is the 550 a good daily driver?

is the 550 a good daily driver?

thanks

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92127&highlight=550+daily+driver
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70722&highlight=550+daily+driver
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46204
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Just my 2 cents...

I don't use it daily, but...

I've been caught in bad traffic (30 miles jam between Geneva and Lausanne) - the clutch never complained, the engine never overheated, and the comfort was as good as any BMW!

I've driven in cold, icy weather for 250 miles on the highway - provided you don't do anything stupid, the car is very driveable in any weather condition (except snow), always very safe and smooth. I even averaged over 20mpg cruising between 60 and 80 mph and being very delicate on the throttle (due to the icy cold road).

Cruising at high speed on a wide open highway is magnificent.

The clutch is heavy but it's not such a workout as on a Diablo.

The only points against driving a 550 daily are in my opinion the cost of tires (you'll go through the rear ones pretty quickly), the cost of servicing and the depreciation (if you start with a low mileage car, you'll lose a lot). But hey, if you can afford it, by all means go for it!

 

A heavy clutch is a sign of advanced wear.

A new clutch is incredibly light.

 

yes....very easy car to drive daily...

 

thanks for the replies. i'm debating between a 360 and a 550/575 as a daily driver. i'm in florida, so weather is not an issue. i just posted in the 360 forum about how many 360s are for sale with low mileage. i'm guessing the 360 is more difficult to drive on a daily basis.

 

I'm not sure I would conclude the 550 is a better daily driver than the 360 due to the relative amount of each for sale in your locale....if I am interpreting your comments correctly.

Although, if pressed to make a choice, I would choose the 550 over the 360 in terms of daily driver status...the choice between the two would be extremely close and decided more by my preference of the 550 rather than any shortcomings of the 360 in "daily driver mode". Being two F-cars of a similar vintage, their practicality/reliability factor is roughly the same. The major difference is 360 = more sporty, 550 = more GT. The choice between the two would be personal, and more reflective of your driving needs/conditions/road types (twisties vs highways)/distances, etc....

I have no doubt that the vast numbers of 360s for sale are more reflective of

A) the total numbers made/sold vs the 550 (appx 17,000 vs 3,700), and

B) the timing with the continued saturation of the 430 market ( the more 430s available...the less the 360s market value) I assume most people are hoping to get their 360s sold before the next round of major depreciation hits.....

 

IMO 550 is a more useable daily driver due to a usable trunk. (Notice I did not use the word better)

 

Ground clearance too might also be a 550 advantage, as well as "stealth factor"....I also agree with your proviso...

 

I would think all of the front engined Ferraris starting with the 456 would be good as daily drivers, als long as you can deal with the pain of parking, door dings, people touching and leaning, etc.

I commute 50 miles each way, through an I-95 battle zone, flying debris, gravel, metal rods, shoes, leaking oil, occasional sofa, paint cans, etc, so I would not use a nice Ferrari as daily driver.

 

I'm with you Ron. My commute isn't the issue... parking is! Door dings in a Ferrari kill me...

But if you have the personality / mentality to say "it's my daily driver" and get it fixed when needed... great for you!