| Author | Message | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1545 Registered: 8-2001 |
Yes, Bill. I'm well aware of inline engines as I used to have an older Jag XJ6. I think Dr. Shelbee was just being a little loose with the terminology.  | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 255 Registered: 4-2002 |
Dr. Shelbee and Bill: The 12 in the 512 is actually considered a 180 degree V12. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 932 Registered: 2-2002 |
Willis, generally the term "Straight' is reserved for an inline engine like the six in a BMW. I've never heard it refer to a boxer engine, which is not inline since there is a crankshaft between the cylinders. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1543 Registered: 8-2001 |
Flat 12 or 180 degree V12. Same thing. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 930 Registered: 2-2002 |
I think you mean flat 12. A straight 12 would be an inline engine. | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 488 Registered: 12-2002 |
Mark Moon, Isn't your 512M straight 12 rather than V12?? | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 252 Registered: 4-2002 |
Dr. Shelbee: I have both in V12!! The F512M is my weekend beast and my 550 is my daily driver. As nice as the Maranello is it will never be as involving as the 512 is. | ||
| Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Member Username: Drtax Post Number: 349 Registered: 4-2003 |
Darth, no I haven't. The only time this car runs hotter than straight up and down is when I start running close to 7k rpm. And, according to the dealer, this is normal. You may want to really flush out your radiator. I recall a thread where TRs really cooled down when you got all the bugs blown out. In buggy east Texas, I need all the help I can get. Lately we have been infeasted with Love Bugs. These are bugs that live to screw. Apparently, they love heat. Thus, they thrive on hot roads. Man oh man, what a pain. So I'm gonna keep the mesh for now. But the laminated license plate idea is great. I set it off to the side so that it doesn't block the radiator. Yes sir! I'm legit! Dale | ||
| DL (Darth550)
Junior Member Username: Darth550 Post Number: 232 Registered: 7-2003 |
Dale, Did you cut the mesh out of your Speed Lingerie? It made mine run noticeably hotter until I cut it out. DL | ||
| Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Member Username: Drtax Post Number: 338 Registered: 4-2003 |
Awlrighty Coach (inside joke) here's a pic of my 550 resting in the shade of some pecan trees this weekend. BTW, a major tip of the hat to however it was that suggested making a color copy of the front plate and laminating it. I attached it to the speed bra. Take that you dirty rat! I have a little more than 2000 miles into my 550, and I'm still getting used to the car. But I gotta tell ya, this is an American Ferrari. None of this balance bs. This is a big motor rock 'n roll animal. Want an example? Yesterday, I was running with my bidness pardner who has a Boxster S. We get behind Billy Bob, Jim-Bob, and Tammy all driving pickemup trucks pulling a bass boat. We are talking about a freight train of redneck heaven. My partner has to zap and dodge to get around this freight train. Me, s-h-i-t, no problem Bubba. I just wait for the frist bit of open road and pass all three. No downshifts, no upshifts. Jus motoring on down the highway. Yesh siree. I got my gold tooth displayed and my New York brim. Man, I'm bad. I'm N-a-t-i-o-n-w-i-d-e. Dale ps See the may other posts under "Hey Maranello Dave and Maranello v. Daytona.   | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1676 Registered: 11-2001 |
pavesi are the guys i talked to, doc. they do not modify maranellos; only barchetta pininfarinas. doody. | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 484 Registered: 12-2002 |
I like this idea, but unfortunately the car has to be shipped to Italy to get the work done, http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/18/230450.html?1062802565 | ||
| Jeff (Jeff_m)
Junior Member Username: Jeff_m Post Number: 216 Registered: 9-2002 |
I saw a red Barchetta tooling around Potomac Maryland today,sounded incredible and looked much better in person. If that had an auto hard top, it would be in my garage! | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1673 Registered: 11-2001 |
shame none of the cutters seem to have their acts in gear re: 550 conversions. i contacted some guys in italy who only do their work in milan and only convert barchettas to convertibles. a shop in FL claims to do some sort of soft-top for 550s, but they never responded to my queries. the ideal solution would be to buy two 550s for the price of one barchetta, and convert one! doody. | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 478 Registered: 12-2002 |
Mark Moon, If someone likes V12 so much, then he should get both in V12: 550 Barchetta Pininfarina (dry weekends) and 575M in F1 for everyday driving?? | ||
| mwg (Mikeg)
New member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 26 Registered: 8-2003 |
Zak - ditto, I feel the exact same way. Keep asking the girlfriend if she needs me to run any errands. Quick trip to the grocery store? Pop over to the drug store for you? Any excuse to drive the 550. Of course I go to the store in the next town over. | ||
| A.Tonokaboni (Senna1994)
Junior Member Username: Senna1994 Post Number: 124 Registered: 9-2002 |
Eric, thanks a bunch for your post. Mr. Doody did a terrific job, he should moonlight as a Journalist. God knows he is good at it. I love my 355, but I am also very infatuated with the 550. Both are just wonderful, and good for you and your father as well as Mr. Doody to have the ability to drive both. | ||
| zak dhabalia (Dhabaz)
New member Username: Dhabaz Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2003 |
I have to say I am totally in awe of the 550. I keep getting drawn to my garage just to drool over it. The lines are just awesome and exude raw power. Its been an unexpected and great help for me catching up all my chores around the garden/house because I say to myself...ok if I clean the roof gutter this afternoon or mow the lawn then I will reward myself with a nice drive. So my chores get done with relish as I strain for the reward and then I get treated to the thrill of a beast. Oh boy what a refined beast this is too. The acceleration and torque in 3rd on a long gentle curved bend blows my mind everytime. My tubi straight pipes sound incredible and cause all kinds of goggle eyed attention when I drive about in my smallish town. The looks from guys and girls alike are something to behold. Warning!!!! this car could be a marriage breaker. Ive done over 2,000 miles in about 3 months just on weekends which is way more than I expected but I live for the moment as Doody keeps reminding us that life is too short. To anyone out there contemplating a 550....go for it...you will love it and your life will be enriched by it. dont wait till next year...next year may not happen. cheers Zak | ||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
Junior Member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 238 Registered: 3-2002 |
Ha, silly me, didn't check your profile before I posted. Guess you'd know how the 355 feels/drives, probably much better than I do. I guess very simply, my impression was that the F355 is a very fun car. I could see myself having fun driving it around town without going very fast and still getting great thrills. The 550 is a beast and it lets you know this. IMO, around town it behaves in a very understated fashion, but you feel the power and hear the engine and it makes you feel real great! The car really wants you always to push it a bit more, the power feels endless and very refined, but still very, very Ferrari--just antsy. And it handles as you would assume it should as a Ferrari. I now undertand why it is hailed as such a fantastic machine. Still love both though. | ||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
Junior Member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 237 Registered: 3-2002 |
A.Tonokaboni, for a great F355/550 comparison, you might want to check out Mr. Doody's fantastic article which he wrote up for the board for just this reason. Not sure if you had come across it before. It can be found here ----> http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/256818.html Technically the cars are my dad's (but they're part of the family, right?)My quick perspective. (And only city/highway driving, no track, so that might limit my impression) The F355 is low. You're seated low, and the car feels go-kartish. It definately feels lighter than the 550, and it's got that sound people go crazy for. Very, very limited time in this car, so perhaps after some more seat time, I could embellish some more. The 550 feels like your seated in a "normal" car, though still kinda low. And, though people call it heavy, I think that is a relative term, and though it might feel heavier than your V8s it still agile, and I'm very impressed with its behavior in this manner--it'll take your twisties no problem. But that engine--wow! Before I got it on the freeway, just city driving had me impressed, huge torque, etc. The first few moments I had it on the freeway though, I was laughing aloud to myself in excitement and disbelief at how awsome it was. Very versatile as well. No tubi on our car, and I still love the sound of it. That V12 gives me chills. As for how I like the F355 compared to the other, I am not sure, for as I said I need to drive it more. I love both for their different characteristics. But, that 550 is quite something. If you hadn't ever read Mr. Doody's comparison, go for it--it's a great write-up. Man, that might be my longest post ever. Hope I didn't sidetrack too much from the primary purpose of this "550 Praise" thread. Keep it goin. | ||
| A.Tonokaboni (Senna1994)
Junior Member Username: Senna1994 Post Number: 120 Registered: 9-2002 |
Eric how do you like your 355GTS compared to your 550? I know totally different cars and personalities, just wanted your input. | ||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
Junior Member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 236 Registered: 3-2002 |
Indeed gentlemen, indeed. More and more blown away by how awsome this thing is every time I drive her. | ||
| Jeffrey Robbins (Teachdna)
Junior Member Username: Teachdna Post Number: 122 Registered: 9-2001 |
The only downside is when I'm with my wife. Today, on the drive to the supermarket, I got at least 7 "Do you KNOW how fast you're going?!!!!!" Damn, it is sooooooo easy to speed in the thing that someday, I'll have to make bail. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1664 Registered: 11-2001 |
STOP WAITING! and start buying! life is exceptionally short. doody. | ||
| Dr. I. M. Ibrahim (Coachi)
Member Username: Coachi Post Number: 357 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have been wanting to buy a 550 for some time now. I keep getting close to buying. You guys keep me drooling. Keept the posts coming...a few photos would not hurt.. | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 250 Registered: 4-2002 |
Bart: I agree...the 550 is certainly one of the great GTs of all time. When I met Mauro Baldi last month I asked him what his favorite road Ferrari is/was. Without hesitation, he said the 550 Maranello. It does so many things so well. While not quite as visceral as my F512M for an all around car(especially daily driver) it really is hard to beat. I will likely never go back to an 8. Regards, Mark | ||
| DL (Darth550)
Junior Member Username: Darth550 Post Number: 221 Registered: 7-2003 |
Yes-sir-ree Bart! DL | ||
| Bart Duesler (The_bart)
Member Username: The_bart Post Number: 323 Registered: 1-2003 |
hitting those holes like a running back That is what it is! | ||
| DL (Darth550)
Junior Member Username: Darth550 Post Number: 220 Registered: 7-2003 |
It is hard NOT to drive the 550 every day. It is so manageable/docile in traffic, the air blows like a Ford P/U truck, if you didn't rev it past 3000rpm you would never know what it can do. (In all fairness, however, the stereo sucks)! But, OH MY when the freeway opens up...hitting those holes like a running back! Nobody can pass you. Drive to win baby! DL | ||
| Bart Duesler (The_bart)
Member Username: The_bart Post Number: 320 Registered: 1-2003 |
I keep mine as shock. Ferrari knows better than me in regards to cars. I care not for more horsepower nor turning ability. Both are beyond my skills. I have almost 40,000 miles on this beauty. I better get at the very least 200,000 before I open the heads. | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 474 Registered: 12-2002 |
19" Modular wheels will make the car more stallion | ||
| Bart Duesler (The_bart)
Member Username: The_bart Post Number: 317 Registered: 1-2003 |
Ah, you drive one of them. I have never driven let alone been in anything, which comes close to it. Beauty and power. What else can you want from a car? | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 472 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thumbs up Bart. Look at my profile and see my personal philosophy | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1360 Registered: 9-2002 |
Bart: the 550 is it for everyday + fun. I respect the guys who do Enzo, F50, etc. daily, but 550 is far more practical. Keep the supercars for the weekend. --Dan | ||
| Bart Duesler (The_bart)
Member Username: The_bart Post Number: 315 Registered: 1-2003 |
I am an old fart. During the years before I knew how to make serious money I drove the Southern California freeways at about 30,000 to 50,000 per year with a manual 4 cylinder shed. Many of my fellow employees told me to buy a �nice car�. No, I am too cheap. Last night I drove to Gladstone�s on PCH at the end of Sunset Blvd in my little two seater thing which is about 150 miles round trip. Gee, my car does not make me tired as I drive it. Only cars which I permit, past me. The valet parking is public parking. Oh, I get private parking. That is very nice. Any of you which CAN get a Ferrari V-12 should. There are so many reasons why it is so much fun to drive. Can any one suggest a car manufacture which commands so much respect from the general public? |