All, I'm not new to F-cars or F-chat. I have a 360 and recently sold a 355. That said, I don't know anything about the 550. A buddy of mine (who currently has a 355 and sold his 512BBi to buy it) is in the early stages of contemplating a 550. Can the folks in the know out there provide the basics - what to look for, price ranges, difference by years, general comments? Also of interest are any comments regarding 550 vs. 575. I noticed the post about the 575 that FCI Greensboro is selling - I bought my 360 from them so I have a relationship there. Is the price difference worth it? (Again basics are helpful). Your help is appreciated. Best regards and thanks in advance. Tim
My friend is thinking of selling a 355 to get a 550. From your comment this would appear to be crazy. . . your comments are welcomed. I mentioned the other cars - because as expected folks on this website are often rather unhelpful on the basic questions. I had hoped to express the fact that this was a serious inquiry. Apparently my attempt failed as no one offered any advice or comments except a very seasoned F-chatter saying "What?". I find it pretty funny (and disappointing) that the primary reason for the existence of this site is to talk about cars. Half the time when people post basic question they get criticized for doing so - isn't that the point to help each other out and TALK ABOUT CARS!! I have made a point over the last few months of answering newbie questions on both 355 and 360 (owned both). Best regards to the 550 owners out there. I'll do my research some other way. Tim
Tim, I'll help any way I can, However the change is quite substantial as is the subject, but I'll do my best....Maybe it'll provoke others to join in? Different owners will have far and wide opinions on this subject, some because they are inexperienced, some through some kind of model loyalty, and many because it's how their cars make them feel....I am lucky enough to have owned a few F cars, including a 355 so I guess my views should be valid. The biggest change is the power and how it's delivered, 485 BHP as a minimum from a stock 550 is a big change from the 380 the 355 shoved out, however, 355 owners will have you believe the little V8 is "sportier" than the big GT car, Personally my 550 holds the corners and responds mid corner far better than my 355 ever did, Cruising is more comfortable, practicality and Ferrari were never used in the same sentance before the 550 was born...all in all the 550 is the Best all round Ferrari ever made, bar none, your friend will never be disappointed, once you've had a Ferrari V12 you'll never want or need anyting else again. If you have specific comments I'd be happy to try and clarify. Argento
Thanks for the feedback. Any specific trouble areas on the 550s (ie. with the 355 this would be headers, valve guides, etc.). Also what is the cost of the belt service on the 550?
I've had 3 of them. Just went out and got em. I didn't consider being in the early stages of contemplation on any of them. It seems to me, someone in "the early stages of contemplation" should buy a magazine.
I've driven both extensively and the 550 is a monster. the 355 is fun but once again the 550 is a monster! It's a land jet, I highly reccomend it. Especially if you're thinking roadtrips once in a while.
550 motor mounts early ones had problems with the variable shock system spinning the cables speeding tickets
The belt service is about $5k, cam belts might raise the price another $1k or so. I just boought a 575 after starting out looking for a 550. The power upgrade is not that noticeable. The outside styling changes are subtle, but the aesthetic change for the interior is substantial. Some people have noted an exhaust change for the 00,01 550's which was more restrictive and therefore a bit slower. Biggest difference is the f-1 which is on over 90% of the 575's. So if you like that, that's the only way to go. 575's wil depreciate a bit faster, I would estimate 10-15k/year vs. 5-10k for the 550's - I usually include maintenance in my deprec estimates and the older ones should have a bit more cost in that regard. Hopefully this is helpful.
I have a 550 so you can trust my bias and I have also driven a 355. How you drive the two cars is amazingly different. In the 355 you will find the V-8 is peaky which means to get rolling you have too rev alot more and slip the clutch more. The torque range of the 355 is biased toward the top end. In the 550 the torque range is so broad that around town you can literally take off in second gear and shift directly to fourth which adds to its reputation as one of the greatest GT cars ever. The 355 is a sportier, shift more, keep in the power range type of car with glorius sounds up high. The 550 is an easier to drive and more forgiving for the driver when your not paying attention. They are both a great experiance and you have to choose which would be the best fit for your driving style.
A test drive will get you hooked. If you don't buy one after that, you probably never will (Give ya 3 months to get financing together). I drove one of Dave's and the power is massive, like nothing else. After driving it for ten minutes, 'ol Rodney grew about four inches!
Guys - Thank you. Your comments have been very helpful. Darth - Interestingly my friend has been unpacking his old Forza's to read up on the 550. That said, actual comments from actual owners are incredibly valuable. (Or can be depending on the tone and content.)
Im sure your friend is a great guy! I just can't stand strokes who waste everybody's time and 99 out of 100 times, don't buy anything!
I have had my 550 for about 3 years, and could not be more pleased with it. It's been driven extensively, including two 1000+ mile trips, and also on the track. I find little to fault with it. I had a 575 (6 speed) for a day's "test", and did not find it a measurable improvement. As someone said, though, if you want the F1 then the 575 is the only choice between them. Have only driven a 355 very briefly, so I can't give an honest assessment or comparison.
You might want to try the search function...most of what has been said/discussed here has been brought up over a million times already....ergo the frustration some of the more seasoned posters find with these "general" type question posts......No offense, but it's almost as if your announcing to everyone here... "Hey there!....Im too lazy to search this often discussed subject, so please everyone, take the time to re-hash it for me......" If you were to search for "550 v 575", I'd venture you'd have enough to read until your eyes bled...seriously...everything you could ever possibly need to know, or think to ask, is already in this forum somewhere...search is your friend! After you have read all that stuff, and you still have a more specific question or two, then is the time to start a post with those "specific" questions. We all welcome unique questions and inputs...it's those "tell me everything you know about...." threads that drive people crazy. Especially when its already there for the taking.... To get you started (and to outline my point...) you might want to check out this recent thread regarding the merits of the 355 v 550... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103286 Good luck!
The 550 is my second 12 cylinder F-car. I have had a number of 8 cylinder cars. The 8's are fun and sporty. They are lighter, noisy, and less HP. The 8's seem to get a lot of attention. They also made 17,000 360 and 5700 550. I don't know how many 575's, but not many. The 550 is a GT car good for long trips and it is just a rocket. It also has a trunk! The torque of the 550 is unbelievable. The maintenance has been relatively low for a F-car. My lowest was the 328 because of very little electronics. It's what Ferrari is known for, 12 cylinder cars. Everytime I drive the 550 it reminds me of driving a modern 365 Daytona,or a 365 GTC/4 IMO. Also the 550 was a way more successful race car then the 360 and 355 combined. Even at ALS or 24 hours of LeMans the 550 was in a completely different class. All and all the 550 is a lot of car for the money. My two cents. Greg G
According to Cavallino Magazine it is 3,600. See I was nice - I didn't make you search for yourself! Best to all who helped. Those who didn't could just ignore the post, right?
Go to www.racingflix.com and look for Jeremy Clarkson when he is testing a 355 and a Maranello. I think the program is called something like "The greatest performance car in the world". He selects the 550, and his final comment: I just like everything with the car, and I mean EVERYTHING. I bought my 550 -00 after having compared it with the 355, and every time I went back to the 550, after having driven the 355, I just got the feeling that "who, this feels so right" 550: Best car I have ever had, best car I have ever driven....
