My 575 first impressions...

Had the car over a week now, so it's time for some first impressions...

Firstly I love the F1 gearbox, I can't imagine why people moan about it so much. It works fine in auto mode, though the low changes can be slow, and in F1 mode it's fantastic, on the Sport setting it even blips the throttle on downshifts which sounds glorious. All upshifts can be rendered silky smooth just by easing off the throttle a little as you click the UP paddle (thanks to 410SA for this tip). I wouldn't go back to a manual Ferrari now even if I still had a clutch leg!!

Speaking of sounds, H R Owen would only say that the car has a "sports exhaust", I'm not sure if it's a TUBI, how would I tell? Anyway it sounds beefy, maybe a little too bovine when the car is cold but a wonderful and ominous rumble once warmed up.

The handling is awesome, my car has the Fiorano Handling Pack and I'm not sure how the vanilla car handles, but my car copes admirably with the twisty lanes and potholes around my home, haven't grounded once. Also the ride is smooth and solid on motorways and oh so very fast...

The Becker stereo/sat nav it came with was feeble, so I had an Alpine D310 put in with a Genesis amp. It now sounds better than the Bose system did in the SL500 I PXed. Got an IPOD link and reversing camera put in at the same time

This 2004 575 seems to be a huge advance on the 1997 456GT I had, partly because of the clever gearbox but also because the car feels so planted and the torque less likely to spin me into a bridge. Also the car seems better finished though alot of the switchgear is familiar. I suspect Crema may be a pain to keep looking clean though.

All in all I've got a huge grin on my face. I wrestled over buying a 575 because I'd read and heard such conflicting reports about the F1 gearbox, I'm glad I went for that testdrive now, just goes to show that the likes of Clarkson talk a lot of b*llocks much of the time. The car even fits easily into my garage, whereas a 612 would have been a really tight fit.

Warning to anyone considering a 575 - do not testdrive unless you're prepared to be smitten!

Finally some photos to reward your reading patience...
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Dan
spectacular pics great review
as a 456 owner who is positively in love with his car, I can only imagine what the 575 must be like
thx

 

Well done Dan

You will be happier with every passing day. I really believe the 575 marks the resurgence of Ferrari as a builder of the finest, no excuses needed, GT cars on the planet.

Enjoy it in good health!

 

Congratulations, a beatiful color scheme.

BTW, I have been thinking over the past couple weeks, and was reminded by Casino Royale last week: why are gravel driveways so popular in Europe, as opposed to black paving or interlocking brick?

 

Stunning car - great colors. Thanks for the write up and congrats. I am thinking about the 575..

 

Absolutely stunning car.

Congrats on the purchase

 

Dan Im glad you of all people are back in Fcar ownership. What a car! Sounds and looks absolutely amazing! Congrats mate!

 

Cgrats! Beautiful car.

Is it Nero, Nero Daytona or Pozzi Blue?
Hard to tell 100% in the light.

Only weakness I've noted with the 575 over time is repeated braking at extremely high speeds. Like 160->80->160->80 type runs (mph).

Have fun!

 

Thanks for all your good wishes chaps

Cheers! In fact it was partly your infectious enthusiasm for the 575 which got me down to the dealers for a testdrive! I won't blame you if it all goes wrong though

Thanks mate! 2.5 years to limp back into the saddle but very glad I was able to in the end. You'd think I'd have learnt my lesson! The ASR will certainly never be turned off!

So that we can hear intruders and ex-wives approaching and get the shotgun out before they make it up the drive!

Nero Daytona, though I swore I'd never buy another black car I was seduced by a little latin devil on my shoulder. Not sure if this dealer shot makes it any more obvious...
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congrats and welcome to the club.Maybe one of the finest cars ever
or will be made.Bullet proof as they come.Makes a statement and will snap your head and when you don't want to act like a "Gentleman" you can run with all the "Big Dogs"

 

Your car is GORGEOUS!!

Nice color combination - The 550/575 is looking as gentleman's car in dark color outfit IMO!

Drive fast and in good health!

 

Beautiful color!!! Enjoy and best wishes, Kole

 

I thought Nero Daytona had a brownish tint? That looks straight black! Beautiful car, regardless of colors!

 

Absolutely gorgeous, use it in good health.

 

wow...she's beautiful...

 

Those cars are becoming so affordable fo SO much car I was considering getting one. Beautiful car!!!

 

Fantastico!

 

Looks amazing, wonderful colour combo - enjoy every single second of it, real automotive art... - I'm carless so doubly jealous, but then I'm in the Bahamas, every cloud silver lining..

 

Amazing, a work of art!

 

Love the colour combo. Enjoy in good health!

Best,
Vasco

 

Enjoy her for many years to come.
Sweet ride.

 

dude i LOVE your car!

 

Black is the first choice in many buyer's eyes and usually commands a premium upon resale.

A local FCA club member took delivery of a Daytona Black F430 over a month ago and it is stunning. The metallic has a subtle flake that gives off hints of undertones, not unlike BMW's cosmos black colour.

Congrats on a very tasteful car.