Are 550 prices starting to dip compared to 575 prices?

I've been lurking for a while and keeping an eye on Ferrari 2+2 prices (456/550/575/612) and it seems to me that for the last few years 550 and 575 prices were approximately consistent. However, it seems lately that the 575's are staying at round 612 prices, where the 550's are moving to split the different between a 456 and a 575.

Is this in my head, or just natural variability for a particular month? I was starting to think about trading my Porsche 993 across for a 456 but now I'm wondering if I should hold out for a 550.

Cheers,

A

 

Hi, and welcome.

Not exactly sure what you mean. First, the 456 and 612 are 2+2; the 550 and 575 are strictly 2-seaters. There's always been a gap between the 550 and 575, but there's probably as much price variance among cars for sale in each model as there is between the model average/median price of the two different generations of Maranello. Only talking about the coupes of course. Barchettas and Superamericas are another story.

On cars.com, asking prices for 550's have a $29K spread and an average price of $84,400; 575s have a $60K spread and an average price of $89.7K with a major price mode at just under $100K.

 

Andy- 550 and 575M prices have overlapped for several years now. In some markets, there has been an appreciation of prices for HGTC and three pedal 575Ms, especially in the very small UK market, but even in Europe for HGTCs. Asking prices on normal 575Ms are all over the place in the US from the high $70Ks to $130K, but there do seem to be more of them at the higher end of the scale now, likely not selling quickly, if at all, for those elevated prices. Some exceptional non-HGTC 575Ms have moved at prices north of $120K, usually with great option packages and very low mileage. Exceptional 550s seem to top out around $100K.

 

Thanks everyone - you're of course right on the 2+2 bit, I've been looking mainly at 456's so that's where my head has been at. My impression recently was that like-to-like cars (550-to-575) were about $10K apart, now they seem to be $25K+ apart or so. Maybe this is just my impression based on some suddenly cheap lower-condition 550's that are pulling down the curve.

 

Go with the 550. I know it's not a 2+2, but it's the better car.

 

I'm tracking two price curves: 993 prices (stupid hot market) and 550/575 prices. When they get close to parity I'll pull the trigger. Would love not to wait, but based on lurking here I'm confident that I don't want to stretch my finances by having both and not being able to afford proper maintenance.

 

Just wondering.
Are you thinking that the value of 993's will go up that much or that Maranellos will devalue that much? Maybe your thinking is that 993 values will climb as Maranellos fall and they will meet somewhere in the middle. Right now there is a big difference. I guess the most expensive 993 can sell for the least expensive 550, but, in general, there is a big difference.

 

Definitely drive the 456 before you sell the 993. I did and it kept me away from the 456. A 550/575 is likely different, but I found the 456 soft and bland in comparison. In the end I went for a carb & 5spd 400 to get my v12 fix but that's because a 550/575 wasn't in my budget.

 

I've been watching the prices for the last year or two and I haven't seen them drop. If anything there has been a bit of an uptick, but that could be seasonal.

 

He is considering dumping a 993 for a 456?? I didn't see that. Keep the 993. Don't even think twice. The 993 is perhaps one of the best full production cars ever built. It has it all. I'm searching high an low for a clean car. But even the rats are getting good money. I think it would be a step backwards.

 

The 456, especially the M, is awesome, so long as you love it for what it is: A big, comfy Ferrari cruiser. It would be a disappointing replacement for a 993, performance wise, though... but 993's do nothing for me.

Cheers,

George

 

Just my two cents. I buy and sell cars for a living, this has afforded me the opportunity to always keep a couple of cars at home for my personal collection. I searched for tWo years to find the exact 550 that I wanted and finally found it, Grigio Titano with two tone Gray/Nero Daytona seats, and heavily optioned with only 8K Miles and complete service history. I ruled out the 575 because I wanted a third pedal, not an F1, as we all know they are nearly impossible to find. My research has taught me that the car I just described is extremely desirable and priced on the upper scale in value. While the 575 has many improvements over the 550, if your not willing to forgo the gated shift, the 550 like the one I've describe above is the way to go. As for the 993 market, I have the pleasure of also owning a 993 C4S with low miles, the retail value has increased almost 40% in the last 24 months and I feel that it will continue to go even higher, the 993 is perhaps the most sought after 911 in the market place today, if you have one, HOLD it, its better than cash in the bank.
Just my opinion!

 

when i bought my 575 three years ago...it cost quite a bit more than my 993 turbo was worth.

now my 993 turbo is worth more than the 575

both awesome but very different cars

while everyone talks about values of 3 pedals going forward...imo, will be interesting in next 20-30 years to see if that theory holds given not many high end cars still being produced w three pedals...and thus the buyers pool will consist of many who never experienced three pedals.

 

It will be funny if the only potential buyers for three pedal cars becomes former truck drivers who know how to work a clutch.

 

I had a 1996 993 Carrera Targa before getting my 456M. Very different cars. The 993 is far more of a hard core sports car. Austere interior. I found the (non-leather, standard) seats uncomfortable and long distance travel tiring, but that may just be me. However it is a more responsive and entertaining drive. Maintenance costs were far cheaper. And there is the intangible feeling of driving a Ferrari vs. a Porsche. The 456M is an occasion and always feels special while the Porsche, except on the back roads, is just another way to get around town.

 

Interesting observation and likely true. Even today MANY drivers don't have any idea how to drive a manual (never used a clutch).

I had the cash for a 550 or 575 but the wife wanted to add a master suite so the car will wait another year. Patiently biding my time until I can purchase a 2nd F-car.

 

3 pedals never stopped 60's Ferraris to be in the millions at auction. Carbide acetylene lamps never dampen the spirit of classic 1900's cars either. Charm and rarity will always have value even when cars drive themselves in the future.

 

....for as long as you can find adequate supplies of gasoline to fuel them.

 

'3 pedals never stopped 60's Ferraris to be in the millions at auction.'

yes...but that buyer's pool consists of people who grew up during the era of 3 pedal cars.

just sayin imo the buyer's pool 20-30 years from now just might be smaller than one thinks...given the shift (no pun intended) away form 3 pedal car being produced for next generation buyer's to experience.

 

You don't need gas. I'm a lowly DIY guy and with very little modification I can run your car on propane, natural gas, and alcohol. I can make alcohol like any redneck with a back yard still. I'm pretty sure I can split water and use the hydrogen and burn that too.

 

Eventually in years to come a 3 pedal 550 will be the car to collect . A return to the front engine V12 in its most simple and pure form .

 

The HGTC 575M will be the one to collect. Last of the line and best equipped.

 

Thanks everyone for your thoughts - I'd like to particularly note that I wasn't trying to suggest that the 993 was in any way a better car, it's just that as the last air cooled Porsche the resale market for it is very weird right now. Two years ago, a decent 993 narrow body would have bought about half of a 456 ($30K vs $60K), now they are at approximately par.

Anyway, I'll keep an eye out and maybe be back as a member at some point; again, I appreciate the perspectives here!

 

I think you're both right.

550 is the prettier of the two which could hold significant in future values, but the HGTC will be a lot rarer.

 

To me ,the trim changes and the exterior changes especially the nose didn't improve the 575 's appeal ... Of course that is very subjective. Similarly the lack of the 'Daytona ' vents on the 456 m ' s bonnet detracts from its appearance when compared to the 456 - again subjective .