Hi all, I have a 997 GT3RS Mk I and am looking at a 550 w/ manual tranny. What can I expect? Will it be fun enough for me to drive the GT3 less? Admittedly, the GT3 can't be driven as a DD. Clutch is way too hard, suspension now w/ Motons is also hard. Will the 550 be easier to DD? How's the excitement factor? How light is it? Is it best used as a GT. I'm fine with that. I wouldn't want a car too similar to my GT3. P
I've never owned a Porsche so I can't comment on that comparison. A 550 has a lot of low end torque compared to the mid-engine V8 Ferraris. It also has a free-revving high-end to the engine. Shifting up or down is optional at almost all speeds. The car is happy being speed-shifted and also happy being lugged slowly into each gear. It is in its element when going some distance for an overnight trip. It holds enough luggage and is effortless at cruising at any near-legal speed. And it is fun to put it through some curvy mountain roads too. .
I have both a 575M F1 and a 2010 GT3. Love them both, but they are TOTALLY different toys. The 575 is a great GT - smooth, powerful, comfortable, beautiful. The GT3 is a track car that Porsche made street legal. Wildly fast, but harsh. I much prefer the 575 as a daily driver. But the P car is a track demon. I also track a 1973 RSR replica. Great track car. RAB4RE
I had a 996 GT3 when I bought a 550. After a few months, I realized I wasn't driving the Porsche anymore. The GT3 was just too harsh as a daily driver, though was an exceptional 'blasting around car' and terrific for Porsche track events. As others have said, the 550 is heavier, more a GT than the nimble GT3, and a different experience. But in the end I sold the GT3 and have no regrets -- the 550 offers stupendous performance, every day use, incredible looks, and a equally involving driver engagement. (And I used both cars about the same - around 8,000 miles/year.) Frank
I think that's a bit one-dimensional. The 550 is not light and not small, but I find the 550 tremendous fun on the track. It has a very good weight distribution and a seriously impressive engine (for 1996). They are great cars for a bit of sliding. It will never feel agile, but for a GT with a V12 upfront it is about as good as it gets in a pre-2000 car. @OP: the main thing is to test drive one, and when you do, make sure you use full throttle (on a straight line or if you're experienced just beware it will brake traction). The 550 has a very long throttle travel, which is great because it means my granny can potter in it, but lots of first-timers are unimpressed because they don't use the throttle enough. 550's are also best when you switch the ASR off, it is a prehistoric system that hardly ever intervenes the way it should. Onno
I think more sinister...there are p-bug people and there are F-car people. What are you? Neither is really ever satisfied with the other. The result is usually not good for either mark or the owner. Either way it is something everyone has to experience like the bad girlfriend we all dated once.
So, does that make me a slower learner...or way ahead of the curve? With such a modern, powerful car, Onno....do you still enjoy the rawness of the 365?
I'm both. My daily driver is this 1987 Type 951 which I purchased new and added some Lindsey Racing stuff to so it would go better. I enjoy the reliability and predictability of the Porsche the same as I do the temperamentality of my two Ferraris. In their own unique ways, they are great automobiles to own and drive. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've previously owned a 1984 308QV, a 1987 328, a 1989 Mondial T Cab, a 2000 550 and a 2006 430 Spider. I currently own and love a 1973 365 GTB/4. The Maranello was my second favorite of all the F-cars I've had and I miss it. I loved the mid engined V8s but as you can tell, I have a fondness for the front engined V12s. The Maranello, IMHO, is the last pretty car Ferrari made and has comfort and performance that will make you smile all the time. I think I'll get another one.
Do not rule out the 456, very similar (usable) performance to the 550, and at a huge discount, with the added benefit of having 4 seats -which is partly the reason why they cost less- I personally prefer the design of the 456 over the 550, the rear especially.
believe me when i say u gotta drive one. I tried a porsche. I just felt wrong in the car. I tracked mine and it drove like a dream. Drive the car to work at least once a week.
I'm no pro, I don't know anything about cars. Other than what feels great, that is. 550 was the the first exotic/sports car I ever owned. Fell in love with the beauty. Torque is awesome and feels like a rocket ship. I drove my friends GT3 and while it is amazingly quick and nimble, I couldn't stand it. You either love it or it does nothing for you. I love it
Thanks gents. I kinda expected the responses. I'm even more eager knowing that they are two different beasts. Yes I want more of a GT car. Will keep the Porsche for the track and tighter back roads stuff. Thanks all!
David, I test drove all the Boxer types in one day (you can find an article I wrote about it in the Ferrari Life Quarterly number 10). I picked the 365 ahead of the 512s because of its rawness. The 330GTC I bought later because it is yet so different from both those two. And my upcoming 458 is entirely different again. It's what makes Ferrari so special, all the different models give different experiences. I just love the 365BB. In a couple of days I'm picking my RHD car because the engine needs running in after the rebuild. I'll take her over from the UK to Holland and then drive her back a bit later. It's the first big drive since 2009, and I can't wait for it. I think it is the most exciting car I have. Too bad both my 365 Boxers have to go this year, neither car being quite the right one. If the rebuilt car wasn't RHD, it would stay. If the LHD had a full history file (or even half), then it would be fully restored. As it is, I'm letting both of them go. But I intend to hunt for another LHD 365BB in about 2 years time. I'll take my time for it, she'll need to be just the right car with the right history as I intend never to let her go! Onno
I had a 2010 gt 3 - put 19k on it. Traded it for an 11' GTS which I drive daily have 13k on it. My 550 is a completely different experience - no real comparison. The Porsche is much more agile & evolved in every characteristic. The 550 is more visceral and heavy from the clutch to the way it brakes. I would compare it to a Vette not a Porsche. Completely different experience. I have taken the 550 on the track once. First lap easy warm up put a little temp in the tires & brakes & then 2 laps at 5 tenths. I was pleasantly surprised at the it's agility and the the fact that I got it slowed down from 135mph to make turn 10 rather than the tire wall. I have tracked the Porsche under similar conditions- a couple of easy laps at Daytona & Sebring. No real comparison to make on track with the 550 They are both fun street cars, I drive them both regularly - but totally different dispositions. And while I will drive the Porsche rain or shine & leave it anywhere - just baked it in sun for two dusty days at Sebring - the 550 i tend to drive on sunny days and try not to leave it parked in the sun without a sun shade. Sun & Italian leather don't mix well.
