Ok, a yellow 550 or dark green 456? Can people please post pics of these colors. I saw a green 456 at CI in person, but don't know if I've seen a yellow 550. So market right now is about $110k for 550 and $70k for 456? Hmm.
110K for a older, far from perfect 550 maybe. Nice ones are much more. As far as the 2 cars go, I'd go with the 550. It's a no brainer, it's quicker, faster, handles better, brakes better and IMO looks better. If you ask me the 550/575M is one of the best looking F-cars ever. The 456 is nice, but to elegant, not aggressive enough for my tastes. But it is much less to obtain. Good luck.
What the 456 has going for it in my books is the back "storage" seats for those road trips to out of state Ferrari meets and kid hauling, the lower price and maybe less future depreciation, and that it doesn't overheat in traffic like the 550. The 550 is better for all the reasons you described. I'm having a tough time deciding.
The yellow 550 is stunning. You can't go wrong with that, and Jennie will look hot in it! Our fellow F chatter, Wayne (GFORCE) had one prior to his gallardo. Orgasmic car. Here you go. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Rob, I suspect that the 456 for that price is a 1995 model. A--V--O--I--D at all costs..in fact, avopid all 456's until the 456M. Also know that the 456 has the last Ferrari V12 to require regular valve adjustments...every 15K miles, IIRC. So expect significantly higher service costs with that car compared with the 550. That said, I think 550's in yellow are hideous. The car is far too big to handle a color like that. I have seen them in person, and they ain't pretty. Apologies to those who differ. Look for a blue--stunning--or a gray or silver or black. Even red looks very nice. All IMHO, of course, except for the data about the 456.
A found a couple OK pics, these are all I could find, so anyone else please share... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
On which planet do 550s overheat in trafic ? Nice pictures of the yellow shark btw, the mountain sunset looks photoshop'd though.
Pretty commonly known in Texas and California and anywhere with heat and traffic. The fans can't keep up.
In my experience, the 456 has the same issues on a 105 degree day with A/C on full blast at 0 mph that the 550 does.
Hmm, this is kinda a buzz kill. I've never seen a yellow 550 in person, but thought it would look good. I know the 456 looks better in darker colors. I always thought Yellow was the next best color for Ferrari besides Red. Already a bunch of Ferraris with red and lately the silvers have been popular, either black or yellow sound good and would be a little rarer.
I found some pics in my archive. I'd go for a yellow 550 anytime! http://img96.exs.cx/img96/3626/dscn0433a1bp.jpg http://img96.exs.cx/img96/4664/dscn0432a4wf.jpg http://img96.exs.cx/img96/8482/65754621dtondcfs0fn.jpg http://img96.exs.cx/img96/5989/65754697fihypsfs3re.jpg http://img96.exs.cx/img96/1878/34866154phosjmph1hc.jpg
Hey, I am just giving my opinion, having seen them in person. Different strokes for different folks. I think a 512TR looks great in yellow, but not a 550 Maranello. Go figure! As for the heat issue, it is really not a show stopper. The car will not overheat unless you are stupid with it. As long as there is some airflow--ie the car is moving a little bit--it will get warm but will be fine. It just has to do with how Ferrari designed the airflow from the radiator thru the engine compartment & out. Meant for high speed driving, not sitting idling in heavy traffic.
i never experienced temperature problems in stop and go traffic in 100+ sunny, humid new england summer days. fwiw, doody.
Yellow Maranello no question, it looks the best in that color. Here are some pics from my first ride in a Ferrari which happened to be a yellow Maranello. The car is Labcars he would be your man to talk to. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
You know, Yellow is my least favorite color on any car...but the 550 Maranello just looks great in it. As for the green 456, it also looks great, but I for one prefer the shape of the 550 to the 456. -Doug
550, unless rear seat is (absolutely) required. Would suggest speaking with a tech or two at an authorized dealership for an experienced take.
Drive them both, then decide.The money question will resolve itself after driving them. Happy Hunting
I'd get the 456. You already have a race car, what you need is an elegant touring car. And, the 456 is the best touring car ever made by Ferrari, excepting possibly the 612. Think about how you are going to use it. If you want a car for long trips (i.e. touring), you can't beat the 456. If you also want to drive it around town as a daily driver, the 456 does that too. Plus, IMO, the 456 looks fantastic! Image Unavailable, Please Login
OK, so it's only butt dyno, but I haven't found the 456M and the 550 to be that different on the road. Yes, yes, I know about the performance specs., but on the road they feel remarkably similar. Even the switchgear has several bits in common. To begin with, I was disappointed with the flimsiness of the 360 Modena build, so much so I strongly considered replacing it with a 550, to sit alongside the 456. The reason I didn't is that it would have been like having two of the same car; with the greatest of respect to Rick (720) it's not what I wanted. To make the call between the two, IMO it comes down to looks and how well they fit the purpose. Kevin
Interesting discussion. Obviously personal taste will dictate the final decision. My 2 cents: Although some people love yellow on the 550, they're a minority. The car is simply too big to carry that color off. I was toying with the idea of a 550 in that color and overheard a salesman on the phone, the gist of the conversation being that yellow was really hard to sell or unload and that he was going to have to wholesale it. So that scared me off and I have to admit, the color has never grown on me for the 550. 550 versus 456. I got extensive seat time in both and urge you to do the same before making a decision. I disagree with the comment that the cars feel the same though. Yes, they're both GT's but for me, the 550 was heads and tails the more satisfying drive. Here are interesting capsule comments from Evo about some of the modern Ferraris: 360- worthy successor to 355, not as involving as it should be; 4.5 stars 360CS- totally exhilarating road racer: 5 stars 456M GT- next best thing to a 550, overshadowed; 5 stars 550- everything, nothing (wrong); 5 stars
