Ferrari 550 2000/2001

Welcome to the board!!!

I was in market to get a used 550 for a long time (but I just bought a new house so had to give up that dream and planning on settling for the new Z06...) Here's some info that you might find usedful. It is from Nov. '03 issue of Sports Car International so the price mentioned in the article may not be applicable to the current market.

I have driven a couple of my friends' 550s and I must say they are great cars... They are so drivable and the power from the Ferrari V12 is so amazing....

You'll love this board. The people you get to know from here are just amazing.

I don't know where you are, but if you are in Southern California, contact Costa at FX Performance (www.FXPerformance.com) (310) 575-5663 for any work you might need to do on the 550. He is the best!
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All cars Ferrari builds go through constant upgrading over their entire production run. 550's were no exception however none of the cars had "Problems" the way you hear discussed with TR's, 348's, 355's etc. There is no 550 year wise I would avoid.

The recalls that mention was made of is a non issue. They are important but if any have been missed on a car you are interested in (a simple phone call to a dealer will verify) Ferrari is required by Federal law to fix it.

Just get a PPI by someone who knows 550's and what to look for and buy it.

 

Welcome to the Board. There's tons of good advice in the archives about what to look for when you're searching for a 550. In addition to the recalls, there are a series of Technical Services Bulletins, outlining improvements in the newer models and suggested upgrades for the older ones.

If you do a search in the archives for 550 AND TSB, you'll come up with most of them. What's most important for buying one of these cars is to insist on a complete service record and an independent PPI from a knowledgeable dealer (other than the one you're purchasing from) or independent that's experienced in the 550.

In terms of the older ones; if the recalls have all been done (hose issues, swap-out of the original wheels), and the TSBs have been attended to (engine mount replacements replaced and actuators replaced with newer parts as well), the 97's can be incredible bargins if they've been maintained.

 

Brian: Can you say more about the above sentence? I can't quite get which recalls you're talking about. - thx! - Tim

 

I am talking about any and all recalls. A recall is by definition a safety related matter. Most have not been as big an issue as the wheels but all are important. My most recent recall book runs from 6-80 to 5-03 and is as thick as a very large telephone book. Many items in it apply to a 550.

 

Patrick -

Great post of the article. Picked up a few "watch outs" that I didn't know about. Thanks!

 

I was at the local Lamborghini dealer today. They had a silver 550 for sale. The dealer told me the asking price. Rats. It was low mileage (19,000 miles) with only a small crack in the front air dam.

$98,000

It now has broken the $100,000 barrier.

Oh woo is me.

Only drive 12 cylinders

 

Year?

 

Paulie:
I would run the vin with carfax to see if it has a service history first. It is not always comprehansive but it may show some service history and show some continuity in service that was scheduled.
Some items to check are: Motor mounts, coolant hose clamps. There was a recall or campaign I believe for intake manifold trumpets or something like that. It was based on serial numbers of the car. There was also an ecu software upgrade that was done at some point on some cars.
Just rely on a PPI by someone qualified who knows 550's.
I purchased a 2000 in the middle of last year and they are wonderful.
good luck
gary

 

You're welcome! Yeah, I thought the article would help the 550 buyers and owners.

 

Take your time shopping, find the right car and you'll love it.