Which modern four-seater Ferrari should you choose to enjoy your passion for the prancing horse brand with your family? The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti was produced from 2004 to 2011 and has a natural class, thanks to its sides, inspired by the Ferrari 375 MM that Roberto Rossellini gave to Ingrid Bergman in 1954. The first Ferrari V12 with an all-aluminum body, it bears the name of the famous coachbuilder whose specialty it was.
But how do you find a nice copy? How do you know what to look out for? What to expect in terms of maintenance costs? @Thunder49 gives you concrete details of what it means to own a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, in order to project you into the experience.
@Franck : Briefly, what is your automotive background and why did you choose the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti?
@Thunder49 : My first automobile choices were guided by budgetary and practical choices, but aesthetics and driving pleasure were always essential in my choices. And the Peugeot brand has always had a special place: first a 206 light cream perforated leather interior, and for several years an RCZ, which is a real treat on a daily basis, in terms of handling and price/pleasure ratio.
Family life led me to choose more practical and utilitarian vehicles, which my wife uses on a daily basis: currently a 5008 GT.And then, for my 40th birthday, I told myself that I had to treat myself. My choice then fell on a Maserati 4200 GT, with its fabulous Ferrari-sourced V8. I found a blue Nettuno model, with cream interior. An impressive engine, especially above 4500 rpm, all in a melody like only the Italians know how to do, and with 4 seats to enjoy it with the family.
It was this car that made me realize that I now had to fulfill a dream that I had had since I was 10: to have my Ferrari. The choice fell on the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, because I wanted to stay with a 4-seater, modern, easy to use and maintain.
@Franck : What were your criteria for purchasing a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and how did you manage to find your copy?
@Thunder49 : It's not easy to navigate among the many choices of versions and options. Fortunately, Fabien's precious guide allows you to see things much more clearly!
First of all, on aesthetics. I wanted it in a dark color, ideally blue, with a crema or sabbia interior, and the beautiful Daytona seats.And then, in terms of equipment, I was looking for a model equipped with the improved F1 gearbox: it was one of the weak points of the Maserati 4200, the slow shifting of gears. The choice of the Sport exhaust was also part of the criteria to fully enjoy the vocals of the V12, even if I would have agreed to change the exhaust!
The search was long in my opinion: a little over 4 months.
But when I saw the photos, I fell in love immediately! The contrast between this light leather, and all the carbon elements, as well as the nero daytona exterior, was to die for!
The purchasing process was a bit complicated because the car was in Switzerland. First we had to make ourselves understood by Swiss Germans who didn't speak a word of French and hardly any English...
I was assisted by an agent to take care of the import procedures, payment of French VAT, and reimbursement of Swiss VAT.
@Franck : What struck you the most about your Ferrari 612 Scaglietti in use?
@Thunder49 : Several things.
First of all, it’s the pleasure shared as a family. My 11-year-old daughter is a fan of the acceleration accompanied by the song of the Ferrari V12. And she's not the only one ! What an engine. It pushes hard at all revs, allowing you to drive quietly at 80 km/h in 6th, or to push the gears: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. at unmentionable speeds.
Then, it’s the presence of this car. It really impresses on the road, and the Ferrari logos allow those less knowledgeable to identify the origin. Well, almost all of them: once, at a gathering, a participant said to me: “That panamera is beautiful!” ".
And then I really enjoyed the exchanges with other enthusiasts. My car was discreet though, well for a Ferrari..., but I don't count the thumbs up from the other drivers I met on the road, the people who came to chat, and the eyes of the kids I let sit behind the flying.
@Franck : Can you tell us about the costs incurred for normal use of a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (insurance, annual maintenance, major overhaul, unforeseen events, etc.)?
@Thunder49 : After two years, the costs have been very limited. A major maintenance had been carried out just before purchase, with changing of the timing belts. So I only did one maintenance with engine and gearbox oil change, for less than €700 at my local specialist.
Insurance through Tea Cerede costs me €1000/year.
However, you have to plan a significant fuel budget: it is certainly the fastest car in the world to go from one station to another!
@Franck : In your opinion, what are the points to watch out for on a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti over time?
@Thunder49 : Not much, it's a very reliable model. Apart from the classic wear rates of CCM brakes and the clutch, you have to look at the bearings, which tend to wear out quickly, especially at the front, given the weight of the engine.
@Franck : And if we had to do it again ?
@Thunder49 : Without hesitation, I would use the same one again!
What better way to join the Ferrari family than by starting with a V12?
The Ferrari 612 is modern, efficient, reliable, and not too flashy, especially in black.
However, for my next Ferrari, I would like a 430 spider.
@Franck : How do you use Ferrarista for your experience with your Ferrari? What does the Ferrarista community bring you?
@Thunder49 : I used the experience of the Ferrarista community from the research phase for my car. My questions about buying a Ferrari were not something I saw myself sharing at the coffee machine with colleagues! It was therefore pleasant and reassuring to exchange with the other members, much more specialists than me.
And more generally, I really appreciated the sharing of experiences and the good humor of this group.
Finally, rallies, like LeMans Classic, in which I participated twice with Ferrarista, are moments that will remain forever engraved in my memory.
A big THANK YOU @Thunder49 for all this information on life with your Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, which may make others want to take the plunge too.
If you own a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, what other information would you like to add about it?
If you are interested in the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, what additional questions do you have about it?
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