550 or 575M...?

Over the next 6/9 months I will be looking for my ideal car here in the UK. But which ?...and there is the conundrum ! 550's are manual, and reasonably priced. 575's seem like a better specification, but if I want to stay with manual, then in the UK, and seemingly everywhere else, add 80/100 £'s or $'s for the privilege......which on the face of it seems a bit obtuse, when manual 550's are readily available.
I'm OK with LHD, as most of the enjoyment driving will be in France or Spain.

Comments from the USA especially within the forum, would indicate that a manual 550, well maintained, is the way to go....especially if it has FHP.

What are your experiences or preferences ??

 

550

 

drive them both...you'll be surprised at a good F1 575.

If I sold my Stradale, I would do a rare 575 HGTC again (use to own a black LHD one fully spec, here in London ). Yes anytime over the best fully spec 550 (Fiorano handling and hard back seats/cage...similar to the World Speed Record ones)

There is one red LHD HGTC fully spec currently for sale in the UK

 

I just recently purchased a 550 as it is the last manual V12 front engine Ferrari. Sure they made some manual 575s and 599s but good luck finding them for a reasonable price. The minute I test drove the 550 I was sold. The gated manual is truly something special. Good luck


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You'd have to get a 575 wouldn't you? Everything about it, except maybe the handling in some models, is just a little bit better than the 550. The F1 transmission suits the car actually. I think they're both perfect cars for people who are over 80yo and have decided there's no room for anything interesting or exciting in their lives.

 

Dear God, man!! What does that make the minimum age for my 456M then? LOL

 

There's always this..

Which is the best modern classic Ferrari? - Lux Magazine

I suppose it depends if you're asking

a) Is a 550 better than a F1 575 (same price-ish)

or

b) Is a manual 575, suitably specced (FHP etc) worth the price difference over a similar 550.

The answer to a) depends entirely on your view of F1 vs manual. That is a personal decision.

The answer to b) depends on what the extra money is worth to you - again a personal decision.

Is a suitably-specced 575 a better car than a 550, gearbox aside? I own both, and have no doubt that it is, overall. Both are magnificent cars.

But, looking at the market right now, and since you mention LHD is no problem, a smart buy would be a well-maintained LHD 550 from a reputable independent dealer in the UK, selling SOR for someone who may have imported when the exchange rate was the other way.

 

Depends on what you're after.

For a DD a 575 will be softer but a 550 is fine, as I DD all 3 of mine.

 

Might become a long and controversy thread. You shouldn't be limited on the question, which is the better car. The newer one is in most cases the better one... But that's doesn't have any influence on classic cars (275 GTB against Daytona's - Dino's against 308 GTB's).

Both cars are for sure milestones, look at the headlights, the interior, for me it's the 550, but this is a personal preference…

You'll be the only one to decide which one will fit's you best....

 

This one has been beaten to death pretty thoroughly.

 

550 is better looking in my opinion...that's why I went that route. I also wanted a manual transmission and the premium on the 575's wasn't worth it to me.

That said...if you're okay with F1, I'd probably find a nice HGTE 575 F1 and enjoy it.

 

HGTC or FHP. An F1 HGTC for sale in E-Bay last time I looked.

 

Not the first time you've corrected me on the HGTE mixup. Always forget that's the 599's.

The one currently on eBay is a really nice example, but at that price point I would be hard pressed not to get a 599.

 

My preference would be the 550. Seems to be a very good value in comparison to manual trans 575.

 

Seems to me the 575 gets a bad rap on here when comparing to a 550.
I assume because for the most part the 575 is an F1 gearbox.
Maybe its just me but I have an 2002 575, no HGTC, no FHP, has the softer suspension ECU and no steering ECU and I have to tell you that is is an amazing car nevertheless.
I choose a 575 over the 550 due to the fact that I liked the wheels better, the more modern looking dash and cluster and that it was overall the next generation of the 550.
I have owned this car for 6 years now and this car continues to impress me every time I drive it and the fact that its a long nose front engine 12 cyl Ferrari really gives it that timeless classic Ferrari look that people always compliment me on. The car is pure beauty, class and elegance in my book

 

+1

 

+1

 

+1

 

Taz,

+1, never ending story....

 

550 production 3083, 575M production 2064, so there should be 50% more voices for the 550. I vote for 575M, for some reason. Love the F1 system.

 

I agree with this. The 575 is nicer inside and the F1 system suits that car.

 

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I'd be just as happy with a 575 F1 as I am with my 550. I just have a 355 F1 already and wanted one to be gated.