Ferrari 550 Maranello: V12 Perfection - Henry Catchpole | FerrariChat
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Ferrari 550 Maranello: V12 Perfection - Henry Catchpole

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by 21ATS, Nov 15, 2022.

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  1. 21ATS

    21ATS Formula Junior

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    #1 21ATS, Nov 15, 2022
     
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  2. Ffre92

    Ffre92 Formula Junior

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    #2 Ffre92, Nov 15, 2022
    Great video!
     
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  3. Ferrari55whoa

    Ferrari55whoa F1 Rookie
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    #3 Ferrari55whoa, Nov 15, 2022
    Thanks so much for sharing - really enjoyed it.
     
  4. haroonok

    haroonok Formula 3

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    #4 haroonok, Nov 16, 2022
    Henry seemed to really like it!
     
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  5. 21ATS

    21ATS Formula Junior

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    #5 21ATS, Nov 16, 2022
    I never had the pleasure of driving a really nice one like the one in the video.

    All the ones I drove looked lovely but the moment you looked under the skin they were neglected, windows didn't close, horrendously heavy clutches, couldn't get gears correctly. Needing a complete interior re trim, hidden damage etc etc.

    The youngest ones of these are now 22 years old and good ones are really few and far between. So many were run on a shoestring budget when the prices dropped down to silly levels 10-15 years ago. The gap between good and bad ones is now huge.

    I then found I prefered how the 575's drove and despite a few attempts to buy one and some very sensible offers it never happened. So I bought an FF instead.

    In hindsight it was the right decision, as I'm able to use the FF almost daily (due mainly to it's practicality) and in 3 months of ownership I've already covered 3000 miles. Something I simply wouldn't be able to do in a Maranello.

    I still adore them though. A friend has a 575 in Giallo, so I'm able to get a Maranello "hit" every now and again, which is handy as he has a bit of a hankering for my FF. Best of both worlds.
     
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  6. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 Bas, Nov 16, 2022
    Great video.

    Do agree with Henry on one point, with the completely standard exhaust they do sound very muted. IIRC the factory sports exhaust was the early tubi...droney yes but really wake that V12 up.

    Personally the Maranello platform is the best alrounder front V12 for me.
     
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  7. gtjoey

    gtjoey Formula Junior

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    #7 gtjoey, Nov 16, 2022
    In a world of cars that are computers THEN a car....
    The 550/575 is the LAST analoque v12 GT.
    He said he was 14 when the car was new ....eeeek ,
    I had a 2001 NEW :)
    I love my 575 , f1 and all , its a GENTLEMANS touring car by todays standards and just a pleasure to drive.
    And yes , if I want A/C I just turn the dial, I want the radio I turn the dial , very simple.
    A modern day classic!
    gtjoey1314
     
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  8. Timmo

    Timmo Formula Junior

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    #8 Timmo, Nov 16, 2022
    One of the best online reviews I have seen of the 550 - the reviewer goes straight to the point with minimal fuss, in fact just like the car in some ways - less is more.
    Also I don't think the difference the Sport button makes ever got mentioned in any other review I have seen, and this allows the 550 to show its true dynamic colours.

    @21ATS
    Lots of apparent frustration in your post. Sorry to see that you seem to have missed the 550 boat.
     
  9. gtjoey

    gtjoey Formula Junior

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    #9 gtjoey, Nov 16, 2022
    What else that is interesting, the MAJORITY of the earths population was born AFTER the Daytona.
    They like it BUT cannot afford it or lose interest if there is too much work involved.
    Many do not know that there was NO power steering in the Daytona, it looks sleek but drive like a tank.
    I love them but as I am pushing 60 , creature comforts are wonderful. :)
     
  10. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
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    #10 Mirek, Nov 16, 2022
    I agree with the below. I had my mint 2003 456M in for service years back and I was stuck poking around a 550 and a 575 for like an hour to kill and I love them. I simply could not believe how ate up they were inside and out (chipped up, bad leather, just beat down, etc…). I later saw a red one on the way up to Malibu and God help me it looked a little “disco” with the badges, vents and all driving at high noon on PCH. I still want a dark 575M though.

     
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  11. vandevanterSH

    vandevanterSH F1 Rookie
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    #11 vandevanterSH, Nov 16, 2022
    If I could change one thing on the Maranello, it would be chains/gears rather than belts driving the cams. I'm going for my 5th or 6th(?) belt change next month...maintenance costs add up over time.
     
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  12. belfry

    belfry Formula Junior

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    #12 belfry, Nov 16, 2022
    I recently did 2,000 miles in a week in my 456GT. It was effortless and the miles did not depreciate the value of the car at all!
     
  13. vandevanterSH

    vandevanterSH F1 Rookie
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    #13 vandevanterSH, Nov 16, 2022
    " 3 months of ownership I've already covered 3000 miles. Something I simply wouldn't be able to do in a Maranello."
    ****
    What do you see as the limiting factor for driving extended milage in a Maranello....Storage space?
     
  14. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 tazandjan, Nov 16, 2022
    Bas- There was no optional factory sports exhaust on the 550. Some dealers would add Tubis on request, but the factory had nothing to do with that.
     
  15. 21ATS

    21ATS Formula Junior

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    #15 21ATS, Nov 16, 2022
    4 seats plus the hatchback.

    I've swapped an estate car and a two seater in for the FF albeit at a higher price point than a 550/575. If I'd bought a Maranello I still would have needed an estate car.

    Really it's a practicality thing. There have been a few members on here that despite their love for the Maranello, they've since moved them to pastures new through lack of use. I think I would have found myself in the same boat. So an FF was simply a better lifestyle choice (not a better car - just different and likely get far more use).
     
  16. vandevanterSH

    vandevanterSH F1 Rookie
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    #16 vandevanterSH, Nov 16, 2022
    Good points. In my experience, the Maranello is best as a long distance GT car for one person. Luggage space is adequate for two but better also using the passenger area for additional storage. Another negative, as my wife pointed, that the passenger seat is not comfortable for long drives and I agree. Most of my drives have been by myself and even doing 1000 mile+ in a day, I still hate to stop.
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  17. Ferrari55whoa

    Ferrari55whoa F1 Rookie
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    #17 Ferrari55whoa, Nov 16, 2022
    #Legend
     
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  18. 21ATS

    21ATS Formula Junior

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    #18 21ATS, Nov 17, 2022
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    This just works better and means I get to use an F car on days that I would have had use my Mazda EV instead......so from a real world choice the FF is the perfect Ferrari for me and I'm just not a multiple car owner. Three is the most I've had at one time and I find two them sit unused.

    So I lease an EV through my business (whatever the cheapest deal on offer is at the time) to deal with all the mundane tasks and parking at stations, wet dog days etc. The rest of my time I drive the FF. It seems to be a good balance for me.

    As much as I adore the Maranello still, it would probably sit in my garage and do less than 1000 miles a year as an "A to A" car. I'm the first person to shout what's the point of owing it if you don't use it! Especially as a friend owns a 575 so I can still get a Maranello "Hit" a few times a year when we go to events.
     
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  19. gtjoey

    gtjoey Formula Junior

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    #19 gtjoey, Nov 17, 2022
    21ATS, No matter what , cars can come and go but the dog........REMEMBER "DOG" SPELLED BACKWARDS!
    We have to many humans in this world, dogs we need more of , love that picture.
    gtjoey1314
     
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  20. Ferrari55whoa

    Ferrari55whoa F1 Rookie
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    #20 Ferrari55whoa, Nov 17, 2022
    In 2022 for me the A-to-B-etc are uncommon, the drives have been A-to-A with the exception of the V12 hangout we had here in Norcal
     
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  21. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #21 Condor Man, Jan 2, 2023
    Why is the passenger seat not comfortable?

    Isn't it the same as the drivers seat??
     
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  22. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

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    #22 F456M, Jan 3, 2023
    All you need is a trailer hitch. :)
     
  23. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

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    #23 F456M, Jan 3, 2023
  24. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 tazandjan, Jan 3, 2023
    Only well-behaved ones like Enzo.
     
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  25. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #25 Condor Man, Jan 7, 2023
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