550 Maranello v 612 Scaglietti

foibles

Member
Messages
511
My reference to investment is simply that I repeatedly see reference to Maserati values falling, but Ferrari hold value better for not dissimilar running costs. Perhaps inaccurate?

I'd say it is not just reference - but hard data to suggest Ferrari holds its value whilst Masers do not. In the 3-4 years since I acquired some GS, their value has continued to decline which - especially given the rarity of the Spyder (44 in RHD) actually has me baffled. But in the 5 or 6 years I have been watching, fezzas have certainly headed north for 360 and earlier models. I was able to buy 360M in 2013 for 35K GBP - and they are much further north than that now, whilst all Masers have continued to decline.

The 456 (whether M or GTA) seem to sell OK here in Aus...and certainly the 550's are asking extreme prices (how does 180K GBP sound!). 575 seem a better value proposition - but they and the 599 seemed overwhelmingly in auto not stick.

At least the data I have seen (I cant say cars have sold but I have observed prices) suggests that most 90 model Fezzas have shot up in price - which is why it seems curious you mentioned both they and the 612 may have further to fall. Perhaps you meant this of the 612 only?

I'm curious as to why you excluded both the 575 and 599 from consideration - and went straight from 550 to 612?

if it is entry price I'd be going 456M, if it was future value I would go 550/575M, but my personal favourite is the 599. Some day...some day.
 

foibles

Member
Messages
511
my 360 Modena cost me £6,000 for service, belts, ball joints and engine ecu that died. That was actually a pleasurable experience with Carrs Exeter
At 6K I would think it was also a pleasurable experience for Carrs Exeter. At that price I would have asked them to throw in Stacy and Trixie and a feather duster...
 

foibles

Member
Messages
511
So in the real World, the last “affordable” manual V12 Ferrari’s are the 612 (still v rare) and the 550 (more easy to find/buy).
456M can be had for sub-50K. I'd have thought they are a lot more affordable than the other two. Mind you, if anyone has or knows anyone selling a 550M 96 / early 97'ish and indeed it is around that price - by all means give me a shout!
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
I'd say it is not just reference - but hard data to suggest Ferrari holds its value whilst Masers do not. In the 3-4 years since I acquired some GS, their value has continued to decline which - especially given the rarity of the Spyder (44 in RHD) actually has me baffled. But in the 5 or 6 years I have been watching, fezzas have certainly headed north for 360 and earlier models. I was able to buy 360M in 2013 for 35K GBP - and they are much further north than that now, whilst all Masers have continued to decline.

The 456 (whether M or GTA) seem to sell OK here in Aus...and certainly the 550's are asking extreme prices (how does 180K GBP sound!). 575 seem a better value proposition - but they and the 599 seemed overwhelmingly in auto not stick.

At least the data I have seen (I cant say cars have sold but I have observed prices) suggests that most 90 model Fezzas have shot up in price - which is why it seems curious you mentioned both they and the 612 may have further to fall. Perhaps you meant this of the 612 only?

I'm curious as to why you excluded both the 575 and 599 from consideration - and went straight from 550 to 612?

if it is entry price I'd be going 456M, if it was future value I would go 550/575M, but my personal favourite is the 599. Some day...some day.

Here in the UK, prices for the 550, 599 and 612 have dropped by approximately 20% over the last couple of years. For example, a lovely 550 with much recent work and full service has just been sold by a specialist dealer for £60k. It would have been £80k just two years ago.

Manual 612 and 599 are very rare - they only built a dozen or so approximately, so the value of these is totally different.

456 is the cheapest way into a modern-ish V12. They make circa £35k at auction, or you might pay around £50k for a lovely one from a specialist dealer. But they are an expensive car to run and maintain these days - much more so than say, a 360.
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
I have a similar itch to scratch. Think it is the boyhood desire to have a Ferrari coupled with the actual need to have a V12.
For me the 550 is the better looking car. Only been passenger in one, but it really impressed me. Introduced to Kiwi Bob at Maserati driving day and he described his manual car as a big Elise. Used the gears as brakes so gearbox not thought fragile by one owner.
The 612 doesn't ever look as attractive in reality as the depreciated price.
In actuality the 456 is the prettier car, has bonuses +2 seats and costs least. Am I really worried about the lower power and (potentially) greater fragility? Not so much after running a 3200 and QP.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,120
My boyhood dream was also to have a V12 Ferrari and the goal was before I was 50.
Got the 456 at 48 so it went to plan.
In 2012 they were bargains for my budget then of 25K I think then the 550 was 40K upwards bargains for what the first owner would have paid.
One life live it.
 

PrestigeAutoworks

Junior Member
Messages
50
I'm interested in both the 550 and 612. Never owned a Ferrari before.
Prefer manual, but content with F1. Any thoughts welcome.
Currently have Granturismo S MC and small collection.
Thanks.

I’ve been lucky to work on both of these.
in my opinion. For a Ferrari feel the 550!
If you have kids and want practicality but still a v12... 612.
 

Wattie

Member
Messages
8,640
I like this one - out of the ordinary exterior paint, classier than rosso - but the interior looks like Ronald McDonald’s wardrobe.
I just found a great car on Auto Trader:


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201804306057736View attachment 61631
Dya know, I could live with that....it’s the steering wheel that is the vomit inducing problem I think.....all cream or all red, and I think it’d be fine. The couldn't decide look just doesn't work.
Lovely car.
 
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Phil H

Member
Messages
4,107
Dya know, I could live with that....it’s the steering wheel that is the vomit inducing problem I think.....all cream or all red, and I think it’d be fine. The couldn't decide look just doesn't work.
Lovely car.
Agreed, I think it's gorgeous except for the steering wheel, and it's surprising how such a relatively small detail can spoil the package. IIRC they had the car for sale quite a while ago

PH
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
Dya know, I could live with that....it’s the steering wheel that is the vomit inducing problem I think.....all cream or all red, and I think it’d be fine. The couldn't decide look just doesn't work.
Lovely car.
Yeah, I guess you could get it reupholstered.
I remember doing an Ads on Test on a Continental R that was the same colour mix inside AND out, plus had the silver grille surround option. It was LHD and driving through Finchley even through Crewe’s finest thick glass I could hear exactly how local residents wanted me to perform an act of coitus about my person for being too flash. Could even hear the piff paff of spit hitting the side of the car.

On more 550 pron, in many ways this is the direct opposite of the Burgundy one. I like the blue, perhaps a bit too extrovert for a 550, but the interior is a bit too millennial Mercedes grey... pretty sure I could get over that though ;)

 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796
Hnnnnnnnnggg
View attachment 92951


I would struggle with the whole 'low miles', 'cherished' and 'fit for a fine collection' thing. It would put it extra out of my price-range, and also feel like a terrible responsibility.

I would prefer, 'well-used but also well-maintained', 'showing some signs of wear', with 80k on the clock.
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
I would struggle with the whole 'low miles', 'cherished' and 'fit for a fine collection' thing. It would put it extra out of my price-range, and also feel like a terrible responsibility.

I would prefer, 'well-used but also well-maintained', 'showing some signs of wear', with 80k on the clock.
I do get that. The first time I drove a 550 it was a 14k miles example - the feature is here https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/used-cars/vanquish-vs-550-maranello/ repurposed from Modern Classics.

Now I'd love to tell you that I'm some driving hero that thinks nothing of a 485bhp V12, powered along by ego and a dab of oppo, but when it's a treasured toy bought and paid for by an actual human, rather than a press car, it rather alters the complexion. And if you look at the pictures, I'm not ashamed to say the first hour-and-a-half, I was absolutely cacking it.

Most manual GT cars from the 1990s are difficult brutes; a Shamal can be obstructive; a 928 GTS manual can be 'loose', and the Aston Virage 6.3 I drove was notchier than Russell Brand's bedpost. However, they are all wonderful cars in spite of these challenges, and would be poorer with a slush box. Add in the customary Ferrari cement like first-to-second shift, and it's fair to say I hated it. Loathed it. Like the 928 it was low and difficult to see out of (comparatively), with a clutch pedal for which heavy isn't a worthy enough description, which made getting it out of a town nervy.

Oh, and it was slap bang in the middle of the Beast from the East, with wind blowing at a 90 degree angle and raindrops the size of Ford Fiestas. The roads had a mirror sheen, fellow M40 drivers seemed to fishtail everywhere, it was horrendous. It was a stupid, expensive car, and I just wanted to get out. I'm a huge Italian car fan but for... reasons... the mere fact I was driving A Ferrari didn't mean much (I've largely preferred Maseratis since the 90s). I just wanted to get home.

Then, somewhere near Oxford, the skies cleared, the road dried, and 7000rpm in fifth beckoned... and I was in love.
 
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