Got to drive a Ferrari 612

I got the chance to drive my uncle's 2005 Ferrari 612 the other day. I was really surprised to see that it was a 6 speed manual. The car has around 540hp and was very beautiful. The quality wasn't as nice as I would expect from a $300,000 car, but it was very easy to drive, and handled very nice.

Just "but it was very easy to drive, and handled very nice." ?? C'mon ... we need more details !!

I'd be afraid to touch that thing! Bet it would look even better in RED!?

Alright the car was fast as f$%& and handled great. It sounded really good from the outside, but was amazingly quite from inside the cabin. I was easier to drive than my 996, and much less of a sports car and more of a grand tourer, like my 928. I loved driving it put a perma smile on my face, but I wasn't blown away by the power like I thought I would be, and the cd tray cover had to be held closed with scotch tape, and the emblem on the side was falling off. The more I read about the car and watch Top Gear with it the more I apreciate it, but I would rather have a gt3, and some vintage Porsches in my garage. Don't get me wrong, I would trade my 996 for it everyday of the week, but it really made me apreciate my 996, and my $2,500 928 more than ever. The Ferrari gives you the sensation that every drive is a sense of ocasion, much like the 928 does, and driving it made me feel like I was on top of the world.

Shoot... my uncle drives a Chrysler Minivan. I wonder if he'd let me take it for a spin?

$2,500 928? is that a typo?

Not a typo! I bought the 928 a little under 2 years ago, and have sense put about 15,000 miles on it and it runs and drives like new, and the ac blows cold. All I have had to do is get a new radiator. As much as I love my 996, the 928 is more of a special car. The doors, and hood are alluminum, the engine looks really cool, and it feels like it is built from a block of steel.

I would be scared to get near that thing, much less drive it. Absolutely stunning - can't imagine it in person. Now that van across the street from your house - they would come out and find that thing on fire in the middle of the night if I had to live across from that thing. Yuck.

Did you scrape the front right lip??

A Ferrari 430 pulled into the parking lot last friday when I was having lunch and I was most unimpressed. I expected better engine noise - this was too tame - my 996 sounds better. It's funny, the Starbucks next to the restaurant gets a really nice turnover of Porsches and Ferraris. I never see those cars anywhere else and I wonder where they hide when they're not at Starbucks.

$2,500 for a 928 - REALLY? I thought they were in the $12,000 - $16,000 range for a car in "GOOD" condition. Have the prices recently dropped?

Here's my 1982 $3,000.00 928. Of course I had to add the wheels and charge the a/c but I also have put many miles on it in about 2 years. Very reliable, fun and comfortable. JIM

You're thinking of the newer 928s...the older ones are cheaper. But every now and then there are those 928s that are extremely cheap. I paid $5,000 for mine. I thought it looked like such a good deal I bought it as soon as I saw it on eBay. I know it was a risky move, but all of the money I've spent on it has been on the carpet and the seats. I knew I'd have to replace those things when I bought it...so I'd say I lucked out. No mechanical problems at all. The air conditioner and the heater work great.

The front lip on the Ferrari came pre scraped. The Ferrari is my uncle's daily driver, and only car. His wife has an SUV, but he drives his 612 to work everyday. Porsche 928s are the best bang for your buck!!!! I will never sell mine.

I have to disagree.. the 430 is BAADD ASSSS... He probably didnt feel the need to open that exhaust up. If he had, you would have noticed. The note on that car, even stock , is heart stopping over 4000 rpms. I was able to drive one not long ago when I was looking to purchase one, and have to tell you, it would be hard to beat it. Im around Ferraris all the time, and Im currently looking for a 360 cs to add to the stable. I think all high end car companies are having quality issues these days. Ferraris used to be hand made.. not so much anymore with all the abs parts in there. The CD holder isnt really a ferrari part... so.... Congrats on the drive. Everyone has to admit.. no matter what ferrari you have the chance to drive, its a memorable experience.

I love the sound of Ferrari 430s, and 360s. Nothing beats the sound of a Ferrari v8.

Nothing except a Ferrari V12.

Uh. I have considerable seat time in an F430 and while i love my 996 there is nothing quite like the F430 sound, and drive characteristics. Hearing the F430 idling through a parking lot is one thing. Hearing it when in the driver seat as it roars to 8k rpm is about as addictive as crack.

Question: why does your uncle have a $300,000 car but live across the street from someone with a crapped-out 1970's Ford camper van? That doesn't look like the land of $300,000 cars.

612 has the enzo engine v-12 monster Mike

I rented a 355 spider in Vegas. Very uncomfortable car to drive. Straight line acceleration, engine noise, and looks were great. Braking, handling, ride comfort, were very bad for a high end car. Also interior was cheap compared to a porsche. I was very unimpressed and returned the car within 2 hours of renting it out. The owner prorated the rental fee and told me that he knew there was a problem when he saw my insurance form. He said that a porsche is a much better over all car than a ferrari. I figured he should know since he owns the rental agency and has porches, lambos, ferrari (355, 360, 430, and 575), BMW's. mercs, vettes etc.... Honestly, my thought was that the car had been wrecked and repaired for a rental fleet, because a ferrari can not possibly ride that bad. Also, the body seemed like it needed more support. It was twisty when driven hard. Previously I had only driven a 308 back in the late 80's and it was just to go down the block to pick up the owner some smokes and beer. I was in so much awe of driving the car, did not exceed 35mph, so I do not remember much of the ride charactersitcs. I have been in a 575, 430 coupe, and 1957 testarosa. Except for the 57, 575 and 430 from a passengers persepective was much more refined than the 355. The 355 reminded me of driving a mid 80's saleen mustang. Great looks, great power, scary brakes and scary handling. I like the 612 and have been eyeing one, but I do not like the snob factor of acquiring a ferrari from a dealership, and reliability issues. I do not like the idea of having to prove my self by buying a bunch of a ferraris dealer's old inventory before I get to buy a new one. My 996 has been a great car and is a DD. A ferrari is a toy not a car. You start ragging a ferrari, you will pay dearly. The maintance is outrageous.

Question: why does your uncle have a $300,000 car but live across the street from someone with a crapped-out 1970's Ford camper van? That doesn't look like the land of $300,000 cars. Answer: That is my house. I live in Santa Cruz, CA. and my house is worth about a million dollars. It isn't the land of $300,000 cars, it's the land of Subarus, and hybrids.

Cool. Thanks. Too bad about the van, though. You could Photoshop it out....

612 is my next car.