This is how it should be
Colleague Roy Kleijwegt is still trembling at the editorial office after his drive in the spectacular Ferrari 849 Testarossa. The successor to the SF90 Stradale competes in the highest echelons of Ferrari’s offerings in terms of performance, but with its V8 and plug-in hybrid technology, it is not exactly a traditional Ferrari. Anyone who asks about the most classic drivetrain for a Ferrari will hear many enthusiasts mention a V12 and a manual gearbox. The manual option has been dead at Ferrari for about 15 years, but as always, the used car market offers a solution.
By the way, that’s a risky undertaking with Ferrari, because an older model is certainly not by definition more affordable here. Especially the sportiest models quickly increase in value, but with the more comfort-oriented GT models, that’s often different. The 456, 612 Scaglietti, and FF all belong to the relatively affordable Ferraris, although you should really write ‘relatively’ in bold letters here. The cheapest Ferrari with a V12 and a manual gearbox currently for sale on AutoWeek.nl is this beautiful 456. At that time, the manual gearbox was still the most popular option for this model. The Ferrari 456 appeared in 1992 and received a facelift in 1997. The ‘gills’ above the pop-up headlights disappeared, and the car’s nose was slightly rounded.
This will always remain beautiful.
The 456GT from Witmer and Odijk from Warmond dates from 1996 and thus still has the original design. It is finished in the beautiful dark blue that was relatively often chosen for this car. Like that color, the 456 is very understated and stylish, so that combination works well. The light gray interior provides a nice contrast, and next to the bulky airbag steering wheel – the charm of the 90s – we find the open shift pattern of the manual six-speed gearbox. Directly above it is a delightful series of analog gauges and counters, and behind the front seats, we even find a small rear bench. The mileage of 71,035 is very reasonable, and for extra peace of mind, there is not only a complete service history but also a timing belt replaced in 2025. The price of all that beauty: €74,950, a fraction of the minimum €506,000 that an 849 Testarossa costs.
The Cheapest Ferrari
The cheapest Ferrari is still usually a Mondial, a less popular and poorly understood sports car from the 80s with a V8 behind the rear axle. The cheapest of these costs less than 60 grand, but it has been less than that. In the lower regions of Ferrari-land, you will also find Dinos and thus the aforementioned V12 GT models. Roughly in the same price category are the cheapest 360 Modenas, but that model is also clearly on the rise. Not so long ago, you could still find a 360 for around half a ton, now you should rather expect double that. The buyer of the 456 from this story can also rest assured of a similar price trend: this already 30-year-old car will probably not become cheaper.