Thinking of going from F355 GTS to a 550

I had a 1997 355 Spyder - and now have a 1999 550. My overall reaction is the 550 is a much more modern/ better built and more reliable car. So far, way less maintenance, even leaving aside the 355's convertible top which was a horror story in itself.

That being said the GTS is so rare/ beautiful - any way to keep it and get the 550? Very different cars. You should be able to buy a nice 550 for around 80-5k.

-SE

 

I would think the #1 issue is the very different characters of the cars. Have you spent much time behind the wheel of a 550, to really understand its GT nature? if you love driving the 355 the 550 may not be the car for you.
Never, ever, use repair money issues to determine the right car for you. Any car can be a sweet pain free experience, and any car can have a problem sneak up and bite you hard.

Just my free advice, take it for what it's worth.

Having said that:
I love my 550.
It certainly can be used as a daily, mine now has 38K miles.
It is more "stealth" than the V8, which I like (especially in Titanium like mine).
I think on average the maintenance and repair money is supposed to be better than most Ferraris.

 

I had a close situation like you but not quite. I had a 348ts streetcar ran it for many years then turned it into a non-street legal fullout racecar. Later got crashed out by a porker was ferrariless for 6 months and bought the 550 and now race a Z06. If you search my posts on the 348/55 board I know the models well and can fix them myself and you know the connection between the 348/355. My lightened 348 racecar was as fast as the more powerful 355 and I beat 355c's all the time on track when they rarely appeared. I have also driven and fixed many 355's of friends. So from a speed of 355 vs 550 the 550 is just a faster car in just about every area. It does not feel as fast just like a hot mercedes does not feel fast because it is so well built. The 550 like the 355 imo need suspension changes to make them decent dual use track cars or more capable performance roadcars. 550 still has the sticky interiors and pulling dash but a slightly better fit and finish. Chassis stiffness is way better than the 355. 550 Electronics works better and does not fail. The 550 A/C will freeze you! one year of 550 ownership has gone by for me and repair costs have been basically zero. Many grouse about the 355 engine out service. IMO engine out is easier than leaning over the 550 long nose. It hurts my back. Having done so little to my 550 enginewise I just have not figured out how to get my body in non-painful positions. With the 355 and the engine out on the ground you can shimmy right up to it and do your work and roll your tool cart right where a fender would be on the 550. It is very clean and sanitary that way. The 550 is a better daily streetcar. It takes driveway pitches better, you are a bit higher and have just a bit better visibility, your passenger does not open the low door onto the cement curbing...little things like that make day to day living with the 550 nicer. And I appreciate the more stealth nature of the 550 vs the in your face V8 look. With 10% out of work and many struggling I don't like driving around a flaming red target. This time I have a very quiet Argento/black classy ferrari just for me. I've matured and gotten beyond that look at me thing. And if you want a 550 to really scream vs. a tame merecedes with attitude GT car click on my signature line links below to see what your 550 can become.

 

Billy, this might sound a bit crazy... but have you considered some sort of body harness* attached to the garage ceiling so you can hang over the top of the engine while working on it? It might give you close access without the back ache and as you already used to do engine-out work, I'm guessing you already have somewhere to attach such a device.

* Don't ask where I got the idea. ​

All the best,
Andrew.

 

As per "Honey i shrunk the kids", when Rick Mornais used a suspended harness to search the garden for his miniaturised kids

 

RIGHT - exactly!

*enthusiastic nodding*

All the best,
Andrew.

 

He was already talking about it when not long after he got the 550. FBB, what's up?

 

What's up is come run some K1 karts with use next friday
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=139261187#post139261187

 

hmmmm lemme see what I can do.

 

Haha. The first thing that popped into my mind is Baron Harkonnen in DUNE. Although I'm sure that's being very unkind to FBB.

 

I've not heard of or seen Dune. Just looked it up now and Patrick Stewart is in it!

I'll add it to the list of "things to see", for when I eventually get around to it.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

What about a 360 coupe 6-speed? May be more go-cart/sports car like than the M6...the 550 may be too similar to the M6 to be as special as a 2nd car vs a 360...just a thought. The M6 is so damn heavy it seems more like a GT to me than one of the 1st generation M cars (the 4-cylinder M3) I don't think you could go wrong with a well-sorted 360 or 550 - I love them both!

 

Let me know if you want to sell the GTS.

 

An M6 BMW is nothing like a Maranello, any more than an AMG Mercedes is.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Hi guys i'm one of those lucky few who have both a F355 spider and a 550 Maranello (both manual) and they are as different as oranges and apples. The 550 is a wonderful GT with loads of power and torque and superb on long distance travel. It can cruise at light speed in comfort and yet take corners confidently at frightening speeds. It reminds me of a pure bred Alsatian. The 355 is loud but musical, hot and tiring on long distances. It runs out of grunt before the 550 and to really appreciate the car you have to keep the revs up at around 6,000. It leaks in the rain unless you go fast enough. It reminds me of a terrier. But every time I get out of the 355, I have a big grin on my face....IMHO, for pure driving pleasure it beats the 550.

 

Jeeva- If you keep a Maranello up around 6000 rpm for long, you are going to get arrested. Gearing is quite a bit longer, 4.632:1 in 4th vs 5.521 in the 355, plus the tires are bigger, making the gearing longer still. Put an FHP hydraulic steering ECU in your 550 and you will be pleasantly surprised at how much more you enjoy driving it.

Taz
Terry Phillips