1999 Ferrari 456 M GTA from Italy - Comments

I AM CONSIDERING BUYING A 456. CAN ANYBODY TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE IN THE MODELS?

'I AM CONSIDERING BUYING A 456. CAN ANYBODY TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE IN THE MODELS?'

No need to shout. And no, I can't. But there's still no need to shout.

I have a 2000 456 M GTA. Except for the pop-up lights the car looks great. I happened to luck out with repair bills since my neighbor's friend is a mechanic for a Ferr/Mas dealer otherwise I heard about $4k a year on service. If you're okay with the pop up lights they're selling for $65K because the market is flooded with them due to the newer models that replace it. If I were in your shoes I would look into the Maranello or Scaglietti. It may have a better time holding its value. Otherwise, who knows how much further down the price will go; which is sad to say.

I've owned a 1998 456M GTA since since Oct 06. All the previous problems listed are true i.e. headlamps with a mind of their own, door seals that make you feel that you're in a wind tunnel over 40mph and all that leather squeaks like a mouse every time you hit the slightest road imperfection, but... all that is forgotten when the key is turned. The starter motor shrills as it turns-over the brilliant V12 engine and the roar that follows still makes me smile, the car is gorgeous from all angles. Please don't bemoan it's minor faults, it's a FERRARI not some lump of German metal, but a machine designed from the heart.

Steve

Worthing U.K.

Great to read all your comments. I presently drive 993 turbo, which I have owned for 6 years. It has been faultless. tomorrow I go to collect my new car- the 456GTA. I have a smile from ear to ear in anticipation. It is black on black and low miles, well looked after from the paperwork. I intend using it regularly and will write all about it once I have had it a while. I have not slept I weeks thinking about it. It is a small boys dream come true- the iconic prancing horse on the boot lid with my grinning face in the drivers seat. That's what makes you still desie a Ferrari.

Things I wish I knew before buying my 1999 456M GTA.

Background: I bought my 456 2-1/2 years ago with 16k on the clock, it is my first Ferrari. I have covered 11,000 miles. I had lusted after this car for many years, to me the nineties represented a great time in the Italian motor industry, Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini, MV Agusta all came up with seminal models that really were class leaders and broke new ground - more so than the over-technical and less single minded cars of today. So having got that out of the way - here are my thoughts:

(1) Don't buy a car with low mileage thinking that is a positive thing. Buy a car that has been used regularly - look at the service record, make sure it is perfect. A car that has been sitting for 12 months + (unless professionally stored0 is asking for trouble. Seals deteriorate when they are not used.

(2) Know that there are common faults that all 456's share and you will have to deal with these. Faulty window seals and regulators, leaky shocks absorbers, etc. all well documented here and elsewhere.

(3) Running costs. ~ Parts are extortionate. Rubber door seal: £780. Radiator: £3,600, brake shoes (x4) : £650. Just go and look at www.eurospares.co.uk to get an idea. Main dealer labour rates are more than lawyers - £130 per hour. So - be prepared. I just got me car back from Verdi's for new brake shoes and one leaky front shock absorber: £2,750. Last year when the car was still under warranty I got a bill from HR Owen for £13,000 to replace all the valve seals, two rear shocks, window regulators, brake hoses, etc. £3,000 was not covered under the warranty. Annual service is about £2,000 at main dealer, £1,500 elsewhere. Every other year you should have the belts changed and also the gearbox serviced on an automatic. 7 miles to a gallon in town, 14 elsewhere, £90 to fill the tank. Taking into account everything the car has cost me £575/month to own and run (insurance, services, petrol, congestion charge, parking, tyres, oh and a small dent £700 - everything). My last car, a Renault Alpine GTA Le Mans was less than half that.

(4) 12 cylinder Ferrari's depreciate. I don't know why, but they do. 5 year+ old models are therefore a bargain. Leave the new ones to David Beckham.

(5) Why buy one then? Well, they are beautiful and rare. It's still thrilling to get behind the wheel. It's not audacious. Going to Wales or Scotland I could not imagine being in a better car. Well, maybe a 575 with the handling pack :-)

I have been looking at purchasing a 456 since I need a rear seat (dogs, believe it or not) and have immensely enjoyed reading all these comments. The servicing costs and apparently typical mechanical problems (deteriorating rubber trim, door glass seals, headlamps, leaking shocks, etc.) are a little troubling given the original cost of the car and cost of repair T and M. I've had a few vintage exotics over the years and know from expensive repairs, but I had hoped a "modern" classic would be less prone to huge repair bills. It is a sobering issue. To answer a question from a few comments back it would appear that "Daytona" seats were a factory option as I've seen a few 456 for sale with them. Whether they are that much less comfortable than stock I don't know. Given the incredibly painful exchange rate these days I've been thinking of buying one here in the U.S. and taking it to France when I move next year. Anyone have any knowledge of potential problems bringing a car to France? Thanks.

A big thank you for all contributors to this site... from UK and from "across the pond" as we refer to the US of A!

I was seriously considering all Ferrari models. Ignoring price, I always keep coming back to the beautifully reserved design of the 456...every other Ferrari seems a bit too contrived and too much of a race car to be used every day. The 456 is, and in my view, always will be one of their best-looking and most usable cars ever. I have made a bid on one today...25 Dec! Happy Christmas all and watch this space!

456... I own a 1990 mondial t convertible and have been considering a 456 also. And would not buy the auto trans from richardi that is not supported by f any more. The M's (post factory fire) are supposed to be better, but I like the line of the 1st model and the price. Ferrari is expensive to fix 10x's that of the germans, but if you are into cars and have the money go for it..

I think I finally found out why I love and will keep my 1999 456M GTA. All these comments are great, with the exception of people who have no understanding of a Ferrari's automatic transmission and see no irony in mentioning a corvette and a ferrari in the same paragraph. The trouble with a 5+ year old Ferrari is that they are affordable enough to tempt a person into buying their boyhood dream rather than say a new (er) practical executive car. This will work only for an owner who has a passion for the marque. Comments here about why a £175,000 car should suffer irritating minor problems are far wide of the core reasons to own a Ferrari and these people should never buy one. Make no mistake, the reason you don't see many older Ferraris on the road, making them more exclusive and desirable, is that they are so hideously expensive to maintain. The upside is that a 5-year old Ferrari has depreciated so much it will not fall in value as a new car but is balanced by the cost to keep on the road.

Almost all the newer Ferraris are specified with paddle shifts, rarely are the specified as manual. People making comments that a Ferrari should have a manual transmission really have no understanding how the modern sports car is evolving. Personally I believe the automatic transmission has a far superior and smoother shift than a F1 paddle shift and for the likes of me and probably 95% of others it is faster 0-100 in a straight line, as if that really matters (except to the corvette owner). In a GT an automatic makes perfect sense.

I thought of upgrading to a 612 now that they are sub £100k and took a few test drives. The reason I will keep my 9 year old 456 is that it is more a driver's car. There are fewer electronic gizmos. It also looks better, and that's not just my opinion. It has cleaner lines and evokes the history of the marque more than the 612 or 599. I love this car, be warned though, you need to love it to own one.

Just bought a 96' 456GT Dark Blue with cream interior. It is coming from the UK to Australia where I reside. I will have to wait another 2 months and dream about it night and day. To me it is the classiest Ferrari model in the last 40 years. I hope it is as good to drive as it is to look at. I do agree it needs bigger wheels.

Great to hear I am not the only fan.

I can't wait.

I am looking at a 456 M GTA with 21,000 miles. This site has been very informative and helpful relative to letting me go into this purchase with my eyes open. Two questions: what should I be very sensitive about watching for when it is inspected; and will a standard inspection at a dealer cover everything I need to watch for?

Thank you!

I hope my ex-wife won't mind seeing me driving a Ferrari.

I am considering a '95 456GT with manual trans, 30K miles. I am in the states, and always wanted a 12 cyl Ferrari. anyone have any advice or cautions regarding this vintage, etc?

I intend to use the car as a frequent-use second car, maybe 200-300 miles / week. a friend and neighbor is a semi retired Ferrari mechanic, which is a real plus. my italian car ownership to date has been a Lancia Flavia Vignale Cabriolet, a Lancia Beta Coupe, and a Fiat Dino Coupe.

I have a 1997 456. I have two hoses put in the rear of the automatic transmission. The cost is $900.00 dollars a piece and $500.00 to Install. I need the passenger side window fixed for $1,500 dollars. What else will go wrong. Will the transmission fail? I have 17,00 miles on the car.