Perf Diff between 550 and 456

550 is a much better car then 456. It is more reliable, faster , nicer design . The mkt is much better for resale.

 

Ummm, thanks for that detailed and remarkably lucid analysis.

The drivetrains in these cars are essentially the same, with the exception of some slightly different mapping on the 456 to emphasize lower-end torque which gives slightly higher horsepower to the 550 at higher rpms. I've driven both, and in my experience, there's basically no performance differences - both are wonderful cars and drivetrains. Top-speed in within (at most) a few mph with the 550 being faster. In the real-world, this is a non-issue (well, maybe bragging rights at the pub matter to you...). Either is license-suspension go-directly-to-jail fast for driving on US roads.

In my research of both models, I'd say each is better-than-average as far as Ferrari reliablity goes, with remarkably-few engine related issues (occasional cooling problems seem to be the most common in both models). Mechanics I talked too recommended both. If push comes to shove, the 456 drivetrain is less-stressed than the 550, and that gives the 456 a very-slight edge when looking at used models.

As far as resale, yes, the 550 commands a premium compared to a same-year 456; roughly about $30-40k in the current market. That also means you can buy the 456 for *considerably* less, which is a significant potential upside to the 456 as well.

The real question is depreciation in these models. To date, it's been worse in the 456, but that also means the 456 has less room to fall (Sports Car Market suggest the bottom for this model is closer to $50k). As far as the 550, Keith Martin has said a $75k bottom is probably realistic. So, pay $65k for a nice 456 today or $100k for a 550; good guess is you're going to lose maybe $15k on the 456 over time and possibly $25k on the 550. You decide if that's worth it to you.

They're both wonderful models. IMHO, performance/reliability differences are small/nondifferentiating. Make your choice on style, price, and probably most important, the specific example you're looking at. One upside to the 550 is more models available (especially if you must-have a 6-speed). Exclusivity on the 456 appeals to some, far-fewer of this model around.

 

Haven driven both, the 550 is a much better car. It is more than just a little quicker. It is better optimised in gearing and handling, looks nicer, and is much tighter. Would not buy a 550 if I could have a 456. Besides, the 456 does not look italian enough for some - some say they look like a well known japanese model. So, may suit those who wish to fly under the radar.

Best with your choice,
K

 

456 and 550 are for 2 diff drivers. 456 u won't even notice it that much on the street when the color is blue, black . . .

 

Personally, I think the 456 looks much better than the 550. My opinion is that the 456 is one of the most beautiful designs to come out of Pininfarina in years.

 

I largely agree with your assessment of the two cars haven owned both.

In straight line acceleration 0 to 60, the 550 is slightly faster compared to a 456 GT, GTA is another issue. The 550 pulls a little harder, has a slightly higher RPM range and a little less weight - speed in gears is virtually identical. With two experienced drivers, the 550 wins every time, with an experienced driver in only the 456, very very close.

Comparing the handling of the 550 to the 456 under spirited driving situations the 550 is tighter with less sway, due to the suspension setup and slightly larger sway-bars. Now having said this, I was at a FDC event this weekend and one of the principals drives a 456GT which had no problem keeping up or leading a number of 360's, 355's, Gallardo, Murcies, etc through the canyons. I was in my 360, doing everything possible to keep up.

Braking distance, I could never tell the difference.

Maintenance. - Both cars are bullet proof.

456 - owned for 5 years - Oil changes, brake pads, 30K service at 19K miles, rebuilt alternator, passenger seat (over drove sensor), two sets of tires, bubbling A/C panel (there are now third party panel replacements) - total mileage when sold ~ 24K - No issues with window seals, engine mounts, driving rack

550 - owned for 2.5 years - oil changes, brake pad (low squeal and dusting), A/C belt, New A/C compressor (Sanden Unit), washer fluid reservoir, Flasher relay, rear light bulb, one set of tires - Total mileage when sold ~ 11K miles - no issues with engine mounts, suspension actuators

As mentioned above the two cars, Ferrari markets the cars to two different buyers, so buy the car you like and enjoy it

Hope this helps

The picture is not my car, but I had the same color and year - this is the person at FDC. I wanted to show how nice the 456 looks compared to a real racer to reinforce the understated elegance of the 456 design
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The performance difference really isn't much. According to Road & Track, it's a few tenths in the quarter mile. The two cars were actually the same in the slalom, and the 550 beats the 456 very slightly on braking.

Not much real world difference. The weight difference is, I believe 3-400 pounds. I don't think there is a whole lot of difference in the suspension, etc.

 

This was my car with 18" 575 wheels as a point of reference,

MB
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It's amazing how much the 456 has grown on me, I did not like it at all for years.

John

 

My car from the Festa di Ferrari show in CT last Sunday. Thanks Jason for the Photos.
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Bigger rims make a huge difference. Great car. Did you uprate the suspension too?

Something that nobody mentions in this thread is that the handling between the two cars is like the difference between night and day. The 456 is a softly sprung, heavy GT with a rather flexible chassis structure. The 550 has a 70% stiffer chassis, a much better weight distribution, and is some 150Kg lighter. The steering is also much better calibrated, and the suspension is tuned for real handling in sport mode. This makes a HUGE difference if you regularly charge up mountain passes or enjoy driving in sinewy tuscan roads, or for track days. Living between Switzerland and Italy, for me it's a no-brainer: the 550 is by FAR the better car on these roads. Just my 2 cents...

 

I disagree with this. I've driven both, own a 456, have owned about a dozen other exotics (Diablos, countach, TR, etc.) and frankly, the handling differences between the 456/550 are small/nonexistent. On sport mode, the 456 feels just about like the stock 550 settings. Most mags slalom tests also bear out this fact: identical peformance between the 456 and 550 in the slalom. Q.E.D.

 

Handling is more than mere slalom times. At the Nürburgring, the 550 Maranello is about 25s per lap faster than the 456. At Hockenheim Motodrom (a very short track), the difference is a significant 2 seconds per lap. On all tracks I have numbers for, the 456 laps marginally slower than the '02 Maserati Coupe (which was not renowned for its sharp handling) and a lot slower than the '04 Maserati Gransport (which is much improved). And the 550 is a league above all of these cars.

 

My 456 with 550 rims.
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