550's up $40K - still no supply

Even if the 2/4 seaters are as close together, like they never has been in the past (imho), I expect to be a big price gap in the future as well, the actual development already show this tendency.

So I agree, the bargains are actually the 456s. When I bought my car, the price difference between both models were just about 20%, now much bigger....

On a long term base, the 550's might still be the better investment.....Despite that, to own and drive one of these cars is the real pleasure, not just to count their values and future tendencies....

Saluti,

Jürgen

 

I bought mine from Fast Cars 4 months ago and I truly love the car. Values are on the rise and the market has very few available. I spent 5 days up at Pebble and there were only three that went thru different auctions. The comment earlier is probably the most accurate collectors are sitting on them.

 

I think the classic and sports car market has reached the top. I follow several auction houses, and have seen that high volume cars do not reach the reserve price (=remain unsold) or sell for less than estimate.
Low volume cars seem still to sell above estimate.

 

I agree, there has been a flattening in recent weeks on some cars (although not noticed 550s in particular?). There are a couple of ways of looking at it; a) it's a peak or b) classic car price rises tend to happen in steps. There's been a big step from 12 months ago to now in 550s (in Europe, anyway); we're now on the flat part of the step; and the next step will happen in a year or two or whenever.

For 550s I think it's more b) myself. There are more than enough enthusiasts like us to buy at current prices (or not to sell - same effect on market) and the word is spreading among those who didn't know the 550 before. So, conversely, this fall is possibly a good time to buy a good 550 if you can find one.

I know I'm not alone in saying that I could sell my 550 for a good profit today, and I have no intention of doing so.

 

Which is more important? Mileage or condition?

 

Mileage. Condition can be restored "cheaply".

 

I disagree. You can't duplicate a well cared for car without a serious restoration. Miles are unimportant to a large extent. I have seen some 35k mile cars that look like 5k cars but run flawlessly unlike lots of garage queens.

 

Difficult question. In general I would vote the condition as more important (especially if you like to drive the car), knowing that real car collectors would spend a premuim on low milage cars....


Saluti,

Jürgen

 

As a new owner of a 65,000 mile 550, I ended up going for condition over mileage. Sure, condition can be restored but at what price?

 

noticed a silver car with 41k miles on it fetched £110.000 at silverstone auctions last weekend
strong money..

 

Gearbox?

 

What happens to the gearbox? I'm confused.

 

Sorry was being facetious with a throw away comment.
The question was what counts more for value; condition or milage, on V12s of the era.
I was just suggesting other factors are equally important, in particular the parts of the option sheet that can't be changed with retro fit...so gearbox choice, handling options including HGTC on 575's and colour.

 

But 550s are only available in manual. I do agree that options are important, especially the big four: sport seats, FHP, quilted shelf, modular wheels

 

I think the full carbon interior package was a pretty big option, it certainly was pricey.

Personally I'd much rather have Daytona's than sports seats and I feel no need for FHP except I do enjoy the occasional FHP steering when in sports mode which is rarely.

I'm more in the Grand Touring camp than Sports Car.

 

Here's why:
Ferrari 599 GTB vs 275 GTB, Daytona, 550 Maranello and 575M | Evo

 

The Lake Forest 550 (red) is sold

 

ExcelsiorZ, thanks for posting that article. Just comparing them side by side you can see the changes.

 

I don't know if that cf option was available until the very end. I have only seen it on a couple of late 2001s. That said, I would gladly part with my power Daytonas for sport seats.

 

Mine's a 2000 and it has the full carbon package

Hers a list I found, no year given though

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142666199-post6.html

 

That's really great to know. Do you know which dealership your car came from?

 

I will trade you my preservation Pantera for your 550. Deal?

 

It will be interesting to hear what others think about the accuracy of the Market Letter. I wounder how much their data lags the market activity? As I mentioned earlier in the thread, Hagerty's is finally reflecting the increases across the board for the 550s of various years...