Anyone here using a 550/575 as a aily Driver | FerrariChat

Anyone here using a 550/575 as a aily Driver

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by :Marc, Nov 11, 2007.

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  1. :Marc

    :Marc Karting

    Nov 9, 2007
    148
    Southeast
    Full Name:
    Marc
    I am considering buying a low mileage 1998 and driving it 85% of the year i.e. 10k miles or so...I have a 2008 CL63 great car no soul...came from 997TT--GT3--CAY TT etc so I have done the rounds...this will be the first F Car spoke to 6 or so owners who swear by them and use them daily if not alomost daily....thoughts? comments?

    TIA

    -:Marc
     
  2. markbnj

    markbnj Karting

    Feb 25, 2007
    62
    Central New Jersey
    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.
     
  3. :Marc

    :Marc Karting

    Nov 9, 2007
    148
    Southeast
    Full Name:
    Marc
    I have madew the decision to go for it...I have heard the more these cars are used the better they run so therefore high mileage cars dont scare me! Thanks
     
  4. Ferrari Rare Parts

    Ferrari Rare Parts Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Apr 18, 2006
    442
    Rome Italy
    Full Name:
    Orlando
    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 !
     
  5. nerd

    nerd F1 Rookie

    Oct 12, 2003
    2,535
    Coronado, CA
    Full Name:
    RSK
    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.
     
  6. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,156
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    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
     
  7. :Marc

    :Marc Karting

    Nov 9, 2007
    148
    Southeast
    Full Name:
    Marc
    I am just looking for the right car think I found it...bye bye CL63 helo 550...:)
     
  8. reubenk

    reubenk Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2004
    333
    atlanta burbs
    Full Name:
    reuben k
    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.
     
  9. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,156
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    You tease! Show some pics! :)


    Onno
     
  10. PCH

    PCH F1 Rookie

    Apr 7, 2004
    3,007
    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?
     
  11. ShaiHulud

    ShaiHulud Karting

    Oct 10, 2006
    141
    Zürich / Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Sarah Roth
    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.
     
  12. PCH

    PCH F1 Rookie

    Apr 7, 2004
    3,007
    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.
     
  13. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 9, 2004
    4,683
    LA & OKC
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    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.
     
  14. ShaiHulud

    ShaiHulud Karting

    Oct 10, 2006
    141
    Zürich / Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Sarah Roth
    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.
     
  15. PCH

    PCH F1 Rookie

    Apr 7, 2004
    3,007
    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.
     
  16. markbnj

    markbnj Karting

    Feb 25, 2007
    62
    Central New Jersey
    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.
     
  17. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
    Full Name:
    john g
    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.
     
  18. Ronbo

    Ronbo Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2005
    413
    Morris County, NJ
    Full Name:
    Ron
    Nice life! :D

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

    dsd F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 19, 2006
    4,271
    Northern Virginia
    I've used my 575 as a daily now for about 5 months. Its been great.
     
  20. PCH

    PCH F1 Rookie

    Apr 7, 2004
    3,007
    Regardless of how often it was driven, the issues you mentioned are all very common to the 550.
     
  21. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,614
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    And why hasn't Bart chimed in already?
     
  22. srslusso

    srslusso Formula Junior

    Mar 17, 2005
    875
    Encino,Ca.
    Full Name:
    Steve S.
    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.
     
  23. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
    4,725
    Hong Kong
    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
     
  24. vdodici

    vdodici Rookie

    Sep 21, 2005
    9
    Novato, CA
    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.
     
  25. cridom60

    cridom60 Formula Junior

    Feb 2, 2007
    826
    France
    Full Name:
    dominique
    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!
     

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