are not repair costs, I have also spent a considerable amount on cosmetics. The biggest cost was replacing the front and rear leather dash and deck at a cost of $24,000. Now this is not something you would be required to do, but I have to have the car looking right.

I've driven the FF to Quebec and to Watkins Glen. So far the only repairs on the FF were a PTU oil line $2000, and replace parking brake cables and shoes $5000. I did a cosmetic repair of the headliner for $660. I bought an extra set of OEM wheels to mount snow tires, but that isn’t going to be an issue for you.

I don’t think you will find a more comfortable long distance driving Ferrari than the 612. As far as depreciation on either car, I don't know and don't care, that will be a problem for my heirs!

 

If I could have only one car, it would be my 612.
I have driven mine for 5 years and grin every time I push the big red button!

 

I am in the same boat as you. I originally thought I wanted an FF but have returned to the 612. I wasn’t a fan of the design but in the right color for me (black) it is gorgeous. I think your running costs instincts are right. I also like a car where if it really came down to it that I could fix most of the issues myself. I just don’t feel like that’s as do-able on the FF.

 

I have had my (black) 612 for three years and can say that I like it more now than I did when I bought it (first time that’s happened). Running costs are OK even though I get everything done at a Ferrari dealer. I do think it can be a daily driver (even though I don’t) as it is definitely a car that prefers to be driven regularly.

 

I can't comment directly on the 612 but I DD my 599. General reliability has been very good. Of course running costs are higher than most but they aren't terrible. I would generally anticipate about $5000 per year maintenance, not including gas, tires, insurance (regular daily running costs). And that assumes your car is reasonably well sorted; if it is not, you will have higher costs to get it sorted. After 4 years I have a new issue I need to chase down; I expect that will throw a $10K bill at me before we are done. Then again, it hasn't cost me more than $1K - $2K for the last couple of years so it is still pretty much on track.

Ultimately, I decided that paying insurance on 2 cars, depreciation on 2 cars, maintenance on 2 cars, would cost me as much (if not more) than the reduced price I will eventually sell the 599 for. If it is even close, why wouldn't you drive it every day? It makes me smile EVERY time.