550 vs 575

**ross** · #1 04-28-2005, 06:00 AM

ok. given these cars are now both in the used category, but to use the extremes of price, the early 550's are probably available at under $100k, whereas the 575's are still around $170k....is there enough of a performance difference to warrant this price dif.
i will admit that i am also lumping together and discounting othr factors such as mileage and age....so go ahead and compare the last 550 with the first 575, of equal mileage, and the price dif is still about $40k.....and given that in my opinion the 550 is 98% of the same car as the 575, i just dont see the advantage in paying up for the new model.

so the question is put to those who have experience with both: is there a significant difference between the 2?

**Dr Who** · #2 04-28-2005, 10:24 AM

It depends.

Putting the styling changes aside, the HP gain is not worth it. The 550 has so much power that I doubt that you'll notice the difference driving on the street. (Interesting point - I have read here on F-Chat that some of the HP gains came from the bigger front scoop on the Maranello. It seems that the car is really choked down for emissions purposes. Just changing the air filter helps!)

The 575, of course, has the F1, if this floats your boat.

The 575 also has the upgraded suspension - foronio (sp?)

So, if you looking for a track car, the 575 will be the way to do. For for a GT car, the 550 is perhaps the best Ferrari value on the street today.

Dale

**ross** · #3 04-28-2005, 10:27 AM

the 550 suspension was more/less fiorano from the start i think.
wonder if the 575 hood can be fitted to the 550?

Anteriore · #4 04-28-2005, 10:45 AM

The Fiorano handling package was already available on the 550. As already mentioned, I don't think you will notice much of the hp increase of the 575. But if you want the F1 tranny the choice is obvious. For looks, I would opt for a 550.

**Auraraptor** · #5 04-28-2005, 03:10 PM

If I recall, drivers of both say that the 550 was a better drive on the street then the 575.

sampson · #6 04-28-2005, 03:23 PM

Stupid question, but what exactly are the styling changes? They look the same to me.

**Auraraptor** · #7 04-28-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sampson

Stupid question, but what exactly are the styling changes? They look the same to me.

headlights, front airdam, wheels, interior appointments. These are the ones off the top of my head I can think of.

Carnut · #8 04-28-2005, 03:35 PM

I drove both (in fact 6 550's) and bought a 575. If I were looking and doller figures did not matter, I would go with the 575. I like the feel of the car (interior is far beeter quality) and the feedback better on the 575. If I wwas looking for a great buy and did not want a F1, I would be looking for a 550.

stephens · #9 04-28-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnut

I drove both (in fact 6 550's) and bought a 575. If I were looking and doller figures did not matter, I would go with the 575. I like the feel of the car (interior is far beeter quality) and the feedback better on the 575. If I wwas looking for a great buy and did not want a F1, I would be looking for a 550.

Just goes to show that this is a question for the individual, not the forum to answer. I did the same over a year ago and chose the 550. The 575 has a more modern interior, but the suspension is just too soft and lacks real feedback, I also have no interest in the F1 transmission option. Ended up with a 550 and fitted the FHP.
I also recently considered changing my 550 for a 575, but decided against it, because to me the 550 is just the better alround car. This seems to be the prevailing view of motoring journo's too, not that I'd base any decision on their opinions. Apparently the 575 GTC Handling delivers a car that eclipses the 550 driving experience, but it's a very expensive option.
In summary, if you are looking for a softer daily drive car and not concerned about winding roads and track days, money aside, the 575 is your car, no doubt.
If you want a more focussed drivers car, the 550 is the pick, budget aside.

EDIT: Beautiful car BTW Carnut, gets my vote as sexiest 550/575!

Carnut · #10 04-28-2005, 04:02 PM

Thank you and I would even agree with you to in some ways, my luck was that the 1st 575 I drove was the one I bought, it just so happened to have the FHP and 19's.(and was just so damn nice looking) I think that helped my decision.

stephens · #11 04-28-2005, 04:11 PM

Just add the sport seats, roll bar and you have my perfect car. (roll bar is required over here to run slicks at track days)
575 and 550 FHP run same springs and roll bars, but damping is completely different. 550 is much firmer and more suited to track use.
Still have a giggle reading reviews of GTC-H option though, as I understand springs/rollbars seem to be same rates as FHP, yet testers rave how much better handling than 575 FHP it is! As I mentioned, journo's are not the best source of objective info IMO, but maybe the damping settings in the suspension ECU are significantly different.

Carnut · #12 04-28-2005, 04:57 PM

I do not track this car and I have found I seem to agree less and less with what I read in the car mags. I think each person has there own idea about what a car should feel and drive like. In other words what I read is just someones opinion and they do not have to live with the car just drive for a day or two. I get asked alot about what I think about this car and that car, and I always tell people the samething. Go drive it, it is going to your car not mine so in the end you are the one that as to be happy. I think the 575 is the beat all around vehicle out there, but then again that is just my opinion, slightly biased as it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephens

Just add the sport seats, roll bar and you have my perfect car. (roll bar is required over here to run slicks at track days)
575 and 550 FHP run same springs and roll bars, but damping is completely different. 550 is much firmer and more suited to track use.
Still have a giggle reading reviews of GTC-H option though, as I understand springs/rollbars seem to be same rates as FHP, yet testers rave how much better handling than 575 FHP it is! As I mentioned, journo's are not the best source of objective info IMO, but maybe the damping settings in the suspension ECU are significantly different.

**frefan** · #13 04-28-2005, 07:09 PM

Couldn't agree more with carnut.

IMO, 575 is not a good track car even with FHP (some tracks maybe). Too heavy and will eat brakes and tires in a single day. Very expensive track car. But a great daily driver. For that reason I like the interior of the 575 and the F1. I can actually drink a cup of coffee on my way to work. Cant do that in 550. Wife likes the F1 vs manual too.

Performance wise 575 has a little more top end, most will never need that.

Just a thought.

LWR550 · #14 04-28-2005, 07:41 PM

I've had both and now have a 575...

I love the interior changes and the F1 impementation is far better than any other car I've personally come across (355, 360, Maserati Spyder, Maserati QP)

I would be inclined to say that the performance difference is more significant than some of the opinions here indicate. The 550 is fast, but the 575 feels ferocious.

Price differential in the UK between a late 550 and mid 575 is about 25K GBP ($48K) - not worth the difference, but I'm the kind of person who would always be wishing I spent the extra on the better car!

**coolestkidever** · #15 04-28-2005, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnut

I think the 575 is the beat all around vehicle out there, but then again that is just my opinion, slightly biased as it is.

AMEN MORRIE!!!!

**frefan** · #16 04-28-2005, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWR550

The 550 is fast, but the 575 feels ferocious.

That brings up an interesting point. The 575 sounds different. Friend with 550 and Tubis next to my 575 with same Tubis (both 550 tubi and 575 tubi pn's are the same). 575 is deeper and has a rumble on decel. Seat-of-the-pants performance wise I have been dogging it with 550's on canyon roads and it seems to me the 575 pulls harder on uphill grades.

Recently dogged it with a 99 lambo and a 550M in several high speed pass runs (150+) on the Rampage, and lambo owner had kind words for me - "your car runs strong. I couldnt shake you". Well I couldn't shake him either. All these cars are close performers.

sampson · #17 04-28-2005, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auraraptor

headlights, front airdam, wheels, interior appointments. These are the ones off the top of my head I can think of.

Any pics of these differences? Just want to be able to distinguish the different models of one of the best looking cars.

bostonmini · #18 04-29-2005, 12:12 AM

FWIW, some say that the 550 doesnt really make the power it claims, probably not off by more than 20 or something though, and in this case, the 575 has what, a 50 HP advantage? I think it has to be faster.....significantly.

**LittleBro** · #19 04-29-2005, 05:41 AM

There is a video a couple of threads down of (I think) Luca Badoer driving the 550 and the 575 F1 around Fiorano. His time is almost one second slower in the 550.

I think that shows pretty well that an on form 550 and 575 are pretty comparable on the performance stakes.

stephens · #20 04-29-2005, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleBro

There is a video a couple of threads down of (I think) Luca Badoer driving the 550 and the 575 F1 around Fiorano. His time is almost one second slower in the 550.

I think that shows pretty well that an on form 550 and 575 are pretty comparable on the performance stakes.

Was well discussed previously. A very sloppy lap in the 550, which could have easily been faster then the 575 if driven properly.