2002 Ferrari 456M GT 6-Speed Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick of the Day

• Can't swing a 550 Maranello or one of the rare manual-transmission 575s? Here's an overlooked GT that delivers the full Ferrari experience.

• Front-engined Ferraris aren't exactly cheap to own, but servicing costs are far below most of the smaller mid-engined cars.

• Searching for a suitable comparison vehicle, Car and Driver once put the 456 up against an airplane. You can get your hands on your own V-12 long-distance missile, now up for auction at Bring a Trailer until Wednesday, December 14.

Let the maxim be written: there are no cheap Ferraris. Not even the Mondial. However, there are a few stallions from Maranello's stable that have been somewhat overlooked: either not as pretty as Pininfarina's best work or not as quick around a racetrack as the mid-engined stuff. Here's a great example of the full-fat Ferrari experience without (potentially) the big-ticket expense: a 2002 456M, up for auction this week at Bring a Trailer.

The 456M is a proper GT car from Ferrari, one of the front-engined V-12–powered machines that sucks down interstates with Luciano Pavarotti–like virtuosity. And with much the same soundtrack: with the click-clack of an exposed metal gate on its manual transmission and a 440-hp 5.5-liter V-12, the 456M loves to belt out operatic arias from the golden age of internal combustion.

Basically, we're talking a 550 Maranello for people who missed out before those cars started climbing in value. This one looks especially elegant in black and is from the final years of 456M production. It's subtle-looking, but with a Tubi exhaust fitted, it will surely be capable of shattering all wine glasses in the vicinity when the throttle is vigorously provoked.

With just 24K miles on the odometer, this car should also be considered an opportunity to right a wrong. Like Car and Driver, Bring a Trailer is part of Hearst Autos. When, in 1995, the Car and Driver team got their hands on the keys to an early 456, they called up another Hearst magazine, namely, Flying. "Wanna race this Ferrari versus one of your beloved planes?" was the challenge.