My 1st Ferrari! 550 silver/red | FerrariChat

My 1st Ferrari! 550 silver/red

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by The Shield, Jun 1, 2012.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. The Shield

    The Shield Rookie

    May 8, 2012
    2
    San Leandro, CA USA
    Full Name:
    Josh Mitchell
    I have agreed to purchase my 1st Ferrari! Many of you may have seen it listed on eBay. It had a 'buy it now' option for $59,500. 36k miles. Silver with shields and red interior. Its due to be inspected next week from Alex Traverso in Scottsdale, AZ who comes highly recommended on this forum. Carfax is clean - 1 owner car...

    I've got a flight booked to PHX for June 9th and I plan to take 2 days to drive it to San Francisco.

    It's going to be a long week of anticipation! Wondering how many speeding tickets I will end up with before the car even arrives in my garage! I-10 PHX-L.A. then I-5 L.A.-S.F. will no doubt offer some good opportunities to move the needle up a bit.

    Should I be hesitant to drive 382 miles across the Desert in mid-June in the daytime?

    Any other advice is welcome. Im new to the F-car world and I feel like I have alot to learn.

    expired eBay listing:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=370614057515&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

    pictures:
    http://www.ecarlist.com/showroom/965/photos/1076083

    best,
    Josh Mitchell
    San Leandro, CA
     
  2. JOEV

    JOEV F1 Rookie

    Aug 6, 2003
    2,827
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Congratulations and well done. Enjoy her in good health.
     
  3. dancmos

    dancmos Rookie

    May 10, 2012
    42
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dan M.
    Your new car is fantastic. I just think it is incredibly elegant. I'm hunting too, but all I see are red Ferraris, which are fine, but I like the other options. You chose well. It seems like a reasonable price too.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
     
  4. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
    BANNED Professional Ferrari Technician

    Apr 26, 2006
    3,664
    New England
    Full Name:
    David Feinberg
    Hey Josh,

    We just added a 550M to our stable. A mere virgin with 8,300 miles. Regardless, we drove her home; a 250 mile journey with no issues. These are great, great cars with reliability rivaling the best cars out there.

    Best,
    David
     
  5. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,758
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    #5 308 GTB, Jun 1, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
    28,633
    Phoenix
    Full Name:
    AG
    Congrats on the car, the color combination is perfect!

    Alex Traverso is a name that is used fairly often in the AZ Ferrari community, I've never met him, but I know his son and a few people who only go to him!

    I unfortunately can't give you any advice on the drive back, but have a safe trip back! :)
     
  7. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,152
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Nice car but with the rear shelf carpet looking like it does I wouldn't open the windows at high speed. It looks like it has already blown out before.

    Good luck with it
     
  8. dakharris

    dakharris Two Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 7, 2001
    29,441
    Sleepy Hollow
    Full Name:
    Cavaliere Senzatesta
    Congrats, Josh! You will love the car. I would not be concerned driving a well sorted 550 any distance. That is what a Maranello is built for. Just make sure that it is in good shape before you set out. I would assume that with that mileage and age, the hoses have been done by now. But if you confirm anything, do that before you set out in hot weather. Otherwise, check to be sure that fluids are at proper levels and fresh...especially freon :). Also, buy some of those tire plugs and a can of tire inflator since you don't have a spare and don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat and no cell service. To top it all off, get AAA Plus or similar towing program.
     
  9. Dutchman

    Dutchman F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 4, 2002
    6,184
    EU
    Full Name:
    Ton
    Congratulations. Great buy!
    The 550 is a marvelous car in many aspects. Enjoy the drive!!!
     
  10. Cribbj

    Cribbj Formula 3
    BANNED

    Beautiful car Josh, but it might not be a bad idea to bump up your AAA membership to the 200 mile towing package, at least until you get to know it better :)
     
  11. Patek

    Patek Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2006
    1,908
    USA
    Full Name:
    John Milton
    Great Car Josh,
    I really like the red, I would like to have the inside on just about any car. But most cars don't offer red inside like back in the 60's.
    The V12 will love the long roads.
    And, very comfortable seats compared to the 360.
    Let me know how you feel after a full day drive
    Best,
    John
     
  12. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
    Congrats.

    I am eyeing a 550 as the new stable mate to my 348.

    Need to inspect Dave's car tomorrow...

    Kai
     
  13. DriveAfterDark

    DriveAfterDark F1 Veteran

    Jan 1, 2007
    9,148
    Norway
    Nice debut! My second favorite Ferrari after the F50... Timeless beauty.
     
  14. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie

    Sep 2, 2009
    3,420
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Bill Karp
    Hi Josh, Welcome to F-chat .....Congrats on a beautiful 550 !

    I drive mine from Los Angeles to Las vegas all year long including summer at temps of 100 + and have never had any problem...

    So don't deprive your self of a wonderful first trip.

    I might suggest getting a Valentine one for the drive might save you a lot of money!

    cheers,

    Bill
     
  15. ASK328

    ASK328 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 23, 2005
    2,481
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    I was looking at that one - very nice. Congrats
     
  16. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,236
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Congrats mate, awesome car and I love that colour combo! :)
     
  17. Eric360

    Eric360 Formula 3

    Jan 11, 2010
    1,428
    San Francisco, CA
    Full Name:
    Eric
    Beautiful car. Looks like you got a great deal. Enjoy!
     
  18. 550v12SABI

    550v12SABI Karting

    Mar 29, 2012
    243
    Long Island, N.Y US
    Full Name:
    Steve in NY
    Wow, that's a beauty. That's just like mine but mine is Titanum/red with many mods. Enjoy it in health and respect the power of that car as many learn that the hard way.
    And just like my car, always out of gas.......lol
     
  19. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 8, 2006
    4,938
    Los Angeles
    Congrats!

    I hope that you really enjoy the 550 experience!
     
  20. 166&456

    166&456 Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2010
    1,723
    Amsterdam
    Very nice, I love red interiors on Ferraris, as long as its not too much (red all-over); this one is perfect.

    As for the desert drive, maybe just first go round the area a bit and do some driving, including some some stop-and-go in hot weather with the A/C on; see how it behaves temperature-wise. This so you can get acquainted to the car and still return to the dealer if you have a problem.
     
  21. WJGESQ

    WJGESQ Formula 3

    Dec 30, 2004
    1,477
    Wow, that seems like a real good deal.
     
  22. forgeahead

    forgeahead F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Sep 16, 2008
    4,408
    Rocky Mount, NC
    Full Name:
    Ray
    Stunning color combination. Beautiful car for a good price. That V12 will be your Italian mistress! Congrats and enjoy in health.
     
  23. ALPINE6SPD

    ALPINE6SPD Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2006
    331
    NJ
    STUNNING combo. A crazy amount of car for the money. I will always love a 550/575 with a gated shifter. I know that all 550 came with gated only except for one so I am talking more 575. I love the interior.
     
  24. prd575

    prd575 Formula Junior
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 11, 2012
    422
    Johns Creek, GA
    Full Name:
    Philippe Dorier
    Sounds like you got a great deal!
    Congrats and enjoy!
     
  25. RedFlyer512TR

    RedFlyer512TR Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2011
    386
    Columbus, OH
    Full Name:
    Timothy
    Congratulations on your new trophy!! I know it won't gather dust. I plan for my 550 this November and I am getting anxious. I have the car identified, I hope it sits there until I am ready. I read the Mike Sheehan Ferrari articles every month for insight. Mike recommends the 550 and 575 as best buys for reliability and future value.

    Enjoy yourself!
     

Share This Page