550 vs 355

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575/312979-550-355-a.html

 

If its to be a concours car you don't drive what difference does it make which it is ?

 

they are both amazing and completely different cars.

 

I was in same quandary just recently. I picked the 550. Just get both!

 

No question. 550 all the way. It's just a better car over all.

 

I'm having a diificult time understanding your reasons for wanting to own a Ferrari.

 

+1

 

I think a successful car choice comes down to knowing yourself and how you intend to use it. A second factor, for me, is the cost of ownership.

The two cars are very different, have different uses for which each excels and will produce different emotions for you as owner depending upon what you are seeking.

I like having a car in the garage that is not appreciably depreciating. I am guessing that's true of either model if bought well.

The capital cost of acquisition is a bit different.

Maintenance costs are, for he majority of owners, a bit different, and for some owners massively different. 550s are for the most part, pretty bulletproof. 355s can be massively expensive. It may be unfair, but I suspect is not, to compare the ownership costs of a 355 with a game of Russian roulette. This would, for me, remove all the fun of owning the beast.

Good luck with your choice

 

550 no contest. Love the 355 but the 550 is a better car

 

buy a 355........

 

If you're just going to sit and look at it, the f355 has more cool stuff to look at on the outside. If you're going to sit inside it and go 'vroom vroom', the 550 has a nicer interior. In the unlikely event you actually drive it, I'd say the 550 might tolerate sitting for long periods of time slightly better than the f355, but that's a big maybe and you can expect either of them to throw a fit when you decide to drive them once every 6 months.

 

2 totally different cars, not sure how you can even compare them. As other said, if your are not going to drive it, why buy a Ferrari? The engine sound won't mean much when it's off ;-)

Buy the car that gets your heart pumping and put's the biggest smile on your face - nothing else really matters.

 

Agree, two different cars altogether. I presently own both and I am glad I do. A 2001 550M and a 1995 355B. Each one delivers a different level of satisfaction. I cannot dream of parting with either one...there are days I go to the garage and wrestle with the thought of which one to choose for the drive of the day...you will never understand until you experience ownership of both. Can't go wrong with neither I my opinion.

 

i thought the 355 was more fun to drive. i put a brake kit on, exhaust, etc., and found it a thrill the way everything added up. i sincerely miss that car. i don't recall any serious issues on the maintenance, as I was a second owner and the first owner addressed the expensive stuff. and, I tracked the car pretty hard. i've been told to be very cautious about 355s now. my 575 ... not a single issue after 8 years - just tires, a batter, belt service every 4-5 years, and some expensive lubes each year. it's really quite miraculous, and seemingly impossible to understand given my experience with ferraris. driving wise ... it's heavier, and not as much fun in the turns, on the brakes, etc. f1 isn't much fun either. i hate it in fact. but, the v12 is fantastic, especially compared to the 355, which i found underpowered.

 

I had the same question 6 years ago and my mechanic/advisor (an old school Ferrari expert) said:
"...spend the extra money and go with the 550, it reminds me of the 275gtb I once had..."
Nearly every time I'm out in her I thank my lucky stars I listened to him.