Going back from digital to analogue
Discussion
Had a series of more modern and sophisticated Ferraris. Starting with 456 to a 612 a 599 etc… and most recently a GTC4LussoT which is wonderful. But I am drawn to a 575M and read the reviews at time and more recently which have mellowed on the Fiorano handling pack.
I left my GTC for three days having done a full day of driving to find a sluggish start up and a dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree as car is so sensitive to battery levels.
So a 575M - Simpler car, v12, grand tourer most depreciation done and which is well understood and easy (relative) to maintain yet still has full Ferrari drama.
Wondered if anyone else has done the retrograde thing. Thoughts welcome especially on things to look out for…
I left my GTC for three days having done a full day of driving to find a sluggish start up and a dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree as car is so sensitive to battery levels.
So a 575M - Simpler car, v12, grand tourer most depreciation done and which is well understood and easy (relative) to maintain yet still has full Ferrari drama.
Wondered if anyone else has done the retrograde thing. Thoughts welcome especially on things to look out for…
I can't advise on the driving experience from a retro switch, not having done it myself, but if you are near London I'd be happy to arrange a mooch around my 575M.
They have a reputation for being reliable, many of the learnings from this generation of Ferrari being incorporated into it, and that has been my experience. An owner in the US has recently completed an 8 week, 14k mile, roadtrip in his and I'd happily jump into mine and do that without a worry.
However, now that they are all 21-24 years old, you should expect to see service work in their histories relating to components just ageing out, regardless of usage, that you might not find in newer cars. At my next service, for example, I'm having all the coolant hoses replaced. They've been sitting in the v for 22 years so it's only a matter of time before one fails. So, depreciation might be all done but (ideally, preventative) maintenance over and above standard service items should be expected.
They have a reputation for being reliable, many of the learnings from this generation of Ferrari being incorporated into it, and that has been my experience. An owner in the US has recently completed an 8 week, 14k mile, roadtrip in his and I'd happily jump into mine and do that without a worry.
However, now that they are all 21-24 years old, you should expect to see service work in their histories relating to components just ageing out, regardless of usage, that you might not find in newer cars. At my next service, for example, I'm having all the coolant hoses replaced. They've been sitting in the v for 22 years so it's only a matter of time before one fails. So, depreciation might be all done but (ideally, preventative) maintenance over and above standard service items should be expected.
I did not do a direct switch from the cars you mention, but I effectively replaced my FF with a Murcielago and my 997 RS with a 1971 Targa. In my case it was a question of which cars have to leave as I had all of them together. I prefer the older, more analogue and slower cars - more fun with speed limits etc.
As an aside my FF supposedly showed that only 12% of the clutch pack was left, so I am sure that would have been a big bill and I had to do all 4 CCBs over the last few years due to rusty bolts, so not only old cars can throw big bills as we all know.
Edit: Just to add a 550 has been on my bucket list for about 15 years now and I still have not bought one. 575 also gets consideration, but I think I prefer the interior and front look of the 550.
As an aside my FF supposedly showed that only 12% of the clutch pack was left, so I am sure that would have been a big bill and I had to do all 4 CCBs over the last few years due to rusty bolts, so not only old cars can throw big bills as we all know.
Edit: Just to add a 550 has been on my bucket list for about 15 years now and I still have not bought one. 575 also gets consideration, but I think I prefer the interior and front look of the 550.
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