Ferrari 550 Maranello: You Know You Want To

Well with nearly 100,000 miles you can just get on with driving it, right?

There appears to be a growing number of glorious cars simply not being driven anywhere near enough. Perhaps it's due to social media making us more aware of these cars or perhaps we really are spending too long in the classifieds but, whatever the reason, extremely low mileage cars do keep cropping up.

Who will take it into six figures?

They're becoming the more collectible cars too, and so the vicious circle continues. People see low mileage cars sell for more money, they don't use theirs, the cars don't get seen and the values climb. To see such engineering efforts and, typically, such great cars, be traded like antiques seems rather a shame.

Moreover, modern cars are tougher than they used to be; they can be used more extensively with less concern. Cars are there to be driven at the end of the day, so why not embrace it? You never know, you might actually enjoy it...

Which is a roundabout way of drawing attention to this Ferrari 550 Maranello. It was a very significant car for Ferrari, the 550M, principally because it marked a return to the front-engined V12 GT abandoned for so long during the mid-engined boxer years. And, well, Ferrari hasn't looked back since: 575 replaced 550, after which there was 599 and now F12. All front-engined, rear-driven V12s.

But the 550M was the first, and also the last manual-only Ferrari V12; collectors began to realise its importance a couple of years ago, pushing values up beyond the £40K they lingered at for so long to comfortably beyond £100,000. Which of course means owners are even less likely to use them, as Maranellos become worth more money.

Bordeaux leather as well? Lovely

There's another way, however. This 550 Maranello, one of just 457 right-hand drive cars, is £80,000. Why? Because it has 96,000 miles. Some will shirk at this figure but, for a buyer who actually wants to enjoy the car, should it be a concern? It does at least mean it can be driven and enjoyed without concern for values.

Certainly the PH Buying Guide suggests they're tough as Ferraris go, with the usual provisos of checking for electrics, rust and regular maintenance. Cambelts, for example... But with such regular use (and a full service history), the common issues that afflict 550s must surely have been dealt with now, and there's hardly any danger of anything having seized through lack of use.

It looks presentable too. The driver's seat bolster has worn but, on the whole, the paint, wheels and leather appear in good condition. Again, with the mileage, it doesn't need to be kept in concours condition. It needs to be enjoyed!

The last sub-£100K Maranello?

96,000 miles is still only an average of 5K a year, which is hardly ludicrous. What must be ludicrous is the amount of money spent on fuel, given 550s had an average combined figure of 12mpg... Still, when have Ferraris been cheap to run?

There's a reason why the 550 Maranello is so well regarded, and it isn't as a static garage object. It's because it was fast, exciting and fantastic to drive. With this particular one there's no reason not to discover what all the fuss is about. Go on...

FERRARI 550 MARANELLO
Price: £79,995
Why you should: One of Ferrari's finest, begging to be enjoyed some more
Why you shouldn't: Selling it on again? You could just keep it...

See the original advert here.

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shortar53

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