550 Advice

[jdh1]

Thinking of getting a 550, somewhere around 1997-2000 model...£50k-£60k price range. Are there any colour combinations which are going to create a problem on resale? Any extras that are worth having? Anything else I should be considering? I want a warranty. Do the independents offer warranties that are worth anything (been here before with third party warranties!)

Thanks in advance.

[blow dog]

You should aim to pay around late 50's for a 2000 model with sensible mileage.
Ferrari warranty is possible at that price, if not, you can buy a Power warranty of Ferrari.

Car's generally the most reliable Ferrari of its time, but I still would never buy one without an official Ferrari warranty. You may be able to source one from a main dealer at that price too.

CK

[jdh1]

blow dog said:

You should aim to pay around late 50's for a 2000 model with sensible mileage. Ferrari warranty is possible at that price, if not, you can buy a Power warranty of Ferrari. Car's generally the most reliable Ferrari of its time, but I still would never buy one without an official Ferrari warranty. You may be able to source one from a main dealer at that price too. CK

Thanks. Are there any colour combinations which are going to be a disaster. I'm favouring argento/grigio/blue. Can I go wrong there with one of those? And interior wise I like the red/burgendy colour. Is that popular, or will it prove difficult to sell later. Would I be better sticking to tan or black?

[forthright mc]

550's and other big Ferrari's generally don't suit Rosso red, IMO i think the best combination would be TDF blue with crema hide or Grigio Titanio (grey) with similar interior. great choice BTW 550 is a fantastic Ferrari it may be worth reading Evo Mag one of their guys is running a 550 in the fast fleet.
good luck if you decide to get one!
FMC

[blow dog]

forthright mc said:

550's and other big Ferrari's generally don't suit Rosso red, IMO i think the best combination would be TDF blue with crema hide or Grigio Titanio (grey) with similar interior. great choice BTW 550 is a fantastic Ferrari it may be worth reading Evo Mag one of their guys is running a 550 in the fast fleet. good luck if you decide to get one! FMC

Agreed.
Mine was Grigio with Bordeaux leather which looked fantastic.
Try to avoid Rosso as it's not suited to its GT lifestyle.
Black looks good too.

[guydw]

TDF Blue with tan hide - looks stunning...

[RogerB]

I went with Grigio Alloy for mine and have been very pleased despite a slight reservation about the colour initially - it does grow on you and is unusual which makes it stand out a bit more. Feedback has been universally positive!

[Maple508]

Particularly disappointed to learn that Rosso red is so unpopular as I thought my recent 550 purchase in Rosso looks stunning - no accounting for taste eh?
Whilst I'm on, any thoughts or suggestions on a slow 3rd synchro when the box is warm, or am I going to have to crack it open?

[rpm100]

Maple508 said:

Particularly disappointed to learn that Rosso red is so unpopular as I thought my recent 550 purchase in Rosso looks stunning - no accounting for taste eh? Whilst I'm on, any thoughts or suggestions on a slow 3rd synchro when the box is warm, or am I going to have to crack it open?

Not to worry you but the chap that is running a 550 in evo mag (jan 06) had a not too unsimilar problem, quote 'mentioned in a previous report that when you changed up from second to third the Ferrari had an occasional habit of crunching its way through the gears. It was as if you hadn't fully depressed the clutch rather than any synchro problems.'

check the link

www.autoexpress.co.uk/fastfleet/62493/ferrari_550.html

Final bill was £9870 for the gearbox + £522 for fitting

[Maple508]

Oh dear. I don't think I will be succumbing to a new box quite so easily! Interesting reading though, so many thanks for the link.

[GT2man-2]

-- "Particularly disappointed to learn that Rosso red is so unpopular "

Rubbish, I think it looks great..

[rpm100]

no problem for the link, and i agree with gt2 man, i think the 550 looks awesome in rosso.

[wicked1]

I think Rosso corsa is good but most people don't like it. Grigio is probably the most favoured colour with a dark interior, say black. Personally i would probably go for rosso corsa with crema interior.

[blow dog]

GT2man-2 said:

-- "Particularly disappointed to learn that Rosso red is so unpopular " Rubbish, I think it looks great..

Don't misquote you monkeys.

I love them in red. But they just ain't as popular come resale time. It all depends on if you give a crap.

[jdh1]

Thanks for all your replies, both on here and privately.

Now know I want Silver/Grigio/Blue with Tan/Black/Burgendy leather in some combination or other. Lowish miles, flexible on owners with a proper warranty.

Interesting thing on prices I'm finding...main dealers, independents and private all seem to be asking roughly the same money. Never come across that before. Whether they get it or not is a different matter!

[tomtom]

Silver/burgundy

[GT2man-2]

Very much a buyers market on the 550 at the moment, don't pay anywhere near the asking price.

--- "I love them in red. But they just ain't as popular come resale time"

Dealers never told me mine (Rosso) was an unpopular colour when it came to offering them my car.. and they normally like to find every reason they can to knock you down.

>> Edited by GT2man-2 on Thursday 23 February 16:05

[anniesdad]

This is a 575 but you get the picture.

[sjw ferrari]

I agree the 550 in red with cream leather looks great, the prices are all over the place but hagggle hard as they do lose alot of money, although i think early cars have bottomed out!!

[jdh1]

I've never bought a Ferrari from a main dealer before (which is an option on this) though bought several Porches. What sort of room for negotiation is there likely to be? 3k-4k on a 60k car is my Porsche experience. Are Ferrari any better/worse?