550 VS 575 How would you compare them?

Can you please compare them. Performance, handling, reliability, overall finish. (advantages VS disadvantages)
How would for example a 2001 550 compare to an '02 575 besides F1? If you have owned both I would very much appreciate your insight.

 

Didn't someone start a long thread about this last week ?

And I think there was another in December

 

AEHaas has owned both and says the 575 is a technological improvement over the 550 everytime a question like this comes up. He definately knows his stuff too.

However, the added electronics (which are the 550/575 weakness) in the 575 may hinder it's reliability compared to a 550. Also, if you plan on buying a manual car, there is little reason to do a 575 unless you don't care to pay another 30k.

As far as performance goes, the 550 is inherently a more stiffly sprung car than any non FHP (Fiorano Handleing Package) 575. The 575's have 515 hp compared to the 550's 475, but if you buy a 575 with F1, the added weight of the transmission will equalize the two.

The 575 is certainly an updated version of the 550, especially in the guages, as they are digital rather than the analog ones of the 550. There are other minor differences, but nothing huge. The headlights and front facia are a bit different on the 575 (foglights are gone, the intakes are more rounded).

Overall, I'd say which ever car you chose should be based on the transmission you want.

Hope that helped!



-Joe

 

I appreciate the help. I am looking for the right car. I am sure the folks on this site will help me find it!

 

What color? And how many miles?

 

RED OR SILVER WITH TAN 5-10K

 

Are you taking then a 550 or a 575? That is going to be hard finding the silver with the tan. You got a PM!

Here is some to look at:
http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/Search/DRauSearchDetails.aspx?itemid=347607

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/Search/DRauSearchDetails.aspx?itemid=310187

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/Search/DRauSearchDetails.aspx?itemid=353305

 

That first one is my dream car! What a colour combination.

Onno

 

Hi Onno,

an important piece of information: if you choose a 575 over a 550 because of the F.1 gearbox, keep in mind that the cost of a clutch replacement for the F.1 is three times more expensive than the clutch for the manual, and that you will be replacing clutches at least twice as often.

Other than that, the 575 is a great car although a 550 can be slightly modded to easily match the 575's straight line performance (as mine is).

 

The New Auto Toy Store in Ft. Lauderdale has a Silver/Tan. red stitching, red calipers 575.

 

'04 no miles. Interesting.

 

Thanks for that info - the 575 is a bit out of my price range anyway. Luckily, I also prefer the looks of the 550 (am I the only one who sees a big difference in the nose shape? The 575 has corners that are too square) and I like the idea of an old-fashioned gate rather than the F1 for my first Ferrari. The F1 seems to be great for twisty roads. We don't have those in Holland; in fact, I must live in the worst country for finding a nice driving route.


Onno

 

Heck, I look at a 575 as a 550 on steroids. Maybe it has more muscle but the 550 has class.



12 cylinders or walk

ps: mine stock 550 has 482 brake horse power.

 

If its of any help I was at the Penkse Ferrari in las Vegas last week and they had a very nicely kept 575 F1 with less than 7k miles.
I was looking at that one but decided that the color was not what I was looking for.
But definately a car worth looking at if you are in the market for a 575 F1.

I do how ever have a small question, beeing a previous 550 owner do the 575 still have the common problem with the climate control unit?

 

I have driven both, and I don't think that 99% of the drivers out there could tell the difference with their eyes closed.

Dale

 

The 575 has around 300 lbs. more to lug around over the 550.

 

Ditto, plus no pre cat exhaust restrictors + BMC

 

...Of what?

 

Mainly transmission (assuming F1, which 90% are).