should i trade my 360 for a 550

Hello Benny,
Not a lot off takers there?
I own a 1998 355 F1 GTS and a 2004 575M.
Two different breeds.
I love my 355 but nothing beats a V-12 Front engine, rear drive car.
I'm planning on keeping both until I die.
Just do it and buy a 550 or 575M!!!!
Cheers,
Xenu

I'm sure you may get some bites.

 

Curious as to why a 550?

 

Benny - Very different animals. I have a 575M which I drove about 30 000 km so far. Several years back I drove a 360 for about 3 or 4 times so I know this car also a bit but not in deep.

The Modena is a light and precise race car where the 550/575 is more of a GT car: Fast acceleration with lots of torque but not as nimble as a 360.

As far as I can remember you need at least 4 500 rpm in a 360 to have fun. In a 550/575 fun starts at 1 000 rpm. When cruising on a high way with a 550/575 in 6. gear you just floor the right pedal to have a nice acceleration. In the Modena I always had to change gears if I wanted to go faster.

So if you like cornering and like to keep the revs high a 360 is perfectly suited. If you like travelling really fast with a huge engine in front of you with lots of torque so that you hardly care which gear you are in, a 550 is exactly the car you want.

As I drive my 575 quite often I think a 360 would be too loud and hard for me. As a daily driver a 550/575 makes perfect sense. If you can afford both cars, go for both! If you only can afford one of them your decision depends on if you want to have a fast GT car with a huge engine with lots of torque or if you want to have a light and nimble race car where you have to keep the revs high.

Best of luck with your decision

Markus

 

Curious as to why you are curious? You seem to imply that a 550 can't be a decent choice?

For me, the 550 is far preferable over the 360 Modena. This obviously is personal, and it depends on what you want to get from your Ferrari. For me the reasoning is as follows:

1. I think the 550 is a much better looking machine
2. I think the 550 is a much more capable machine - it covers more bases than the 360. It is faster, and although it is heavier and feels heavier it has wonderful neutral handling. It can make life very difficult for 360s on the track, even though it is not built for that.
3. I like the fact that the 550 is more of a stealth car, particularly in a dark colour
4. The 550's engine is a work of art - the sledgehammer torque is very addictive. I find the 360 just too light, really.
5. The GT philosophy fits the type of driving I do - mostly long road trips across Europe. It is a better car to spend a 12-hour day in than the 360.
6. I love the concept - a modern-day (well almost) Daytona. Analog feel but modern power and handling. And power steering. But without the LCD displays that make her look modern in 2003, dated in 2007, and ancient in 2012. It really is a 'last-of-the-line' type of car.

I own 4 different types of Ferrari, including a 458. The 550 was my first. It will also be my last, should I ever sell the others. It is that special to me.

But I will say this: most people don't have the sensibilities to "get" the 550. It is a car that you discover slowly, because it's subliminal messages are covered by the ease of driving it. Quite a few people will call the car boring. But then you haven't driven it properly. I was still discovering part of her true nature after 8,000kms of hard driving. For me, it still is a fascinating machine.

I understand why most people will vote for the 360. But if you understand what a manual GT is, and you want a car like that, then they don't come any better than the 550.


Onno

 

"But I will say this: most people don't have the sensibilities to "get" the 550. It is a car that you discover slowly, because it's subliminal messages are covered by the ease of driving it. Quite a few people will call the car boring. But then you haven't driven it properly. I was still discovering part of her true nature after 8,000kms of hard driving. For me, it still is a fascinating machine."

Onno, well said. This comment applies to my experience with the 575. A first Ferrari, a life long dream come true, was less than thrilled at first. Coming off a C6 Z06 the Maranello seemed too refined and less than thrilling. Struggled almost daily with whether I should have chased a Challenge Stradale instead for the "Ferrari Experience". Now each and every time the car is driven, I learn and appreciate more what this car is about. Can't imagine at this point being happy in anything else. Currently 2,000 miles of driving and continuing to grow with it.
There is also not much to complain about it's looks either.

I would recommend for anyone coming from a 360 that has enjoyed that experience to consider a FHP optioned Maranello should they find the ride too soft.

Bill
FL

 

A 360 is a wonderful car and I used to own a 2001 titanium coupe.
It is a beautiful design and, with 400 hp, it is fun to drive.

That said, a 550 is the winner of the two cars in my opinion.
Driving my 550 always puts a smile on my face.
I love the blend of effortless power and truly elegant design.

And, instead of growing tired of it over the years, it only seems to get better.
I used to see the 550 as one of the bigger Ferrari models, but now that the FF, California, 599, and 612 have come out, the 550 looks small by comparison.

I don't envision ever selling my 550. It has become my "affordable classic".
.

 

Thanks, curious because I'd like to get a 550 myself. I want to hear the V-12 and all that torque can't be a bad thing. Ideally this would be in addition and not instead of 360. My main problem is the low ground clearance so will look at 575.




=JazzyO;141732399]Curious as to why you are curious? You seem to imply that a 550 can't be a decent choice?

For me, the 550 is far preferable over the 360 Modena. This obviously is personal, and it depends on what you want to get from your Ferrari. For me the reasoning is as follows:

1. I think the 550 is a much better looking machine
2. I think the 550 is a much more capable machine - it covers more bases than the 360. It is faster, and although it is heavier and feels heavier it has wonderful neutral handling. It can make life very difficult for 360s on the track, even though it is not built for that.
3. I like the fact that the 550 is more of a stealth car, particularly in a dark colour
4. The 550's engine is a work of art - the sledgehammer torque is very addictive. I find the 360 just too light, really.
5. The GT philosophy fits the type of driving I do - mostly long road trips across Europe. It is a better car to spend a 12-hour day in than the 360.
6. I love the concept - a modern-day (well almost) Daytona. Analog feel but modern power and handling. And power steering. But without the LCD displays that make her look modern in 2003, dated in 2007, and ancient in 2012. It really is a 'last-of-the-line' type of car.

I own 4 different types of Ferrari, including a 458. The 550 was my first. It will also be my last, should I ever sell the others. It is that special to me.

But I will say this: most people don't have the sensibilities to "get" the 550. It is a car that you discover slowly, because it's subliminal messages are covered by the ease of driving it. Quite a few people will call the car boring. But then you haven't driven it properly. I was still discovering part of her true nature after 8,000kms of hard driving. For me, it still is a fascinating machine.

I understand why most people will vote for the 360. But if you understand what a manual GT is, and you want a car like that, then they don't come any better than the 550.


Onno[/QUOTE]

 

On a side note, much of what has been said about the 550 also applies to the 456/456M, although with about 10% less HP and 5% less torque and the power coming on at slightly lower rpms.