What to know about 612s?

Well there are lots of threads here that will give you a perspective on the 612. I have 25K miles on my 08 and use it interchangeably with a 997TT as a daily driver. Both have snow tires fitted for the winter. I've put 20K on the TT in the same period, so I drive the 612 more than the TT.

Buy an 08/one-to-one car over an earlier car, they're all cheap now and whatever you do, don't pay >300K for one of the left over new cars floating around.

The V12 is magnificent, the car works surprisingly well as a sports car as well as a GT car, it kept up with my 16M on the tail of the dragon (friend driving the 16M, me in the 612 mind you ).

I think its a great buy. It is hugely different in character to a 360, so make sure you like it. I love mine.

The 612s are all reasonably well specced, the glass photochromatic roof is something that some people really want, but was 20K or so as an extra. I like the Bose NAV that's in the 08s but its pretty unintuitive at first. It takes a while to understand and has irritated a variety of people that have taken trips with me.

The only repeat problem I've had is that the little metal grilles on the back of the car next to the exhaust pipes keep going rusty. My dealer had to clear coat them, since the ones from Ferrari are obviously just made of mild steel. I do live next to the ocean and I leave the 612 parked outside on my driveway much of the time, snow and all. It starts fine in all conditions (which you can't expect something like a 360CS to do).

Fuel senders are a problem, I've had two replaced. Symptom is that the system shows zero fuel when full, for first 30-40 miles on a tank, then starts reading OK, car still works but throws a CEL which means a visit to the dealer. I now no longer top off when I fill. Fuel sender problem happens on 599s also.

Finally wheels, I love the 20" challenge wheels, but if you do drive the car all seasons expect to have to have them un-bent at 250$ a corner, on average 2 wheels a year. I've also had to replace completely 2 right fronts at 3800$ each. You can avoid this stuff if you don't drive in winter or spring, but what's the point in that! I do live in the peoples republic of MA where we spent the next thousand years of road budget on the big dig, and therefore every other road around boston tends to get highly potholed and then only fixed for the summer with fill in before re-potholing in all the same spots the next year.

 

Dan pretty much summed it up. I've also had the fuel sender replaced twice (I have an 08 OTO as well), although the second time the new unit was a different part number, so hopefully that will take care of it for good.

The 612 makes a wonderful daily driver-- there is no reason you can't drive it daily. I don't drive mine every day because my normal commute involves dropping my two kids off at their different schools, and getting in and out of the back seat with backpack, violin, etc. would just be too much hassle.

The only other thing I would caution you about is to check carefully for any paint bubbles. If you find one, make sure you know what's underneath. My car, new from the factory, had a paint bubble on the door which had corrosion underneath. I haven't heard of this happening to anyone else, but be aware that it's a possibility. In my case, they think something may have been spilled on the metal before it was painted, but who knows?

Some people on here will tell you to get the HGT package. Personally, I didn't want a loud exhaust (I have other cars I can drive if I want to be loud), and the standard suspension works very well. The 08 cars and later have the CC brakes, which are tremendous. I've had my car on the track, and the brakes are unbelievable.

In my opinion, the 612 is one of the finest cars ever made (and, as I tell people who ask, for the what it costs it should be!).

 

agreed go 09 OTO with all the packages....totally different car than a non OTO...throw snows on it and drive it in the winter....it makes music and feels like a ferrari shld...absolutely love mine.

 

They were all available as PDFs, I don't appear to have them but a well organized ferrari dealer should have them.

 

I am also about to buy a pre owned 612. Very consistent feedback I have been getting most Ferrari people have the same answer when I mention I am looking to get a g12, and that is "why not just get a 599 ?" However responses from actual 612 owners are usually the same and that is that they love the cars and many of them say its their favorite F car they have owned and most have many more miles on their 612 than any other F car. I am very curious to see how I like the car.

 

It's not just the 612 owners that say that, most of the people that are into V12 2+2s think they are great cars for what they were designed to do.

If I lived more than 10 minutes from my office, I'd drive my old 365 to work more often (oil temp will not move off the needle in less than 15 minutes).

 

ur gonna love the car. its 90% of the performance of a 599 with some more comfort AND u can throw ur kids in the back seat...tough to put a price on that if u ask me!

 

I have two kids, so a 599 wouldn't work for me. That said, I prefer the looks of the 612, and I think that on the street, the performance is pretty close.

 

I have the options list, but not electronically. They were all on the configurator, if that's still up.

There were actually fewer than you would think. There were basically an infinite range of paint colors (since, in addition to the listed colors, they would do paint to sample), a large variety of leather colors, plus 3 seat styles, contrasting stitching options, carpet options, etc. Various colored brake calipers, etc. So for appearance, you could have just about anything.

Functionally, the big option was HGT, which gave you a sport suspension, ball polished wheels, and a sport exhaust. I forgot, there were also several wheel options.

The other options were things like ipod connection, homelink, TV tuner (worthless, since it's analog), fire extinguisher, colored tach, rear camera, front parking sensors (very useful-- rear sensors were standard, I believe).

I think that's about it.

 

i have a 09' OTO which i love dearly, but putting people n the back even kids, is an illusion u have to give up.
The room in the back is fine for kids, but getting in and out if u have a confined space or garage with the doors open is still a hassle.

I drove 6k miles in 1.5 years and that is the most out of my fcars, it is the most "daily" fcar i have. But i dont do any commutes. All my driving are on the edge of tire adhesion, and its fantastic. It cant be compared to a 458 or 430 in the handling department but its still great fun. i love driving it a lot more than the other fcars, but in almost 2 years i think i have put people in the back 5 times! So that tells u its not practical. If i had kids, i might, but i think ur kids will ruin the all leather interior of an OTO which i recommend to u.
And do find one with the handling pack and exhaust, u will never be happier.

But i also recommend a 599, if u are looking at a OTO, they are now super cheap compared to what i paid. I had both and really do miss the brutal power of the 599, theres nothing out there quite like it, then get a geo metro to take ur kids to school. Perfect.

 

I drove my 612 daily and put 1000 miles on it a month. Never a problem. That doesnt mean that expensive things cant happen. The car is huge. You dont realize it till you try to fit it in your garge. I loved mine. Just sold it for a new daily driver, a 430 spider. Im 38 yo and thought this would be more of what i wanted right now. I put my two kids in the back all the time and it worked fine. Adults in the back might be a little much but could do it if you had to. The car is super comfy. Youll love it.btw still have unsed snow tires for 20 modular rims. ill give them to you if you pay and arrange shipping. I wont use them
matt

 

I use the 612 all the time. Have a few others F cars but love the 612. We have kids and it works great! Fast, handles great, and looks amazing. I am in love with it. I would not be that concerned with any of the years they bullet proof.

best F car we have ever owned--adults and kids ride great in the back.

 

...and dont forget to save for the fuel-bills!

 

Thinking about swapping the 612

I have an 06 HGTC and curious to know your thoughts on the change.

 

No comparison. Own both. I do and have no regrets.

 

picked up my 612 yesterday and so far very very happy, this car easily could be used as a daily driver.

 

Maybe that's not a bad idea ... I need to dump two toys for the room.

Austin Healey and a Bourget Chopper - which never or even could get use/

 

Hi are you going to share the details with us?Thanks

 

I bought a 612HGTC and love the car. It is so useful yet fun to drive. I rarely use my 458 since I got the 612. 612 had been on my list for quite a while and when prices plummeted I could not resist. I bought a rosso corsa car and love the colour. I know not to everyone's taste on the 612 but in my eyes it is beautiful

 

I bought a pozzi blue 612 sessanta with 200 miles on it...

 

Which badge, if you don't mind sharing?