Nothing controversial here, but if you think the 612 is a better car in every way why do you keep the 575? I for sure would be happy with owning only the better car... I have a few different cars, but for me each is at least better in one way.
The same reason I keep my Ford Expedition Porsche 911 Porsche Panamera Morgan 4/4 I like them all for different reasons.
I love my OTO. Never get tired of driving it. Drove it for 5 plus hours yesterday. A true GT... To the gents who claim "P cars" have no soul, you need to drive a 930 or a 993 TT. Plenty of soul right there. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I imagine such Porsche’s do have soul I’ll bet a 904 or a “real” 356 does too but today’s road Porsche’s are to perfect for “soul”
Guarantee my 57 356A had plenty of soul. Fun driving around with the rear hanging out, even though she did not have enough power to pull the fuzz off a dandelion.
I have both. They are both great cars. The front of the 612 sticks like glue, and the steering wheel takes care of the rest, because it's a long car and the back has to play catch-up. The 550 is much more playful because I can slide it around everywhere and it's progressive. I have a pre oto 2008 HGTC 612 and I definitely miss the CCM on the 550. The electronic throttle and increased power of the 612 is also noticable, but the shorter wheelbase of the 550 allows me to push harder on the twisties. The suspension on the 612 is softer, which causes the front to bottom out on really bumpy B roads. The 612 needs more care on really bad surfaces, the 550 can take a lot more punishment before getting unsettled. I'd be interested to drive a 575, especially a 575 HGTC manual, but then hen's teeth are also difficult to come by !! I rarely disable CST on the 612. ASR off is my default on the 550 as soon as I get in. The handling of the 612 always impresses my car friends. You just have to trust the front and have quick hands. The 550 doesn't ask the driver for as much, but is sooo progressive and joyous.
I had a 356 Damien (1300 cc) when I was in school in the early 60s. It seized when the tachometer cable, driven by the oil pump (!) parted on the highway. my dad had a racer friend who had upgraded his 356 from 1500 to 1600 cc and gave me his cylinders and pistons. Now I had real power!! actually, the dandelions were still safe, but it , indeed, had soul. I sold it for $900 and bought a ‘65 GTO to attack the dandelions. A task at which it was quite accomplished. Wish I them both again.
Funny when I first got my 612 I did figure out how to set the clock and link my phone. Now 5 years later the clock is only correct 6 months a year and the phone long ago ceased linking. No longer matters. I just drive it!
M5shiv, I am really happy to see you back. I saw that “Banned” and was worried. You have always added a lot to the forum. In terms of the clock and phone, I could always figure out how to reset/relink them by reading the manual like I did 5 years ago. However, it is not intuitive and so I just drive it and enjoy it. I do love my tunes with the satellite radio and Amazon radio (my phone is wirelessly linked through the IPod connection-but that doesnt work for the phone function itself). If the tunes ever failed then I would be forced to do something.
Ron, always good to hear from you and thanks for the kind words. I received a temporary ban for calling out some very unsavory behavior, when I should have only reported the posts instead of commenting on them as well.
Well the ban was probably worth it. I have had a couple of thread bans for calling out people who recommended illegal/questionable behavior and I think you have to do it when you see it. Nice that you are back!
You may be able to call them out and get away with it if you do it in a charming and uplifting manner. I have been able to get away with calling folks on Facebook by employing that strategy. But that is a whole different venue.
Getting back on topic. I love the 550, it fits like a glove, but I am often full throttle, trying to push through the carpet ! I love the 612, because it just drives so well for a big GT car and the power is very strong - the V12 engine evolution really shows.
I"m a little late to the thread but would appreciate some guidance. I have a 599HGTE, which I've owned since new and love it. I'm looking to add either a 550 or a 612 OTO. I've never owned a V12 2+2 and don't know what to expect. I like GT cars a lot and the 599 HGTE is nearly a little too harsh on long journeys. Can anyone help describe the comfort level of a 550 on a 300 mile road trip? Any guidance on which one would make the better stablemate to the 599?
I have a 612 OTO and a 575M. The 550/575 are not 2+2 and the 612 is really a 4 seater. I think the OTOs are the best over-the-road car I have ever driven. Especially the HGT2 cars. Keep the 599 for full on aggression, but don’t be surprised by the 612 when pushed.
My 612 is a nice around town car as a daily driver. But where it is really outstanding is on trips. When you get up to about 70 the car just sits down and becomes an incredible driver. The difference is very noticeable. You can easily get to 120 or 130 and not even notice it.
I just got back from a 2 week trip in my 612 from coast to coast, both ways. Almost 7000 miles. 7-800 miles per day. Car was absolutely phenomenal.
I have both, 612 OTO and 575. Both lovely cars, enjoy both, just very different in driving experience. Can't go wrong with either... comes down to what you want. A comfortable four seater or a two seater. The only thing I can say about the 575, make sure you have the Fiorano package..makes a huge differrence. Happy buying!
