575M, bad choice for my first ferrari?

Both 360's and 550/575's are in use as daily drivers. Both are very good cars and would serve well as daily cars. They are very different in every way and you should drive both then decide.

 

I agree with Brian, however the 360 still has some downturn in price, while the 575 will stay close to where they are now.
Rafi

 

There is no such thing as a bad choice for your first Ferrari.
I think the 575 is possibly the best choice you can make anyway. I used my 575 as a daily driver for three years and I now use the Superamerica in its place, which works just as well, with the bonus of having an open top when I feel like it.
575's are selling at ridiculously low prices, especially relative to the crazy money being asked for 430's and especially 430 Spyders. If you can find a good car, in the color you like, with up to date service records, snap it up. You will never regret it. It is really one of the best cars ever to emerge from the Ferrari factory.

 

faboulous choice

 

From a practical point, the 575 is a great choice and may be driven daily in all weather and all traffic. From a philosophical point, I'll always suggest buying the car (any make, model or color) which really gets you excited and you shouldn't care what anyone else thinks. I've actually had more teenagers hoot, holler, wave, and ask to see under the hood of my 550 than the CS, or my 328. 360's may be perceived as being a "younger" car because that's what you see stacked-up outside the Scottsdale and OC bars on Friday night.

Drive what you want and your passion for the car and the sport will keep you forever young!!

 

The 575 is a great car. The more you drive it the more you will like it. I love mine, way more than the 360. Front engine V12 -- Now thats a Ferrari!

 

575 is a great car. If you are planning to drive it a lot and with stop and go driving, consider a stick shift. They are not easy to find but I think worth the effort. I have 54,000 miles on my clutch and still no problems.

 

If you're a hardcore sports car guy who needs a convertible, the 360 is more in that vein.

But the 550/575M is easily the best looking Ferrari of the past 10 years, IMO, and the interior is top notch. If had an unlimited car budget, I'd certainly have one parked next to my 328. I am pondering a 550 in the future, depending on how things go for me professionally.

I would overwhelmingly, beyond any doubt, take a 550/575M over the portly depreciation bomb BMW 6.

It's like Cameron Diaz vs. Hillary Clinton. Hope that wasn't too graphic for you.

 

I had a 2005 575M with the Fiorano handling package that I traded in end of September for a new F430. The 575 was fantastic, no problems, beautiful fit and finish, a little quiet but all in all a great car. Looks like the Auto Gallery just sold the car (Rosso Corsa/Tan).

But no comparison between the two. I have had a ridiculous grin on my face since picking up the 430. More fun to drive, lots of fantastic exhaust sounds, I can't get enough of it.

The 575 was not a daily driver either and I put about 3400 miles on it in a year. The 575 was soft compared, didn't shift nearly as well as the the 430 does, the suspension/throttle adjustibility of the 430 is priceless.

But I agree you can't go wrong with the 575.

 

Avoid the F1 transmission

 

575 vs 430 agree with you comment; but the choice would be 575 vs 360 coupe or spider. I am looking to add a 8 and have driven multiple 360 coupes and spiders. They are different from the 575 but I didn't get the wow! compared the 575. The 360cs was a wow! but I didn't feel it was the right car to get in and drive 5000 miles.

I he will need to think about how he plans to use the car. If its week-ends and good weather, get a 360 spider with a tubi. If you want to drive a few k's with a passenger and a couple of weeks of luggage get a 575. The 12 pulls like a train and is very stable at least to a buck 70. What ever you get you will like it. Good luck!

Steve

 

The whole reason to go with 575 is for the F1. Unless the price spread between that an a 550 is that close now, I dont know. I went for 575 just for the F1, its great and suits that car well. I just wish we had launch control.

Get the 575 and skip the 360 spyder and add a CS (unless you really want a convertable). Its an ideal combination.

 

have both 430 spider and 575M - f1 in both. I can drive 430 for about 25 min and I am done. Can and have driven 575 for hours. Put 1500 miles on 575 in 3 months. Put 250 miles on 430 in almost 6 months. So you be the judge. 430 spider is for beautiful sunny spring or fall days. Retrofitted GTC handling pack, lowered suspension, and fitted Tubi on my 575 through authorized dealer so do not think it is soft at all. If i could only have one car, the 575 would be it. I am delighted to have both though and plan keeping them until there is a natural replacement for either. So, I am looking forward to 430 stradale which I will use for track days and meets and continue to drive 575 regularly - or if I can get hold of one - a 599. More people (including girls) stare at the 575 than 430 - do not know why. Pics of my car have been posted.

Good luck!
K

 

Re the F1. It is wonderful in the 575. The big engine with lots of torque is perfectly suited to the F1. It is the best application of F1 technology so far. Apparently the 599 is much better, but the same holds there - a big V12 will make best use of the F1
I waited for a 575 precisely because of the F1 and it was worth the wait. My Superamerica has the same system and it is wonderful too.
There is a reason why over 80% of new Ferraris are delivered with F1 - it really works. There will always be a small group of Luddites who feel pain with progress and have yearnings for the good old days. Don't fall for that. F1 is great technology and the car is still a manual car. In fact the transmission is identical in F1 and non F1 cars. It's just the shifting method that is different.

 

Reliability

Three local club members all bought their F1 transmissioned cars new, each has been impeccably maintained and all three have had to have it returned to dealer due to F1 transmission failure; 360 Modena, 575 SuperAmerica, 430 Coupe.

Perhaps I'm jumping the gun by turning three incidents into a trend, but then again on a club drive in August I was sitting in stop-and-go traffic at a hot summer International border crossing and the F1 pump failure light came on in the Ferrari in front of mine.

 

For starters there is no F1 pump failure light. The 575 is the 3rd generation F1 system and has had an extraordinary record of reliability. You are citing 1 failure that, I am sorry, but you will have to prove to me that it happened. I see F1 cars of all descriptions in my shop every day and everything from flat tires to running out of gas gets blamed on the F1 system. Come back when you have real and reliable information.

 

I love the 550/575, but be warned - you may be totally spoiled and then lose the need for Ferrari ownership... I can think of a handful of former 550 owners young and old who all ended up driving Mercedes after a few years in a 550. It is wonderful, but it will taint you!

 

Whatcha talkin 'bout Willis?

 

Matthew,

The 575 was my first Ferrari in my mid twenties. I drive the little 8 now and still think that the huge nose, cave like inside GT had more of a classic Ferrari feel than the busy and fussy new car. 410 is correct, make sure you know the history of the car, as it can mean a possible warranty extension and it will make maintence just so much more easy. And since it will be your first Fcar, wait till you see the service fee for a simple fluid change for the 12 at a auth dealers. Pricey, but if you go elsewhere watch them not cover anything else on it in the future.

 

You and Dr Who have something in common... ;D

 

410SA - could you answer these questions? I thought of PMing you but I reckon your answers would benefit the archive.

1. Did you notice any difference between the F1 on your SA and that on the 575? I'm wondering if it's the same spec. as that in the 612.

2. Driving the car daily how do you find the F1 performs in stop-go traffic? Do you ever use the AUTO option?

3. Are smooth changes just a matter of practise?

4. Have you found the clutches wear out quickly?

 

Is what your smoking legal in MA?