Ferrari Brave Pill

midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

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It's winter and I'm idly flicking through the classifieds and this pops up, would you have it to tick the V12/Ferrari box...

1999 Red Ferrari 456M 5.5 GTA 2dr for sale for £34,950 in BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS (autotrader.co.uk)

It's only done 124k miles and had 5 owners. interestingly the descriptions compares it to the Maserati GT. Is that a compliment?

Although one could have a Scaglietti for 20k more ..probably a bit better mechanically but far better performance...

2004 Silver Ferrari 612 5.7 Scaglietti FI 2dr for sale for £54,995 in EDGWARE, BOROUGH OF BARNET (autotrader.co.uk)

I can hear you screaming, 'there's no such thing as a cheap Ferrari'...
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,150
No idea what both of those would do to your wallet but that 456 is stunning. The 612 as well have really aged well to me. Both looks the business unlike todays modern over styled Ferraris.
 
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Harry

Harry

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1,171
midlifecrisis said:
It's winter and I'm idly flicking through the classifieds and this pops up, would you have it to tick the V12/Ferrari box...

1999 Red Ferrari 456M 5.5 GTA 2dr for sale for £34,950 in BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS (autotrader.co.uk)

It's only done 124k miles and had 5 owners. interestingly the descriptions compares it to the Maserati GT. Is that a compliment?

Although one could have a Scaglietti for 20k more ..probably a bit better mechanically but far better performance...

2004 Silver Ferrari 612 5.7 Scaglietti FI 2dr for sale for £54,995 in EDGWARE, BOROUGH OF BARNET (autotrader.co.uk)

I can hear you screaming, 'there's no such thing as a cheap Ferrari'...
Click to expand...
DO IT DO IT DO IT!
 
Ewan

Ewan

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6,811
I prefer the look of the 456, but of these two specific cars, it would have to be the 612 with 90k fewer miles under its belt. The 456 will be even more of a money pit, and do be aware that the rear seats don’t actually fit adults (so it’s not directly comparable with the GranTurismo).
 
c4sman

c4sman

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Only speaking from reading “the internet” I hear that the 456 can be fragile and the 612 much more robust. I also think the 612 has turned from an ugly duckling when new into an elegant and impressive machine in recent times every time I see one in motion. Not sure why. Usable rear seats are a big draw also.
 
allandwf

allandwf

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10,993
456 for me, much prettier, and wheels upgraded as always appeared under wheeled originally. Thought about one around the time I bought the 348, but they are cheap? for a reason, can bite hard.
 
Nayf

Nayf

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2,749
The 456 is in the unfortunate ‘bridge’ car between old school Ferrari (late Enzo era/Mondial/348 etc) and the beginning of modern Ferrari (F355, 550 Maranello).
It looks like a modern Ferrari, which were designed to be easier to look after by Montezemelo (hydraulic tappets, making access to the gubbins simpler for ease of servicing etc), but the 456 project was pretty advanced when he took over and he couldn’t really effect much change.
The parts situation is getting challenging too because of its lack of relativity to the older stuff as well as the new, from what I understand.
lovely things but for what I’d be using a car like the 456 for, I’d rather a 612.
 
D

DavidL

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214
If only the 456 was manual..
Then again when I mentioned wanting one a member of staff at the local dealer did rather suck his teeth and recommend against it.
Frequent and expensive flyers at his place of work.
Even so it's a lovely colour.
 
philw696

philw696

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25,423
I'm glad I bought a 456 as my first Ferrari and back in 2012 they were bargains really then.
Got me my Guinness World Record certificate from taking part at Silverstone and sold it for what I paid for it.
A very pretty car with a beautiful V12 but they need to be kept in a garage as the door windows don't seal well.
 
williamsmix

williamsmix

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569
Nayf said:
The 456 is in the unfortunate ‘bridge’ car between old school Ferrari (late Enzo era/Mondial/348 etc) and the beginning of modern Ferrari (F355, 550 Maranello).
It looks like a modern Ferrari, which were designed to be easier to look after by Montezemelo (hydraulic tappets, making access to the gubbins simpler for ease of servicing etc), but the 456 project was pretty advanced when he took over and he couldn’t really effect much change.
The parts situation is getting challenging too because of its lack of relativity to the older stuff as well as the new, from what I understand.
lovely things but for what I’d be using a car like the 456 for, I’d rather a 612.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the 3200 of the Ferrari world(?). Probably explains why I’m pondering one as a next purchase. It’s also the much prettier car of the two; the other is a bit of an ugly duckling to my eye. And if you’re going to spend money on her she may as well be good looking!
 
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Phil H

Phil H

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williamsmix said:
Sounds like the 3200 of the Ferrari world(?). Probably explains why I’m pondering one as a next purchase. It’s also the much prettier car of the two; the other is a bit of an ugly duckling to my eye …
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IMHO that's a very apt comparison. I've always like the 456 and a few years ago contemplated buying one, but sought expert opinion before doing so and changed my mind. The 456 and 612 are both great looking cars, although the colour combination of each can make a vast difference to the appeal.
 
Guy

Guy

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2,116
c4sman said:
Only speaking from reading “the internet” I hear that the 456 can be fragile and the 612 much more robust. I also think the 612 has turned from an ugly duckling when new into an elegant and impressive machine in recent times every time I see one in motion. Not sure why. Usable rear seats are a big draw also.
Click to expand...
Fully agree but I am biased. I went to the 612 launch in the Science Museum in Dec 2003 and wasn't blown away by the exterior. Gorgeous interior. Now, I love the design and far cleaner than modern Ferraris (as per Oneball on another thread today) though the 296 looks much better in the flesh than in magazines.109422
 
Ewan

Ewan

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If you buy a 456 just to stratch an itch, do only a few miles and then sell on within a few months, you shouldn’t lose your shirt. But if you intend to actually use it, and keep it a few years, it will be expensive, and I wouldn’t contemplate buying anything other than a fully inspected, serviced and warrantied example (from a respected specialist).
Call someone like Emblem (who have no real vested interested as don‘t generally sell cars) and ask for their advice/opinion.
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

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3,100
midlifecrisis said:
It's only done 124k miles and had 5 owners. interestingly the descriptions compares it to the Maserati GT. Is that a compliment?
Click to expand...

Nope... Your money is safer with the Maser

I looked into these a few years ago, similar performance on paper to the Maser but with ageing with 90s Ferrari architecture.

Scott at Rattarossa on YouTube did a series on his 456 and they are just as finicky as old Ferrari's come.
 
williamsmix

williamsmix

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109423

Obviously we’re into the subjective here but, to my eye (in this colour), that is surely an unmitigated disaster of an indentation from wing to door over a nose that looks to be out of balance / proportion with the more handsome rear end. And I’m not sure about the size of those wheels either …
 
mowlas

mowlas

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1,732
I think the 612 was always under-appreciated and sometimes it takes a while for mindsets to clear so we can understand the true beauty and design intentions. Was and always will be on my wishlist. I’d go for the later models for reliability, which means you are looking at around £70k plus for a good one.

And best in black or grey as it underscores what an imposing and majestic beast it is!

109436109437109438
 
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