Need help deciding on 612 purchase.

FM- The difference in acceleration between an OTO and early 08 would be pretty much indistinguishable with an owner rear end dynamometer or stopwatch. The owner might notice quicker shifts at full throttle, and smoother shifts everywhere else, but not much else.

Once rolling, the F430 and a 612 accelerate about the same.

 

There is a clear trend for the four seaters to depreciate more, and many die unloved deaths which is sad to me, and certainly to many. But I'd be careful about the generalization that this always has or always will be the case, or necessarily even will be the case for the 612. Look at pictures side by side of the Mondial, 456, 612, FF. Tell me what they have in common besides four seats? Each of the designs have been polarizing, that's what they have in common. But that fact alone does not speak to how the 612 in particular will be received in the decade to come. What does the 612 not have in common with the rest? It's gorgeous. For the record, motor in the 612 is the product of refinement from use in two prior models, the 550 and 575. So they're appreciating. So what? If they are, it's not by much. I have a buddy with a '94 550 that's been in pieces for more than a year getting a major. 612 is the better car, and it's much newer. You like it. What else matters? I love seeing 550's and 575's, but I don't care to own one. I love my 612, even though I'm selling it. I'd own a 612 again.

 

Opinions are like *******s..... We all have one.
Go with what YOU like..... let the eventual values settle where they may.
I have absolutely NO need for 4 seats but I love my 612 and would drive it every day if I didnt live downtown Chicago!

 

Some good points here.

I think the 456 and 612 are beautiful cars that will eventually appreciate.

The 365 GT4 2+2 / 400 / 412 were just dogs - probably a low point for Ferrari, to say the least.

The FF is just plain <insert what ever explicative you prefer>; but, mechanically a very impressive car.

The Mondial is interesting in that is is not a front-engined 2+2, but a mid-engined 2+2. I actually think the Mondial is very underrated and a really nice car for a enthusiast with small kids on a budget. Owners of these vehicles seem quite pleased with them and reliability is very good.

 

Yes, normal.

 

Question: the sales guy was driving? Did you drive the car at all?
I would want to drive the car myself, before buying it. Just me.

 

^
He's hooked!

 

I purchased my 2006 in July with 14000miles and currently have 18000miles on it. I have driven city and highway, originally driving all the way from Virginia to Canada with it

FIrstly, let me say that the 612 is a true BARGAIN in terms of value. I looked at every 612 I could find advertised....and looked for over a year. The right number on a 2006 with 'up to date' service, copies of service records, clean carfax, and 20000 miles is around $95k. 15,000 miles $100k.

If you pay a little too much, dont worry about it. Small price to pay for the right vehicle. Servicing a poor vehicle quickly reminds you of how much these cars were brand new. A service bill can easily be $10-20,000. Ferraris arent cheap to service!

Number one when it comes to Ferrari and resale....especially with a 'conservative', 'family' car like the 612.....don't buy one with modifications, customization.....they are typicallu much more difficult to resell. Unless the modification is something like changjng wheels to Ferrari challenge wheels or something like that.

I have had the benzs, bmws, etc. Nothing compares to a Ferrari. Dont be tempted by Maserati either....apples to oranges!

And I dont think a car one or two years or three years older is worth the extra $30-50k. Bank the extra $.

Just my humble opinion. Good luck. (Btw I have owned many ferraris over almost 20 yrs...so the 612 wasnt my first)

 

F40Carlo's post is 100% on the money!

Except I think he meant to to say that "And I dont think a car one or two years or three years NEWER is worth the extra $30-50k. Bank the extra $." Of which I agree with the statement. That's not to say that the improvements in 2007, 2008 & 2009 don't make the car better - they do - but only incrementally so and not enough to justify the price versus a well cared for slightly older model.

 

Interesting...

It seems all of the MT 612s were pretty much base models. I'm not aware of any MT HGTS or HGTC versions. Am I wrong?

 

Adam- Probably, but I have not seen any either.