I can't drive a stick....thoughts?

OK, long story short. I injured my back in 2013. This put my 550M in storage for about 2 1/12 years. I felt much better this year so I brought the 550 from Phoenix storage to Boston (side story. All the Docs are not that good here). Since I've been driving it my back has gotten worse. The ultimate humiliation was when my doc said feel good or drive the car. I knew that was coming. My wife doesn't care about the car----sweet woman) basically it's the clutch agitating the left side muscles. I didn't buy an F until I retired, but I've rarely been without a GT car. And I want to shift, so I sold my 360 to get the 550--goodbye to that. So Fophiles, what are my good options? I've lost track of the many F1 variables but I fondly remember my test drive of a CS. Much more aggressive and no shift lag. Sound familiar? Sigh. Bill

 

Sell the 550, buy the f1 equipped what ever and pocket the difference. Carry on...

 

With three pedal cars going for a premium now, you should be able to get a 575 F1 and have some gas money left over.

 

Lots of good paddle shifting choices: 575, 599, F12, Cali T, 430 Scud, 430, 360, 360 CS, etc.

.

 

Yes to lots of cars. I just need the one that is a fitting replacement.

 

Sorry to hear about your woes but at least consider yourself lucky your car demands a huge premium compared to a few years ago.

I haven't driven a 550 or 599 but from what I've read, the 599 feels like it's in a different league. Test drive a 575, 599 and whatever else suits your fancy and then decide!

 

A 575 F1 is a great option....a 599GTB even better- very attractive car, F1 isn't harsh like the CS- I drove a friend's 599 once for >1 hour, and felt like I could drive cross country in the car- yet it was a very special driving vehicle/experience (feels, sounds, amazing performance when pressed, amazing build and materials). It doesn't sound like it's time for you to sell the 550 to get a Caddy sedan deville just yet...and no SL Mercedes...no, it sounds like you have the right spirit to continue on with a Ferrari!!!

 

I have to agree with the guys, 550, and 575, are gorgeous, so a 575 F1 with the fiorano pack would be great, but 599 is leagues ahead in quality drive-wise, you would not be displeased. Kinda gorgeous too in the right colours, much like 550/575

I think the V8s, while fast and accomplished, would have too harsh a ride for any meaningful use and if you have physical issues with a clutch, imagine what it will be like with the harsh ride of a CS smashing through bumps etc!

 

I agree with the rest, sell the 550. I'd be very tempted by the 599. Great performance/$ ratio.

 

599 has to be one of the best deals in the Ferrari world now...my friend has one in Rosso Fiorano...just gorgeous, amazing sounding V12.

 

no good docs in Boston?!?!?


anyway, 575 or 599 with an F1 gearbox solves that problem

 

You should test drive both the traditional F1 paddle shift and the newer DCT (dual clutch transmission) cars.
The DCT started with the 458 but is on all the modern Ferraris at this point.

A 458 will be a jump up in price, but it might be worth it for your uses.
.

 

swap with someone who has a 575m....shouldnt be hard to facilitate.
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458 if you want a better DCT transmission and a mid-engine V8. For a GT experience I'd go with the 599.

 

If you want to shift gears without a clutch pedal, get a Mondial t Valeo

 

I know...you and I were thinking similarly but in fairness I think he said, "not all docs in boston are good."

 

A 575 F1 would be as close to your car as you can get but I'd be more tempted by the 599. Why not try something a bit different and more modern like the 599. The price delta between the 599 and 550 maybe nothing or minimal.

Good luck with your hunt and more importantly with your back.

 

With back issues, getting in and out of a sports car could exacerbate your problem; some cars are easier to enter/exit than others and require less twisting / contortions.

GT's are usually roomier.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JBqzIo7CPE[/ame]

Maybe try something like this? Is it the movement or the pedal effort that causes the problem, because there are power assisted clutches out there for people with injuries. If you could do something like that where the effort were the same or less than the gas/brake, it should fix the problem, no?

 

Go 599 if you can.

Keep in mind you're also at the point where literally every Ferrari model since about 2003 has an F1 transmission option available. I supposed if there was ever a good time to drive a Ferrari with a back injury it's now!

 

That seems like the thing.

That might be difficult to find. How many were made?

All the best,
Andrew.

 

You didn't explain the nature of your back injury but if you say your current problem has to do with muscles, then I think it's possible you haven't exhausted your medical options.

Assuming you have great respect for your doctor, I would still advise you see a sports injury specialist. Sports injury specialists are more creative, aggressive and effective for people with exceptional physical goals. There's a big difference between regular therapy and sports injury therapy. Most therapy are designed for fairly laid-back people with limited expectations.

BTW, you will likely find the best sports injury people at the major university sports clinics.

 

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear about this injury, it sounds pretty nasty. Something that is stopping you from driving the car you always wanted.

It's hard to make a clear suggestion because you have outlined two very different cars in your original post. The 550 (and 575, and I own and love both) have a laid-back, slightly old-fashioned punch (in the context of cars that can do 200 mph +-), a more old-fashioned/classic interior, and are less frenetic, as well as less capable, than the cars that replaced them. A 599 is a much faster, more composed, more modern car but it's also a different type of car, in my view: Ferrari dumped the laid-back factor and made it a full-on supercar with hyper-sharp steering. Better objectively, but for me less satisfying as a regular drive at less than 100 per cent.

Aside from the obvious option, a 575, another car to consider if this is your style is a 612, which has a variation on the same engine and the same philosophy, or a 456M, which comes with an actual autobox, better if you want to leave it in Auto.

Then you cite a CS which is a completely different type of car to the 550...and sets you down the route of 430/Scuderia/458. I think a 599 (and F12 - a good 550 isn't that far from F12 money now) in some ways have more in common with these hypermanic V8s (I own a gated 430) than with Maranellos.

Long and short, if you like the 550's style and want to shift with your hands, buy a 575F1, make sure it has the Fiorano Handling Pack or you'll feel it's much softer than the 550. It will be faster, too. If you like its style and want a real auto, a 456 M GTA. And if you like the CS...

 

Convertible GTs are even better. There's not even a roof to force you to bend over.

 

have you ever tried the paddles in manual mode?