Is 19,000 miles on a 2001 550 asking for trouble

I have been searching quite a bit on the internet for a 550 and have came across a few with mileage between 18,000-20,000 which would explain the lower asking prices, I know service records are an issue and major service can be costly but assuming these things are in order would you go further? Or should I just ante up more cash for a low mileage example. It seems to be my luck the color combo's I prefer with manual tranny are higher mileage. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
JP

 

Let's see, that's about 4K miles per year. Wow! high mileage? On any other car of reasonable QUALITY 19K miles would be considered nothing. But on a Ferrari we all shudder at something like 19K because we fear the thing will break down and cost us huge maintenance bills, or that no-one else will buy it from us.

Yet, the best Ferrari mechanics I've talked to tell me the Ferrari's they service that are DRIVEN, and driven a lot, seem to have the LEAST problems. That would suggest you should welcome the 19K and maybe wish for MORE!

Not like my 98 355 F1 with only 15K miles, however, which is only a tad more than a garage queen. I've paid out almost $20K in repairs/maintenance costs this year alone for exhaust manifolds, cats, door handles, sensors, clutches, etc. Why, because the Quality of Ferrari generally sucks!!!!!!!!!!. So, my bottom line is: acknowledge the Quality demon but try to beat it a bit by getting a Ferrari that's been DRIVEN and serviced regularly.

Paul
Love my 2005 Honda CRV
Can't get better value for money from my BMW M5
Burdened with a true love/hate relationship with my 355

 

I agree with the previous post -- 4K miles per year is beneficial for a Ferrari's health.

fwiw, I personally wouldn't buy it if it had 3K or less per year.

Don't forget the PPI!

 

A car is a piece of equipment... use it and have it service as per book is the best thing you can do.
The engine is not made of paper. it is designed to run and run... i don't know what is its life expectancy but i would be surprised if it can't do 80 K miles without any big work.

Saw the engine of 550 le mans cars yesterday. It's just a stock engine with different air boxes. these V12 are very reliable units. Transmission is very tough, I have not seen any problems reported with it.

As any car, there are parts which need replacement at defined intervals, but neither engine or transmission are among them.

 

Well let's see. Bart has about 56,000 miles on his 550, maybe more now. So I don't think it's a big deal. If you buy the car make sure you get a good PPI done, get records, and do a VIN check.

 

I have two 550s with almost 30k miles on them - both of them run considerably better than a lot of the lower mileage cars I have driven.

I wouldn't be concerned with 19k at all, but do work a major into the price of the car. It's good preventative maintenance and the peace of mind is well worth it. Plus you'll have a fresh car that is ready to rock and roll.

The one thing about mileage - do not mix up oils. If it has been on a synthetic diet, stick with it. if it's been on a mixed diet (like mobil1), go with that, and if it's on dino, stick with that.

--Dan

 

Why?

 

Mileage has always been a sensitive issue with Ferrari's. And regardless of what one may consider to be too little or too much the bottom line prior to purchase is, history/service records and a professional PPI. A good car is a good whether it has low, average or high mileage.

 

19K in 4 years and you are worried?.......can't BELIEVE this!

 

I know 19K in 4yrs is not a lot of mileage, I guess I just hear the urban legends of problems with higher mileage F cars. I agree %100 with the above posts however, Cars need to driven, the longer they sit the more problems they have.Thanks for all the good info.

 

Yeah, my inital reaction to the thread title was "so few miles, is that a worry?"

I'm certainly no expert, but my limited knowledge of Ferraris is complimented by a pretty good knowledge of cars in general: sitting is bad for a car. Seals dry out and crack, parts rust that would otherwise not (my wife's Toyota had rust on the cam lobes because the PO let it sit for long periods. Yikes!)

So while I'd rather see a car driven, I also recognise that Ferraris are expensive to maintain. It's something you have to factor in. If it makes you feel any better, I've heard Ferrari owners speak in tones of hushed awe about the expense of maintaining Lamborghinis...and personally I don't think much of them anyway. (Says the guy with the 18-year-old VW who only came here to ask a question about his father's new car. Color me cheeky!)

 

Guys,

Agreed that the general sentiment is the cars are art, shouldn't be driven, etc. and so 19k miles is considered "high mileage."

You have no idea how many people think I'm a complete buffoon for driving my cars daily. And then the few who congratulate as well.

911Fan - deposits already in place, the way the seals have been seated over time, the different detergents in each kind, etc. - the car is used to running a certain way. If you mix that up, it will then potentially remove some of the seals (rings) already in place, you'll likely burn through some of it.

--Dan

 

Hemiragtop; You have a PM

 

buy it if it PPI's OK. These cars are beasts and I can't imagine that limited mileage is really worth worrying about. I think it is much safer than one with 5k miles on it. At least it has had some oil pumped through it on a monthly basis. Buy one and enjoy it! I just did my 5 yr major for $2500 or so. Big deal. All new fluids and cam belt, etc. Good to go for 5 more years thanks to Dr. Moore. These cars are the super car bargins, IMO.

 

I would never consider buying any Ferrari with more than 3k on it.

And Dan is a complete buffoon for ruining two perfectly good cars that could be sitting in somebodies garage.

 

A high-er milage car is often a well sorted one. The previous owner, if he drove the car enough, found and corrected all the standard TSB type issues, issues still lying in wait in a garage queen.

 

Thats it!! I've had it..4k miles a year..call the cops and notify Ferrari ASAP! This man should be hauled off to jail, and never be allowed to drive another Ferrari again. Can you imagine the abuse to this car? Can you belive that he would subject this car to the roads and possiable door dings? Can you belive he spoiled the fuel tank by acutally haveing gas in the car??? God..he should be shot!!!

Buy the damn car already..why are people so wound up about milage on ferrari's? Don't people understand that these are cars that are built to go fast and handle well around corners? They have A/C systems in them for a reason, and (gasp!!) a raido with speakers even!! oh the shame of it all!

The more a Ferrari is driven the better it is. i would me more concered about an exotic car without milage on it. I would be asking myself if its a lemon..or has somthing happend to the car in the past that the owner is now afraid to drive it. Find one with 30k on the clock find one with 9k on the clock..I'll bet the one with 30k is the better choice. I know which one I would be buying.

 

I think the underlying thoughts regarding mileage on Ferraris is centred around resale value. Lower mileage cars cost more to buy, and presumably the seller gets more $ out when he sells.
Also, I, personally am of the opinion, that when one is spending serious cash,(which is a foregone conclusion with most Fcars) that I want a car that is in impeccable condition. I have seen some Ferraris only a few years old, that have tired interiors, multiple stone chips, etc. Now, maybe these were just examples that did not have caring owners. For my hard earned $ I like them to look good too, my 2c.

 

Don't own a Ferrari but if I continue the rate I'm going I'll hit about 24k/year with my Maserati Spyder. No problems at all yet I hear all these guys with 2-3k miles complaining about everything going wrong. DRIVE THE DARN CAR!

 

I'm in good company!

--Dan

 

You're right about the company, not sure about the good part though!
btw, how do you make the icons appear where you want? mine always end up in the header.

 

Don't mean to get off-topic in this thread, so one quick post:

You can type in what they call BB code, for example ":" and ")" put together would make or ":" and "D" would do

If you click preview post it will show some options.

--Dan

 

It only meant that someone actually drove the thing. Any Ferrari without stone chips only means two things. The car is not driven or has a paint protection film. And unfortunately the F-cars interior have never been their strong point with regard to 'normal wear and tear.' They could certainly take a few tips from the German manufactures about their leather tanning process.

 

":" "D"
got a good laugh out of this, must have missed an instruction.

Back to the thread, in earnest, I think mileage is conditional on your intened useage, longevity and conditions. For instance, I am self employed and my income can fluctuate dramatically. I have a lot of expenses and I try and keep my cars within a reasonable range of investment. Additionnally, I live in a rural area and if I want to drive and enjoy the car, which I do, no matter how careful I am it will not remain pristine due to road and life conditions. I want a car that is well maintained, feels well cared for but is not perfect and reflects my needs. I have owned three fcars and the one that came with less than 4k was the most problematic and expensive. The other two came with around 20k and have been much more reliable and cost less and are/were being enjoyed more as I knew what was up and did not worry about using them. However, if your intention is only occassional driving, you live in an area with great roads and are a conservative driver, a garage queen might be a good choice as it will still be a pristine garage queen for the next owner. Some, as has come out in other threads, like to enjoy their car by looking at it and detailing it, much like the art object they are. I can also relate to this and would want an as new example if that were my objective. All the rest fall in the continuum somewhere between the art collector and Dan!!(just kidding)

 

A LOT of used Ferrrai that look perfect in the show room have had the bumpers, air dams, hoods, etc. repainted. I will probably use the 3M film on my next car, but on my Porsche and Ferrari I'm just commited to repainting pitted surfaces when I can't stand it anymore.