550 Maranello v 612 Scaglietti

I test drove a 550 and 612 and went with the 612 as it just felt so much more modern, for daily driving. I don’t really thrash my cars so for me the 550 needed to be pushed and I would much rather take a call whilst relaxing and driving which a 612 allows but a 550 doesn’t IMO.

The 550 commands your full attention at all times.
 
I’m not sure about that. The 550 is such a well balanced car it’s easy to drive in a relaxed way when the mood takes. Yes it’s older than the 612, and feels it, but it’s an all time Ferrari great.

(Not that the 612 isn’t also a very lovely thing!)
 
Ewan said:
I’m not sure about that. The 550 is such a well balanced car it’s easy to drive in a relaxed way when the mood takes. Yes it’s older than the 612, and feels it, but it’s an all time Ferrari great.

(Not that the 612 isn’t also a very lovely thing!)
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I do get what AbidK's saying though. The 550 isn't something that's easy/fun to pootle around in unless you're very experienced with it. Around town it can be a bit of an ****, quite a lot of one. Whereas the 612 (F1) you simply pull a paddle and go about your day.

Of course, on the right roads, the roads it was built for, the 550 will reward more than the 612... it's a swings and roundabouts thing really.
 
Ewan it’s definitely well balanced but for the type of driving I do which is usually stop start I just found the 550 tad more cumbersome. Also repairs/ maintenance bills seemed much higher to me for the 550, not sure if that’s because 550 owners tend to use them less…
 
Nayf said:
I do get what AbidK's saying though. The 550 isn't something that's easy/fun to pootle around in unless you're very experienced with it. Around town it can be a bit of an ****, quite a lot of one. Whereas the 612 (F1) you simply pull a paddle and go about your day.

Of course, on the right roads, the roads it was built for, the 550 will reward more than the 612... it's a swings and roundabouts thing really.
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I had a good run from home to Sports Italia in the 612 recently and although it’s probably just as big as the 550 it somehow feels smaller…. could also just be my rose tinted glasses
 
We’ve had ours 20 years (and in the early years it was used as a daily car) and the costs have been perfectly reasonable and reliability good. It’s now due a service and cambelt, which is £1k all-in with Matt at SportItalia. The 612, with all its more complicated systems and electrics will be far more to run over 20 years than the more “basic” 550.

Though I agree, if you use the Ferrari daily to potter around town (for example), the 612 will be easier. (Unless you have one of the very rare manuals, in which case there’d be very little in it).

Anyway, anyone that has either of these cars is lucky!
 
I didn’t realise you have had one for 20 years, I would ignore me and my test drive comparisons in that case.

Also I never really bothered to look for a manual it just wasn’t something I was looking for. I will probably move into a FF next year all being well.
 
Ewan said:
I'm keen on the FF. But the wife is less so. So that's the end of that!:(
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It’s a female thing.. my wife is not too keen on it either sadly. She’d be happy with a 612 but not ‘the hatchback thing’
Adores the Granturismo though so I guess I can’t complain too much.
 
I've got them both in regularly for maintenance.

550's are easier to some extent in servicing, timing belt etc is WAY easier, also if you have to replace your central coolant pipe etc 550 is much easier
that said 575 does have the midway evolution with the far better ignition and diagnostics (550 is SD2)

612 is the end evo of the whole F133 engine layout, there is quite a difference between regular 612 which is a 575m derivative and the final evolution on the OTO cars.

612 is a far more sophisticated machine if running properly, but more costly to keep running if it goes wrong.
612 OTO has a lot of improvements in for example electronics, also in the clutch as those use Maserati/599 style clutches which do work better, and have the gen 3 computers, versus the slower gen 2 in the average 612.
I find the suspension tune of the skyhook also better in those OTO's, it actually works very well.


550 is cheaper in timing belt service and if you need to access something, yet it's a much older level of tech and will have different issues which can be fixed DIY or cheap
612 is more difficult in timing belt service but a much more modern car
 
Has anyone in here driven the 575 with and without the FHP? Ideally for longer than a a few days and if so is the FHP worth looking for on the 575?
Thanks
 
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