550 Maranello article - they'll be £200k before you know it!
Discussion
I have had a 575 manual , and quite frankly it was poor compared to my 550 , and if values approach F12 for either 550 or 575, then the F12 is on another planet. If I want a manual V12 then 550 is the way to go. 599 sits in the middle, most are F1 box, it is ok without being great unless GTO or at a push HGTE software. 550 an excellent car, even if interior fragile.
montpellier said:
I have had a 575 manual , and quite frankly it was poor compared to my 550 , and if values approach F12 for either 550 or 575, then the F12 is on another planet. If I want a manual V12 then 550 is the way to go. 599 sits in the middle, most are F1 box, it is ok without being great unless GTO or at a push HGTE software. 550 an excellent car, even if interior fragile.
My 575 is a FHP car and I prefer it to 550 I drove but either way they are GT and not like the 458.Also agree on F12, I'm looking forward to 812 👍🏼
I think in absolute terms a car designed to be a GT is ever going to outhandle its counterparts or stablemates developed to be pure sports cars.
In context the 550 is a very capable car. It won handling contests outright back in the day but if you get in it expecting it to behave like an Elise you're going to be greatly disappointed. It is designed to cross continents in a single hit. The fact that it does such a credible job of devouring B roads is an impressive feat given its primary purpose.
Time doesn't stand still. 480hp is commonplace nowadays, as are improved brakes and suspension and the evolution of materials enable chassis stifness and weight that 20 years ago were probably F1 levels. As such, there are many cars which will see off a 550. Few are as desirable as a 550 though.
What a thing they are.
What. A. Thing.
Per the OP, I do believe the 550 will end up being hugely sought after. The styling may have been controversial at the time of its launch but now everyone appears to be at ease with it at the very least.
A V12 engine'd, manual 'box, Ferrari GT. We're talking modern age Daytona.
If you've already got one, you're a lucky git.
In context the 550 is a very capable car. It won handling contests outright back in the day but if you get in it expecting it to behave like an Elise you're going to be greatly disappointed. It is designed to cross continents in a single hit. The fact that it does such a credible job of devouring B roads is an impressive feat given its primary purpose.
Time doesn't stand still. 480hp is commonplace nowadays, as are improved brakes and suspension and the evolution of materials enable chassis stifness and weight that 20 years ago were probably F1 levels. As such, there are many cars which will see off a 550. Few are as desirable as a 550 though.
What a thing they are.
What. A. Thing.
Per the OP, I do believe the 550 will end up being hugely sought after. The styling may have been controversial at the time of its launch but now everyone appears to be at ease with it at the very least.
A V12 engine'd, manual 'box, Ferrari GT. We're talking modern age Daytona.
If you've already got one, you're a lucky git.
ferrisbueller said:
I think in absolute terms a car designed to be a GT is ever going to outhandle its counterparts or stablemates developed to be pure sports cars.
In context the 550 is a very capable car. It won handling contests outright back in the day but if you get in it expecting it to behave like an Elise you're going to be greatly disappointed. It is designed to cross continents in a single hit. The fact that it does such a credible job of devouring B roads is an impressive feat given its primary purpose.
Time doesn't stand still. 480hp is commonplace nowadays, as are improved brakes and suspension and the evolution of materials enable chassis stifness and weight that 20 years ago were probably F1 levels. As such, there are many cars which will see off a 550. Few are as desirable as a 550 though.
What a thing they are.
What. A. Thing.
Per the OP, I do believe the 550 will end up being hugely sought after. The styling may have been controversial at the time of its launch but now everyone appears to be at ease with it at the very least.
A V12 engine'd, manual 'box, Ferrari GT. We're talking modern age Daytona.
If you've already got one, you're a lucky git.
I've just sold my 550. I've got to stop reading this thread, I'm getting sellers remorse In context the 550 is a very capable car. It won handling contests outright back in the day but if you get in it expecting it to behave like an Elise you're going to be greatly disappointed. It is designed to cross continents in a single hit. The fact that it does such a credible job of devouring B roads is an impressive feat given its primary purpose.
Time doesn't stand still. 480hp is commonplace nowadays, as are improved brakes and suspension and the evolution of materials enable chassis stifness and weight that 20 years ago were probably F1 levels. As such, there are many cars which will see off a 550. Few are as desirable as a 550 though.
What a thing they are.
What. A. Thing.
Per the OP, I do believe the 550 will end up being hugely sought after. The styling may have been controversial at the time of its launch but now everyone appears to be at ease with it at the very least.
A V12 engine'd, manual 'box, Ferrari GT. We're talking modern age Daytona.
If you've already got one, you're a lucky git.
I think the 550's (along with the 355) are the pinnacle of that 'analogue' Ferrari period. Yes, Dino's and Daytona's are sublime, but for the combination of performance and looks combined with an engaging drive they're a winner, especially given their price vs the older cars. And yes, some modern cars may indeed see them off but 550's are deceptively nimble and certainly rapid enough to exceed my meagre driving capabilities. They're also a reasonable size and comfortable enough to hustle down your average twisty B road without worrying whether you'll make it through that gap.
priley said:
I think the 550's (along with the 355) are the pinnacle of that 'analogue' Ferrari period. Yes, Dino's and Daytona's are sublime, but for the combination of performance and looks combined with an engaging drive they're a winner, especially given their price vs the older cars. And yes, some modern cars may indeed see them off but 550's are deceptively nimble and certainly rapid enough to exceed my meagre driving capabilities. They're also a reasonable size and comfortable enough to hustle down your average twisty B road without worrying whether you'll make it through that gap.
Having been fortunate enough to have owned both and playing devil's advocate once again, I'm not entirely sure I agree. They are both a hoot, don't get me wrong. And for the record the driving experience of a 550 is miles ahead of the 355 for everything apart from exhaust noise IMO. That said, 355s do have a satisfying "work for it" power delivery which is great for the road even if none of them are anywhere near 375 bhp.
But let's be clear, people aren't on the whole buying them now for their driving credentials. They're good to drive (when they've been looked after properly mind) sure, but people see it as a "safe" place to put their money or more likely an investment. Nothing wrong with that but lets be honest. £90K for a 355 that 5 years ago was £40K, and £150K for a 550 that was £50K....pull the other one, it's pure speculation. And it's not just these two, all Ferrari prices have gone mental. Cheap credit, low interest rates etc etc. And 550s/355s are not even that rare, just look at how many are for sale. I remember when there were about seven 550s for sale on PH about 3 years ago and about double the number of 355s, then there was demand. Now there are far more available for sale of either than when I picked mine up in 2010 and 2012 respectively and the turnover of cars is likely at a snail's pace. One suspects that if you ask for an outright trade price for either you'll get a bit of a shock.
Sad thing is there are plenty of cars available for the market to be sensible and "regular" people to be able to enjoy them as was a few years back. Instead we're all paying inflated prices or priced out. It's like house price increases: on paper you feel richer, but assuming you want to move onwards and upwards, you're paying more. Only time you "win" is if you you're cashing out completely, which let's be honest, anyone posting on this forum is unlikely to do!
roygarth said:
I've just sold my 550. I've got to stop reading this thread, I'm getting sellers remorse
How did you find the selling process?This coming weekend we'll see at least 4x LHD Maranellos go through two separate UK auctions, but they are a mixed bunch...
At Bonhams at Goodwood on the 30th a Danish 550 that has spent time in Japan £70,000 - 90,000
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24120/lot/286/
At Coys, Fontwell House, on the 29th there are 3 x 575M F1's...
Another European car that has spent some time in Japan and is currently rolling on aftermarket wheels... £70,000-£80,000
http://www.coys.co.uk/cars/2003-ferrari-575m-f1
The so called "pre-production prototype" car... £160,000-£200,000 (!)
http://www.coys.co.uk/cars/2002-ferrari-575m-maran...
P.S. This one sold for the bargain price of £72,800 at RM Sotheby's in 2015 see here.. http://www.rmsothebys.com/lf15/london/lots/2001-fe...
The so called ‘Fiorano handling pack edition" LOL! £135,000-£145,000
http://www.coys.co.uk/cars/2003-ferrari-575m-fiora...
Edited by Mogul on Tuesday 27th June 10:39
Mario149 said:
Having been fortunate enough to have owned both and playing devil's advocate once again, I'm not entirely sure I agree.
My point was mostly regarding them being so successful as the end of the manual V8/V12 Ferrari lineage, especially in terms of looks and performance, and with this in mind I think they will have their day, especially if prices for older Ferraris continued to rise. Whether this is that day I don't know, however I certainly agree that current values, prices and availability make it hard to ascertain their current worth.priley said:
Mario149 said:
Having been fortunate enough to have owned both and playing devil's advocate once again, I'm not entirely sure I agree.
My point was mostly regarding them being so successful as the end of the manual V8/V12 Ferrari lineage, especially in terms of looks and performance, and with this in mind I think they will have their day, especially if prices for older Ferraris continued to rise. Whether this is that day I don't know, however I certainly agree that current values, prices and availability make it hard to ascertain their current worth.
I think we're saying similar things in many ways. IMO people are buying them because of what they are on paper (manual V8/V12, "safe" place for money, good investment etc) rather than how they drive. 355 is very pretty to be fair as well. The fact that they're both good to drive is almost incidental. They're possibly good value compared to older Ferraris, but then again the older cars are genuinely rare. Are there 400+ people in the UK who think £150K for a 550 is sensible money and would put their money where their mouth is? Seems a stretch to me.
Anyway, if you got 'em, enjoy 'em
Happen to have passed quite a few 550s on the A3 in the last few months, always good to see them on the road Gassing Station | Ferrari V12 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff