My 1st Ferrari! 550 silver/red

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

 

Congratulations and well done. Enjoy her in good health.

 

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.


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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

 

That's a beautiful Maranello, Josh! Drive it in good health.

Take along a few jerry cans of water and you'll be alright.

Barry
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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!

 

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

 

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.

 

Congratulations. Great buy!
The 550 is a marvelous car in many aspects. Enjoy the drive!!!

 

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

 

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

 

Congrats.

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

Need to inspect Dave's car tomorrow...

Kai

 

Nice debut! My second favorite Ferrari after the F50... Timeless beauty.

 

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

 

I was looking at that one - very nice. Congrats

 

Congrats mate, awesome car and I love that colour combo!

 

Beautiful car. Looks like you got a great deal. Enjoy!

 

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

 

Congrats!

I hope that you really enjoy the 550 experience!

 

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.

 

Wow, that seems like a real good deal.

 

Stunning color combination. Beautiful car for a good price. That V12 will be your Italian mistress! Congrats and enjoy in health.

 

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.

 

Sounds like you got a great deal!
Congrats and enjoy!

 

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!