Ferrari 612 Scaglietti buying guide

Only one body style exists, a four-seat coupe, and the choice is between two gearboxes. Most cars have the Graziano-built 6-speed F1A automated manual. A conventional 6-speed manual was also offered, and just 199 were built, 60 of them for the US. It was the last V12 2+2 Ferrari with a manual; the FF that followed was automatic only. Forza says the manual commands a premium of up to $50,000, while the Ferrari Owners Club puts it at about £15,000.

A revised car arrived in March 2008, often called One-to-One (OTO) after Ferrari's personalisation programme. It brought an electrochromic glass roof, standard carbon-ceramic brakes, a faster-shifting F1 gearbox, a manettino on the steering wheel and better infotainment. Early F1 cars are the ones that fall inside the 2008 clutch-sensor recall, which covers 2005 to 2007 cars, so the later gearbox is a point in favor of an OTO car.

HGT-S and HGT-C handling packs were announced for 2006. HGT-S adds sport suspension, quicker shifts, 19-inch modular wheels and sport exhaust; HGT-C adds carbon-ceramic brakes. Forza says the packs are fairly common and add nothing to a car's value. Car Collector International says collector interest centers on the manual, documented OTO cars from 2008 to 2011, the Sessanta and HGT-optioned cars. The Sessanta was a 60-car edition from 2007, F1A only, with two-tone paint and a three-position electrochromic roof.

For a driver, the manual or a documented 2008-on F1 car is the target. Our 612 market page lists every car for sale, and the price guide shows how the manual's premium plays out. If you are weighing rivals, see Maserati vs Ferrari or browse used Ferraris for sale.

The engine draws praise, and the trouble sits in the gearbox, electrics and trim.

F1A gearbox glitches

The F1A can misbehave in ways that need a reset of the clutch position sensors or a software update. Actuators can also play up, and the Ferrari Owners Club says a dealer charges around £7000 to fix them.

Instrument panel failure

The panel can fail through its power supply, backlighting supply or motherboard, and Forza describes it as the most common issue. Test every gauge and the backlighting on the day you view.

Electrochromic roof

The glass roof on later cars can fail. The Ferrari Owners Club quotes about £30,000 for a replacement roof, so operate it and check its tint changes.

Sticky switchgear

The coating on the plastic switchgear can turn sticky and rub off, especially on cars that have been stored unused. Press every switch and look at the wear on the buttons.

Shrinking dash leather

Leave a 612 in the sun and the dashboard leather can shrink. Look along the top of the dash for pulled stitching or gaps.

Early manifold gaskets

The Ferrari Owners Club says some early cars had substandard inlet manifold gaskets, which should have been replaced by now. Ask whether the work was done.

Headlight condensation and wheels

Some owners report condensation in the headlights of cars kept outside. The low-profile tires also leave the wheels exposed to pothole damage, so inspect each rim.

Forza puts an annual fluids and inspection service at around $1,000. The cam belt should come off every five years, though Forza notes many dealers recommend four, and a major service with the belt change is roughly $5,000. Autocar quotes around £4000 for the belt service in the UK.

Forza lists a clutch replacement at around $8,000, a full set of carbon-ceramic pads and rotors at roughly $25,000, and tires about every 10,000 miles. A new instrument panel costs $7,000 to $8,000 by Forza's figures (£6500 to £7500 from Autocar), while one shop rebuilds the original for $1,000 to $1,500. Recovering the dash leather runs $4,000 to $5,000.