| Author | Message | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 537 Registered: 12-2001 |
I think vince summed up the attributes of the 550/575 in stating that he gets supercar performance "with no drama." The 550 is, in some ways, too civilized, and i suspect that the 575 is even more refined. The 2001 550 (barchetta) i currently own is far better than the 97 Maranello i had which preceded it: smoother take up at low revs, smoother gear change, more positive steering feel. I've got to assume that the 575 is even better, but i am not a big fan of the paddle shifter for street driving. Also, given that the price of Maranellos is in the toilet, the cost differential between the cars is enough to buy another ferrari or two. I don't think the 550/575 is the best looking ferrari ever made, but it has an aggressive look, when moving, that makes it appear almost sharklike, from the front. And of course, most people are not seeing that aspect of the car.At the same time, i don't know if i've ever even put either car into 6th, given that the interstitial at 4th is in excess of 140mph, and there is a fifth gear to deal with before that. I'm also not suprised that the car resonates at low rpm in high gear. Get on it, man! | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
New member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 35 Registered: 9-2002 |
I was invited to come drive a 575 at my local dealership this weekend. Their car has about 1500 miles, so I might go. If I do, I'll try to compare them as best as I can, but my times in a 550 were limited and some time ago as well. --Dan | ||
| Vince (Manatee)
Junior Member Username: Manatee Post Number: 57 Registered: 6-2002 |
I don't have enough driver seat time in a 550 to make an honest comparison. In the limited amount of time I do have, the 575M throttle is more sensitive and responsive. Low end appears a little bit stronger. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
New member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 29 Registered: 9-2002 |
Vince, Thanks for the write-up. Have you ever driven a 550 for comparison's sake? I'm curious to see how it stacks up, and I've had some time in a 550 for reference's sake. I guess that's my basis of comparison. --Dan | ||
| Vince (Manatee)
Junior Member Username: Manatee Post Number: 56 Registered: 6-2002 |
Tommy, this is what I posted back in June: I've only had the 575M for about a month. Titanium/Natural. Traded a 355F1 for it. Keep in mind my impressions will be compared to my impressions of the 355F1. The first thing I noticed is the fact the car drives smaller than it is. I was afraid the 575 would feel 'big' like a Testarossa. It feels small, and very confident in tight city driving. The sound is subdued. I have not had the car over about 6000 yet. The owners manual says to keep under 5000 until 500 miles. There is an exhaust 'flutter' or resonance in the 2000-3000 range. Unfortunately, this is the rpm range in sixth gear where the legal highway cruising is done. I'll have the service folks check it out. I don't think the flutter is due to the exhaust pipe valves used to increase back-pressure at lower rpm. The F1 shifter shifts slower but smoother than the 355 in casual driving. However, if I gently reduce the throttle during upshifts, the 575F1 shifts quicker and much smoother. A steady speed (not accelerating) achieves the same smoothness. On the 355, I kept my foot on the gas. Since I haven't shifted the 575 at upper rpm's, I can't comment on the speed of it's 'sport' or super-quick shifts. Bags and bags of torque and horsepower. Incredible. Pulls in sixth, easily. Revs quickly and with authority. Power comes on extremely linear. I'm anxious for the break-in period to end. I now like the big tach in the center of the instrument cluster. I don't like the LCD style fuel gauge. Sunlight washes it right out. Very quiet inside the cabin. Almost too luxurious, if you know what I mean. So quiet and well handling, I have to pay attention getting on the interstates. High speed comes very quickly, and without drama. I felt I had to keep the 355 at about 3500 rpm to keep it happy. The 575 is happy everywhere. If you have some specific areas of questions, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them. The thread with a few pics: http://server.ferrarichat.com/~ferrari/ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/21/55443.html?1023887993 | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
New member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2002 |
Dave, I wouldn't do it any other way.  I saw a friend's 550 lowered, etc. and suddenly realized JUST how much better the car looked. From now on, I keep seeing stock cars resembling station wagons in the clearance department (and I'm not a fan of 'slammed' cars). I'll have to find you the pictures. --Dan | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 456 Registered: 1-2002 |
Regarding the adjustable-height coilovers: I am told that, if you do change the factory-set adjustment, make sure to have the car corner balanced & realigned before driving it, and especially before tracking it... | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 482 Registered: 2-2002 |
I'm sorry I just don't understand - colour is pretty important but take out a Rosso 550/575 anywhere around here and people know EXACTLY what it is - and point and stare. It looks gorgeous. Dave - I'm with you on your opinion about the PT Bruiser. | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 274 Registered: 4-2002 |
"PT cruiser received more looks and nods" I'm sure it (the P/T cruiser) did, they were all thinking...Oh dear sad sod thinks they're ZZ Top or a trendy undertaker. If ever a car was trying to look like something its SO not its that one! | ||
| Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
Junior Member Username: Vikenb Post Number: 198 Registered: 5-2001 |
>> Interesting. So does that change the effectiveness of the sport modes, then? Is there any online documentation abotu the system itself? << I think the system gets firmer in sport mode and is likely to control body roll a bit better than in standard mode. I was told that this is the same system as found on the Maserati equipped with the optional Skyhook which I drove. On that car, the sport mode made a clear difference by keeping body roll at a minimum. I do not know of an online documentation on this other than what Ferrari states in their web sites. Here are some pictures:   | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
New member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 18 Registered: 9-2002 |
Viken: Interesting. So does that change the effectiveness of the sport modes, then? Is there any online documentation abotu the system itself? Also - there seem to be lots of niggling problems with the 550 (although a lot of it has to do with luck of the draw) - do you guys think that the QA has met and/or exceeded 360 levels (F1 system aside)? --Dan | ||
| Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
Junior Member Username: Vikenb Post Number: 197 Registered: 5-2001 |
>> The 575, however, has an adpative ride system, which supposedly raises and lowers the car at times. << Dan, the Skyhook system does not raise or lower the suspension. Instead, it constantly changes the damping on the shocks depending on road conditions and other factors. AFAIK, the 575's suspension is also a coilover system. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
New member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 17 Registered: 9-2002 |
Ok, I have a question. The 550 came with adjustable coilovers, meaning you could lower the car at will. The 575, however, has an adpative ride system, which supposedly raises and lowers the car at times. Does this mean that the car does not have the ajustable coilovers found in the 550 and thus can not be lowered? --Dan | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
Member Username: Tenney Post Number: 256 Registered: 2-2001 |
Yes, Dan, it's available w/gated 6spd., which'd be my pick were I in the market. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Junior Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 171 Registered: 3-2002 |
I think it is hard to call the car dowdy. The interior is quite elegant with probably the highest craftsmanship to date in an F-car. Nick, that 360 you have there looks great. Yellow suites that car so well | ||
| Nick Berry (Nickb)
New member Username: Nickb Post Number: 17 Registered: 8-2002 |
Interesting observation in the recent Autoweek issue about the 575M which they test drove. They claim the PT cruiser received more looks and nods. However they did say the 575M is terrific performance car. A friend of mine who has owned the 550 and now the 575M tells me the 575 is much more powerful and faster. Though styling and looks are subjective when it comes to a Ferrari it should not take a back seat to any car.  The 575M could use a facelift and be made to appear more sexy. It is a bit dowdy.  | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
New member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 12 Registered: 9-2002 |
Can it be had with 6sp? I certainly hope F1 isn't the only option. Seems like an ill-conceived match - front engined V12 + f1 shifter...kind of takes away from the purity. --Dan | ||
| Ryanab (Ryanab)
Junior Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 122 Registered: 3-2002 |
The 575 is truly a work of art, and serious step up from the 550. I still dislike the body color under the front lights though. | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 481 Registered: 2-2002 |
We need somone to drive them back to back - despite what some journos have said about the 575M being softer than the 550M, I will not pass judgement until I drive the new car. I LOVE the looks and the interior is just beyond words. The engine is gruntier and the brakes are better too. And I LOVE the restyled frontend too. In a word, unless the car disappoints when I eventually get around to driving it - I LOVE the 575M and I want one - BADLY. | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Junior Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 230 Registered: 8-2002 |
First off. It has the f-1 shifters as an option and a bump in HP. I like the 550 in appearence better. | ||
| tommy jones (360mode)
New member Username: 360mode Post Number: 31 Registered: 9-2002 |
i realize there are somewhat significant differences, but has anyone bought one or at least had the opportunity to drive one? i'd be curious to hear first hand how different it really is from the 550 - besides the obvious cosmetic changes. |