Hi guys: I'm a long time motorhead who learned to drive in an MGA and has been driving BMW's and Porsche 911's since 1979. I've probably put half a million kilometers on various 911's in the U.S. and in Germany, where I lived for many years, and I once lapped the Nordschleife of the Nurburgring in under 11 minutes, with wife and a boot full of luggage, and in a 1980 911SC, no less. I've always wanted an F-car but could never quite justify the expense. I probably wouldn't buy one for myself, but my wife has had a great year in business and wants to buy me one for my 48th birthday. I am accustomed to my sports cars being 2+2's (the 911 is a marvel of space efficiency), so I'm gravitating towards the 456. It's gorgeous, it has the V12 that I grew up thinking Ferraris should have, and seems to be no heavier nor larger than the 550's and 575's. So here's my question: Is there any reason at all to consider a 550 or 575 over the 456? The 10% or 15% difference in horsepower doesn't make any difference to me. I suppose the 2-seater will have better resale value, but then again it will cost more to begin with, and anyway I don't really care about resale value -- I intend to use the car daily in the summer and wear it out, not keep it as a garage queen, and I'm not foolish enough to think of such an indulgent purchase as an "investment". I might consider a 355 or 360 belinetta, but the V12 cars seem to be more my style, less flashy, more gutsy. Oh, and it must be a manual transmission, although I suppose all of these cars can be had like that. A rank newbie question, but maybe someone will have a heart and give me some advice! Thanks, Dickhead
Very nice user name. It should get you a lot of well thought out, reasoned responses to you inquiry. Unless it gets you banned first. Only time will tell.
Mr. Head: Welcome! I have had a 1998 456GT, previously owned by an F-Chatter, since January. Every mile is therapy. It is a beautiful car and extremely capable. People on this board have described the 456 as "90% of a 550" and I agree. The cars actually share some systems and components, and others are similar enough that upgrades (e.g., wheels, brakes) are very easy. I was on a budget and could not have bought a 550, so the "2+2 penalty" got me into my car. In terms of pricing I don't think there is much downside left to either the 456 or 550 and I think the roughly 25% premium for the 550 isn't likely to change much. As a much newer car the 575 probably has more depreciation ahead. One other thing to bear in mind is that 456s are far more difficlut to find than 550s, especially if you want a 456 with a stick (this scarcity has no impact on price, however). I was looking for only a couple of months when I found mine, but I was just lucky; it could easily have taken close to a year. Finally, FWIW, the 456 is more of a "stealth Ferrari" than the 550. It even looks weird in red, which the 550 does not. Best regards and happy hunting, Ron PS - My wife bought mine for my birthday. Gotta love a lady who understands the need for speed.
Funnily enough I was talking about this with three 550 owners over the weekend - they all said they felt overall it was possibly the best Ferrari ever - one of them had failed to bond with his 456 feeling it not special enough and almost immediately chopped it for a 550 and another wished he had not traded his 550 for a 575 - my understanding is the 550 although it costs more than the 456 also has fewer issues in terms of irritating failures such as shocks and windows
Head, Do you really like the looks of the 456 over the Maranello? When seeing the two in person parked next to one another, I don't like the 456 at all. That is all personal opinion anyway... And as to your remark about the HP difference, I have test driven a auto 456 and used to own a 575 and they are light year's apart. To be honest, I was a little disapointed in the performance of the 2+2 but then I have been spoiled by German alternatives and the kick in the arse like responses of Italians like the Maranello and even Maser Spyder my father owned. Drive the two and if you want a more sporty experience the Maranello will run away from the 456. Though Ronbo is correct and I have no experience in the matter, stick 456's are rare. Though I still don't think it would make much of a matter. Best thing about these gentleman cruisers compared to their 8 counterparts is that I see that they don't change hands too often. If you are lucky, you may find a one owner car with little miles and of those service calls needed, they may have all been at factory authorized dealers which will help you with the car's history and known quirks and perhaps add the ability to extend a warranty. If you seriously want size and cargo space, the Maranello is a joke. It has suprisingly good cabin space for tall people, but the boot can not fit much. Though I never thought the back seats in 456 were all too spacious but then again I'm 6 foot 4. Have you considered an AM DB9? They have many 2+2s and the performance is slightly better than a 456 for the price of a decent 550. If you want fun, go with the Maranello. If you want function, an excuse to say you have 4 seats and the name to match, 456. If you drive them and the 456 is an auto, despite you space needs, I think you'll lean towards the 2 seater. Hope this helps and good luck on your search, RocketBoy
I think for what you want, the 456 would be perfect. I haven't done any back to back driving between the 456 and 550, but people I know have and they felt there wasn't a lot of difference. For me, it wasn't a matter of price, but rather the fact that I like to take my kids with me. If you are in the US, I would suggest trying to find a 97 6-speed. It won't cost much (any?) more than a 95, but has some nice improvments-- OBD-II and remote locking come to mind. You still have the cool 456GT styling. If I was looking, that's what I would be looking for. The other thing to keep in mind about 95 456s is that they are now over 10 years old, and lots of rubber components (hoses, etc) are nearing the end of their useful life. And they aren't cheap! So if you do get a 95, look for one with recent service history.
I suspect you have never actually carefully looked at a DB9. It is a 2+2 in name only. any child over 8 years old will not fit in the back seats. makes jag xk8 back seat seem enormous! No adult can fit in those back seats.
If the rear seats don't matter, which they really don't unless you have small children, take a 550. From your automotive experiences I think the 550 would be the drive/experience most suited to you. The 550 was voted EVO's best drive of the century or something like that. Read the threads and ask a few 550 drivers. For the money it's very, very difficult to beat. Forza, Cavallini
Totally agree, unless you need back seats. Then, For the money a 456 is very, very difficult to beat.
I've driven extensively in both the 456 and 550 and the difference is negligible. No performance difference I noticed and the visibility is better in the 456 - they are the same car in almost every regard. Quite honestly, I tend to be a bit of a pack rat whenever I drive and my 456 suits me well. I've had two mountain bikes in the back of my 456 (bikes wrapped in heavy felt blankets) and two people up front. I find the 456 character to be very similar to the Daytona, albeit with lighter steering.
From an aethetic perspective only, the 550 gets my vote, although the 456 is handsome car. Finances permitting, I'd love to have a titanium 550 next to my 328 someday. Amazing car. (If you need the back sit for small kids, that changes the equation...)
The DB9 is a totally different beast. First of all, no manual transmission. And then, everything else about the car is, it seems to me, oriented to the kind of people who drive automatics, and not hard core motorheads like myself. I've owned an Aston, by the way, an old DB2/4 drophead coupe, back in the '70's.
Thanks, guys! That is really a mass of useful information. I'm going to have to think on this a bit, and maybe I'll just start looking at both 550's and 456's. I don't mind (my wife's) paying more for a 550; the budget is sufficient. I do like the looks of the 456, being a little more subtle than the 550. My sports cars have always been 2+2's and I like them that way, but there's no categorical reason why I couldn't take a 2-seater. Hmmmm. Well, anyway, thanks again for all the useful info! This looks like a great board.
Dear Dick, The 456 is a great car but ultimately the 456's extra weight and the greater power/weight ratio of the 550 will lead you to choose the 550. If you are incline to tweak (see ferrarifixer and stephens chat items) you will be able to further refine the 550 performance. Look at what the 550 has achieved in racing GT circles. I too was a Porsche man (911, 924 and 928) but a V-12 550 is in a different league. Get the 550 and if the wife/girlfriend wants to drive it all the time, get her a 456. Reading the Automobilia books on the 456 and 550 will also help you decide. Regards, Ron
Thanks! RMFURZELAND: But I thought the weight of the 456 and 550 were about the same, at about 3800 lbs? And power only 10% different? I was working on the assumption that the performance and handling would be fairly close, I mean, at least the feel, if not the last 0.1 second of lap time, which I don't care about. If I'm wrong about that, then of course that changes a lot of things. 575M-Nero: Why?! Explain your reasons; that's what's most interesting.
Hey Dickhead I have a 456mGt, It comes down to whether you need/want the back seats. Its a great car with gobs of power. I have never driven a 550 so I cant compare but the 456 is plenty fast and torquey and I wanted the utility of the +2. I have said this before many times, its the best value for your F $$$ right now IMO. Though the early 550's are getting down there also.
According to Ferrari.com: 456M manual box: 3726 lbs 187.5 length 75.6 width 442hp 550: 179.13 length 76.18" width 3726lbs 485hp So difference in lb/hp -- 8.9%, not enough to really notice. Length -- the 456 is more than 8" longer than the 550, but that's also not really a huge difference. Width -- the 456 is actually a bit narrower. So I don't think we can call the 456 a "big heavy 2+2" compared to the 550. It's a bit longer, but weighs exactly the same, and is a tiny bit narrower. The 550 is a good lower, which I don't like -- hurts outward visibility and ingress and egress. Now on the other hand, the 550 has a much higher power peak than the 456 -- 7000RPM versus 6250RPM. That implies that the 456 will be much more usable and docile in traffic, but that the 550, although the power difference in minimal, will be more of a high revving thrill. In my book, that is good. Real good. Of all the 911's I owned the one I loved the most was the early 911S, and in fact, I still have one. It's a real old one -- a 1970 911S which weighs only 2400lbs, and the 2.2 liter air-cooled flat six motor is 90% of the Le Mans winning race motor of those days -- six individual throttle bodies in magnesium velocity stacks, Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection, redlines at 7300, power peak at 6500, gutless until 5200, then it explodes into action with a frenzy of glorious sound. It was supercar performance for its day, but of course nothing compared to the Maranello with its incredible 485 bhp. I suppose that must about how much power the 935 race car of the 1970's had, totally unimaginable for a road car back then. Hmmm. Maybe the 550 is more in character for me. But if my 70's featherweight 911 could manage to fit in useable 2+2 seats, is it so much to ask of a modern Ferrari?! Weighing 3726 pounds (1.5x the 911's weight!) to boot?! You know, 2+2 is a great format -- you've got space there, when you fold them down, for a good bit of stuff if you need it. And two couples, if the women are reasonably svelte (mine's 110 lbs.), can comfortably ride for trips of reasonable length. Maybe most importantly -- it's aesthetically pleasing that in x volume of car (3726 pounds!) there's at least y amount of volume for useful load -- contrarywise, it's somehow offensive that such a big car as the 550 only has a tiny drop of space in it, kind of bad engineering or something. Sorry for rambling on like this!!! But that's what I'm thinking about these days. It's a delightful pleasure, because sometime soon one or the other of these magnificent beasts is going to be living in my garage!
By the way, the Ferrari website claims that the 550 will do 0-62 in 4.4 seconds, while the 456 only ("only"!) 5.1. That's a huge difference, considering that the force of acceleration goes up geometrically with less time to get to a given speed -- I think that's like 25% or 30% more acceleration force. How can that be with the same weight, and only 9% more power? Are there any independent tests of acceleration of these two cars?
This difference is most likely due to the different gearing of the two vehicles, HP aside. As well, they were most likely testing an Auto 456, which would be hard pressed to get a jump on a manual 550. That being said, there are some reports that late model 550's dont accellerate as quicly as older models, due to the addition of precats in the 2000 MY forward....this has been questioned however by some who have dynoed both....but it is something you might want to consider if a few 10ths of a second to 60mph are of great importance to you. try searching for these discussions..... As someone already mentioned, add an x-pipe and some BMC filters to your 550 (or 456, for that mater...), and you'll be in for a nice surprise in terms of additional performance and better sound. 456 or 550...you really can't go wrong with either, but for me, the allure of the 550 won out.
