99 550 or 99 F355

To be quick and brief before I get the usual car forum answer of seaaaaaarch noob, I am searching at the same time as posting this.

Long story short, I have the chance to get in a 99 355 F1 Spyder or a 99 550 Maranello. Basically, can I get some real life owner response on these two. Who absolutely loves them and who loathes their's?

I am leaning towards the 355 due to the style is a tad bit more my way, but the 550 might end up being the only option.

Both are used, with 30K or less on the clock. Reputatble dealership with up to date service records & inspections.

I just don't want to pull the trigger (not really my choice) too fast without enough research. Unfortunately money bags mcginty is down at the dealership ready to sign off on one right now, without me. So any input is greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

Doesn't that mean that any reply will be too late ? One's a manual tourer the other an open top sports car - horses for courses so to speak

 

eh not neccessarily, I've stayed him for a day in the hopes of letting me get some research out of the way. I think I'm going to take him down to Ferrari of Washington and show him a few other models to also earn me some more time.

Horses ~340 vs ~485
V8 vs V12
Open top vs Tourer
Black vs Silver

What I'm really looking for is not paper facts (should have clarified) but input from owners. Would you pull the trigger on that 355 or 550 again? has she treated you right over the years?

Any caveats to each?

I'm becoming more informed by the minute, I'll repost in ~6hours (this evening) with what I have discovered and hopefully others will let me know of anything I have missed or should be aware of pre-emptive to my purchase.

Cheers
Blake

 

Just FYI it's 380 horses vs 485.

 

I love my '99 355 Spider...

But, daymn... it would be a hard choice if I had a chance for a V12 550.

I might have to re-think my weapon of choice...I think I'd have to drive the 550 to decide.

Have you driven both? What do YOU think? If you did, what was your driving experience like?

Oh... by the way... don't rush into anything... seriously. Take your time, get informed, and make your decision on YOUR time... not Moneybags McGinty's time.

Besides that, if it's the dealer telling you that Moneybags is standing there with cash... but he isn't selling... then he's probably not being honest with you. The dealer is going to take the first cash that walks through the door.

So would I, and so would you.

Mike

 

So which one did you get? I'm also looking at a 99 f355 as my first.

 

front engine v12
5 years from now you will be in a much better place dollar wise.
If you look at history, this should be true. If money does'nt matter drive them both and sleep on it....then buy one the next day.

 

I vote 550.

It's easier to find the door handles on a 550 versus a 355.

 

Both are great, but buy what YOU love most. After you've researched and driven both enough, there will come a time when you know which is best for YOU.

That said, I've driven both and love both, but - for me - I loved the 550 more, so I bought the 550. After 14,000 miles in less than a year and a half I have no regrets.

 

i would lean this way as well. add to the decision would be my assumption that the 550 has a maunal transmission. the f-1 may be troublesome and less desirable to the pruist.

a high class problem making the choice though!! have fun.

pcb

 

I have both in a manual transmission. For me, no question the F355 is the more fun car to drive.

 

thanks for the information friends

 

Might be a little late...they are two very different machines.

That said, I've always been more of a fan of mid-engined cars.