Anyone driving their 550/575 daily?

Bart is the name that comes to mind

 

I have 40K+ miles logged in 3 550's over 6 years. Between my wife and I, the cars were out of the garage nearly every day, rain or shine. I took them on many long trips without hesitation before our son was born. Aside from a few issues with the last (oldest) one, I had lots of comfortable, reliable and extremely fast fun in all of those cars.

I will get another Maranello.

 

But did the AC work?

 

ICY COLD!

 

I had a 98, 99, and 00. All had the little nuisance stuff but the 98 was the most troublesome. I couldn't say that the age was the definitive reason since it was kind of a garage queen when I got it. The other two were new. For a driver, I'd look for a well serviced car with higher miles.

 

I've put 14K on mine last year, great car. 2 months ago I put it up for sale because 599 will be coming in, and last week I bought it back (from myself!). Drove 500 miles on the first day. I knew from day one that I'd miss that car. I'm glad she's back, and I'll never do that again!

 

I drive my my SA every day and it functions perfectly. Recently I installed the X-OST exhaust system on the car, which is much louder than the factory "sport exhaust". I was concerned the that a louder exhaust might make the car less pleasant to be in, but at city speeds where the car is cruising around in 6th at less than 2,000RPM there is no issue from within the car. At higher speeds the noise is wonderful!

I can use the car as a daily driver because it has a real trunk and I can carry the things around that I need to keep out of sight when the car is parked. Gym bag, golf clubs, laptop etc. The car is silver and therefore doesn't draw attention from a distance so it is also relatively invisible on the freeway to static revenue collectors.

The radio is a nice surprise as it works very well and has the digital readout which tells you the name of the song playing - better than my regular sedan whose radio is a PITA to operate. The seats are perfectly comfortable and fit me nicely.

I hard wired a V1 above the rearview mirror and the convertible top is a nice option to have, especially when the sun goes down but the air is still warm.

 

i heard of some in vancouver using a 98 550 as a daily driver. it has about 76,000kms on it right now, and is trying to sell it, dont have pics of it though.

 

i use the 550 almost everyday, it has all the service done. The car was a garage queen when i bought it. I had a few bearings seize, but it was pretty minor stuff. The car is a great daily car, the A/C is Cold...

 

Use my 550 most days - I've done 7k miles since November 05. Aircon works fine, the only problems:
1 Squealing brakes - thay all seem to do it now and again;
2. Bonnet open light over 130mph - buttock clencher at first but easily fixed.
3. New battery after I went away for a month and left it locked up.

Biggest issue is fueling the thing at 12-13mpg and petrol at £5/$7 per gallon in UK.

They're just as relaible as anything else on the road.

 

There were a series of recall issues (in Europe not sure about US but presume they're the same) that you need to check have been done. Obviously the earlier the car the more recalls apply. The biggest is a pre 99 steering rack change, but they were done a no cost so only a really lazy owner would fail to get it sorted.

 

Last weekend I talked with fellow NWR-FCA member, Tim, in Seattle who has 25kMiles on his and drives it as a daily driver. He did exactly what you recommend - found a higher mileage, well maintained car and has been very happy with it.