Buying a 550

[nudgerwilliams]

I'm negotiating on this car at the moment:

https://www.slades-garage.co.uk/vehicle/ferrari-55...

I'm doing all the usual checks. Just wanted to ask if anyone knows of any reason why I shouldn't buy it. Thinking of that 360 on CC last week which the PH hive mind saved someone getting a nasty surprise on!

Thanks

David

[johnnyreggae]

I don't have skin in the game but its nearly twice the price of a couple of recent sales at auction - what are you getting for that huge premium ?

[MDL111]

That does look a tad expensive - although I am not longer up to date with UK prices, so might well be wrong. While I quite like the colour combination, I suspect it is not one of the most popular ones (and therefore might hamper sale ability if that is a consideration for the future).

Good luck - I still fancy getting a 550 one day - hopefully sooner rather than later

[davejones]

Given what seems to be happening in the market I would agree that this looks a bit rich, but good ones are getting scarce. I took the plunge myself last year, lusted after them for a long time - I bought LHD as I both want to use it on the continent, but also knew of it’s history as it belonged to a friend. They are really special and the last of the true analogue v12 cars. I planned to use it so much this year before Covid, so hopefully will get to enjoy Touring with it next year. The limited time in it thus far has been brilliant a wall of torque and relatively nimble handling for such a big GT. I hope you find a good one soon?

[21ATS]

I've been actively looking for a Maranello for 4 years now - had a couple of near misses where the seller in the end couldn't part with the car (not about the money).

There's a long running thread on FChat "Maranellos are disappearing" that would be an entertaining read. On that thread a number of UK members have posted real world sale prices of thier own cars this year.

Circa 20k-30k mile well looked after 550's have been changing hands as private sale's in the mid to high £70K region (in the last 6 months).

If you like Argento and you're looking for a driver (less bothered about mileage) you might want to give KHPC a call about this one.

https://www.tfcgb.com/used-cars/12032131-ferrari-5...

Slades have a reputation of being one of the most optimistic Sale or return dealers in the UK. Always up there with prices.

[cgt2]

21ATS said:

I've been actively looking for a Maranello for 4 years now - had a couple of near misses where the seller in the end couldn't part with the car (not about the money).

There's a long running thread on FChat "Maranellos are disappearing" that would be an entertaining read. On that thread a number of UK members have posted real world sale prices of thier own cars this year.

Circa 20k-30k mile well looked after 550's have been changing hands as private sale's in the mid to high £70K region (in the last 6 months).

If you like Argento and you're looking for a driver (less bothered about mileage) you might want to give KHPC a call about this one.

https://www.tfcgb.com/used-cars/12032131-ferrari-5...

Slades have a reputation of being one of the most optimistic Sale or return dealers in the UK. Always up there with prices.

Values across the board right now appear to be back to 2015 levels. Slades are very optimistic, prices reached that level for maybe a year at most in 2017-2018, highest I've ever seen 550's at.

KHPC car looks like a good one though even that number should be nearer £60k IMO and I would want proof of big ticket items done recently or it's very easy to spend another £10k in a heartbeat.

[jtremlett]

The original poster says he's negotiating on the car not that he's looking to pay the full asking price and has also posted some recent auction results on the other 550 thread, so probably has some idea what he's doing!

I believe it is 2 owners and I think the original owner kept it until 2014, having bought it new from Maranello's. I'm not entirely sure but I think Slades may have sold it then.

I don't have very much history on it but I know of no reason not to purchase it. I think you will find service history with the first owner was by Maranello's and recently with Bob Houghton.

Slades have had it listed for sale since the end of August, always at the same price.

[rat rod]

nudgerwilliams said:

I'm negotiating on this car at the moment:

https://www.slades-garage.co.uk/vehicle/ferrari-55...

I'm doing all the usual checks. Just wanted to ask if anyone knows of any reason why I shouldn't buy it. Thinking of that 360 on CC last week which the PH hive mind saved someone getting a nasty surprise on!

Thanks

David

That is a very red interior,I normally love red especially with silver but don't know if it's the photo's but looks much brighter than usual,
may not be to everybody's taste when time to sale.

Price seems sky high but does look a nice car.

There was a couple in Silverstone auction at the weekend ,I think one was L.H.D but worth a look through the recent auction results
to put prices in prospective.

Good luck with your search.

PS - Known Kent High Performance Cars for more than 25 years , Good guys to deal with as are most of the long standing
Ferrari specialist's

[nudgerwilliams]

jtremlett said:

The original poster says he's negotiating on the car not that he's looking to pay the full asking price and has also posted some recent auction results on the other 550 thread, so probably has some idea what he's doing!

I believe it is 2 owners and I think the original owner kept it until 2014, having bought it new from Maranello's. I'm not entirely sure but I think Slades may have sold it then.

I don't have very much history on it but I know of no reason not to purchase it. I think you will find service history with the first owner was by Maranello's and recently with Bob Houghton.

Slades have had it listed for sale since the end of August, always at the same price.

Thanks - your info tallies with what I have found out about the car also

[Bo_apex]

and 3rd gear is all you really need

[john_1983]

Same spec as mine, although I've got black carpets. Perfect spec for a 550 in my biased eyes, subtle exterior with bordeaux - black interiors just don't suit these IMO.

Looks a great example, all the tell-tale interior signs of wear look great for the mileage (seat bolster, passenger airbag leather shrinkage, stickiness etc) - and I say that as someone who doesn't care about mileage as mine has more than double that.

I've seen plenty with (allegedly) lower mileage that show their age far more. Agreed with the above it's too expensive, but it looks to be about the best you could buy and still use; i.e. not ridiculously low mileage.

[nudgerwilliams]

john_1983 said:

Same spec as mine, although I've got black carpets. Perfect spec for a 550 in my biased eyes, subtle exterior with bordeaux - black interiors just don't suit these IMO.

Looks a great example, all the tell-tale interior signs of wear look great for the mileage (seat bolster, passenger airbag leather shrinkage, stickiness etc) - and I say that as someone who doesn't care about mileage as mine has more than double that.

I've seen plenty with (allegedly) lower mileage that show their age far more. Agreed with the above it's too expensive, but it looks to be about the best you could buy and still use; i.e. not ridiculously low mileage.

As you have one I thought you'd be telling me price looks like a bargain :-)

[3gadgriff]

You could have mine for £105.949 that would be a bargain

[21ATS]

If I could go back to 1998 and spec one of these new this would be it.

https://www.nickcartwright.com/car_sales/550-maran...

What an asking price.

The reality is though, if I owned this car I'd probably be asking that kind of money too when I came to sell it. FInd me another, that spec, that condition.

I'm looking at it every day and doing the man maths on what the cars I currently own have depreciated over the last 5 years compared to this.

The man maths is starting to make sense.

[nudgerwilliams]

21ATS said:

If I could go back to 1998 and spec one of these new this would be it.

https://www.nickcartwright.com/car_sales/550-maran...

What an asking price.

The reality is though, if I owned this car I'd probably be asking that kind of money too when I came to sell it. FInd me another, that spec, that condition.

I'm looking at it every day and doing the man maths on what the cars I currently own have depreciated over the last 5 years compared to this.

The man maths is starting to make sense.

Agree that is a beautiful looking thing

[Iwontlietoyou]

21ATS said:

If I could go back to 1998 and spec one of these new this would be it.

https://www.nickcartwright.com/car_sales/550-maran...

What an asking price.

The reality is though, if I owned this car I'd probably be asking that kind of money too when I came to sell it. FInd me another, that spec, that condition.

I'm looking at it every day and doing the man maths on what the cars I currently own have depreciated over the last 5 years compared to this.

The man maths is starting to make sense.

Almost agree with you. Almost.

I'd swap the Crema for Beige or Cuio. Always find Crema a bit cold looking

Would go nice with my Blu TdF/Beige 599



In fact, I quite like the idea of a vertical of TdF/Beige Ferraris... a 550, an F430...

[911Thrasher]

john_1983 said:

Same spec as mine, although I've got black carpets. Perfect spec for a 550 in my biased eyes, subtle exterior with bordeaux - black interiors just don't suit these IMO.

Looks a great example, all the tell-tale interior signs of wear look great for the mileage (seat bolster, passenger airbag leather shrinkage, stickiness etc) - and I say that as someone who doesn't care about mileage as mine has more than double that.

I've seen plenty with (allegedly) lower mileage that show their age far more. Agreed with the above it's too expensive, but it looks to be about the best you could buy and still use; i.e. not ridiculously low mileage.

black carpets make a huge difference...and is more sought after i would think!

[21ATS]

I'd be happy with Crema, Sabbia or Beige with TDF, I like all of them.

One thing though I do prefer the standard seat in the 550 over the Daytona - in the 575 it's the reverse, the Daytona's look better.

[nudgerwilliams]

Thanks for all the comments. A few loose ends to tie up, but basically a deal done. Once I've got it will look forward to sharing impressions and experiences - my first Ferrari and a bucket list thing for me. Hopefully COVID situation next year will enable me to do the things I have in mind for it.

David

[21ATS]

nudgerwilliams said:

Thanks for all the comments. A few loose ends to tie up, but basically a deal done. Once I've got it will look forward to sharing impressions and experiences - my first Ferrari and a bucket list thing for me. Hopefully COVID situation next year will enable me to do the things I have in mind for it.

David

Nice. Were Slades receptive to a negotiation or was it more a take it or leave it approach?