Anyone here using a 550/575 as a aily Driver

I bought a 2000 550 this summer, use it regularly and for relatively long trips (100-200 miles). It is very comfortable and easy to drive. I have had a few problems, but attribute these problems to the prior owner's infrequent use over the past two years (the car was properly serviced and I obtained a thorough PPI). I'm hoping that I've solved all the problems (mostly electrical) and that going forward I'll enjoy reliable driving. As such, I would recommend that you find a car that has some miles on it (15k+) and that has been driven regularly. You'll also save on the premium that owners want for undriven garage queens.

As for soul, the 550 is by far the best car I have every driven.

Good luck.

Mark B.

 

these cars are made to be used more and more.The 550 is a fantastic Ferrari and has a good price tag very affordable now.Fantastic fast engine !

 

My 550 is in the weekly rotation and gets driven 1-3 days a week. Even in the Summer I'll drive it in the morning and swap it for another vehicle after lunch.

 

I use my 550 practically everyday when I'm in the country and the car just sings. On the Channel Tunnel a couple of months ago I happened to share a train compartment with a 575 Maranello, and the owner told me he did 100,000 miles (160,000km) in his previous car, a 550. He never had a single problem, he said.

They are built like the proverbial brick outhouse - go for it!


Onno

 

used my 575 as a daily driver for a year. no problems whatsoever. now drive my 430 most days and the 575 a couple. both have been great.

 

You tease! Show some pics!


Onno

 

Electrical problems due to infrequent use?? Aside from a weak battery I highly doubt that. Low mileage or so called garage queens do not necessarly mean, a bad car. When you had the car inspected prior to purchase what did the tech find?

 

Not owning a 550 but a low miles(better km) 77' 308 and a 84' 944 that was seldom driven for three years before it came into my hands I can tell from expirience that electrical problems are the first errors coming from low usage. In both cars espacially the rain or passenger related items (washer, wiper, passenger side windows, even lights) who have been used the least make the greatest problems. Contacts corrode when not used.

 

The comment was referring to a 550 that is 7 years old and you are referring to a cars that are 23 and 30 years old....BIG DIFFERENCE.

 

I would be interested as well, I am currently racking 1,000 miles a month average on the F355 using it as my main daily and plan on retiring it in the next 2-3 years when it hits 60-65k miles and using it as a weekend car and getting a 550 as a daily.

 

Ah - there was the hair in the soup. The problems with the 944 occured after three years of non usage, not after 18 years of daily use. The message remains.

 

Point is there could and has been electrical problems during first day of ownership of a new car. However, as stated I highly doubt that a 7 year old car will typically develop electrical problems as a result of minimal use. Vintage and early cars built in and around 80's are more prone to electrical failures early on merely as a result of manufacturing processes of that time.

 

The coolant hoses under the manifold were leaking which was identified in the PPI and fixed before purchase. The siren battery was dead which wasn't caught in the PPI, but thanks to FerrariChat help I was able to diagnose and fix easily. The high beam relay went out--again an easy diagnosis and fix. Finally after about 1000 miles the O2 sensors failed giving me slow down and check engine warnings. This was more serious and required a trip to the local dealer. Luckily it was a relatively cheap fix and the car is again running well. These problems haven't put me off the car in any way.

 

when i had my 550, i used it regularly for 4 months. it is a competent daily driver. comfortable, power steering, nice AC, good radio, easy shifter.

 

Nice life!

And yes, they can be driven constantly. Just don't drive in the wet on dry tires (wheeee!).

 

I've used my 575 as a daily now for about 5 months. Its been great.

 

Regardless of how often it was driven, the issues you mentioned are all very common to the 550.

 

And why hasn't Bart chimed in already?

 

I, too am looking for a 550 at this time and wonder how you can get a list of the updates the factory ordered and also how can you identify the updated 02 sensors etc. I have heard that the replaced hoses under the manifold have a stripe on them, is this true ?
Any suggestions would be appreciated as would leads leading to the purchase of a Titanium with Charcoal or Black interior.

 

I used my 550 a lot during 3 years of ownership. I put over 30,000kms on the car. Reliable and fun car. If your drive fast you must switch to 19" wheels and Brembo big brakes. The stock brakes are simply inadequate. The ASR is primitive as are the electric motors for the dampers. I loved the car but the leap to a 599 is really huge. I never thought the 550/575 would be rendered a classic car in only 1 model but that is the rate of progress now

 

I sold my CL55 for pennies this summer. Gutsy motor, but I agree about the lacking soul . I've driven my 2000 550 almost 33,000 miles and can't wait to rack up another 33,000. It's a great driver, comfortable over the long haul and if you get bored, step on the right pedal.
So far I've had to repair o2 sensors, rear struts, the little motors that set up the suspension, motor mounts and now, a delaminating vent control panel. The biggest complaint I have now is that the black trim around my windows is pealing and winter will be here soon so I'll have to drive something else.

 

I got my first ferrari few years ago, a red 550 with 15 000 Km.
I sold it for a brand new 575 and I have now roughtly 60 000 km on it.
My neighbour was having a 575, still in a garage trying to sell it as Ferrari France was not willing to buy it back when he bought his 599: 185 000 km, more difficult to sell it.
So, from what I know, and I know quite well such cars, it's a reliable car, and you can do km without any major problems.
Good luck!