Guys, With the weather finally improving on the east coast, I finally got a chance to take my 612 on my first LONG drive. Drove up to upstate NY from Northern, NJ with the wife and 2 kids. About 260 miles each way. It was simply awesome and I was amazed with the capabilities of the 612 being a completely comfortable long distance cruiser for everyone on board, while continuing to provide the superb level of performance and driving enjoyment that it does for the driver (myself ). A huge difference from the Porsche 911 Turbo I had a couple of years ago which I enjoyed driving long distance but the family absolutely hated it because of the noise level in the cabin, the stiffness of the suspension and the really cramped quarters in the rear seat (even for young kids). I only did one long drive in the Porsche with the family but I suspect this trip last weekend but the first of many in the 612. Do others here drive their Ferrari's here for long distances frequently? Would love to know more about your experiences. 612scag
Last Sunday I took a 100 mile fast ride from Miami to Wellington, W. Palm Beach polo match. I followed by neighbor in his Bentley GTC and we did up to 130 mpg- lucky no cops. Felt nice.
"Would love to know more about your experiences." One experience involved profoundly regretting not having specced the car with a spare. But even that one ended well. The 612s are great grand tourers, glad you enjoy yours.
i drive my 612 like i drive my scud, .... like i stole it, but i did do a 100 mile cruise once on the free way, and i was so annoyed with the stereo ticking sound and the lack of cruise control i never "cruised" again. Its always close to my limit a$$-kicking driving, it likes it better that way.
Over my last five years of ownership I've done numerous 340 mile round trips (visiting parents) as well as a jaunt to Germany and back (I live in London) which was a 720 mile round trip. It's a fantastic 'Grand Tourer' giving you the ability to squirt the power when you want it, go off the fast roads and take some windy stuff and enjoy it. My four year old son think's it's great and is positively disappointed if we're not taking the 612 when we go on a trip. Cruising it's (relatively) quiet and comfortable, indeed it soaks up the bumps better than my S6 did (my daily driver which has now been replaced by a QP Sport). My only criticism would be not having cruise control, it sounds nuts to be asking for it on a Ferrari but IMHO it would make those longer stretches on the motorways a little easier.
do u by any chance have little kids and car seats? if so which ones r u using? i also think the 612 is the ultimate dailty driver/cruiser....and u still know ur in a ferrari...im loving mine way more than i wld have thought.
We're onto our third child seat, we used a Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix (ISOFIX) when he was very young, then a Maxi-Cosi Priorifix and now we're using a Britax Kidfix (doing the belt up is a bit of a squeeze but it works).
What he said. I love the 612 especially the one to one. Drives/handles great and it's a little more under the radar too. Definately underrated..
Guys, thanks for your posts. I have to agree, the 612 is the ultimately daily driver and can certainly be used that way. I do use a booster seat for my son, I have a standard one from Target. It's a bit tight but does fit. So true about the cruise control. My 612 does not have it and that's about the ONLY thing I missed on my long trip! Keep on cruising! 612scag
I took my wife and kids on ~1000 mile round trip cruise last fall. I told them to pack light! Loved it.
I had my 612 out through a bit of sleet and snow last night-- not what I was expecting, but you never know with spring weather! Car performed like a champ, though. What a great car...
I was thinking now that I upgraded to the 20" Challenge wheels using the 19 inch modulars in the winter. If I keep my car its going to be a winter spring summer and fall. Lets face it the prices these are bringing why not drive it like a daily driver I cant think of a better way to start and end the work day. Plus at 540 HP + / HGTC package the exhaust is sinnister at will.
Wow! Up to 130 miles per gallon (mpg)! My 1999 (model year 2000) Honda Insight only got 82.5 mpg. Ferraris are superbly engineered! And I am totally, 100% serious. Jacob Potts
You got that right....with prices this low, may as well enjoy the car by driving as much as possible!
I have 16K on mine, have done many long trips including its participation in my coast to coast trip that was in last October's automobile magazine. Just did Boston-NY-Boston day trip last week, 460 miles in a day with no issues, laughing my ass off to raw dog on XM much of the way.
funny - hope you have tinted windows. I should be hitting 10,000 miles this month and feels like I just bought / stole it.
Glad to hear you guys are all enjoying your cars. Did another 500 plus miles trip last weekend. Car drove like a champ. Got my summer tires back on now and the handling is considerably improved from the last long trip I did on winter tires. What a wonderful car!
