Have a 348 Spyder and am considering a 550 for a spare. Have owned a 330 Speciale and 308GTS. Is the 550 all that it's professed to be? Went to the local dealership in San Antonio and was unimpressed with a 2001. Is there a great difference between the earlier, 1997 through 1999 models and the 2000 and 2001? Am looking at a 2000 with the 250GT deck, Tubi, etc. online, but have not had the opportunity to drive or view in person. Your comments or suggestions will be appreciated Jack
I sure hope you have flame retardent underwear on, because I cannot wait to read to reply of 550 owners Are you sure you got the thing out of 1st gear?
The car did not have the expected acceleration feel. David Kehl, my friend and Ferrari maintenaner of 25 + years, suggested that the car may have underinflated tires from sitting at the dealership or that the traction control may have been malfunctioning. We are going to retest the car ASAP with David's presence. Thought I might get a reaction... Jack
Are you kidding me? Before I bought my 575 I must have tested over a half dozen different 550s. Those things are quick. And believe me, I have driven many cars, 348 like yours included. Crap, running on 1 bank, it may take a 348.......... edit, maybe you are not used to the bigger feel of the car. These big 12s get up and go, but the weight and feel do not feel like a go getter eight.
I assume your 575 also receives aesthetic compliments and is well received at the Country Club? Hope I didn't raise your blood pressure too much.
dude, if only you knew, but seriously, I had the same impression first time I took out a 550. I thought WTF? But you REALLY take one out and Wwhoa
So tell me ... Something informative from your experiences testing the various 550s sent you to a 575. Why? F1? I tend to like the six speed, but friends with 430s and 360s love their F1 trannies, but I find them a little quirkie. I'm pretty well decided on a particular 2000 550m but will pass on a Pitts S-2B to get it. Your opinion, please
I was actually wanting a 550. I had my mind set on the 6 manual 550. I even had purchaced, then withdrew from a 550 that is now owned by a guy on this site. I expect you will get flamed from him by for your previous post. I found a 575 by accident and had never driven an F1. Totally different experience. I was a manual kind of guy until I drove it. You can find threads galor on the difference. I am in my mid forties. I have had go-fast sports since my teens. The big 12 is a car that just suits my style these days. I love the comfort, yet excess of tork. More power and speed than I need, yet extreme ease of drive. I have a German 6 speed in the garage if I feel like I need to shift gears all the time. But as I said before, do not let a first drive fool you. This is BIG IRON. Coming from a 348 it will deceive you. You need more seat time. If in the end, you decide you do not like it, then fine. That only means you got to drive a 550 for free.
Hi Jack, My brother owned a 328GTS and went to look at the car that I own now. He was not that impressed either and I'm sure he would not have bought it himself. The thing is, he can't get enough of the car now. The 550 is a ***** cat to drive and it's fairly quiet. Because of the torque most people tend to drive it in a lazy fashion when they first get to know it, and because of the lack of noise and good visibility you don't have a big speed sensation. So people can be bit disappointed if they were expecting something else. But I guarantee you - if you spend time behind the wheel you will fall for the 550. You need to floor it and feel the urge above 5,000 rpm - it is mindblowing. The car is just SO capable. Just a very different experience than a V8 - much more subtle. 0 - 60mph in 4.2s, 0 - 100mph in 9.8s. Laptime at Nurburgring 8min07s (compare 360 modena 8:09, F355 8:18, 911GT3 1998 8:03). This thing is quick. There are hardly any differences between 1997 and 2001 models, but you may have had an example with a problem. I suggest you go and drive one again but this time floor it (and leave the traction control ON). See how you feel then. Onno [EDIT: You know there was a time when the 5 letter word in front of cat was actually something that didn't need to censored... ]
Its better than your 348,330 and your 308 combined. It's got loads of power. It has a boot you can use. It runs unlike the 348. Sorry I had one too. You can drive everyday unlike the 330 which I have driven quite a bit. It has a great ride. It's an awesome car. The best car Ferrari has ever made.
Sounds like you better drive a 550/575 before buying one. Simply put, a Maranello is a long-legged, open-road, GT car that the faster you go, the better it handles. Heaven is a Maranello on a long, fast, sweeping turn. A 355 Dino is more of a sports car. Heaven here is a chicane where you can drive the car like a video game. Two different types of cars. Dale
Perhaps the 550 has offered you a hand to dance, except you do not know the steps. Take a few lessons and call us after the Ball. hehehehe
After the several responses, I went back and drove the 550 for over an hour through Texas hill country roads and on I-10. Best car I have ever been in. The handling and responsiveness after you learn the car are indescribable. You encouragement and forthright opinions, along with the driving - with a knowledgeable driver on board - have caused me to make an offer on a 550. Response will be tomorrow. I look forward to joining the Club, but will keep the 348 for the "other part of life". My many thanks, Jack
MMM HMMMMM! Like Costner says to the the evil banker brother in law after he finally saw Shoeless Joe playing in Field of Dreams!
Good decision...one of the closely held secrets in the Ferrari world. Congratulations on your decision. You must post pictures when you are an owner. Jon in Delaware
Hey, great stuff Jack. I'm very impressed that you went back and tried it again to see what the fuzz was all about. And then made an offer! We're looking forward to seeing pics of the car if it comes off. And good on you for keeping the 348 - a very different experience and a great sister car. People who own more than 1 Ferrari are an elite club indeed! Best, Onno
You will have a very good combination of cars there and a very happy garage! Where did you go out I-10? Did you do any driving on 16? If you can miss the traffic 16 would be a GREAT 550 road! My grandparents used to live off hwy 16 on the Medina side of Medina Mountain just near the bottom RIGHT ON 16... LOVED growing up out there! James Austin, TX
Congrats! I drove the 550 last the last few days and man is it a spectacular road car! Kind of like a Porsche... the more you drive it, the more you LOVE it! Guess your car's previous owner felt the same way. If I'm not mistaken, your car was at the last Reading Concours-- looked mean as hell with all that road rash; it gave the car some character. Congrats again, Joe PS, If you're in South Jersey, you should come to our Sat. morning meets at the Starbucks in Dilworthtown, PA
Hi Joe, Thank-you. Yes, that's the car. By the time Dave North told me it was for sale, Classic Coach had repainted the front. I was actually disappointed they had. The road rash did make the car look mean. I'll have to make my own! Jon mentioned the Saturday morning meets. Hopefully in the near future. I'll be taking the 550 to Reading in May so I'll look for you all there. Barry Image Unavailable, Please Login
Unless it's raining, we'll be heading up with Jon, it'll be hard to miss the yellow Barchetta and red Maranello. See you there!
