I will be looking at a 456 GT this weekend. Here the details from the ad (I have not seen the car yet): 1995 registration silver outside, beige leather manual shift 84,000 km / 52,000 miles Belt replaced 1 year ago at 75 km car looks very clean sport exhaust (whatever that may mean) Asked Price: EUR 34,000 / US$ 40,700 What to look for? What to ask for? What to watch out for? Should I go for it or not? I have never driven one or been inside one. This will be my first Ferrari, so I reeeeeeeeeealy need your help! ....and thank you in advance! (edited for manners)
...and before you say it: I have already searched the threads excessively. I only found references to 455 a buyer's guide in top gear from a year ago as well as some people who offered buyers guides but can no longer be reached by e-mail or PM.
Too cheap (I'm afraid). Does it come with any records? Are all updates done? Please arrange for a PPI?
What is a PPI? How do I tell whether there is a window problem and whether it has been fixed or not? What to look for? Apparently, it is a 1-owner car and has full service history.
As long as it runs and shifts without smoking or grinding and it doesn't smell like a fishy swamp - buy it and drive it. At that price, who cares if the windows are 3mm off and the A/C control panel is bubbled. You'll never get one cheaper. I'd be suspect at that price....make sure the title is clear and the you are buying it from the person/institution who actually owns it.
A PPI is an inspection by a specialist. Most Ferrari specialists will offer a service whereby, for a fee, they will inspect a car you are interested in buying and tell you about any potential faults. This is quite normal with Ferraris and the buyer should be happy to allow this to be done providing you don't expect them to take the car too far for the inspection (some specialists will go to the car). 456s suffer from one or two known problems. One of these is with the side windows. Since the glass in the doors has no frame they often don't seal very well - you will see a gap when the door is shut. There is a fix for this but it is expensive (about 1200 Euros/$1500 dollars per door - I am translating from the UK price, so you would need to check where you are) and opinion varies as to whether it is permanent or not. My Ferrari specialist tells me that you will probably never get them perfect and the fix may only work for a couple of years, but not to worry about it too much providing the gap is not too big (in other words, if it isn't leaking in the rain). They can also suffer from shrinkage of the dash leather, particularly around the instrument binnacle. Note that these are not cheap cars to maintain (not that any Ferrari is). That said, the one you're looking at sounds like a bargain if it as good in the metal as it sounds. Jonathan
Also should check motor mounts and seat motors. For that price, should look carefully for evidence of damage/repainting. Best of luck.
I found an EVO buyers guide (June 2002, Issue 044) for the 456GT and the 512TR. It didnt have much in terms of a real buyers guide and the only things of substance with regard to the 456GT are as follows: 1. Radiators are prone to fracturing so check for leaks or you may face a large bill. 2. The electric window regulators regularly fail, resulting in a poor seal. This will be made obvious on a test drive by excessive wind noise. 3. The electric seats are prone to failure. 4. Body is pretty resistant to rust but check the rear window surround and rear wheelarches. Also pay particular attention to the bonnet. It is made of carbonfibre and if theres any damage it will cost a fortune to repair or replace. 5. Trick electronically controlled dampers ensure fine body control but also cause headaches with the 456GT. The rears are particularly prone to leaking and are costly to replace. Insist that they be perfect before you buy. Thats about all they included. I remember discussions about the rear window seal being the major issue with these cars, but I really am not familiar with the issues of the 456GT. I hope this helps and as always would recommend you have a PPI done if it passes the obvious issues and those raised by others in this thread.
Hi Macchina, let us know how the PPI goes. It'll be interesting to see if a car at this low price has any major problems. Good luck Simon
IMO, car was totalled or stolen. No chance, this is way too cheap. 456 should reach this price in 10 years from now !
Looks like the radiator went. 456s had a recall for a waterpump redesign because too much pressure was generated. I don't know what else could create explosive vapor like that.
Agree. Can not see anybody letting a solid car go for that price, let alone put it as the asking price. Sounds like seller is trying to make people to make too fast decisions. My first post recently got a 456.
came across this internet site with a nice history and tech info. even the revised firing order for the M ver. http://www.newarabia.net/ferrari_456m_in_bahrain.htm hmmm......next yr....2003 e55 or 1995-96 456..hmmm.
The 456 is a magnificent automobile, elegant and understated. The 'modified' version seems to be the one to get. OTS, slightly: My wife is tiny, 4' 10", she has difficulty obtaining a 'good' driving position in every car we've ever looked at except--you guessed it--the 456.
