Help with an impending 550/575 purchase

2. the conventional wisdom is that FHP is a requirement on the 575M. if you can get some seat time in each of course, your butt would be the best arbiter.

3. i'd make the attribution that 550s and 575Ms will depreciate over time in a relatively steady curve. that is, a 2002 575M would be worth as much as a proverbial 2002 550 say, five years from now. i don't think the market will really place a premium on the 575M over the 550. the maranello as a whole is a generally under-loved car; a lot of people didn't like the subtle styling changes (in and out) on the 575M; and the performance numbers are indistinguishable.

i'd get the newest, baddest 550 you can find. you'll be comfortable knowing you're not on a steep part of the depreciation curve and you know it'll deliver. if you can find a 550 with FHP - all the better.

just one boy's opinion.

doody.

 

My advise would be to get the 550. I have driven both and the 575 is a bit different with the paddles. The issue is that the improvment from the 550 to the 575 is not worth $50-$70K.

Also, the paddles in the 575 are great. Takes away from the thrill of the gates but still very enjoyable and better than the 355/360's.

 

The F1 in a car like the Stradale is the ONLY way to go. But F1 in a Maranello, what's the point? You can just put the car in 3rd if you want an automatic.

Depends. Do you plan on serioursly tracking the car? Otherwise as a GT road car, I don't see much benefit from the FHP.

I agree with Doody here (imagine that). The price differential is more of a model year difference than anything else. My experience has shown that the newer V12 Ferraris tend to depreciate to about 45% of MSRP where they settle out for a while.

Good luck. The hunt is a big part of the fun.

Dr Who

 

I don't think there's any difference between 02 and later cars. I haven't heard of any upgrades to the F1 either.

If you like F1's (I do), the F1 system in the 575 is just about perfect. It doesn't cause any problems in traffic. I've driven mine in London traffic many times without any problems.

Personally I never really liked the 550 gearchange - a bit too clunky and slow in my opinion, which of course makes me like the F1 even better.

I happily changed my 550 for a 575 a couple of years back. After getting the suspension sorted out I would never go back. The 575 is better to drive and the interior is just so much nicer.

Absolutely yes.

Almost without question they will. As the prices falls for both cars, the difference will narrow. But both are going to fall over the next 4 years. The depreciation on the V12's is brutal.

Just my £0.02...

 

Why are you worried about what the next guy may think about the car you are buying today? Why not buy the car YOU want now. You only go around once. Get what you want. I'll bet you are worth it.

aehaas

 

My experience is a bit different, I bought an 04 575 with the F1 and the FHP along with the 19" wheels. It is very different from any 550 or 575 I drove without those options. I owned 2 360's one F1 and one gear shift and I had a Msserati coupe with the F1, and the 575 works better with the F1 than any of those. I do drive it to work a coupe times a week and it is really no problem in traffic. I have said this many times and I guess I find it strange that people are so worried about what the car might be worth in a few years. Hey nobody need a 250k car I own them because of passion and the smile on my face eveytime I hear the engine start. I suggest you buy what is going to give you the most pleasure now.

 

My vote is yes. But in the end it's just you who can decide that. Why not visit a dealer that has both in stock and try them out back-to-back?

 

Can't go wrong either way really, I personaly like the looks of the 550 much better. But they are the Ferrari's to get IMHO..Nothing is like a 550 six speed..just a beautiful machine..I only wish I could afford one!