Soon to be first time Ferrari owner. Have questions

I have an OTO 612 made in April of 2008.
I cannot speak for the pre-OTOs but my car is certainly suitable as a daily driver.
Just park away from the door dingers.

 

My '06 has been reliable. I dont drive it everyday but it works when i need it be it a 3 mile or 300 mile drive.

 

I've put 30,000 miles on my 612 OTO since I bought it 5 years ago. I had one bushing pop out of the sway bar ($500 to replace both) and one fuel pump crack (I forget what it cost but it was reasonable). The fuel pump seems to be a recurring problem for the 612's and 599's. Other than that, the car is really bullet proof. Handle the window switches, side mirror switch, and reverse lever gently lest they break.

I think the car can definitely be used as a DD. I wouldn't avoid any year, but the OTO models offer some nice upgrades.

 

a 612 is very reliable if well maintained. very robust setup

 

I have a 2008 non OTO HGT2 15,000 miles, belts and all major service just done at Ferrari for sale f0or $125,ooo Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Its pozi blue

 

I have had my 07 612 for 3 years and it shares daily driver duties with a Mercedes. I love it and no problems to report.

PS John’s car looks awesome.

 

HI Joe, whilst they are both „4 seater Ferraris“ you really cant compare them. The 612 was one of the most expensive Ferraris they sold at the time. In fact here in Switzerland the average sticker price of a 612 was actually similar to an 812 today (ok there was been some currency movement since then but makes you think!). The California on the other hand was one of the cheapest and designed to lure SL buyers and provide a gateway car to more desirable models. Whilst I’ve not driven a Cali I have sat in one and I can say the interior quality is on a completely different level to a 612 which has, IMHO, one the most beautiful Ferrari interiors since since the early 60s.

As people have said the 612 is mechanically a robust car with some fragile minor switch gear. Having driven all the variants I would actually recommend an earlier car for daily use. The HGTx and OTO cars came with stiffer suspension, louder exhausts and a more aggressive setup. Whilst the gearbox in the earlier cars is a tad slower the whole driving experience is more relaxed. It would be my choice.

In truth the Cali is probably an easier car to drive and live with day to day and will also stand out less (612s are pretty rare sight after all) however based on the countless reviews I‘ve read or watched many claim they are just not that special. Try finding a review of the 612 that does not rave about it ability to both crush miles and transform into a proper sports car when you want to have fun. Remember these cars are only 1 second slower around Fiorano than an F40!

Other things to consider:
V12 vs V8 - no contest
Back seats - Genuine 4 seater vs token gesture
Rarity - around 3000 612s made over 7 years, there was almost that many Californias made annually!
Future value - 612s are overlooked right now, they are at the bottom and can only go one way. To me I see the Cali as the future Mondial (I don‘t mean to be nasty to either car but I think it’s the reality).
Beauty - Subjective. The 612 was lambasted when it came out for being plain or even ugly. Its not a car that photographs well, it tends to become shapeless unless carefully lit. But they are much more beautiful in the flesh and are aging very nicely. In today’s world of super aggressive looking sports car the 612 stands out as one of the last elegant „Gentleman‘s GTs“. Even Aston have moved into the super aggressive look. The 612 „Scaglietti“ is a homage to Sergio Scaglietti who designed the most beautiful Ferrari’s ever made. The more you get to know old Ferraris the more you see their influence in the design of the 612. I believe they will become more appreciated as time goes on.

Am I biased? Yes of course because I own one. However I choose to buy one over a 550, 599 and a FF for some of the reasons listed above.

Jeremy


Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

I agree with everything Jeremy said and that was precisely why I bought my 612. You are getting the top of the line car for around the same price as the bottom of the line.

One really, really big point for me is there are far fewer 612s around and they don’t look like anything else. I even took it a step further and bought a red one. While there are lots of red Ferrari’s, there are very few red 612s. Don’t like to drive a car that looks like everybody else’s Toyota.

 

My choice is 612 No brainer!

 

I had a 360 (which I crashed) When I was considering an other car I looked for many different cars. F430, 550, 575, 456, AM Vantage, Vanquish, DB9. Maserati's. But not the 612.

But when I saw one at a dealership and took the time to look at it a little better, I totaly felt in love with it. Om the list above there was no car that gave me the 'wow-factor' but the 612 did.

I didn't liked the color though. A few weeks later I found a stunning 612 just within my price range.

When you compare a California with a 612, I am quiet sure you will fall in love with the 612. (and if this happens with the Cali, it is still okay!)

Verstuurd vanaf mijn G3121 met Tapatalk

 

What's not to love? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

So how did it go CPT?
I just got in from a spirited ride around cape in my 612 and and i'm still smiling. It's an elegant car that always gets a complement from strangers, 4 humans fit in it, it's fast and THE SOUND of a V12 is Intoxicating. you will not be disappointed in your choice.

 

f612, great looking car, both interior and exterior. The wheels look great.

CptJoe1983, one of the great things about the 612 is that most were special ordered by their owners and so you have a wide variance on the interiors based on personal taste. This allows for further personalization to suit your own taste without creating an obvious one off.

My 612 had a tan interior with red stitching that went very well with the exterior. But, I had a tan dash and I didn’t like the sun’s reflection off it while driving (I would definitely not recommend a car with a tan dash). So I decided to replace it with a black dash with red stitching (hard to see the red stitching in the picture below) and I revised the steering wheel as well and made it complement later cars.

My point is, I made sure this was done with Ferrari leather and to factory specs and I was able to personalize the car to suit me. That only works with a car that is individualized in the first place. You have that opportunity with a 612 but not with a Cali.

For me, as a daily driver, it is important that the car reflect me and that I enjoy every detail of it.


Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I got my '08 612 OTO (w/5.5k miles) to replace my CL 55 (with over 210k miles) which was my DD. But I liked the 612 so much I didn't want to subject to the rigors of DD duties. So I got a Panamera Turbo S for DD duties and use the 612 as a "special" car. Perhaps if I had purchased a Gen 1 612 with 20k+ miles I would have used as a DD. The 612 has had no issues and now have 10.5k miles after three years.

 

I hear you. My 599 is the first car that really felt so special I am hesitant to DD. Not a reliability issue, just a WOW issue.

 

>Not sure if I'm in the right forum or not, but here goes.
My recently retired father seems determined to realize his long term desire to own a Ferrari V12. If it's a Ferrari then it must have a V12.
Presently looking at late 612 and 599 models. I realize they are different beasts but both have that longed for V12 engine.
I'd be grateful for any advice / suggestions as to which might be considered the more " sensible " choice.
I'm concerned the 599 might be a little too " nervous " for him but once he has an idea in his head, it's difficult to change it.
Thanks.

 

A Ferrari IS a V12!

I bought my first at age 75 because it took me that long to pay cash without affecting my family's security or lifestyle.

I bought the OTO White 612 above (post 14). Love the 599 but the 612 is more practical, comfortable and can carry luggage.

They are both way faster than you can get away with on the road.

 

First thing there is no such thing as a "sensible" Ferrari. If you want a "sensible" car get a Toyota SUV or something akind to that. Otherwise get the Ferrari that appeals most to your heart. The 599 is a great two place GT car. The 612 is a great four place GT car. If you ever think you might want to haul another couple around then the 612 is the car. Both cars are fast enought that you will not be dissapointed with a 1st Ferrari.

The 612 price point is a bit better than the 599 just because it is a 2+2 Ferrari which cost more to start and depreciates faster. But at this point either car is well depreciated so that is less a factor. There were less 612 made than 599 so the selection of 599s will be greater. Likely easier to find more exactly what you want in color and equipment with a 599. Usually there are about 10 -20 612s available for sale at anyone time and about 50+ 599s. Most of the 612s will be gen 1 non OTO cars and 2-4 of that number for OTO cars. OTO - One To One are the gen 2 cars built from 20081/2 -2010 cars.
Have fun hunting.

 

Thanks for your imput, I appreciate it. A quick question which might or might not have importance of cosmic proportions.
We have located a likely candidate 599. We like just about everything about it except.... it doesn't have wing / fender Ferrari badges.
How important are those badges? According to a video by John Cena on a 612 he advised never buy a Ferrari without them as selling it on with be problematic.
Thanks.

 

If he just wants to tool around town, get a 599, if he wants to take long trips, get a 612. Problem solved!

 

Why would that be important at all.. it's all matter of Taste

 

As said above, it's a matter of taste. The fact they there are cars without them means that people wanted them without the shields. They were something like a $1,700 option. My Silverstone 612 does not have them and it looks very stealthy with out. When I first bought the car, someone had added aftermarket ones which I quickly removed. All a mater of taste.