Help needed - 355 vs 550 Twist or Stick ?? | FerrariChat

Help needed - 355 vs 550 Twist or Stick ??

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by basher, May 14, 2004.

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  1. basher

    basher Karting

    Jan 19, 2004
    204
    Full Name:
    Fraser B
    I have a great 355 spider...she has given me no hassles and sounds wonderful. She has no cats a tubi exhaust a Gruppe M induction unit and goes like stink. It is the best looking sounding handling fun car i have ever owned.......however I keep getting drawn to pictures of the 550..... to the luxury of its interior...the svelte design....the draw of the car has amazed me....and I find myself drawing up two lists - one for both car and trying to make a decision one way or another.....black / tdf blue with cream 550 versus red with cream 355 spider.....am i being a mug?? Are there any owners of 550's out there who have had 355's and can tell me that i am not nuts to think / do this ?? I need therapy guys...sorry but I am at one of those crossroadds where I need to get a map out and check......

    Plus it is going to involve an extra wedge of cash so I dont want to step in step back out and lose £20k in the process.....
     
  2. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
  3. ze_shark

    ze_shark Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2003
    1,274
    Switzerland (NW)
    Certainly, but ... I kept my GTS F1 too.
    I can understand where you're coming from, the 355 and 550 have the same classy, graceful, understated looks. The first time I drove a 550, my dealer lent me the car for a day and a half, and I ended with mixed feelings. Loved the looks, the grunt, the torque, the amazing ability of this big impressive supercar to get you to thrash it in confidence after a few miles, the homogeneity of the package.
    Still it was a CAR, not a 380hp go-kart with a howling noise that gives you chills and ridiculous cornering capabilities. Nahh, I told myself and my folks, nice but will never buy one, not for me, blah blah.
    I ended up buying a 550 because I found it's the best car to be in when the weather does not allow you to drop the your 355's top off. A totally different experience, from about every angle except the badge on the steering wheel. Complementarity is the word.

    If you trade your 355 for a 550, I expect you to miss it. Miss the handling, the noise, the open sky. It's tough to come to terms with a coupe when you've enjoyed an open top car, and the 550 sounds bland when stock (Tubi mandatory). Living in the UK, I guess that you experience many top-on days, and maybe that spoils a bit of the pleasure ?
    This said, the 550 is a fab car (EVO sports car of the decade, no less), a very special drive whatever the mood is, cruise or blast, stunningly pretty (in my opinion), tactile, massively fast, a real GT to travel with, a much better every day car than the 355 to my taste.

    I am not sure this helps, Doody is certainly right in advising extended seat time, and then ... let it grow on you.
     
  4. riverflyer

    riverflyer F1 Rookie

    Nov 26, 2003
    3,583
    Mendocino, Ca
    Full Name:
    John
    #4 riverflyer, May 16, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The only real answer to your dilemna is to own both. That is what I wish I could do. Here is a tantalizer taken at ferrari club picnic today.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     

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