| Author | Message | ||
| Chris Tanner (Ctanner)
New member Username: Ctanner Post Number: 18 Registered: 5-2001 |
My opinion on 550 pricing is that nothing extraordinary is occuring and it is following the curve set for the last 15 years. If you look at used Ferrari pricing for cars back to 1986, the 12 cylinder car is about 1.25 times the value of the 8 cylinder. That is, A 86-88 328 goes for $50K A 85-88 TR goes for 60-65K A 89 328 89-91 348 goes for $55-60K A 89-91 TR goes for $70-75K A 95 355 goes $80-90K A 94 512TR goes $100-110K A 97-98 355 goes $110-120 A 97-98 550 goes $140-150K The 360 throws the formula out of whack, for now, but when its replacement shows up, I think it will fall in line with the 1.25 rule. Also the formula doesn't work for the Boxer and the 308, where the ratio is more like 2+. The TR may be the flashiest "volume" Ferrari made, so I don't think the more sedate 550 looks, in comparison to the TR, is causing it to depreciate faster. The 550 was the replacement for the TR and it is just following it price curve. IMO, the value of the modern era 12 cylinder cars will always be tied to the 8 cylinder and the used Ferrari market will not bear much more than a 25% premium for the extra 4 cylinders. | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
Junior Member Username: Tenney Post Number: 169 Registered: 2-2001 |
No flame here, Manu. Though find it sorta tough to define poser based on how much money they're prepared to spend in their quest. Agree that the 360 is the flashier design, but cache factor may be stronger with the 550. Have heard cache carries some weight with the poser and so would stand to reason that the 550 may be the preferred choice with this crowd. And speaking of weight, doesn't the 550 carry a bit more than the 360? Anyway, as a poser, I'd be pleased to own either. (BTW - After Schumacher, isn't everyone with a Ferrari a poser on some level?) | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 60 Registered: 6-2001 |
Manu--great points. I haven't driven a 550, so can't comment there. I have driven my 360 at the track (Sport On, ASR Off) and when I am "fun driving" on the street the ASR is off as well. It is fantastic to feel the contact patch shifts that occur as the weight transfers during accel/deccel through corners. It is great fun, but not for the faint of heart--I became good at power oversteering my M3 through corners before I started in my Modena. It is actually quite tossible, once you learn it. I would imagine the 550 is much easier early in the learning curve, as long as one respects the 12 cylinder torque | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 305 Registered: 2-2002 |
I think a lot of guys don't appreciate just how good a drive a Maranello actually is. Endless power and TORQUE and a (IMO) superior chassis to the 360 make for an EVEN better driving experience. How many 360 drivers have ever turned off their ASR for a little fun? The 360's a fabulous car - no doubt (I absolutely LOVE it) but the 'superior' dynamic responses and acceleration you talk of are only felt at the track. The 550 is slideable and forgiving and thus introduces a whole new pleasure to exotic driving. In the words of a friend who owns a 360 (and is a very acomplished driver) "it feels like its trying to throw you off the road as soon as you turn off ASR." In the 'twisties' the 360 delivers oustanding tight responses but forgoes the ability to flatter the driver (which is what the maranello is so good at) leave it a gear too high and a Maranello walks away from it. The only thing Maranellos lack is the visceral edge that the V8s have. (something I fix) - as a complete driving experience. Also - Maranellos are an older car - and more discreet - for the pricks that pose, they are too expensive, and not sufficiently 'medallion man' - as a result they are simply not the fashion statement that 360s CAN BE (I'm not saying they are but DO NOT FORGET - not all Ferraris are bought by enthusiasts) - hence residuals values.... cue flaming.......... Manu | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 59 Registered: 6-2001 |
This thread changes every time I read it. On the Frank Parker thing--Frank, I appreciate your historical information, and respect your opinions. (And, p.s., Martin Weiner has owned Ferrari's previous to his current 360). My issue is expressing opinions (I don't like the front of the 360) versus opinions dressed up to be facts (The front of the 360 is homely). The value of this board depends partially on the opinions of its members. It might help the civility, though, if everyone would be mindful of making sure individual opinions are clearly expressed as such. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Junior Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 63 Registered: 4-2002 |
Anyone who takes the position that "a Ferrari is a 12 cylinder automobile" (1) will also have to take the position that the current Ferrari F1 cars are not Ferraris. Does that make any sense (at all)? Second, Enzo had no compunction to ever deliver road going cars--he wanted to build racing cars. It was Chignetti (?) that convinced Enzo that money was to be made by dumping near racing cars on the (american) public. If you look thoughouly through this, any road going car is not a Ferrari--does that make any sense? No, my friends, today a ferrari is a car that is/was built in the Ferrari factory! (Dinos included!--after all he was Enzo's son--and they don't label Ferraris "Enzo's") (1) Enzo circa the time the Dino 240 was introduced to the press. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 976 Registered: 9-2001 |
As for the contents of Enzo's sock drawer, there's no question that it would be full of black socks. What other color would a good Italian boy wear ? | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
Junior Member Username: Tenney Post Number: 167 Registered: 2-2001 |
Pretty funny how the "true Ferrari" crowd seems to know the contents of Enzo's sock drawer. Find the right thread and save a trip to the Star Trek convention. Every now and then it might be okay to put down the Enzo Kool-Aid and pick the car that makes most sense for the use intended. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 212 Registered: 1-2002 |
Agreed! I wish I could have one of each! Maybe someday... | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 750 Registered: 8-2001 |
Is it me or is this thread starting to sound like previous 550 vs 360 threads? 360s and 550s are BOTH fine FERRARIS. Let's just leave it at that! | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 474 Registered: 6-2001 |
Frank: I'm on my 4th Ferrari and just ordered a yellow/black 360. (March 2003 delivery) I decided to buy a 360 because I got an opportunity to use one for a short time. While I love the 355, and liked the 348, the 360 is a WHOLE BUNCH BETTER. The styling does grow on you, but when you use the car, you can't see the front end anyway. Art | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 974 Registered: 9-2001 |
Martin, I like the 360 just fine. I just don't like the front end. As for who buys which car, check it out with some dealers yourself. You will find that most of the new 360 purchases are being made by first time Ferrari buyers while the new 550 sales are going to previous Ferrari owners. And if you will read a little on the history of the brand you claim you love so much you will find: 1) Enzo intended all road cars he produced to be front engined V12s. It was only after his F1 engineers insisted in the early 1960s did he even agree to make a mid engined F1 car ; 2) Enzo intended that all V6 and V8 cars carry his late son and late brothers name of Dino. It was only after FNA was losing it's shirt in the all important U.S. market did Enzo agree to rebadge his mid-engined V8 cars from Dino to Ferrari. Per FNA, us stupid Americans would buy a car badged as a Ferrari but refused to buy the exact same car badged as a Dino. And, the 550 and 575 are both faster around Fionano that the 360 per the magazine test I have read.. Look it up yourself before you comment back. Enjoy your Dino 360. It is a fine car, albeit a little homely in the front view. | ||
| Jeffrey Robbins (Teachdna)
New member Username: Teachdna Post Number: 39 Registered: 9-2001 |
I think it does a disservice to both cars to believe that one is �mimicking� the other. They are two very different beasts: each does superbly what it is designed to do-nothing more and certainly nothing less. I�ve driven both and love both, but there�s no way they are the same car. The 360 is lighter and feels more nimble in street driving. On the track, I wouldn�t put it past a properly set-up 550 to keep up with or beat a 360. But, for the street, the 360 feels edgier and faster through the turns. It just depends upon what it is you are looking for! | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 100 Registered: 8-2001 |
Let's face it, the 360 embodies 21st century Ferrari at the edge of automotive technology with aerodynamics, 3-4 litre power, outrageous shapes and F1 success. Not to take anything away from the 550, if you're a "driver", take both to the track or to the canyons and there is no question which one puts a bigger smile on your face. Isn't the 550 mimicking the 360 by going 575M with more spirit and an F1 transmission ? Frank ? | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 168 Registered: 1-2002 |
A couple of months ago, I asked the owner of the local Ferrari store what the deal is with 550 prices. He had a couple he kept marking down and still they sat. Like many of us, he thought the prices were getting out of whack but ultimately he thought it was because of the 360. A number of people were actually selling 550's to get a 360. Dave | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 459 Registered: 5-2001 |
Manu, I was not referring to your posting as an attack on the 360.Frank,over the past 2 yrs has taken every opportunity to bad mouth the 360. Don't ask me why,but I feel as if I must defend this marvellous machine.(the 360 not Frank.) | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member Username: Ross Post Number: 124 Registered: 3-2002 |
kevin, you are exactly right. and a great pamphlet it is. | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 304 Registered: 2-2002 |
Martin - this is in no means an attack on the 360 - a car I LOVE! BUT, as I said before it is more easy to justify a �100K pose purchase with the entry level Ferrari than it is the �160K Maranello. Used values reflect the different 'types' of people that MAY buy the different cars. | ||
| Stephen Patterson (Srpatterson)
Junior Member Username: Srpatterson Post Number: 214 Registered: 11-2001 |
Now Martin and Frank, play nice...  I'm picking up my '98 550 tomorrow. I'll miss the 355, it has been a truly great car. But I'm ready for something a little less flashy in my modern Ferrari. I drove a 2001 360 Coupe with F1 this weekend and was truly amazed at that car. The F1 (first time for me) was much more fun than I had imagined. I still think the 550 is a better choice for me, but I guess in a perfect world I have one of each. Why have 550's dropped so much in the last year? I'm sure they're are plenty of hard luck stories out there in this economy. You know, California Internet CEO buys his new 550, then watches his stock loose 90% of it's value. | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 458 Registered: 5-2001 |
There goes Frank again-"dissing" the 360 at any opportunity. Now the "TRUE" Ferrari person buys the 550 and "people other than the true Ferrari fan " buy the 360.What a lot of b.s. Get a life will you? | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 969 Registered: 9-2001 |
IMHO the reason that the 550 prices seem to be dropping faster than the 360 is because people other than true Ferrari fans are now buying most of the cars. Non Ferrari ethusiast who can afford to buy a Ferrari often buy the flashy 360 for ego and image, where a true Ferrari fan will buy the traditional front engined V12 of the 550 because it reminds them of the Ferraris of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. There is more people with the means now who want the image more than the tradition. | ||
| Kevin Johnson (Jammy)
New member Username: Jammy Post Number: 37 Registered: 3-2002 |
Would guess the data comes from "A guide to Ferrari Road Cars" a short pamphlet produced by Maranello Concessionnaires/Ferrari UK. This gives figures to 2000. There isn't a total production figure for the 360 or the 456M as they are still current. RHD cars imported into UK up to 2000 (probably in proportion to total): 456M- 112 auto & 18 manual 360M- 153 manual/487 F1 Total production figures for older models: F355B- 4915 F355 GTS- 2577 F355 Spider- 3714 456 GT- 1936 (402 auto) F512M- 500 | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Junior Member Username: Doody Post Number: 249 Registered: 11-2001 |
ross - where did you get this data? doody. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member Username: Ross Post Number: 121 Registered: 3-2002 |
they made 2658 550's from 97 to 2000. this is very imprecise on timing, but if we take that at face value it means they produce about 3/day. | ||
| Ray (F3606m)
New member Username: F3606m Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2002 |
From what i have heard from Ferrari they imported only approx 150 Maranello's in the US every year. So there would be approximatly 750 cars in the country. I don't know about total production world wide. | ||
| Jeffrey Robbins (Teachdna)
New member Username: Teachdna Post Number: 38 Registered: 9-2001 |
So, does anyone really know the production numbers for the 550? Taking into account the numbers on this thread, it comes to about 800/yr for 5-6 years, or about 4500 cars in total. Does this sound about right? | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 205 Registered: 1-2002 |
Not really, since the factory only produces street cars 200 days per year: 20 per day x 200 days = 4,000 cars, which is approx. what they produced for the street last year (not including Challenge, FIA GT, etc. versions of street cars, which bring the total production up to 4,200 +/-). | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 99 Registered: 8-2001 |
The last figures (70/10/5 per week)I was told of go back to when the 550 was suffering and the 360 Spider production was cranked up. You're right, these are probably wrong at the moment, but 20 cars a day would put yearly production way over what it was last year, no ? | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 203 Registered: 1-2002 |
Tino, a slight correction: the folks at the factory tell me that they produce approx. 12 V-8 models per day, and 8 V-12 models per day, evenly split between 550s & 456s. So it is more like a 3-1 ratio between 360s and 550s. | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 294 Registered: 2-2002 |
I'll talk in UK prices here: There is, and always will be, a lot of demand for �100K cars. Drop the price a little to �75-85K and demand rises substantially. Raise the price however, to the �160K required for a new 575, and demand drops massively. At this VERY VERY top end price level, the worldwide market for cars is measured in 100s - not 1000. Here in London, legions of city/finance workers can jsutify spending �100K on a car but ask them about the Maranello and they think it is just too expensive as a new proposition, despite that the fact that they readily admit that they love them. This has very little to do with the boy racer/GT perception of the 2 cars. The Diablo/Murcielago is the ULTIMATE boy racer's car but it falls into the same the price level as the Maranello - which is why Lambo can only end up selling 400 cars a year worldwide. The 360 is very much THE FASHION Ferrari. (this is to take nothing away from this wonderful car). For the posing-want-to-look-good segment of the market the 360 is THE car to own. At �100K it IS justifiable as a posing purchase unlike the Maranello which is just too expensive for this posing market segment. As a result demand has shot up taking sales away from the Maranello and causing the Maranellos mega depreciation. The Maranello is IMHO still the best car Ferrari make. | ||
| James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Junior Member Username: Omnadren250 Post Number: 232 Registered: 7-2001 |
The first time I saw a 550, it was quite amusing. A customer pulled up to the clothes store I work at, and the angle from which I could see, it only allowed me to see a small portion of the front fender and a bit of the front wheel. I took a quick glance and thought it was a Ford Probe!!! The customer came in the store and was looking around, and then every few minutes would excuse himself from me to peek out the window to check up on his car. I thought this was rather funny, and eventually asked him how he liked driving his Probe. He gave me an odd look, and it was only when I saw him leaving that I realized it was a metallic red/burgundy 550. | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 453 Registered: 5-2001 |
In fact when a "replacement" model comes out the price of the model replaced does not always fall.Actually up to a few months ago the 355 not only held on but increased.That was because the demand for the 360 way outweighed the US allottment. It's all a matter of supply and demand and there just is not enough demand for the 550 to keep it from depreciating rapidly. | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 98 Registered: 8-2001 |
Seven times more 360's were made per day than 550's. I'm starting to get it. I know this does not go down well with most of the Chat people but the 360F1 embodies the true spirit of present day F1 success; the aerodynamics, the shifter, the F1 engine position, the outrageous shape, and yes, the reliability. I've got one and I'm biased. I now know of TWO people (drivers not collectors)who traded back their 550's for a 360F1. Just IMO. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 121 Registered: 1-2002 |
"Of course, i will still have to do alot of work on my car to get it where i want it to be, but as soon as the JC Whitney catalog arrives, i'll get on it." LOL. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 349 Registered: 12-2001 |
Actually, the Camaro was on backorder when i went car shopping that weekend, and i went for something that looked pretty similar. Of course, i will still have to do alot of work on my car to get it where i want it to be, but as soon as the JC Whitney catalog arrives, i'll get on it. (And, no, you can't have a ride). | ||
| Bob McDunn (94nsx)
New member Username: 94nsx Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2002 |
Friday, June 14, 2002 - 11:45 am: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Whart, I hope you dont get mistaken for a camaro SS convertible. I must say i am guilty of doing that once, but from far away after a quick glance. Its the hood scoop that does it. Tim I've always thought the same thing, but never had the nerve to mention it here. ;) | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2254 Registered: 5-2001 |
Just tried to find the April FORZA issue and...my subscription started with the MAy issue  Indeed the car looks much smoother in black. As I said I was mistaken the car first for a 360 Spider seeing it from the rear. ....maybe I should get those glasses the doc was talking about. | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 777 Registered: 1-2001 |
doody -- I think ross and whart stated some darn good reasons -- esp. ross's #2. In a way, I sort of hope not as it would mean economically that things have just gotten a lot worse. I know I won't get the last 550 made in perfect condition for $99K, but in 2004 a decent '97~'98~'99 for something not too much over $100K -- maybe IMO... PS Want to hurt your calculator? -- it cost the original owner of my TR $207K to get it home. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1099 Registered: 6-2001 |
Whart, I hope you dont get mistaken for a camaro SS convertible. I must say i am guilty of doing that once, but from far away after a quick glance. Its the hood scoop that does it. | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Member Username: Jay Post Number: 424 Registered: 10-2001 |
I've heard people say that the 550 has some electrical gremlins that drive them crazy. Any of you find that in your cars? Whart, beautiful car! | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member Username: Ross Post Number: 117 Registered: 3-2002 |
whart: sweet ride. although i would really love it if the top were good to a higher speed. more real-world friendly. doody: the prices that i mentioned (for more on this see the 'have tr prices bottomed' thread) are for the uk market; and i have been offered a 97 550 with about 40k miles on the clock at equivalent of $97k already earlier this year. when i eventually buy it will be a later model (99 or 2000) with fewer miles i hope. they made a lot of those cars and a lot of them are in london so i do have a great market to be choosy in. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Junior Member Username: Doody Post Number: 244 Registered: 11-2001 |
ross/steve: you guys don't really think 550 prices are going to tumble THAT far (this/that fast), do you? doody. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 347 Registered: 12-2001 |
Yes, ross, and on the april 2002 cover of Forza. I have gotten alot of publicity mileage out of the car.... | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 776 Registered: 1-2001 |
ross -- shhhhh...my plan too (but maybe in 2 years)! | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member Username: Ross Post Number: 115 Registered: 3-2002 |
imho 3 things at play here: - new models always drop kick the old model when they first come out. - how many people are there out there that will drop $150k plus on a used car? with half of that money most people can buy what they would consider to be a great new car, and would laugh at us. we are in a very slim buyer category. - other cars. look how many choices there are for people with that kind of money: aston martin db7 vantage; a stretch for a vanquish; 996tt; sl55; and i'll go ahead and throw in the z8. being a patient buyer (read cheap bastard), i actually love it when this happens and i think i will be able to pick up a cherry 550 in a year at less than $100k side question: whart, was it your black barchetta that road and track reviewed a few months ago? | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 201 Registered: 1-2002 |
I also believe that the 550 depreciation is a result of anticipation of an all-new model for model year 2004--less than 2 years away. Remember, the 575 is but a stopgap measure (kind of like the F512M was) to hold off the Vanquish, etc. for a year until the 550/575 successor is released. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 343 Registered: 12-2001 |
Martin: my barchetta is also black/black, and while i still have misgivings about the absence of a real top (i had to return from a jaunt in the Aidirondacks a day early, given the threat of rain), the car gives me even more pleasure than the 550 coupe i had. It also looks really good in black, which tends to diminish the chunky rear aspect, and seems to do a better job of making the roll hoops look less prominent. Just for comparision, the Nembo spider, that recently went unsold at auction (ed niles owned the car in the late sixties, i think its #1777) gives an even more aggessive, shark like aspect to the "modern" front engined 12 cyl convertible. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2233 Registered: 5-2001 |
When I picked up my car from my mechanic two days ago I would not believe my eyes. There was a Barchetta standing in his shop, black on black. If I tell you, that I first told my wife, here is the car I want you in (thinking it was a 360), I saw the car from the rear and it was drippling outside, kind of dark. Then I realized this was a Barchetta. For the first time I had a chance to take a closer look at this car. It is a styling of beauty. The 550 brother is just as beautiful and so all around refined. It is bad a*s fast, bad a*s beautiful and not as noticable on the street as the 360 Coupe. Kind of blends in but then unleashes awesome power. If I was shopping in the Coupe class at $150K I would be buying a 550 any day over the 360. | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
Member Username: Richelson Post Number: 759 Registered: 12-2001 |
WM great point. I didn't think about that. It is a more limited market on the 550s. Included can also be style, being front engined, etc. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 342 Registered: 12-2001 |
Doody: Not entirely sure i'm right here, but when the 360 was introduced, it brought a higher level of performance to the 3 series, and at least at retail prices, was perhaps the better buy.(Nonetheless,given the plummeting price of the 550, i would have a really hard time justifying the purchase of a Modena coupe when i could get more car, in the form of the Maranello, for less money). The other aspect is the boy-racer v. old man GT one. Having owned two 550's (i like them), it is still a big, heavy, lux car that can move on the bigger roads, but feels a bit barge-like on really narrow twisties. (I'm not claiming to be the best driver, but i do get on these cars when i drive them). For somebody to go out a buy a ferrari as a sportscar/toy, the 360 might just be more appealing, particularly to the younger crowd. Finally, its an older design, so there is simply not as much market interest, despite its virtues. A good time to buy Maranellos, yes? | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
Member Username: Richelson Post Number: 757 Registered: 12-2001 |
I think the introduction of the 575 does have a very significant impact on the 550s. A friend of mine didn't buy a 550 just for this reason. It happens with most cars when a new body style is introduced or new model. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Junior Member Username: Doody Post Number: 243 Registered: 11-2001 |
as a followup, i thought i'd look at the 512TR histories. inflation adjusted to today, 512TRs were about $170K cars new including luxtax. if you assume they sell at $95K today, that's only about 44% depreciation all-in (never mind that the higher cost of ownership of a 512TR). had WAY too much coffee this morning :-) doody. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Junior Member Username: Doody Post Number: 242 Registered: 11-2001 |
i follow the 550 market. spent some time yesterday poking around, and i'm just flabbergasted by how much these poor cars continue to depreciate. last summer, $150K for a private-party 550 was a sweet deal. now they're listing very nice cars at $150K for starters at top dealers. why the freefall? theories? the 575M can't be the primary reason, can it? it's going to be a different long-term value like the F512M is distinct from the TR and 512TR. these were very high MSRP cars. we're talking $230K with all the options (daytona seats, gto deck, tubi) plus gas guzzler and lux tax (never mind whatever sales tax you have to pay where you live). $150K represents a 35% depreciation. comparatively speaking you'd be talking about a flurry of $98K 360 6 Speed coupes. not too many of those around :-). the euro 360s seem to bottom out about $105K. na-spec nearer $140K. a quick carbuyer search on "360" shows 116 cars on the market. for "550" it shows 23. this seems wildly out of whack to me. i'm thinking i should get some financing together and start buying 550s. i think you'd only need to take about 50 off the US market (50 * 150K = $7.5M (less than the price of one 250 GTO)) to manipulate the market back up to a much more reasonable 175-190 range (for a net profit of about $1M (maybe a 15% return in a year). i think it's just wacky. i don't get it. doody. |