456 GT Ferrari

Motorcycle and car designer / builder, JT Nesbitt, talks about the history of the 456 GT Ferrari -- a car he owns and loves -- and takes the viewer on a ride that reveals the unique qualities of one of Ferrari's most storied vehicles.

[@itsnevo8757]

I bought a 1998 456 GTA about 4 years ago and love it! Even though it’s an automatic, it’s still a great car to drive. I’m glad I bought mine when I did because the average price seems to be about $25,000 more than I payed 4 years ago.

[@Freddanrocco]

I have a 1995 manual and I have never seen the lights flash once in 10 years of ownership. By now it’s a classic car and an owner should be able to work on the car him/herself. It’s a very rewarding car to drive and still fast even by todays standards.

[@lesthom60]

hi, Frank, i had one for seven year, loved it, 1995 456gt 6speed , same colour, only silver /grey leather, it dose everything it said on the ( tin ) ! best car i ever had, bar none, enjoy, and never sell, the windows can be fixed , i sent my regulators over to your boys in the USA, I'm in Glasgow Scotland, they came back better than new, and it was very reasonable. mine was totalled, drunk driver hit mine, total loss. my 928GTS, is a great car, but the 456 is just more, more,more. cheers from Glasgow.

[@Tophet1]

I wish there were more reviews like this. Warts and strengths and nuances all in one review.

[@Gr8Dane78]

That has to be one of the most gentlemanly car reviews i've ever come across. Excellent work, sir and very informative.

[@hamishpidgeon5320]

That is a brilliant vid mate!! I live in Kyoto and have just bought a 456 GT. Will drive back from Yokoham to Kyoto next week. Jumpin out of my skin!!

[@1tylerproud]

This is a great review! You hit the nail on the head with your under appreciated comment. I love front engine v12 ferraris. I remember when road and track made this their cover car. I liked it then and I still do.

[@WormOfEscence]

Awesome review, just purchased one! A 456M GTA

[@KarelBeelaertsvanBlokland]

Well told!....... Love the design as well... and this V12 engine

[@KUROSHURA]

Great advice, thank you Sir.

[@jamessummers1902]

I love this video and this Ferrari! Fantastic!

[@querindaniele]

what a beauty! cheers mate

[@badourcrou9501]

This car is so fantastic...(in Love with mine !, I've got the same interrior)

[@Sportscarbible]

Hi JT, nice informative video! If you still have the 456 GT you should do an update. Thx!

[@jamesbelcavitch9386]

Very insightful video, I'm in the market for a super car and seriously looking at the Ferrari 456, it wonderful receiving True information (the Good and the Bad) from an actual Ferrari owner, Thank You!

[@jurgenprinsen9641]

Totally agree, I own also a 456 (1995, Manual 6 gear) and its expensive, not perfect, but worth every penny.

[@Salman-sc8gr]

The click clak gear shifter is Gold! by the the other favourite car Enzo used was the very accomplished Peugeot 404,at a British Motor Industry Research test it beat a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow in ride refinement and isolation of rough surface.Another great arch is that Pininfarina designed and manufactured the darn elegant Peugeot 406 Coupe',it looks like a little sister to the 456 and a delightful riding car it is.

[@edoardofarinelli9169]

Very interesting and nice video bro

[@lilee45]

Ferrari did have a window recall campaign for the 456 back in the day- maybe your car was never retrofitted?

[@iasongiannopoulos5121]

hey man, great video.. thank you! I've got a question: your car is a 456 gt but your engine's intake has hot wire mass air flow sensors, which you find in 456M. Your generation has the older type of MAF the so called "luft" by the germans. What's the case?

[@gdkhiphopallday2033]

best car

[@leetNightshade]

Do you live and store that car in New Orleans? What do you do during hurricane season? Seems insane to live in such a place (especially considering New Orleans has such shitty roads, is below sea level, and floods easily with light rain) with such a nice car.

[@jamesbelcavitch9386]

Mr. Prinsen, thanks for responding to my comment. How many miles do you put on your Ferrari annually? What are service costs and what can I expect to pay if I purchase a 456?

[@jurgenprinsen9641]

Sorry for delayed reply, still own the car, actual mileage 105.000 km, cost depend on actual car, as in general quality is not bad at all, but issues must be solved, I've spend 8000 euro in 6 years and 40.000 km for service (tires, distr. belt and spark plug cables) but still some issues to solve (right window, rear shock absorbers a.o. I'am no racer actual mpg is about 1 l to 6-7 km. Tires are to expected to last 50.000 km (back and front) you can also smoke them down in 1000 km. Tip from the video, hire an expert when you have serious interest in a car. Actual purchasing prices from 60.000 to 120.000 euro/dollar. Car was 10 times as expensive as a normal car, spare parts still are (spark plug cables 2000 euro), you can reach me on [e-mail], regards

[@josephmaria2983]

Son God bless you and yours - I Bought an engine --and the rest of the car was free- Poetry - Thanks J

[@josephmaria2983]

FIRST American who knows his S..t about FERRARI

[@gjgallina]

Hi Frank Im in the market for a 456GT. Ur thoughts on the 456GT vs 456M GT? Thanks

[@rennwolfwolfgangkriegl]

Hello Gregory, I am currently looking at a 456M GT over here in Austria. Personally, I like the design of the interior better on the "Modificata" version. But the technical improvements have also won me over. In the end I think you should go for the version that stirs your soul more. Find the right color combination for your personal taste and enjoy. That to me is what these pieces of automotive art are all about. 😉

[@WhiteGravey]

being a "carguy" really has changed over the years. kinda like its now kewl to be a nerd.

[@maxmeier532]

It's a beautyful car, but windows not closing right, flashing warning lights, the interior soft touch plastic and buttons detoriating ultimately, is a bit too italian for me.

[@Snarge22]

Blinking dash lights? That's the Italian super computer at work! Ferrari's balking at shifting into 2nd when cold? How about all Italian cars! I've been doing the morning 1-3 shift for years. I wonder if anyone keeps a heat lamp with a timer in the garage under their transaxle to activate an hour before they come out for a drive? 6'4"? Oh I feel for you Frank. At 6'7" I tossed the drivers seat and installed a race seat into my GTV6 to get enough head room and legroom. Oh, and I extended the steering wheel 3.5" so it would clear my knees. What an absolute blast to drive though.

[@sammyhtb]

more reviews!!! great review!

[@rennwolfwolfgangkriegl]

You sir are a gentleman. I congratulate you for your style and choice of car. A Ferrari owner myself, I totally agree with you. The engines make these cars so very special. That said, I do enjoy the design language as well. 😉 I bought a 328 GTS a while ago and am looking at a 456M GT at the moment. Enjoy your dream!

[@adamgardner9852]

C'mon. That's Incredible! influence bear What do you think... !!

[@edoardofarinelli9169]

What are the maintaining costs of a F 456?

[@jameswale114]

JT, I'm looking for a 456 manual. Do you have your 456, and do you recommend a low mileage at this time as it was 6 years ago?

[@mrclean7412]

My dad bought it about 4 years ago. Since then it’s had many problems and he eventually sold it a year ago. My dad was the 4th owner. It’s on its 6th now. Very problematic car

[@dam4274]

Frank I was hoping on seeing you at the Ferrari d'Eleganza Saturday in City Park. Saw many great cars there but yours. "Flat 12" was there. A 400i was there and many new ones including the LaFerrari.

[@MMGAMG-fy9ky]

Sounds like the problem with the transmission not being able to shift is oil temperature in the transmission needs to get higher in order to shift into 2nd? so would a different spec transmission fluid that has more friction and creates that heat quicker be the solution? NICE video btw, very informative and has got me thinking if I SHOULD go 456 or save more for 360 6spd,,

[@kartanoaakkula2465]

What a great post, with very personal touch. I like your style. This Maserati-guy may turn into a Ferrari-guy after this :-)

[@888mf4]

Very cool car and nice review.

[@keithskillz90210]

Great review. I had been looking at these for the past month as I saw they were only $50-60k on ebay. I think I'd rather spend extra on the purchase price and/or maintenance & have a 512TR, 348, 355, 575, or 550 in that order. This one just doesn't do it for me...

[@reyrob]

+keithskillz90210 Maintenance cost of the first 3 you mention is much higher especially when the time comes to replace the belts. Engine down job!!! $$$$

[@grechjames]

The ending is just fantastic! haha can't complain if the rest of it was free

[@myroslav6873]

I am an ex-456 owner. First thing first, the car is a bad grand tourer since it isn't good at "getting families across continents fast" as Clarkson once said about it. 1. It breaks all the time! Terrible buttons, windows don't roll up, cylinders misfiring, I had water dripping on my left foot from the aircon pipes, panels fitting badly, exhaust fumes inside, and just a lot of electrical problems. It is amazing how many electronic things can break down in a car with so little (compared to modern vehicles) technology and features. It is just a poorly assembled and unrefined car. 2. If something breaks, it is hard to get it fixed properly and fast. It is hard to find people to work on it, it takes forever to order parts. So you literally can't do any serious traveling in it, unless your "continent" is Britain and you need to go from London to Wales once every 2 months. I was absolutely ready to pay high maintenance costs, but I am not ready to have a car that is so unreliable. 3. Wind noise. You can't call a car a grand tourer if the noise at higher speeds is so uncomfortable. 4. Gas mileage. You need to stop every 2.5-3 hours to refuel! Doing a trip from Croatia to Sweden would be actually faster in a 2L Skoda or Suzuki than in Ferrari 456 because of this. It gives you range anxiety, just like electric cars! I canceled the plan to go from Europe to Iran in it and got rid of the car. It actually was my wife who first told she doesn't want to travel in it anymore. There will never be a shortage of compliments for these cars. But here is some criticism: This car is a loan decoration and a way to get acquainted with ostentatious gentlemen who like to make high-flown remarks and stupid quotations.

[@rudolfabelin383]

Thanks for you points. I'm afraid I might be interested in one of these... Hälsningar från Sverige!

[@chaunceyharris2924]

Good for you and nice ride.

[@rsvp9146]

16,000 miles and it has synchro issues? Poor window fitment? Yep, you buy an engine. Not much else. The myth of Ferrari. Very well made video regardless.

[@moholinagy]

did ever own one?