Ferrari Buying advice?

[Jumpingjackflash]

Good Afternoon,

I was fortunate enough to see a private collection of Ferrari's on Sunday and it has really has made me want to buy my first Ferrari. Therefore the homework starts now.

I am not interested in insurance costs, depreciation and fuel cost etc because if they concern you then I don't think you should be buying a Ferrari.

I would like to now about service intervals, known issues, problems that WILL go wrong etc?

I like a 550/575 manual?

Also 599's are starting to look interesting at £125k+ from a Main dealer.

Any advice and information would be great appreciated at this point?

[mon the fish]

Check the buying guides at the top of this section. 550 is what I have, the last of the classic V12s IMO. Much less electronics, but these are old cars now and cost easily £1500 a year in servicing and maintenance.

The 599 is a huge leap on technically, and is faster; but has the potential for bigger bills as they can and do suffer from electrical problems. Also the ceramic brakes will cost more to replace

[Jumpingjackflash]

I really really like the 550/575 but I own a manual Aston DB9 and think they might be too similar and the Ferrari.

what issues do 599's have?

I would love a manual 355 but worried about keeping one in excellent condition.

360's and 430's aren't doing it for me.

[mon the fish]

I know a few people with 599s that have had various electrical faults - some are false alarms that sort themselves out, but frustrating nonetheless - and potentially expensive to chase the source of the fault.

Not driven one, but they do appear to be an epic, epic car

[baypond]

Try a 599, they are epic. Electrical concerns overblown as 99% of the time, any error messages are errors themselves!
I understand clutch replacement is about £8k and ceramic discs about the same. Both items are pretty robust. The clutch on mine was only about 40% wear after 19k miles and discs much less. I think mine cost about 3k a year in servicing. I also don't think they will get any cheaper to buy.

[Hughesie]

Just bought a 599.

clutch wear at 33k on mine was less than 40% so its a robust item, discs also have plenty left in them so it depends if the car youre looking to buy has been tracked as this is where they get the most wear.

Mines been used so i think all the niggles have gone away with previous owners.

As has been said, its an epic epic car and really looking forward to the dryer weather as so far its done 1k of wet miles !!

[willy wombat]

Watch out for the shock absorbers. I had to have both the front shocks replaced at 13k miles at £2k per corner including fitting. However the car has seen a fair bit of track and mountain use.

[Bluebottle911]

I have never driven a 599, but I have owned a 550 for four and a half years now and I absolutely love it. It has been totally reliable and is a joy to drive - even the shortest journey is a special occasion.

If, however, you are prepared to consider something a bit older, then a Dino (246) is sublime.