Views on 550 bar hertz

[gaters]

I am looking at a couple of 550 barchetta' s and wanted views from those that know on drivability, ownership and long term investment - I intend keeping it 20 years plus!

[iandc]

Alain de Cadenet loved the Barchetta on his programme. Really rated it. Plus it has a MANUAL gearbox and is appreciating. 18 months ago they were a lot cheaper. Only downside is the hood is useless and blows off above 70 mph!! You know it makes sense!!

[johnnyreggae]

Is hertz who you call when it rains or need a car thats safe to leave out overnight ?

[gaters]

It is because my fingers are so big and I dud not check the damn spelling!!!!

Hopefully at the cost of these cars I will NOT have to call Hertz out!!!

[AndrewW-G]

Great car, looks lovely in any of the darker colours . . . . . if you buy one to keep and use, there are aftermarket hardtops for them

[gaters]

Happy New Year all!!

There are 3 550 Barchetta's out there that I am interested in. One at DK, another at Dick Lovetts and the last one at Simon Furlonger. Does anybody know the history of any of these cars. Would be my first Barchetta but I am torn between one of these or a 599? Help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

[autofocus]

Hi there,

Can't really help on the ones you have highlighted for sale. I am not aware of the car at DK as it appears to have been an import from Germany. The car at Simon Furlonger is a Dark Blue which is not a colour I have seen a 550 Barchetta in before.

As for the Dick Lovett car I have seen a few black ones out and about but don't recall a black/black car.

The nicest one I have seen was this one at Graypaul a few years ago: -



And they do look good in Red as well



I also recall seeing a grey one with a pretty nasty hard top although I can't find the picture at the moment.
Just watch out for the roof conversions as there seem to be a few different types, this one is not particularly flattering: -





Regards

Tim

[Camlet]

gaters said:

Happy New Year all!!

There are 3 550 Barchetta's out there that I am interested in. One at DK, another at Dick Lovetts and the last one at Simon Furlonger. Does anybody know the history of any of these cars. Would be my first Barchetta but I am torn between one of these or a 599? Help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

I have a 550M and a 599 GTB. The 550M is like a giant go-cart with razor sharp, glorious handling. And its analogue, manual set up coupled with its huge torque (I can just about pull away from rest in 6th gear) is a delight. The GTB is of a different age. It feels German in its quality, it's a remarkable machine which combines effortless relaxed cruising with blistering performance; honestly you can't believe just how quick the GTB can change from Jeykell to Hyde - massive fun and deeply impressive. I've not driven a Barchetta but I guess it'll be less sharp than a 550M. And the roof would drive me mad given UK weather. The Graypaul example above does however look very pretty. I'm sure you'll be happy either way! Enjoy.

[gaters]

Camlet said:

I have a 550M and a 599 GTB. The 550M is like a giant go-cart with razor sharp, glorious handling. And its analogue, manual set up coupled with its huge torque (I can just about pull away from rest in 6th gear) is a delight. The GTB is of a different age. It feels German in its quality, it's a remarkable machine which combines effortless relaxed cruising with blistering performance; honestly you can't believe just how quick the GTB can change from Jeykell to Hyde - massive fun and deeply impressive. I've not driven a Barchetta but I guess it'll be less sharp than a 550M. And the roof would drive me mad given UK weather. The Graypaul example above does however look very pretty. I'm sure you'll be happy either way! Enjoy.

That is a really helpful summary thank you. You clearly love both! The roof point is a good one in the UK weather. One of the reasons I like the Barchetta is its exclusivity and also the possibility it will hold its value in the very long term. The 599 sounds a wonderful machine but will probably drop more rapidly in the long term. I try to look at cars as great machines to drive, but also something for my nippers to be able to "invest" their interest in for the very long term. I have this naive thought that they may be passed down and dwon etc and so one day (when I am long gone!) they may be some family heirloom - hence the exclusivity and the long term value. Your view has left me thinking again!!

[Davey S2]

Superamerica instead?

[Camlet]

gaters said:

Camlet said:

I have a 550M and a 599 GTB. The 550M is like a giant go-cart with razor sharp, glorious handling. And its analogue, manual set up coupled with its huge torque (I can just about pull away from rest in 6th gear) is a delight. The GTB is of a different age. It feels German in its quality, it's a remarkable machine which combines effortless relaxed cruising with blistering performance; honestly you can't believe just how quick the GTB can change from Jeykell to Hyde - massive fun and deeply impressive. I've not driven a Barchetta but I guess it'll be less sharp than a 550M. And the roof would drive me mad given UK weather. The Graypaul example above does however look very pretty. I'm sure you'll be happy either way! Enjoy.

That is a really helpful summary thank you. You clearly love both! The roof point is a good one in the UK weather. One of the reasons I like the Barchetta is its exclusivity and also the possibility it will hold its value in the very long term. The 599 sounds a wonderful machine but will probably drop more rapidly in the long term. I try to look at cars as great machines to drive, but also something for my nippers to be able to "invest" their interest in for the very long term. I have this naive thought that they may be passed down and dwon etc and so one day (when I am long gone!) they may be some family heirloom - hence the exclusivity and the long term value. Your view has left me thinking again!!

Glad to be of help. I bought my 550M in 1999 when it was one year old and with 5000 miles on the clock. It is my first Ferrari so she's very special to me. She now has just over 24,000 miles on the clock and is spoilt rotten. Compared to the price I paid for her the car has depreciated sharply. But that also means 550M's now represent strong value for money. If you find a low mileage clean example, I think you'll have sourced one of the truly great GT cars, one which might just creep up in value over the long term and which seems to get prettier with each passing year too. Have fun!

[JazzyO]

As the previous poster, my first F was a 550 and she is very special to me too. Unlikely to ever sell it, but if you really want a very long-term view on this, with also a view on investment, IMHO you would be better off with a 1960's Ferrari. The most problematic thing in future will be the maintenance of software systems. The 550 is a lot less complicated than a 599 but they are still complicated cars. How many of you can still attach a printer you bought in 1995 to your computer? These cars rely on dedicated Ferrari software and the guys who wrote the software are not really thinking of archiving the code for the future. If the OBD systems break down, maintenance becomes impossible. To me, it is a big worry for modern cars.

The 250/330 series of Ferraris are elegant, famous, and there are enough of them around and they are valuable enough for parts to be machined if/when they don't exist anymore. Nevertheless, they are still rare and they are associated with the most famous and succesful racing period in Ferrari's history. You can enter almost any event with them. They are great to drive too, provided you don't compare them with modern cars. You can buy a good 2+2 at around 100k and a good 330GTC for 200k. Daytona's are also always a great choice.

Seriously, as an investment they are a better bet, and I think they might be easier to maintain in 20 years' time.


Onno

[melvster]

autofocus said:

Hi there,

Can't really help on the ones you have highlighted for sale. I am not aware of the car at DK as it appears to have been an import from Germany. The car at Simon Furlonger is a Dark Blue which is not a colour I have seen a 550 Barchetta in before.

As for the Dick Lovett car I have seen a few black ones out and about but don't recall a black/black car.

The nicest one I have seen was this one at Graypaul a few years ago: -



Regards

Tim

Stunning

[JimiC]

autofocus said:

Hi there,

Can't really help on the ones you have highlighted for sale. I am not aware of the car at DK as it appears to have been an import from Germany. The car at Simon Furlonger is a Dark Blue which is not a colour I have seen a 550 Barchetta in before.

As for the Dick Lovett car I have seen a few black ones out and about but don't recall a black/black car.

The nicest one I have seen was this one at Graypaul a few years ago: -


And they do look good in Red as well


I also recall seeing a grey one with a pretty nasty hard top although I can't find the picture at the moment.
Just watch out for the roof conversions as there seem to be a few different types, this one is not particularly flattering: -


Regards

Tim

Hi Tim,

to avoid confusion we do have an RHD Barchetta at DK too (its just not advertied at present!).
Black/Black, 5k miles and concours condition. [this is not the same car we had back in June 2010 by the way]

James

[SonnyM]

I saw a 550 Barchetta at Cars International in Kensington sometime ago - think it was dark blue.

[RobboC]

Love them. If you're more concerned with uniqueness and future value, I'd say it has to be the 550.

A 599GTB would be epic, but it will go down in value sooner rather than later I'd think.

A SM would be great, although i've heard don't close the roof if it's got water on it as it soaks the occupants!

[melvster]

They are a stunning car, i am sure i read only 38 remain of the original 42 that came to the UK.

[gaters]

Job done. Today I and my friends from DK agreed the deal on the 550 Barchetta. This is my second car from DK and I look forward to their customary good service etc. In the end it was the low mileage and colour scheme together with the superb condition of the car that swayed me. Now just have to pay the funds, get the insurance and pick it up!!!!!!!!!!!

[melvster]

Congratulations, stunning car, hope to see it a show this year, Goodwood Supercar Sunday, Wilton House or Cliveden House.

[apt]

Congrats Hope to see it out in March if the weather allows!