Grocery shopping in 550

Engine gets up to temp really quickly, so that’s not an issue. Nevertheless I would not recommend for tight city driving. Ground clearance is very tough due to the very long front overhand. Also tight parking spots will be difficult because (at least for me) it is difficult gauging how much front clearance i have due to the long hood. I’m used to mid/rear engine cars with very short hoods, so I’ve had a lot of close calls with my front lip/bumper

 

A stock 550 is great for around town except having to use a clutch in heavy traffic. It is by today standard a small 2 seater. It is nimble and does parking lots well at stock ride height. It is higher off the ground than the V-8's so you are not crawling out of the driver's seat. Two things slow you down with a 550 or any ferrari for that matter is having to push the key fob button to start the car and getting over the driver's side side bolster. You can only take 1 kid. If there are 2+ kids look at a 456 and those even came in automatics. I like the 550. It's just pure class that can get down to business especially in the configuration I run it lowered a small amount with custom suspension.

 

456 here, but similar trunk space... its even bigger than it looks.
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This is why the GTA was invented. Exactly why I bought mine — for a daily in the city and we can bring our daughter everywhere. IYKYK

clutch smutch.

 

Your posts are always appreciated but it makes me feel dumb for NOT having a 456 auto!
#keepemcoming

p.s. coming to LA right now for universal studios with the kiddos in the lightning

 

I would like a 456A with paddle shift you could tune like the corvette A6 box and the 95 456gt vented hood.

 

I’ve always preferred the 456 over 612 and FF

 

I’d vote for 456 too for Oslo daily driving. Go visit my cousins on Ulvøya.

 

Maranellos work fine for around town. Mine makes more trips to the post office than anywhere else. You should actually try to get 160° oil temperature on every trip. Not too long a trip necessary, just a little planning. Will extend the life of everything.

 

I have a 575M, and i have 2 comments (also we don't know where you live, and what kind of environment face where you live.. ie vandalism , etc)
1. my car runs cool, and i am thinking of blocking the oil cooler vent to help get the oil temp higher,.. so short trips would be and are a problem IMO
2. i recently parked head on onto diagonal parking , and was totally shocked to see the front spoiler just having cleared the curb by fractions of an inch .

 

575Ms have way more front spoiler clearance than a 550.

 

The 550 is a high-performance exotic that you can also enjoy for doing the chores of daily life when you wish. I have used it to ferry my kid to soccer and baseball games and practices. I will do the run to early morning church and the grocery store on nice Sunday mornings, and also the longer trip to the country farm stands during the summer. The very useable trunk makes this all possible, along with the comfortable driving position for extended seat time. I used to tease my dealer by equating my 550 to a mmin-van in how I was using it.

Any limitations are fairly evident, and the same as when driving the car to any other event. Long hood and front overhang, so be aware of front ground clearance, etc. Doors are long, so make sure you have enough side clearance if parking next to someone in the parking lot. I try to avoid parallel parking at the curb for fear of people parking in front of me. The long, low hood may not be readily visible to those backing into a space in front of me, especially if it is a large SUV. Want to avoid an inadvertent crunch as they back up into the space.

So, no reason to not use it for daily tasks if the roads and your whims allow. Just some basic common sense and precautions and all will be fine. One other bit of advice: take the long way home so you can enjoy the drive and get things up to temperature and circulating a bit more.

Mike