550 Maranello article - they'll be £200k before you know it!

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This months Classic Car mag...so it must be true!

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Rardley 550 advertised at £95k has sold according to their website!

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550M said:

Not sure if I read £200k into it either.

Edited by 550M on Tuesday 13th May 12:06

The £200k is just a reference to a famous Challenge Stradale thread from last year...

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Claret Badger said:

The article mentioned the 550 'bargain' sold recently at auction, but ommitted to say it was lhd

This is the car, up from £55k at auction to £70k at Hexagon. Looks good value with price of RHD equivalents above £85k now.

http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferra...

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Camlet said:

Mario149 said:

Claret Badger said:

The article mentioned the 550 'bargain' sold recently at auction, but ommitted to say it was lhd. Bhp is 475 rather than the 425 stated too I think. Cant see 550s rocketing but it certainly seems that prices are moving.

Supply and demand I guess as there only seem to be a few for sale right now.

485bhp if we're being pedantic! (492 PS / 357 kW)

Pedantic is good! And while you're at please mention its towering torque; arguably along with its handling the 550s finest attribute. Can't be many other cars that can move off from standstill in 5th, possibly even 6th.

The torque is absurd. Almost too much - as in it would be fun to change gear occasionally!

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harry kular said:

Is there any reason not to consider importing from the continent, LHD aside? Seriously considering one at the minute, at about 30k less than here for the same mileage and condition. It's a long term purchase, and the only way I'm likely to be in the market tbh...

I've imported Ferraris from Germany and Holland with no problems at all. Not sure I'd do so from other Euro countries.....

These two look worth further investigation....

http://www.mobile.de/home/vehicleComparison.html?a...

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Hi Phib, importing from all EU countries is the same from a paperwork etc point of view. Personally I just find the Germans and Dutch very straight people to deal with. I've found Belgians and French a bit dodge and the Italians, er, they don't even seem to know when they are lying!

My rule is to buy from Ferrari Main Dealers only - perhaps you pay slightly more, but I felt more comfortable transferring large sums of Euro to them as opposed to an unknown dealer or private individual.

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No import duty. No VAT assuming VAT has been paid before in Europe - usually when car originally sold.

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Cool Hand Luke said:

Just been through the same thought process. Settled for a LHD 550, which I'm picking up this week. Seems to be a big spread on this model between RHD UK cars vs LHD Euro cars.

Having spoken to many dealers in Germany, it's the 550 that has the following over there as well. It's not just the manual box, but collectors prefer the simpler more retro interior as well.

550 & 575 are essentially the same car. In the long term the Manual 550 will be the car of choice versus the Auto 575. Its basically the last manual boxed Ferrari GT. Look at the madness over in the Porsche world with prices of the last (admittedly rarer) manual boxed GT3RS. Enthusiasts and collectors prefer manual and they will determine future values.

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phib said:

Well I have sorted mine as well !!

Picked it up yesterday, 540 miles 4 countries ( a few hours ... ummm) and about 3/4 of a tank of fuel. Thought the gauge was broken !

Edited by phib on Wednesday 10th September 09:28

That's funny, I had same experience driving mine back from Holland. Gauge didn't seem to be moving and I didn't realise they have a 115 Litre tank, so thought gauge had broken!

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phib said:

Well I have sorted mine as well !!

Picked it up yesterday, 540 miles 4 countries ( a few hours ... ummm) and about 3/4 of a tank of fuel. Thought the gauge was broken !

All very easy on transfer plates

Swore I wouldn't have another red and cream one ....... have to say I am glad I did absolutely love it !!

Phib

Edited by phib on Wednesday 10th September 09:28

Looks the business! Congrats..

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The £200k malarkey was a tongue-in-cheek reference to a Challenge Stradale thread last year...ironically, that prediction did come true!

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Mario149 said:

Bluebottle911 said:

£84,380 inc. premium paid at auction at the weekend:

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21907/lot/239/

....with only 5 services in 14 years

or a service every 3500 miles. I think one would be barking to service more frequently than that

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Mario149 said:

Fair point, and this has been done to death, but rightly or wrongly, it's supposed to have an annual oil service. £300/year saved for a few years, probably lost at least that on auction price. Daft, especially if they were planning to sell it as low mileage and cherished etc etc

As a matter of interest to get a stamp in the book for an annual oil service on a 550 what exactly is done? And can you really get it for £300 by a main dealer or well known marque specialist?

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Mario149 said:

roygarth said:

Mario149 said:

Fair point, and this has been done to death, but rightly or wrongly, it's supposed to have an annual oil service. £300/year saved for a few years, probably lost at least that on auction price. Daft, especially if they were planning to sell it as low mileage and cherished etc etc

As a matter of interest to get a stamp in the book for an annual oil service on a 550 what exactly is done? And can you really get it for £300 by a main dealer or well known marque specialist?

If you asked an Indy to change the oil on a car that had only done 1k miles since the previous year, have a quick look underneath/in etc to check nothing was amiss and stamp it in the book as such, I'd be very surprised if they could justify charging you more than a couple of hours labour for it (say £200) plus the cost of the oil. I had pretty much the same done by my Indy earlier this year, I'd be surprised if it costs me even £250 all in when he eventually bills me

Probably because he'd drain the oil out the bottom and pour it straight back in the top as nobody would ever know....KIDDING!

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I bought my CS from a Fez Main Dealer in Munich. I sent a model specialist to check it over - cost £1000 inc his flights etc etc.

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bertie said:

roygarth said:

550 & 575 are essentially the same car. In the long term the Manual 550 will be the car of choice versus the Auto 575. Its basically the last manual boxed Ferrari GT. Look at the madness over in the Porsche world with prices of the last (admittedly rarer) manual boxed GT3RS. Enthusiasts and collectors prefer manual and they will determine future values.

I agree...perfect spec is 575 manual in TDF blue with tan, also needs Fiorano handling pack and daytona seats....but then I would....

Edited by bertie on Saturday 1st November 22:58

Very nice. If you need a matching 360CS give me a call!

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I started this thread 7 months ago as a joke, but £200K is getting closer....

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

Come on you beauty!

Edited by roygarth on Wednesday 3rd December 10:19

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mon the fish said:

Because lots of 15 year old bits that have been doing nothing the last few years will need fixing/sorting I'd imagine - hoses, seals etc.

I bought a 550 a couple of years ago with 8k miles on the clock. It had been similarly un-used for a few years prior. I had a big service carried out at purchase - it needed nothing not on the schedule. Since then and 3000 miles it has performed faultlessly, with no 'sitting around' related problems. Its had another annual service and needed nothing beyond the schedule.

Maybe I've been lucky, but I was told by a Ferrari Specialist (not the vendor!) that this is a model that does not suffer from a sitting around.

On reflection, nor does my 10,000 mile 2CV! Its been in an air-chamber for 10 years. Every 6 months I take it out for a 1 hour drive around, I change the oil every 2/3 years and put an anti-corrosion additive in the fuel tank - so far no problems!

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3 page puff piece for the 550 in this months Classic Cars mag....