Buying a 550

[MDL111]

nudgerwilliams said:

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 :-)

I know ... it doesn’t help that prices increased substantially since I first thought about this idea in 2008 .... still, at least LHD cars seem to be coming down a little, so I haven’t given up hope yet

A V12V looks like it might be a better option, would quite like one of those as well and they look good value (DBS manual also worth a look imo as it is - to my eyes - the much prettier car)

[21ATS]

The V12's really are GT cars, which is exactly what I like. I've reached an age where comfort now trumps lap times.

My neighbour owns a 458, a 996 GT3Rs and a V8 Vantage. The only car I ever see him drive is the 458 and these really aren't a million miles away from what you bid on the 550 at Slades.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10882800?c...

[nudgerwilliams]

21ATS said:

The V12's really are GT cars, which is exactly what I like. I've reached an age where comfort now trumps lap times.

My neighbour owns a 458, a 996 GT3Rs and a V8 Vantage. The only car I ever see him drive is the 458 and these really aren't a million miles away from what you bid on the 550 at Slades.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10882800?c...

458 could be what I'm after, but the problem is I started off thinking I can scratch the Ferrari itch spending 60-70k on a nice, manual 360. When I tried one of those and found it didn't float my boat, I then talked myself into thinking I could afford 100k on a 550. If I now try and persuade myself to get a 458 then I'm looking at about twice where I started from, and for me right now that's just too much.

So I'll park the Ferrari thing for now, and see if the itch returns badly enough in the future to look at some other options.

[seawise]

nudgerwilliams said:

458 could be what I'm after, but the problem is I started off thinking I can scratch the Ferrari itch spending 60-70k on a nice, manual 360. When I tried one of those and found it didn't float my boat, I then talked myself into thinking I could afford 100k on a 550. If I now try and persuade myself to get a 458 then I'm looking at about twice where I started from, and for me right now that's just too much.

So I'll park the Ferrari thing for now, and see if the itch returns badly enough in the future to look at some other options.

you can always borrow my verde zeltweg 575 (complete with st F1 box) if you and the misses want to do a roadtrip - these cars are for using. especially if it stops you from buying a ghastly Lotus....

[ANOpax]

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

You’re correct that the 550LM project car is in The Netherlands. My indy looks after it and I’ve seen it in the workshop. Nice piece of kit. .

[nudgerwilliams]

seawise said:

you can always borrow my verde zeltweg 575 (complete with st F1 box) if you and the misses want to do a roadtrip - these cars are for using. especially if it stops you from buying a ghastly Lotus....

Thanks mate - might take you up on that - off to try something ghastly tomorrow :-)

[MDL111]

ANOpax said:

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

You’re correct that the 550LM project car is in The Netherlands. My indy looks after it and I’ve seen it in the workshop. Nice piece of kit. .

what an awesome looking and sounding car. If it ever comes up for sale again, I want to buy that car (happy to pay you a small commission )

[SFTWend]

seawise said:

you can always borrow my verde zeltweg 575 (complete with st F1 box) if you and the misses want to do a roadtrip - these cars are for using. especially if it stops you from buying a ghastly Lotus....

Is it available for hire? Would love to take my good lady for a trip in one of those. Promise to pamper it but may be reluctant to return her! Perhaps you would accept my wife instead of the car!

[ThePrincipal]

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

Exactly this - I've been looking for a 550 for a few months but prices seem to be all over the place.
I wanted to add Barchetta carbon seats, fiammenghi exhaust manifolds and sport cats, fresh suspension and rubber.
At current asking prices, it makes no sense for me.

[Iwontlietoyou]

seawise said:

you can always borrow my verde zeltweg 575 (complete with st F1 box) if you and the misses want to do a roadtrip - these cars are for using. especially if it stops you from buying a ghastly Lotus....

Is yours the Zeltweg 575 that was a at Barkaways a while back? if so, lovely car...

[seawise]

Iwontlietoyou said:

seawise said:

you can always borrow my verde zeltweg 575 (complete with st F1 box) if you and the misses want to do a roadtrip - these cars are for using. especially if it stops you from buying a ghastly Lotus....

Is yours the Zeltweg 575 that was a at Barkaways a while back? if so, lovely car...

Yep, that’s the car.

[MarkM3Evoplus]

seawise said:

you can always borrow my verde zeltweg 575 (complete with st F1 box) if you and the misses want to do a roadtrip - these cars are for using. especially if it stops you from buying a ghastly Lotus....

What Lotus? I have an Exige v6s. Driven lots of cars, Ferrari's, Astons, GTRs, but as a fun drivers car, the Lotus sh&Ys all over them!

[seawise]

MarkM3Evoplus said:

What Lotus? I have an Exige v6s. Driven lots of cars, Ferrari's, Astons, GTRs, but as a fun drivers car, the Lotus sh&Ys all over them!

i am sure - i was just teasing him, he's a friend of mine (in the real world, not just virtual).

[nudgerwilliams]

MarkM3Evoplus said:

What Lotus? I have an Exige v6s. Driven lots of cars, Ferrari's, Astons, GTRs, but as a fun drivers car, the Lotus sh&Ys all over them!

Elise Sport 220. Collecting it on Saturday :-)

Really like the way it goes down the road. Gorgeous steering, and rides really well as it's so light. Fab gear shift (it's a 2019 car with the exposed linkage) which feels rather like the Ferrari manuals coincidentally. Very different experience from conventional sports cars (my GT4 included), so a nice addition to the garage. And something I can comfortably afford rather than the stretch a 550 was going to be.

[MarkM3Evoplus]

nudgerwilliams said:

Elise Sport 220. Collecting it on Saturday :-)

Really like the way it goes down the road. Gorgeous steering, and rides really well as it's so light. Fab gear shift (it's a 2019 car with the exposed linkage) which feels rather like the Ferrari manuals coincidentally. Very different experience from conventional sports cars (my GT4 included), so a nice addition to the garage. And something I can comfortably afford rather than the stretch a 550 was going to be.

Lovely! TBH fast enough for the road and fun on track along with the lightweight making it easy on consumables, so cheap to run. Enjoy!

[SL550M]

So here's a thing...

I've been lurking a bit these past few months on an Azzuro California (my favourite Ferrari colour) 575 Maranello at Stratstone Wilmslow. It was up for £99,950 and they didn't seem that keen to move much on price. I notice today that it's popped up at a non-franchised dealer for £20,000 less!!

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11127261

What do we make of that?

[priley]

I’d guess the difference is their mark up plus a fund for any potential warranty issues. Sounds like a good buy now though. Lovely colour too.

[ThePrincipal]

SL550M said:

So here's a thing...

I've been lurking a bit these past few months on an Azzuro California (my favourite Ferrari colour) 575 Maranello at Stratstone Wilmslow. It was up for £99,950 and they didn't seem that keen to move much on price. I notice today that it's popped up at a non-franchised dealer for £20,000 less!!

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11127261

What do we make of that?

It’s the same car that sold at Silverstone Auctions a while back. I think the current asking price is the amount the car sold for but I’d have to double check. It definitely looks like better value now than when it was £20k more.

[SFTWend]

ThePrincipal said:

It’s the same car that sold at Silverstone Auctions a while back. I think the current asking price is the amount the car sold for but I’d have to double check. It definitely looks like better value now than when it was £20k more.

Yep. Sold for 83,250 at Silverstones Feb 2019 auction. Wonder if it was bought by an investor, who sees the market turning, or if it's been with the trade all this time.

Lovely colours. Does the roll cage add value or put buyers off? Not really a track toy is it.

Edited by SFTWend on Thursday 24th December 19:17

[jtremlett]

SFTWend said:

ThePrincipal said:

It’s the same car that sold at Silverstone Auctions a while back. I think the current asking price is the amount the car sold for but I’d have to double check. It definitely looks like better value now than when it was £20k more.

Yep. Sold for 83,250 at Silverstones Feb 2019 auction. Wonder if it was bought by an investor, who sees the market turning, or if it's been with the trade all this time.

Lovely colours. Does the roll cage add value or put buyers off? Not really a track toy is it.

I'm sure it hasn't been with the trade, both because I can't imagine Stratstone's buying it at auction hoping to make a quick buck but also because it was put on a private plate post auction.

It is worth noting that Stratstone's did reduce the price to £89,990 last week (and it is still showing on Ferrari Approved at that price).

I imagine the roll cage is price and buyer neutral but the harnesses will put some off.