A good reason to dump the 550? | FerrariChat
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A good reason to dump the 550?

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by teachdna, Sep 4, 2005.

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  1. teachdna

    teachdna Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2001
    374
    Cincinnati
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey Robbins
    #1 teachdna, Sep 4, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well, I had a chance to go for a ride in the Carrera GT and all I can say is “UNBELIEVABLE.” For a streetcar, it’s the closest thing to a racecar I’ve been in- and the engine sound is simply spectacular. Sounds like a turbo cycle.

    The acceleration is mind boggling- I was actually getting motion sickness. Everything about the car is incredible; it’s so much more attractive in person than it is in the pictures. Sort of like an Enzo in that regard.

    I’d have to sell two or three of the cars to get one, but you know, for the first time I seriously thought about getting rid of the 550. For those of you who can get some seat time in the CGT, I highly recommend it.

    Hopefully in a month or so I’ll be able to get away to Porsche’s track in Birmingham where supposedly they’ve sequestered 8 or so of the cars for owners to come and drive at speed- and I’ll catch a ride with my buddy who brought the car over today. Took some pictures and brightened up the eye level shot of the CGT so that you can see the tires- incredible stick to them. I can't wait to get on the track!

    This coming Friday I’ll have a chance to compare it to the Ford GT. It’s shaping up to be a very good week!
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  2. coolestkidever

    coolestkidever F1 Veteran

    Feb 28, 2004
    5,538
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    Patrick
    #2 coolestkidever, Sep 4, 2005
    Nice man. There is a member on here who stated "i have bought and sold many cars. But the two cars i will not sell are my 550 and my Carrera GT" You know who you are :D.
     
  3. whart

    whart F1 Veteran
    Honorary Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 5, 2001
    6,569
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    William Maxwell Hart
    #3 whart, Sep 4, 2005
    Call up Porsche. Tell them you plan to buy one. See if they'll invite you down to Birmingham to drive the CGT on the Barber track with Hurley H. and crew to guide you. I did all that about a month ago (sans commitment to buy the car- a friend of mine works for Porsche and got me invited at the last minute). That car is unbelievable. Remember- i owned 2 550's in my recent past, and aside from the difference in power, there is a huge difference in nimbleness, directness and lack of added fat. The 550's steering is numbed-out and far too overassisted by comparison. While the 550 can get up and go, it has alot of body weight to drag around with it, and in my limited experience with the 550 on a track, it wallowed. The CGT, by comparison, is lean and taut. Inputs translate directly. I didn't drive it enough to feel completely comfortable with it at speed- it's a little edgy, and my sense is, with enough skill, you could have your brain hardwired to this car like almost no other. The only downside I can see is paying sticker- it's still a bite, and I think the car has some room to depreciate, so if it were me, i'd be looking for one that was bought by a flavor of the month owner who is slow to get rid of it.
     
  4. teachdna

    teachdna Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2001
    374
    Cincinnati
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey Robbins
    #4 teachdna, Sep 4, 2005
    Thanks Whart: I think your analysis is right on. I know I'll be able to wrangle an invite to Birmingham- I've bought about 10 Porsches over the years from the Dealer and he's one one of the largest in the country. I agree with you about the depreciation. Some of the cars are going for close to 350K already- although it's hard to tell how real that number is; those are the cars that the dealers had already collected a 50K deposit and the prospective buyers backed out.

    But I think I'll wait a while. My buddy usually turns his cars over yearly and I've already bought a car of his so I'll get first dibs when he's ready to turn it over. They will not be importing any more into the States despite their initial plans to do so. The new rules that the Feds put in place for the 2006 year made it financially ridiculous for them to do so. My buddy's car, which he just got last week was #884 so I expect there will be slightly less than 1000 in the country. So the depreciation may be slowed a bit.

    Gee, I guess I'll just have to settle for my 550 for awhile:)
     
  5. coolestkidever

    coolestkidever F1 Veteran

    Feb 28, 2004
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    Patrick
    #5 coolestkidever, Sep 4, 2005
    Not that there is anything wrong with it. lol
     
  6. ferrari4evr1

    ferrari4evr1 Formula 3

    May 8, 2005
    1,249
    #6 ferrari4evr1, Sep 4, 2005
    The carrera is a spectacular car!!! I have not had the opportunity to drive one or drive in one but i have seen it up close and it is every bit as beautiful in person. It was a little funny.. The salesman at the Porsche dealer asked me what i currently drive and i told him about my 328. He said, "Have your girlfriend (who was with me) drive home and pick up the Ferrari, bring it back here and we will trade it in on the Carrera." LOL, the guy was about to start the paperwork until i firmly told him i couldnt afford the $490K they were asking.... He said, "we can get you financed."
    Yeah..... as it turns out they could, at $4300 a month....
    Maybe someday..............................
     
  7. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran

    Dec 8, 2003
    7,203
    On the Rock
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    James
    #7 tritone, Sep 4, 2005
    apples to oranges.......

    james
     
  8. jvbjr

    jvbjr Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Aug 19, 2005
    418
    #8 jvbjr, Sep 4, 2005
    Tiger Woods was so impressed with his Porsche its for sale in the DuPont Registry with 190 miles on it.
     
  9. quickysrt

    quickysrt Karting

    Nov 17, 2004
    53
    virginia beach, va
    Full Name:
    harlow
    #9 quickysrt, Sep 4, 2005
    thats not a bad payment! how much down?
     
  10. ferrari4evr1

    ferrari4evr1 Formula 3

    May 8, 2005
    1,249
    #10 ferrari4evr1, Sep 4, 2005
    At this point, it is for me but they wanted my 328 as a down payment ($45K).
    It seems that there are a few banks out there that can offer extended financing or you could go with a lease option (may be cheaper). I have seen up to 96 months (depending on credit. etc.).
    Still can't afford it.... For now. :)
     
  11. CodeRed

    CodeRed Formula Junior

    Nov 8, 2003
    368
    LALA LAND
    #11 CodeRed, Sep 4, 2005
    I luv my 550, but if that was the choice, it would be a CGT in a nanosecond. The only thing that i dont like about them (besides price) is that if you do bang it up U R looking at $100K to fix it rt. Good luck!
     
  12. Teenferrarifan

    Teenferrarifan F1 Rookie

    Feb 21, 2003
    3,111
    Media, PA
    Full Name:
    Erik
    #12 Teenferrarifan, Sep 4, 2005
    I want to ride in that car bad.....!!! It is awesome looking and sounds great!
    Erik
     
  13. ze_shark

    ze_shark Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2003
    1,274
    Switzerland (NW)
    #13 ze_shark, Sep 4, 2005
    In July, there was a yellow CGT in Spa & at the Nordschleife.
    Very pretty in yellow, and driven: 22'000km. The britton who owns it said it's the highest mileage CGT in the UK. Not problem-free though, CCB discs had had to be replaced already (finally paid for by Porsche) and the clutch was about to let go. So much for the clutch that lasts for the life of the car.

    Hardly comparable to a Maranello though, at least if you use your 550 as a GT. Costs almost twice more, does not have room for a toothbrush, and clutch is said to be a real pain in traffic. I'd love to be able to afford one ... alongside my 550 !
     
  14. teachdna

    teachdna Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2001
    374
    Cincinnati
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey Robbins
    #14 teachdna, Sep 5, 2005
    Certainly not a "substitute" for the 550; the CGT is a car apart from any other I've driven in (including a F40 and F50- although I've never had the opportunity to drive in an Enzo). I didn't mean to imply that they were comparable.

    My point was that I thought I would hold onto my 550 forever but a drive in the CGT got me thinking that if I traded in the Ferrari...and the Porsche...and the other Porsche.....and the firstborn :) that I might just be able to swing the deal.

    Dreaming is fun. Although none of my cars really makes "sense" I just don't see how I would stay out of jail if I owned the CGT-unless I moved next to a track.
     
  15. MarkCollins

    MarkCollins F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jul 2, 2002
    3,202
    South England
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    Mark Collins
    #15 MarkCollins, Sep 5, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. zorzos

    zorzos Karting

    Aug 6, 2004
    147
    Greece
    #16 zorzos, Sep 5, 2005
    So, maybe it's time to change at your profile the wanted cars section ?
     
  17. richard_wallace

    richard_wallace Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,957
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Richard Wallace
    #17 richard_wallace, Sep 5, 2005
    Jeff - What an awesome ride!

    I can't wait to hear your comparison between the GT40 and CGT. As you know I have driven the GT40 (and not the CGT) - which I liked the GT40 - it was very powerful, a little squirelly (with the backend wanting to come around if you aren't paying attenting... But for the money - an interesting thought... I think you will find it not as refined and controlled as the CGT.

    As we talked - if the CGT gets below 300K - I would have to consider selling the (Gallardo Spyder - next year when I get it) and getting into a CGT. At 275K - I will have one :)

    PS. Next time when your friend brings over the only CGT in Cincy - please contact your neighbor to come over to see please :) :) :) :)

    Rich
     
  18. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    #18 Texas Forever, Sep 5, 2005
    Exactly. I felt like you when a I drove a Stradale on the track. Compared to the Stradale, the 550 felt like a tank.

    However, in real life, nothing beats a Shark on the open road. Torque, mmm... mmm... good. Let's do another 6th gear roll on at 90 mph...

    Dale
     
  19. teachdna

    teachdna Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2001
    374
    Cincinnati
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey Robbins
    #19 teachdna, Sep 5, 2005
    You're right Dale. I went out for a drive in the 550 this morning and reality hit. It's a much more usable car. Yes, it's heavier, less darty, and less thrilling but I couldn't even take the CGT into work because we have speed bumps in the garage and that would take out the front end. If the carbon tub gets damaged the dealer told me the repairs can run from 16-40K. Not very practical.


    The 550 remains a great car. Wonderful to drive, it brings a grin to the driver's face and anyone who sees it. I love getting the kids excited in the cars that we pass. They're just thrilled they've seen it and it's a painless way of giving other people pleasure.

    I'm still trying to get Rich Wallace to timeshare a CGT with me :)
     

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