Buying a 550

[nudgerwilliams]

21ATS said:

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?

The former - but you'll understand me not wanting to share details - not least because not all finalised yet.

[21ATS]

nudgerwilliams said:

The former - but you'll understand me not wanting to share details - not least because not all finalised yet.

Fingers crossed it completes.

I've got this far twice only for the owner to pull on both occassions, so I hope this goes through for you.

[SFTWend]

Well done. I look forward to reading about your impressions. In fact an ongoing report on ownership experience and costs for one of these would be interesting.

That TDF example at £120k is surely a collector example rather than a regular driver? Once it goes over 20k miles in drops into a different price band. Surely better to buy something like the OP has if you want a nearly good as new car to drive and enjoy.

[WCZ]

SFTWend said:

Well done. I look forward to reading about your impressions. In fact an ongoing report on ownership experience and costs for one of these would be interesting.

That TDF example at £120k is surely a collector example rather than a regular driver? Once it goes over 20k miles in drops into a different price band. Surely better to buy something like the OP has if you want a nearly good as new car to drive and enjoy.

imo that's a completely drivable amount of depreciation that would be likely

many people have lost near £120k just on a couple of years of owning a Lusso!

[john_1983]

Well done OP, looks a fabulous car and as I said, a lovely balance between looking almost brand new but not too little miles to either worry about value, or things breaking through lack of use.

I've no interest in what you paid, that's your business only, but I would be interested to know how much a dealer like Slades would move to get a deal done - I'm always drawn to their stock as they only seem to deal in nice examples.

[nudgerwilliams]

john_1983 said:

Well done OP, looks a fabulous car and as I said, a lovely balance between looking almost brand new but not too little miles to either worry about value, or things breaking through lack of use.

I've no interest in what you paid, that's your business only, but I would be interested to know how much a dealer like Slades would move to get a deal done - I'm always drawn to their stock as they only seem to deal in nice examples.

I'll drop you a PM

[21ATS]

nudgerwilliams said:

I'll drop you a PM

I'm also very interested if you don't mind sending a PM.

[nudgerwilliams]

21ATS said:

nudgerwilliams said:

I'll drop you a PM

I'm also very interested if you don't mind sending a PM.

Your account doesn't permit PMs

[21ATS]

nudgerwilliams said:

Your account doesn't permit PMs

I think I've checked the right box to now allow it.

[john_1983]

nudgerwilliams said:

I'll drop you a PM

Received, and much appreciated

[Claret Badger]

3gadgriff said:

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

Same spec as my old one.

Loved the Speedline wheels.

Ohhh memories!

[nudgerwilliams]

Quick update on this from me. Have now driven the car and have decided not to buy it. It's not an issue with that car (it's better than the other one I tried) or Slade's, just that a 550 is too much GT and not enough sports car for my taste.

I've previously tried a 360 and didn't connect with that either. Given my nice car "squeezes" have been fairly hard core Porsches (currently a Cayman GT4 and prior to that a 964RS), I suspect the Ferrari for me is one I can't afford - a 360 Scud or 430 Strad.

So I'm going to leave the Ferrari itch unscratched for now and see how badly it comes back. Will now check out my Lotus itch, which at least will be cheaper to satisfy!

Thanks for advice and guidance.

David

[idealstandard]

nudgerwilliams said:

or advice and guidance.

David

Grab a V12V, might satisfy your long legged sports craving

[nudgerwilliams]

idealstandard said:

Grab a V12V, might satisfy your long legged sports craving

Funny you should say that; I am finding myself browsing the Aston dealers.

[idealstandard]

nudgerwilliams said:

Funny you should say that; I am finding myself browsing the Aston dealers.

Well I say as an owner of a V12V but also a 599 (and previously two 456s) that I understand where you are coming from when you say you want something less GT and more Sports. I think the V12V could be a little harsh ride wise for some, but might tick all of the boxes you have.

[MarkM3Evoplus]

V12V had a harsh ride due to the dampers apparently - later V12Vs is better, so if the V12V floats your boat, maybe enquire re the later (Bilstein) damper upgrade.

[Upperworks]

MarkM3Evoplus said:

V12V had a harsh ride due to the dampers apparently - later V12Vs is better, so if the V12V floats your boat, maybe enquire re the later (Bilstein) damper upgrade.

not sure I'd call it harsh, but the option to have multiple settings to suit your mood on the Bilsteins is definitely a bonus. Still feels more raw than the S even with these fitted. What's better would depend on preference.

[cayman-black]

IMO the V12V is like a modern 550 type car better though but very similar. Not comparable to the GT3/RS porsches or track focused Ferraris.

[MDL111]

I think a 550 with a fresh sports suspension, some Cup 2, bucket seats and a lighter exhaust would feel very different to a standard (and possibly still on original suspension) car.

I always wanted to build one and put it on a weight loss program (have an excel list somewhere I think) similar to the 550LM project from c 15 years ago (I am not sure if they completed more than 1 car, which I think resides in the Netherlands). I think that would be awesome.

Edit: and a fresh geo with some more aggressive settings

[nudgerwilliams]

MDL111 said:

I think a 550 with a fresh sports suspension, some Cup 2, bucket seats and a lighter exhaust would feel very different to a standard (and possibly still on original suspension) car.

I always wanted to build one and put it on a weight loss program (have an excel list somewhere I think) similar to the 550LM project from c 15 years ago (I am not sure if they completed more than 1 car, which I think resides in the Netherlands). I think that would be awesome.

Edit: and a fresh geo with some more aggressive settings

That would be a lovely project to do. I could barely afford a stock 550 though; buying one, modding it and making it drive better but be worth less is definitely beyond my means :-)