456M GTA - Will I regret an automatic?

This should be interesting.

I have a 456 GTA, It seems to be something of an anomaly in the ferrari line, as the only 4-speed automatic without so much as a sports mode. I think the 456M has a sports mode, as I read on here. Maybe someone else will fill you in on that.

I find the gearbox a little bit boring compared to my previous car, an Audi S4 (6-speed tiptronic/auto) Which was very responsive.

But as I got used to it I learned how to get the most from it, and if you want to drive aggressively it does seem to keep up.

I haven't driven a ferrari with a manual transmission, so can't comment on "the ferrari experience", but I suspect there's a pretty big difference.

 

Len, you're going astray! You were on the right track when you were focused on the 550! haha

Seriously though, if this is to be your first Ferrari I'd say an automatic 456 would the most likely candidate to distance you from the Ferrari experience.

That said, a 456 (auto or not) is a great car...I just think it fits better for guys who have had other Fcars or still do have others in the garage. Those guys already have the "Ferrari experience" part taken care of from other cars.

550 is it!

 

We all have opinions- but I just got in from a short 30 mile jaunt in my 456M manual and I can't tell you how awesome this car is. Beautiful balanced and a great combo of engine, transaxle, differential and the gated shifter is glorious... Defeat the traction control and the car is an absolute ball to drive- I don't even remember there are back seats and an easy fit for 2 sets of golf clubs. I leave the windows open to hear that undeblievable scream and it did take me 3 months to realize the car had a 6cd changer (no joke on that!).

I can't believe the Maranello could be so much better and if it is you guys are so lucky because I've driven high powered amd well built cars for years but my first Fcar puts them all to shame.

My two cents would be find a manual 456 or grab the 550. Did I mention we all have opinions?

Congrats on making the Fcar decision and have fun whatever your choice.

 

I was out in my 456MGT today. I was explaining to my mother that most people don't know that Ferrari makes these kind of cars. I've driven a MGTA and think it quite unfair to belittle or slight it. For the right gent, it's a perfect GT.

 

Will you regret the automatic? After re-reading prior posts from Rifled Driver and others, the proper response should be: "Only if it breaks."

 

I have owned my 456m gta for 3 years,and don't regret a moment of it.
The auto box suits me,and is one of the reasons I purchased it.
How many people have had problems with the auto box?,not many I think,just keep it serviced as per spec.
I love my car,and I own a manual Ferrari also,however the 456 gets over double the use.

 

Yeah...

 

My '97 456GTA is a delight to drive in Orange County and Los Angeles traffic. I did not want a stick, other toys in the toy box provide that experience. The 456 seems to suit the air-conditioned stop-and-go of traffic just fine in this neck of the woods.

Points to consider. Find a car in condition well understood by you. The lists of what to look for are in the threads here.

If you use it as a daily commuter, where will it be parked? There are body damage issues to consider given the way people park and open their car doors with modern indestructible side mouldings and so on. The 456 has a delicate body. Also, the two-door style makes for a long door, will you have space to open it? The car is fairly low and easy to scrape on the ground at the front, does your commute have steep entry changes at driveways and so on?

Try automatics and sticks to see what you like. Both have their advantages and followers. There are plenty for sale these days, so you can trade off the idea of losing one attractive car in front of you right now versus a carefully-tuned opinion based on informed facts, your own experiences.

From my tastes, the most pleasant elements of the car are the exterior styling and the steering. It is a plus for me that the stock exhaust is quiet and the interior is fairly plain. Clearly others will have much different preferences.

One other gentle thought. If one considers buying a 456 to suit a male menopause moment, perhaps the stick shift would give more youthful exuberance than the automatic. Porsche sells a lot of great cars precisely for this market. The typical purchase made in this way is a single-time purchase; make sure you hit the mark well if that is your goal. Nothing wrong with such a moment, enjoy it while it can be savored (I'm in that age bracket as well). Happy hunting.

 

I am in a similar demographic situation (60's, occasional need for back seat use, daily driver), but I have owned a manual shift Ferrari in the past, as well as many other stick shift cars. Yes, Ferrari does (or used to) make a sensually satisfying manual transmission. However, I've had my MGTA for over two years and put over 10,000 miles on it. I may miss the involvement of a manual tranny on empty back roads, but that's a fairly rare occurence. The auto trans is very well suited for city traffic and highway cruising and, especially in sport mode, the kickdown with the application of the throttle is instantaneous and satisfying. Heavy traffic and stop and go, especially on steeper hills, is no fun in a manual, especially when you are concerned about rolling back into someone (and causing yourself thousands in body damage) or stalling and having to apply the handbrake, restart, etc. The auto trans 456Ms are in great supply and you should be able to get a good one in the $40-50s--an amazing bargain, if it passes a PPI and you've checked out all of the issues discussed on this section's threads.

If you can do without the back seat and rarely get stuck in stop-and-go traffic or stopped on hills, the 550 will be a somewhat more entertaining experience, but the feeling behind the wheel of the two cars is not very different and the performance differences will probably only be felt at the extremes. Personally, I'd stay away from the Testarossa, but I'll let others with first hand experience address that car. Good luck.

 

I think you answered your own question.

I can't speak to the difference between the 550 and 456 -- both are kind of touring/GT Ferraris -- but I would say the gated shifter in the classic Ferrari sports cars is one of the highlights of driving them.

Also, as someone posted, the automatic unit in the 456 is notoriously expensive to repair if it fails.

The other caveat would be that you might not want a Ferrari as your only car. Potholes, door dings, shopping cart collisions, etc., can be heartbreaking if you really care about your car.

Good luck and pre-congrats.

 

There are many threads on the dreaded possibility of a failure of the 456 automatic, but it looks to be more of an urban myth than a real problem. i've seen reports of only one actual failure and the trans appears to be very durable if properly maintained; there are also those who claim that repairing the unit may not be as daunting and expensive as some suggest.

And, although I understand that Jon's 328 is heartbreakingly beautiful in its perfection, in my experience, when you live in constant fear of potholes, door dings and shopping car collisions, the nerve-fraying anxiety that attends every foray into the real world takes so much joy out of owning the car that it almost isn't worth it. I've owned my fair share of exotica; they've been in numerous concours and occasionally won prizes, but never consistently, but I just let go and drive them, hoping for the best and paying for the touch ups and mishaps.

 

then get the stick, but, if the wife wants to have some fun, and if she doesn't drive manual, the auto will be a good choice.

that's quite a 10 min. commute .. one point to ponder vs other sticks is the 456 manual [IMO] requires bit more shifting management: But, that IS part of the Ferrari experience....if you want an 'easy' time of it commute, get the auto, but you'll be wishing for the manual on the weekends.

These cars IMO are best taken up to speed for longer runs. This daily routine might prove a bit problematic, but as long as you get it warmed properly I expect = ok. get good fluids in there to help. Such a short commute, well, not sure .... you'll be the better expert on long term use there...not many drive theirs for such a short time/distance. My commute = approximately 40-50 each way, typically Freeway/HOV lane as wife and I go together. So, my speed typically is, er, better than a crawl. They do fine. and as you, the 2+2 comes in very handy for many things, and as you I have some AARP cards somewhere.

You are going to love the 456, and the M is the better sorted of the series....just get a good one. As for comfort, you will be just fine.

 

I am anti-automatic so bear with me:

My friend, you say you prefer manual! Then..... don't go automatic, you will regret settling for it. This is a Ferrari. Make it matter and make it what you really want. Even if this means not buying it for a while longer to find the manual, then so be it. If you already say right away you prefer manual, then there is no further debate.

Nothing would unsettle and mar the experience of what should be pure Ferrari ecstasy and joy than to see your car every day while regretting you didn't do it all the way, the right way.

The gated shifter is pure magic and part of the draw and attraction to the Ferrari. You will be at the center of this attention and experience, with the connection to the car and road under your palm.

Put the idea of an automatic totally out of the question. Find the car you actually want. You live this life once. Have what you want.

 

if you mean the auto is a problem, then to the OP, nonsense. The autos are not a big problem. Seems to be an urban myth.

 

To add, Ferrari should never have even offered automatic transmissions for any reason. Make good on this idea and deny the existence of automatic Ferraris. They don't really exist. The GTA you sort of like, with the automatic --it doesn't exist.

 

Naw, it is ok. There is even a F40 with a Valeo......the owner got older but wanted that Ferrari experience.

however, offering a F1 vs true auto, well, seems that's the way it's going.

 

I think it's time to let lencap, the op, comment on his reactions to our suggestions. I'm guessing that it would probably be a good idea for him to find a 550 and take it for a test drive back-to-back with the 456MGTA, perhaps over his usual driving route, and see how much of an emotional difference HE feels walking away from each experience.

BTW, there are two 1999 456M manual transmission Florida cars on ebay, a rosso barchetta with 13K miles in Naples and silver with 8K miles in Stuart. The red one looks particularly nice. Probably worth the trip from NC to check em out.

 

I thought you posted back in July that you bought a 550 and it was being delivered? What happened to that car???

I also see in another post where you talk about replacing the engine insulation in your 88.5 TR??