Ferrari 812 GTS & Competizione: Complete Ownership Guide
Published on: Tue Nov 05 2024
Ferrari 812 GTS & Competizione: Complete Ownership Guide
The Ferrari 812 GTS and Competizione represent the pinnacle of Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V12 era, combining breathtaking performance with the emotional appeal of open-top motoring and track-focused engineering. As Ferrari transitions toward hybrid powertrains, these models have gained unparalleled significance as the final chapter of pure V12 excellence. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about owning these automotive masterpieces.
Model Overview & Significance
Ferrari 812 GTS: The Open-Top V12 Experience
The 812 GTS debuted as the open-top counterpart to the 812 Superfast, combining a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 producing 789 hp (800 PS) with the elegant complexity of a retractable hardtop. This model represents Ferrari’s farewell to naturally aspirated V12 convertibles.
Ferrari 812 Competizione: Track-Focused Excellence
The 812 Competizione, the track-oriented evolution of the GTS and Superfast, commands even higher premiums. Limited production—only 999 coupes and 599 Apertas (spider derivatives)—ensures collector status and investment-grade appeal.
Purchase Price & Market Analysis
812 GTS Pricing (2025)
Market values range widely depending on condition, mileage, and region:
- US Market: $470,000 to over $650,000 based on current listings
- UK Market: Median price of £410,100, with top specimens reaching £639,775
- Factors: High demand and extreme scarcity drive premium pricing
812 Competizione Pricing
Limited production ensures collector status:
- Initial MSRP: Near €520,000
- Current Market: $900,000 to $1.8 million depending on mileage and provenance
- Investment Potential: Dealer-marked premiums exceed 40–70% in secondary market
Depreciation Analysis
The 812 lineup maintains strong resale stability relative to other supercars:
- 812 GTS: 5–7% annual depreciation in first three years, tapering as vehicles become collectible
- 812 Competizione: 0–2% depreciation (possibly appreciation) given rarity and track focus
- Market Trend: British market shows mild price adjustment from £347,000 to £317,000 over 12 months
Ownership Cost Analysis
Total Cost of Ownership
Between taxes, insurance, and annual upkeep, the annual outlay often exceeds $25,000–$35,000, and may approach $50,000 when factoring in consumables and usage patterns.
Annual Service Costs
Ferrari’s seven-year genuine maintenance program covers standard servicing, but owners must anticipate non-warranty expenses:
- Basic Annual Service: $1,500–$3,000 (largely covered under Ferrari’s plan)
- Brakes and Rotors: $8,000–$12,000 for full carbon-ceramic replacement
- Tires: $2,000–$4,000 for complete set (Michelin Pilot Super Sports or P Zeros)
- Battery and Electrics: $1,000–$2,000 annually due to high drain during storage
- Full Inspection: $4,000–$6,000 for extended warranty renewal
Fuel Efficiency & Operating Costs
The V12 heart prioritizes power over efficiency:
- 812 GTS: Around 12 mpg city and 15 mpg highway
- 812 Competizione: Marginally improved aerodynamics without altering core consumption
- Annual Fuel Costs: $3,000–$4,500 for typical 3,000–4,000 miles
- Insurance: $5,000–$8,000 annually for standard ownership
Maintenance & Service Requirements
Ferrari’s Maintenance Program
Ferrari’s latest vehicles benefit from the brand’s seven-year genuine maintenance program, covering standard servicing, fluids, filters, and diagnostics. This program is transferable to subsequent owners, reinforcing confidence in secondary market transactions.
Routine Maintenance Needs
- Throttle Body Cleaning: Essential for maintaining responsiveness
- Airflow Calibration: Prevents sluggish throttle response
- Software Updates: Electronic control systems require regular updates
- Battery Management: Consistent tendering prevents drainage issues
Common Maintenance Issues
Owners report consistent reliability when servicing is timely, though battery failures remain a frequent frustration. Ferraris are prone to battery drainage if not driven regularly—something 812 owners alleviate with dedicated trickle chargers and routine startups.
Reliability Analysis
Engine Reliability
Both models derive from Ferrari’s F140 V12 engine line, a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter producing 789 hp in the GTS and 819 hp in the Competizione. Engine reliability is exceptional when properly maintained, with Ferrari’s precision engineering ensuring structural longevity.
Modern Ferrari Improvements
According to 2025 Ferrari reliability studies, modern Ferraris exhibit significant improvements in component durability, particularly in materials handling and electronic management systems. Reliability limitations stem from complexity, not inherent flaws.
Common Issues & Solutions
Reports from owners and specialized Ferrari service centers indicate key recurring concerns:
- Battery Drain: Major issue across all 812 variants—requires consistent tendering
- Throttle Body Fouling: Affects idle smoothness and response if neglected
- Sensor Calibration Errors: Incorrect readings solvable via software updates
- Stone-Chipped Paintwork: Due to wide front geometry and low stance
- Carbon-Ceramic Brake Noise: Common yet harmless, typical for track-spec materials
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive servicing directly correlates with reliability. Owners who maintain consistent driving habits avoid a majority of long-term issues. Major driveline issues (gearbox, engine internals, clutch hydraulics) are extremely uncommon due to the dual-clutch transmission’s resilience and naturally aspirated engine’s absence of forced induction stress.
Used Market & Collector Trends
Market Stability
2025 data reveals a firmly stable used market for the Ferrari 812 GTS:
- Low Range: £292,000 ($370,000 USD)
- Median: £410,100 ($520,000 USD)
- Peak: £639,775 ($812,000 USD)
Collector Status
The 812 GTS occupies a pivotal moment—it is likely the final naturally aspirated V12 Ferrari convertible, making it a future classic akin to the Daytona Spider or 575 Superamerica. The 812 Competizione’s valuation trajectory further supports its status as an investment-grade Ferrari.
Ferrari Approved Certification
Ferrari’s after-sales ecosystem includes “Ferrari Approved” certification for pre-owned models, ensuring condition and service lineage traceability. Inspections assess body integrity, ECU records, and gearbox parameters, guaranteeing that any resale unit meets strict factory standards.
Ownership Lifestyle & Experience
Driving Characteristics
Driving the 812 safely necessitates understanding its limits. With rear-wheel drive and 789+ hp, traction control and stability systems are vital, though Ferrari’s “Side Slip Control 6.0” aids manageability. The Competizione intensifies this formula, trading comfort for raw pace and lighter dynamics.
Maintenance Culture
Owners who uphold the full maintenance record enjoy both reliability and liquidity—the difference in resale value between a fully serviced and unverified car can surpass 15–20%. The brand’s 7-year maintenance program further reinforces confidence in secondary market transactions.
Storage & Usage Considerations
Ferrari’s engines thrive on periodic driving; extended idle periods can harm seals and batteries. Consequently, owners balance mechanical preservation with sparing but deliberate use—sometimes maintaining multiple vehicles to distribute usage.
Verdict: The 812 Ownership Reality
Owning a Ferrari 812 GTS or Competizione in 2025 is a statement of both mechanical passion and financial commitment. The upfront prices—hovering between half a million and nearly two million dollars—reflect not only exclusivity but craftsmanship defining Ferrari’s last great naturally aspirated series.
Maintenance, while expensive, sustains both reliability and long-term residual strength. Failures are rare, primarily electrical, and easily managed through the brand’s dedicated service channels. As Ferrari transitions toward hybrid powertrains, these models gain unparalleled significance.
The 812 GTS delivers the exhilaration of open-air V12 performance, while the Competizione encapsulates the essence of racing engineering softened only by its collectible scarcity. From a practical perspective, these cars are not daily drivers—they are mechanical heirlooms for those who balance emotional reward with financial prudence.
In return, owners inherit more than performance: they preserve one of the final chapters of natural Ferrari excellence—a visceral masterpiece of design, sound, and legacy that will only appreciate in significance as the automotive world moves toward electrification.