550 Barchetta or 575M Superamerica? Which would you get?

Thomas- I would buy an extra set of those struts and put them on the shelf, if I were you, just in case they become difficult to find. Right now they are very inexpensive.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I would agree with you as well.

 

Steve, you may be correct 100% in your satement: the SA may be practical, but to some (myself included) the SA is bloody ugly.
No offense intended to SA owners, of course.

 

Alfredo- How can than not be offensive to Superamerica owners?

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I assume someone loves ugly chicks, too. It's not necessarily anything they take personally, though. Or should take personally. While I don't like the look of the SA, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

CW

 

I would like to chime in here as well. I have been visiting the local Ferrari dealer in Perth to look at the SA for sale there while waiting delivery of my 575. The Daytona spyder is beautiful because from the windscreen back the highest point is the head rests, the trunk lid is horizontal and level with the doors, a true convertible. The Barchetta is basically the same except for the silliness of leather covered roll bars and thus to me is much prettier than the SA. The SA has no where near the beauty of the coupe. The Aperta is much better also, but would be even prettier without the buttresses. 308/328 GTS, 246 GTS keep the profile of the GTB and thus retain the car's original beautiful profile. As with the Porsche Targas I also think the SA is very ugly relative to the coupe. Opinions of beauty should not cause offense to those whose opinions differ. The fact that SA owners behold beauty where I do not, does not bother me.

I dislike fender crests also, they are for Ferrari race cars. On road cars they are just another designer label. Sorry if I have offended just about everyone. Ha

 

I've been fantasizing about buying a 550 PFB for a long time, and finally got the opportunity to drive one in December, albeit briefly, with the top down, on a relatively cold and windy day in Northern California (Thank you again, Brad, it's an experience I won't forget, and when the time comes to buy mine, I'm comin' to you!). It's my "ultimate eventually-attainable Ferrari", and if you asked me if driving it was as good as I imagined, I'd have to say "No. It was ten times as good."

We had a 575 SA at a local car event in the past month, and I have to say, I just can't fall in love with it the same way. The more practical roof, for me, makes it *less* appealing. But again, that's just me. Best of luck to you, whichever you choose, and neither is a bad decision, at all.

But if I were you, it'd be 550 all the way.

 

I guess I disagree with those of you who feel like it is your God-given right to criticize other owners' Ferraris because your tastes are different. I personally detest most BMWs, but would never say that to a BMW owner. If someone took you to a parking lot and showed you his Superamerica, are you going to say "That is really ugly?" On the internet I use the rule of thumb that I will not write something I would not say to someone's face. Apparently there are a few of you who do not use that ROT, or you are very rude in person, which I doubt.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

With all of the "experts" sharing their vast knowledge of what one should consider beautiful, I went out to my SA which I have owned now for 2 months and spent a good deal of time giving the car a closer inspection. It seems that the prior owner did some photoshop wizardry to the pics in the advert. or somehow cast a spell upon me and now after I have been enightened, also agree regarding the complete uglyness of this so called Ferrari. I tore off all prancing horses and will sell the car as quickly as possible regardless of financial loss.

When I went back into the house, a terrible thing happened... I took a good look at the Mrs. ... I still feel confident with her degree of beauty but I will defer to the "experts" and leave the future of our marriage in their capable hands. I will post a photo of her in the "lets see pretty girls with ferraris" section. (She will be the one with human size breasts) But please keep in mind that that If I also dispose of her, I will suffer a much greater financial loss than with that TDF monstrosity.

Thank you for your attention to this matter

 

Taz, the thread asked our opinions about the Barchetta and the SA. We would be doing a disservice if we didn't respond truthfully. It is not criticizing the owners just the cars.

 

Taz, the thread asked our opinions about the Barchetta and the SA. We would be doing a disservice if we didn't respond truthfully. It is not criticizing the owners just the cars.

 

Trabots- No, you would not be doing a disservice to anybody. I prefer the Barchetta would have been sufficient. The original question was: "Which would you get?" Nobody is going to base a purchase decision on our opinions of styling.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

+1 well said Terry !

cheers,

Bill

 

So, we cannot say something unflattering, now? In other words, we can't speak our minds? If not here, then where? You also forget that commentary about the design is about the DESIGNER. Not necessarily the owner. If the owner takes it that way, then that's their issue.

For YEARS I've had to hear people say, the BPF is "impractical" or "silly" because it doesn't have a roof. I certainly do not take it personally. Nor, frankly, do I care what they feel about it. I'm happy with it. I didn't come on blasting the SA unsolicited out of left field. I'm happy if people enjoy their SAs or any other Ferrari they might own. But, don't tell me I shouldn't say I think it's ugly because it's rude or might hurt someone's feelings. Sheesh. Some thin skins around here.

Furthermore, if what I think and say about your car causes you consternation, there are other problems to deal with much greater than my opinion.

CW

 

Taz, I prefer the Barchetta to the SA. At least I said in more detail WHY I prefer the Barchetta. Surely that is more helpful? That opinion was sought and delivered honestly and my reasons given pre-empted the next logical question; but why? Saying the Barchetta is more beautiful than the SA implies that they are both beautiful. One is and one is not in my opinion and that opinion was asked for.

I am sorry that you feel that way Taz. As an aside, your mind boggling data base of information on these cars is truly impressive and VERY helpful.

 

CW, Trabots- I doubt if I can make myself any clearer. You obviously got the point, even if you choose to ignore it. I am talking about common courtesy, which should apply to the internet as well as real life.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Just in case someone is looking for a 550 Barchetta, I stumbled across this website recently, which lists nearly every 550 Barchetta in existence. Some of the colour combinations chosen by original customers are interesting to say the least!
Here you go;
http://www.barchetta.cc/ALL.Ferraris/550-barchetta-colors/index.html

 

Nice,

Thanks for sharing.

Bill

 

Oh what a hideous monster.
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You've got to be kidding me. Right?

There is a general rule: if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. Well, that's fine and good. However, by being polite, we'll never hear anything but positive comments. About anything. I will say to an SA owner exactly what I'm saying here. I'm happy they're happy. I don't care for the SA. My opinion is irrelevant (or should be). They write the check, and they drive it. I don't see what's problematic about any of that.

I'm semi-reminded of the old story: The Emperor's New Clothes...

CW

 

When I first bought the car, I kept that ugly canvas thing in the car. A couple of times it rained and I put it on the car. It took me a couple of minutes--maybe 2 or 3--and it was a bit awkward. It worked much better when my brother was in the car with me to help line it up--which took about a minute.

It was pretty waterproof. Neither time was the rain too bad, but I did not notice water coming in. When I got to my garage, and took it off, some water splashed into the car, but nothing major. After about a year of ownership, I started leaving it in my garage and it collects spider webs today. I have not had it on the car in over 5 years.

When I have had it on, it gets pretty loud and it seems unstable at about 60 MPH. I think I got to about 70 MPH and didn't feel like I should go faster for fear it would rip off.

As for the SA, I have come VERY CLOSE to buying one on two separate occasions. Once I was literally hours away from buying and the owner hit a mailbox and messed up the front quarter panel. I took that as an omen and walked.

I have remained VERY happy with my car and am considering a SA once again. My car, which I have driven 52,000 miles, is probably worth somwhere under $150K. The SAs I am looking at are over $200K, but I think I can get them for under $200K--and with less than 7,500 miles.

Bottom Line - - you cannot go wrong with either car.

 

CW- No, I am actually not kidding. So you mean to tell me if someone you knew told you he had a new Ferrari and took you out to see it, and it was a Superamerica, you would tell him it is ugly? If so, i feel for you.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

You've driven your Barchetta 52,000 miles? Wow!

Are there any others with as many or more miles?

 

52,000 miles on any V12 is impressive, especially so in one where it is driven mostly top down, or actually topless.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

If I didn't know the guy, I would probably nod, congratulate him, wish him good fortune and let him go on his way. But, there's a big distinction: it's a person-to-person relationship. However, I do know an SA owner pretty well. He's a nice guy, and we're even considering a business venture together. I have told him I think the roof is hideous. He agrees, but he enjoys it, and nothing I say changes that. I really don't think I need to hold my tongue on the Internet about how I feel about the way a car looks. It's not like I'm calling someone a total fncking idiot.

CW