550 Barchetta or 575M Superamerica? Which would you get?

I love my Superamerica & no issue with the roof as all Ferrari mods have been done.
I wonder if all SA haters have the same opinion of the new Ferrari Aperta Superamerica?
Just wondering . Troy

 

To be clear, I don't "hate" the SA. I just don't like the look of it.

That said, the 599 SA Aperta is better looking, IMO.

CW

 

A wise mentor once told me never to speak poorly or unkindly of a man's wife(significant other), kids, or dog. More importantly, he advised avoiding those that do. While adding cars to the list is silly, the point is not hard to grasp. You cannot counsel those with " issues". Best to avoid those people and their advice

As an SA owner that also considered the 550 convertible, I could not get past the technical differences between the cars. I suggested this earlier in this thread and and those were further magnified by Taz. The reality for me was u got a lot more car for the same money. Improved suspension, brakes, transmission, engine, all in a package that seemed more practical to me. I agree one has to like the "look" of a vehicle. But the fact that the originator of this thread was considering both cars already suggests that that person more likely was looking for technical, handling, maintenance, and reliability differences between the vehicles. I personally find those comments much more useful then subjective opinions about whether a car is a "real" Ferrari, ugly, or whatever. As a relative newbie, I am quickly learning where and from whom to find the information I need or value. The rest is rubbish and should be ignored.

Sse

 

So, now I have "issues"? Because I don't like the look of the SA? And don't stay mum about it?

Oh, please.

As I said, my opinion counts for little. If you're writing the check and like the SA, then buy it. If you enjoy it, I'm perfectly happy for you. If you like the look of it, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If you guys want to attack me (or anyone else) for expressing a point of view that's not in lock-step with your own, well, THAT's the real issue. This isn't some partisan debate about the national debt. This isn't some debate over what's right and what's wrong. This is a discussion about whether we "like" or "dislike" a car. I'm sure the SA is better than the BPF in many, if not all, ways. It's a later evolution of the model, so it should be. But, as far as the looks are concerned, I just don't like the SA. Never did. Never will. I guess that means I have "issues".

CW

 

Technically speaking, as that is all that is allowed now by the empathy police without a bollocking, let us discuss the roof of the SA. Some bright engineer came up with a flip roof idea. An end of model special was needed for the SA. So flip roof gets installed and then, and only then do the body designers do the best they can to cover up the roof mechanicals. It is the best that can be done without junking the roof design. Unfortunately that best possible cosmetic solution ends up looking exactly like they are, tacked on, 'not beautiful' buttresses onto what was a gorgeous, classically designed front V12 Ferrari.

One then only has to look at the solution to creating an open top, end of model special for the 599. Where has this engineering masterpiece of a roof mechanism gone? It was, after I am sure very short consideration by those in Ferrari who also thought the SA was 'not beautiful', tossed, as they did not want to make the same mistake with the Aperta.

Empathy is hugely important for the human species, however the feelings of those fortunate enough to own such a car as the SA should not be the issue when discussing the pros and cons of that car. They are big boys and I am sure will be checking out the higher prices being asked for Barchettas (pistonheads.com.uk) despite their less accomplished performance. Is it because the Barchetta is perhaps beautiful and the SA is not?

 

Right now, SAs command higher prices. I absolutely love the SA. It is elegant. It is a gentleman's car. My Barch is a little more aggressive, but the question is whether you want Giselle or Brooklyn Decker. Both are impossibly hot, just different strokes . . .

Not a hater . . .

Now that ugly FF . . . that is a different story.

PS 52K miles only makes me love it more.

 

Stephen- Some folks are just slow learners.

D550PFB- Yes, but I do not see you down in the FF forum badmouthing the car. Manners too good.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Drive550PFB, on pistonheads.com 5 minutes ago, 3 Barchettas 160-180k, 3 SA's all at 150k, one sold (UK lbs)

Taz, why the selectiveness? No issues with the FF uglyness by Drive550PFB? It is ok only if on another forum than the car you also agree is ugly? Come on mate, let the moderator moderate such things and you continue to be your very helpful self. Nothing worse than self appointed forum cops. Almost as bad as admitting you never go 100 in your 575. Enough said.

 

Trabots- I have no idea why you and CW want to continue to dig a hole for yourselves on this subject. I could care less what your opinion is on the looks of any given car, but it is bad manners to tell Superamerica owners you think their car is ugly. What can you possibly gain from saying that? Do you or CW actually think saying that will influence someone's opinion on buying a Barchetta or Superamerica or are you of the opinion that since this is the internet and you are anonymous, you can say whatever you want? Do you think you have perfect taste and the rest of us cannot live without your opinion on the subject?

The 456/550/575 forum is a gentlemen's forum and we watch out for each other. Badmouthing someone's car is not necessary, whether you do not like the style, the color, whatever. Why is this so hard to understand?

Christ, I feel like I am trying to teach ethics to a bunch of kindergarteners.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Definition of "Ugly"


That's when the glass in the side mirrors break every time they're folded back and the car sees itself.

 

A Gentleman's Forum? That sounds more like a strip club.

First, I don't feel I'm digging anything. Just offering my opinion. Frankly, I can't understand why you don't accept the fact that opinions vary and voicing them is legitimate. This isn't going to end up with pistols at dawn, but you act like everything must be rosy and we all need to blow smoke up each other's a$$es to ensure that we feel good about our cars, decisions and, apparently, taste.

Bad manners? On the Internet? Say it isn't so. Does my opinion hurt someone's feelings? If it does, I think they give too much credence to it. I already said people need thicker skins. Especially if they can't take a little criticism of their style choices.

And, YOU'RE going to teach me ethics? And, fine professor, what are your qualifications? Whether it's ethics or manners, is irrelevant, how about you keep YOUR opinion to yourself, then? Because your saying you don't like my choice to share my opinion is the SAME EXACT THING.

CW

 

Sent to the actual forum authorities by Willy Stobart of Dawesville Western Australia owner of 575M serial #136052.


You have a very valuable forum member in Terry Phillips. In the same person you also have a holier than thou self appointed ethics/morality/empathy.... cop who uses the Lord's name in vain. I want to see car info and that is all, NOT lectures by his holiness NOR person to person chats about their knees etc.

 

Hey guys, lets work on the thicker skin part. Everyone has and is entitled to an opinion. Taz is an incredibly valuable resource to us all and I would hate to lose him.
Moving forward would be a nice idea.

Bill
FL

 

A Ferrari is a Ferrari is a Ferrari. Thanks for the compliment, but I'd never tell anyone their wife is ugly. Even on the Girls and Ferrari thread, when a guy posts his girlfriend and she is not, ahem, built like a brick s-house, you still compliment, because she has, to him, beauty that can't be photographed.


If faced with a FF owner, I'd compliment him on his selection of a Ferrari and the highest technology available. I'd complement him on the car's craftsmanship and performance.

I don't really mind if anyone 'dogs' my car as having paint chips or being a bit dirty . . . I just step on the gas and leave them agape.

 

I went to FOA and was going to buy the SA and give back my Barch. They were allowing me $135K for my car, and they told me that I'd probably get $150K to $160K on the market myself, the miles being an issue.

I have no problem with that price, but at $135K, my brother said he'd buy it. (He bought my old 360 CS and has 24,000 miles on it.)

Look, I drive my cars. My 355 had over 32,000 miles on it when I sold it. I jointly owned an F-50 about 12 years ago and put 5,000 miles on it in less than 2 years.

At $135K, I have lost half my original price, but have had a million dollars worth of joy.

If I could find a good, low mileage SA in a color other than red, and get it for $150K, I am back in the market!

 

One last thing . . . I took my car to the paint shop. Guess I will not devalue the car any more by having a new paint job on it. Am having some interior "wearing" touched up a bit.

When I get it back (in a couple of weeks) I will post pics.

 

To all,

I agree that Taz is a great resource, and perhaps some of my contributions have some merit, also. I apologize if anyone is offended when I say I don't like the look of the SA. It is a subjective opinion and not meant personally at anyone. If someone should be offended, I suppose it's Pininfarina and SpA, because I'm knocking the design aesthetics and not the buyers. I sincerely hope each and every one of us all enjoys their Ferrari(s) whether they might own the most unloved and un-appreciated to the most expensive and desirable. As long as you're enjoying it, that's what's important.

CW

 

I second that CW

 

Terry you are right and you did well to bring me back in line: I have the habit of speaking my mind perhaps too often, when I should instead bite my tongue.

I offer my sincere apology to Steve and any other SA owner that may have been reading here.

 

Alfredo,

That was kind of you to offer your apology. The SA is my 3rd Maranello having owned a 550, a 575 and now the SA. I do prefer the look of the coupes to both the SA and the Barchetta. I don't think the top was that great of a design. But the SA to me is the pinnacle of the model. It's pure nirvanna driving Ferrari's best GT with the top down here in the NC mountains and in FL. And without worry since it rains a lot in both. 20 seconds and the top is up and i can push on.

It's a keeper....

Best
Steve

 

Personally, and only personally, I think both the cars look a little busy without the top. I believe it chops up the original design, and the car's lines do not flow as smoothly as they should. I think the topless Daytona is the same, yet to a much lesser extent. Now, driving any Daytona or Maranello with the top down must be an absolute blast, but I will stick to the coupe for my 575 and keep the convertible tops to smaller cars as I think the lines are better. I am absolutely fascinated checking out both the topless cars while at events like Cavallino and other shows, but I do not believe I would buy one at any price.

Cars designed as coupes, and then made into some type of roofless always seem to lose that original idea to me and seem forced, with a few exceptions, that I am sure to be flamed with. My 911 looks good topless (in my eyes), but that is not the original designed coupe and went through several evolutions. I think the original 60s 911 would look ugly as a topless as well. The lines would be all wrong. However, the Porsche 356 and several of the Mercs did make a great transition, but they are smaller cars. I am not a fan of large convertibles.

Edit: before you start flaming me, I meant the bigger Ferraris, I think the mid engine newer cars and some of the real old Fcars look great, especially the 355

 

Good morning everybody,
I am a Ferrari Enthusiast since many years and since a few month I own a 550 Barchetta. I thought about the 550 SA too but in the end I prefer the style and the idea of the Barchetta. I have never driven an 550 SA but the driving experience with the Barchetta is amazing. It drives so well, even compared to modern sports cars and the manual shift is wonderful. I have added new rims from OZ as I think the original ones don't have the best style for the Barchetta. What do you think?
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I like both. I especially like the roof on the SA, but the lines with the roof on aren't fantastic. Not to worry as they're supposed to be driven with the roof off.

What I don't like about the SA is the front bumper (nor do I like it on the 575) and the headlights. Easily fixed by swapping them for 550 units .

The main thing I don't like about the Barchetta are the roll hoops and wheels. Far too tall. But also an easy fix.

If I had the money now it would be a very difficult choice which to buy!

 

I like the wheels, Enjoy driving her.

cheers,

Bill (I sent you a PM I have been looking for a set of 18 " Barchetta wheels)

 

Wow....what a journey! Definately one on my bucket list!!!