A quick glance at auction prices over the last year shows us that Ferrari 456 GTs sell for considerably more than this 1995 version, here on eBay with an asking price of $59,500 or best offer/trade. Is this a bargain, or a bust? Historically, this model had the wind in its sails: the first V12 four-seater since the 412; a body made of lightweight materials and designed by Pininfarina; the last Ferrari with pop-up headlights; and production amounting to fewer than 3300 examples. Adding to the allure of our subject car, it is one of just 1435 cars built at Pininfarina; in 1996, manufacturing moved to Ferrari. The fly in the ointment is the title, which carries a “rebuilt, rebuildable and reconstructed” brand. If you’re willing to overlook that issue, the car can be driven home from Belvedere Tiburon, California.
Ferrari’s V12s are legendary. Designs by Colombo, Lampredi, and Jano supplied Ferrari to the end of 1989 when its 5.0-liter Colombo closed out production in the 412 grand touring four-seater. A brief hiatus – sans V12 – ensued in Ferrari’s grand touring market. The new 5.5-liter Tipo F116 arrived in 1992 with a 65-degree vee, alloy construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, dry sump lubrication and Bosch Motronic fuel management. A six-speed manual with a gated shift brings power to the wheels, and speaking of power, there is plenty: Output is 440 hp, with a stupendous 406 lb-ft of torque. This family car jets from zero to sixty in about five seconds. Top speed is 190 mph and once you reach about 60 mph, a rear spoiler in the undercarriage actuates to provide downforce. This car’s odometer reads 45,000 miles.
Ferrari thought of everything when outfitting the office – thick carpet all the way up the footwells, Connolly leather galore, aluminum dash components. Air conditioning was standard. The factory radio sits horizontally on the console by the shift lever. Oddly, the seller mentions that the driver’s seat is slightly worn, an issue that pales in comparison to the branded title, about which he says nothing.
While the 456 GT was launched in 1992, the first cars didn’t arrive on US shores until 1995. Then, in ’96, on-board diagnostics regulations nixed sales completely in the US. The model arrived again in 1997. Ferrari modernized the 456 in 1998 with improved aerodynamics and cosmetics, calling the new car the 456M. Throughout most of production, an automatic (GTA) was available and proved popular. For my money, it has to be this gated shift manual, and the market agrees with me – GTs command a significant premium over GTAs, though another qualifier is mileage. A modest odo reading will trump the transmission in some cases. Here’s a recent sale of a ’95 at $69k; this exceptional example sold for $74,500. A query about the title will help settle the valuation question, but there’s no doubt this car will never shed that albatross. Whether that’s important or not is up to the prospective buyer.
Title, who cares, as long as it wasn’t underwater. Insurance companies total loss hundreds of vehicles a day for little or nothing because it is easier than being stuck in body shop hell and most people that have high end cars are ready to trade off anyway. As long as you can register it and drive who cares. Car fax will likely tell exactly what was done.
It’s a bargain until parts need replacement
With the thumbnail glance I thought this was a Ford Probe and the add listing says no accident reported but its a total loss per insurance company that requires further investigation for that kind of coin overall nice looking car
Two words that do not go together, Ferrari and bargain.
Gorgeous body, 12 cyl howl, gated click clack shifter, and 190mph dont come cheap Howie 💰 🇮🇹
This one I’d stay away from, it’s complicated enough owning and maintaining a Ferrari now one with over 40 thousand miles and title issues. You can’t know the pass history on this car,it could be anything and a Ferrari is not a it could be anything purchase.
“Title issues”? I see nothing in the story or the ad that says anything about “title issues”. This car can be transferred, titled, and driven just as legally as any other car. That’s why I own two Ferraris, because someone thought they had “title issues” and sold them cheap. I bought them and laughed all the way to the bank. While I drive them around town, never once did I hear someone say “there goes a car with title issues”..
In looking at the history report, it seems there were actually 2 events several years apart. Oddly, I seem to remember people moving cars to Oregon at one time to clean up the titles but maybe I am wrong.
In any case – I like these as they are a bit more subtle than many Ferrari’s but still have the 12 cylinder and gated transmission that is OH, SO, FUN.
This is less than 20 miles from me….. Hmmm…..
That said – the mention of clean titled ones for not a whole ton more money and possibly for some people, a better color, makes one think twice. I know Nick Cage had a green one of these that was floating around for sale for a while in the Bay Area.
I agree. If you don’t roll up to the dealership in a super expensive car then you are a poor sap, and the dealer will pretty much tell you to beat it.
Front engine, RWD with a gated 6 speed and 3 pedals in between. I drove a blue one last spring. Power oversteer if you want it! If no maintence records are available, I’d have a thorough inspection done and do the cam belts ASAP. @ ebay the report says no accident damage. I wonder if it was stolen, recovered and sold at auction.
Michelle, if you haven’t driven one of these, you need to. It’s one of the last proper 3 pedal Ferraris.
I think it was more like 80 or 90 before the wing went up.
Ferrari’s answer to the Porsche 928?
No!
They’re a world apart.
My last Ferrari WAS a bargain, it too came with a salvage title but I drove it two years and then doubled my money when I sold it.
I’m guessing this car got wet because it says no accidents yet it was issued a salvage title