Tuesday 14th June 2011

Spotted: 1998 Ferrari 550 Maranello

As much style and performance as you can find for the money?

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It's funny what time can do to the way we view a car. Take this Ferrari 550 Maranello for example; when it was launched it wasn't exactly derided as plug-ugly, but few were taken by its looks at the time.

Today, however, looking at this silver example from our classifieds you might say that the years have been very kind to it. Then again, that perception might have something to do with the fact that the vendor has just reduced the asking price of this Schumacher-era, V12, 200mph (well...ok, it's only really good for 199mph if you want to split hairs) GT to just £40,000.

These things are, reportedly, pretty damn good to drive. Schuey himself was involved in the development of the handling, the 5.5 V12 was heralded as one of the finest available, and you could even get a full set of golf clubs in the back. Although why anyone would want to stop driving one in favour of playing golf (...or anything else for that matter) escapes us. Proof of the car's fast-touring ability can be found here where one was used to cross America in 31 hours and 59 minutes by Dennis Collins and Richard Rawlings.

Suffice to say that this one is loaded with goodies and at just 53,000 main-dealer-serviced miles represents pretty strong value for money. If you had forty grand to spend and fancied a bit of a cross-continental thrash-athon with a few laps of the 'Ring in the morning then cutting a dash on the Cote d'Azur that same evening, surely this would take some beating. (Blimey! You can get European breakdown cover for the Nurburgring now..? Ed.)

[dlockhart]

IMHO the last good looking Ferrari GT 40K seems a bargin. Not that I can afford it.

[Ocho]

500 Maranello - is that a one off special?

[Chris-R]

Ocho said:

500 Maranello - is that a one off special?

Nope - that's me needing fresh coffee!

[MPowerMark]

I've always found these pig ugly.

[EVOeng]

From Hendon Way Motors......
You only need to google them, and look at the Porsche forum.

ETA: the paint on the door does not quite match the rear wing.

[Hellbound]

A friends dad had one of these in school. Not bad looking, but for £40k there's strong competition. I'd personally go for either a 'safe' 997 or a '07 AM V8. But if it had to be a Fezza, why not a 575?

[williamp]

You could alaso have a DB9. Oh to be in thr situation to have to make such choices!!

[McSam]

High average score for this one so far.. I went for a six because I think the seats are crap

Otherwise it would indeed warrant an 8 as they're lovely looking things and it's hard to argue with a big V12 Ferrari..

[Hellbound]

EVOeng said:

From Hendon Way Motors......
You only need to google them, and look at the Porsche forum.

ETA: the paint on the door does not quite match the rear wing.

It doesn't look too good does it...

[daytonarhymes]

been eyeing up one of these for ages, way more classy than say a 360

[iain1970]

I'll pass thanks. The offside door & rear quarter have been repaired by my two year old son by the look of things.

[Oddball RS]

The door looks like i painted it, whats with the passenger air bag cover? and throw in that aged Alfa feel not for me, taxi............

[Steamer]

Oddball RS said:

The door looks like i painted it............

With rattle cans...

...that you found in the back of the garage...

Lovely car though, agree its soooo much classier than a 360.

[E30M3SE]

Hellbound said:

EVOeng said:

From Hendon Way Motors......
You only need to google them, and look at the Porsche forum.

ETA: the paint on the door does not quite match the rear wing.

It doesn't look too good does it...

That is an understatement..... it looks absolutely terrible.

[Rawwr]

daytonarhymes said:

been eyeing up one of these for ages, way more classy than say a 360

People who care about class don't know what it is.

[George H]

I think if I had £40k to spend on a Ferrari, this wouldn't be it.

Either a 355 or a Testarossa.

[Hellbound]

E30M3SE said:

Hellbound said:

EVOeng said:

From Hendon Way Motors......
You only need to google them, and look at the Porsche forum.

ETA: the paint on the door does not quite match the rear wing.

It doesn't look too good does it...

That is an understatement..... it looks absolutely terrible.

You have to wonder...given the readership PH must have, why there's a complete lack of oversight with such things.

Anyway, only a mug would buy such a car from such a location...assuming that's Hendon Way Motors' HQ in the photos. Anyone been there? Also, lot's of pointless, amateurish waffle on their homepage too.

[soad]

MPowerMark said:

I've always found these pig ugly.

Me too, i'd take a 360 instead

[Frimley111R]

To be fair the dealer did try to make the car look good by photographing it in front of some old sheds!

[slipstream 1985]

ironicly for 40k yes theres otions of a 997 porsche or aston v8 but the choice to have something different would be 550 maranello.

however id have a tvr sagaris