| Author | Message | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member Username: Doody Post Number: 709 Registered: 11-2001 |
the 550 needs major belt service just like the F512M et. al. however, you don't need to pull the block to do it, so in theory it's not as expensive. in practice, it doesn't seem to affect the cost much ($4K to $5K) for a major service - engine in or engine out. $140K for a low-mileage 2000 is a reasonable deal. while there are in fact 550s going for $110K and the like, i have to believe they are rare deals with desperate sellers, high-mileage, or problematic cars in need of attention. very different beasts though, 550 and F512M. doody. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 621 Registered: 3-2002 |
don't know about your local market, but here in jolly old england, the early (97) 550's with around 30k miles and lhd, are going for as low as $100k now (see last sunday times for example). so a year 2000 550, will probably lose $10k+/year until it reaches some kind of equilibrium point vs the other older models. whereas the 512m, which i consider very overpriced in the usa, but valued around $100k here as well, will probably not lose that much, if anything. fwiw, the best way of finding your yellow 512m is to somehow get hold of the import list to see a. if they brought any to the usa b. where they are now c. call the owner up and see if they want to sell. this may not be the best way to get a good price, but that doesn't seem to be your objective.... | ||
| Mike B (Srt_mike)
New member Username: Srt_mike Post Number: 37 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thanks for the feedback... I dunno guys - I've been up half the night thinking about this  It's not that I am thinking of the 550 INSTEAD of the 512M. Ideally, I would like to have both. I am very picky - I dont want just any 512M, I want a yellow one and I want one in pristine shape. Thats a TALL order on a car that only 75 of came to the USA. It may take months or even longer before I even find a yellow 512M in this condition. I love the 550 - amazing car (driven this one a few times). I'd HOPE (big hope) that if/when I find my 512M I could keep both... but that may not be possible. If it's NOT, I'd hope not to lose too much (if any?) on the 550 if I sold it in order to get the M. Hey, who knows... maybe I'd end up keeping the 550 instead. I'm not too concerned about what is the better car, because it's such a personal thing and when the time comes, I can see if I can have both and if not, which one I prefer. That's a great 'problem' to have. I'm mostly wondering what you guys think on the value of this 550 a year from now? I figure it will be worth >$100k for at least 1-2 years, so I wouldnt stand to lose much. Also, from the comments it sounds like the 550 is a cam-belt car also? So maintenance isn't really a reason to keep the 550 or the 512 - same ballpark in terms of maintenance. The 550 is one sexy •••••! I am going over there tomorrow to check out his collection and this 550 (again). He's in no rush and I have first crack at the car, so it's not like I need to decide in the next 24 hours or anything. | ||
| David J. Smith (Darkhorse512)
Junior Member Username: Darkhorse512 Post Number: 152 Registered: 10-2002 |
550 or 512m? I'd be torn too. A Yellow 550 is just the right blend of understated extrovertion. Maintenance wise I would think a Maranello would be easier on part sourcing and as a newer car should have better mechanical logistics for servicing. | ||
| Ming Cheng (Onlinesys)
Junior Member Username: Onlinesys Post Number: 170 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Dr, I do agree 550 is awesome and would love to get one once I could afford it. However, I disagree with the pattern of getting the 456 as the first F-car. 456 is easy to control and driveable in city (I do have a young daughter). I will eventually get a 348 or 355 spider for real sport car feeling. 456M is nice but I will get an older 456GT + a 348 spider for the same amount of $$$. My 2 cents. | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Junior Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 51 Registered: 12-2002 |
Go with the Maranello. I like it better than 360 indeed although I like the 360 as well. The 550 has more gentlemen looking, masculine, confidence, style, back trunk space and a classic V12 front engine Ferrari. There are completely two different animals. Just don't get 456 as your first Ferrari, perhaps if you have a grand kid, need to sit in the back, or 2 year-old daughter, you can get a 456M. I will consider this 456M as my third Ferrari, just to complete my Ferrari collection. | ||
| Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Junior Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 172 Registered: 11-2002 |
Not only is the price a great price, but the color is a hard to find combo. I say, TAKE IT! You may be in search of a 512M, but the 550 is a fantastic car (might I say as good a car as the 512M, if not better), and that color combo is amazing. Just my 0.02, though. The last thing you want to do is spend 140k and always wish you had a 512M.... | ||
| Ming Cheng (Onlinesys)
Junior Member Username: Onlinesys Post Number: 169 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Mike, Please ask yourself if you prefer a mid-engine sport car or a front-engine GT. They are just with different character. I don't think you will pay more for maintenance on a 550 than a 512. $140K seems to be a bargain and cambelt service should be cheaper on 550 as well(do correct me if I am wrong). There is no free lunch. You have to pay more anyway for any car with 30K service and cambelt just done. Happy hunting! | ||
| RyanK (Ryanab)
Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 254 Registered: 3-2002 |
D | ||
| Mike B (Srt_mike)
New member Username: Srt_mike Post Number: 36 Registered: 12-2002 |
I've been looking for a yellow 512M - recently talked to a friend who has a red TR and an F40 and a 550 (was not successful in requesting adoption). He has a 575 coming and is willing to part with the 550 for what I feel is a VERY good price. The 550 is a 2000 and is yellow with black interior. It has 7,500 miles and I can buy it for less than $140k. He was offered around this by a dealer on trade and I got the offer before he puts it on the open market. I'm seriously thinking about it. Anyone want to speculate how bad (if at all) I might get hurt on the deal if I go for it and sell the car in a year or two? I really want a 512M but I will wait for the right one - I'd love to buy his car in the meantime if I could not lose too much on the deal. Only other concern is maintenance. He babied this car - it's in showroom condition, however from reading up about the 512M's, I know maintenance can be a lot of money. Does the Maranello use a timing belt that needs replaced every 30k miles? My only concern is the cost of the 30k services, since it will be due up for a major service soon (almost 3 years old now). Oh and what about the price? I think it's a smoking deal... but then again, I know this car has dropped from the >$200k he paid and I'd hate to be the next in line to take a huge depreciation hit on it. So, when you're out there shopping Ferraris, how do they stack up in reliability? How does a 348 compare to a 355 to a 360 to a 512TR???? What are the "Cam belt" cars? |