550 ownership experiences
Discussion
I've noticed that 99(S) 550s can be obtained for almost the same money now as F355s.
OK, so the 550 was hugely more expensive, and that explains it's steeper depreciation, but why is the 550 almost the same money now ? Do they cost more to run ?
From my point of view, the interior is nicer, the engine is nicer, the bodywork is nicer.. so why would people go for a F355 Berlinetta over a 550 ?
I've heard something about steering racks.. do they need regular replacement ?
I have my eye on a nice gunmetal 550 and would like to hear from other owners and what they've experienced.
I owned a F355 previously, and have the urge to get into another Ferrari.
OK, so the 550 was hugely more expensive, and that explains it's steeper depreciation, but why is the 550 almost the same money now ? Do they cost more to run ?
From my point of view, the interior is nicer, the engine is nicer, the bodywork is nicer.. so why would people go for a F355 Berlinetta over a 550 ?
I've heard something about steering racks.. do they need regular replacement ?
I have my eye on a nice gunmetal 550 and would like to hear from other owners and what they've experienced.
I owned a F355 previously, and have the urge to get into another Ferrari.
Running costs are as you'd expect with a 5.5 Litre V12! But there is no engine out maintenance of the older Fezzas - which in turn - if I recall correctly - keeps the running costs in line with a 355.
Personally, I think the 550 is the best Ferarri for a long time (360 et al).
Just make sure the all of the recall work has been done (including the wheel studs if you are going to track the car properly) - it's a heavy car - you'll get through pads and disks at a rate of knots - but it'll be worth it!
Enjoy!
Personally, I think the 550 is the best Ferarri for a long time (360 et al).
Just make sure the all of the recall work has been done (including the wheel studs if you are going to track the car properly) - it's a heavy car - you'll get through pads and disks at a rate of knots - but it'll be worth it!
Enjoy!
Running costs, including insurance etc, will definitely be more than the 8-cyl cars. And if the engine should give up and you don't have a decent warranty...well it just doesn't bear thinking about!
Also, the prices at present reflect what people want to buy IMO. Running costs will be a factor in this, but there will be few people who believe a 550 is prettier than a 355, either inside or out.
I suspect 550s will continue to fall quicker than 355s. There's also starting to be some overlap between 355 and 360 prices I think.
Also, the prices at present reflect what people want to buy IMO. Running costs will be a factor in this, but there will be few people who believe a 550 is prettier than a 355, either inside or out.
I suspect 550s will continue to fall quicker than 355s. There's also starting to be some overlap between 355 and 360 prices I think.
I'll continue this dicsussion with yuo later Murph over a pint (may be a little later than 5.30 BTW).
355s top out at what £65k?, 360s start at £70k?...550s range from £55k for lhd 1998 to about £10k for same car in rhd?
Given the choice between a 355 & 550 I'd have to go for the 550 I think...
There is (or were) 2 rhd 355 for sale for £33k recently - 1 was described at Cat 4 on the register though - don't know whether that's Cat D or worse....
355s top out at what £65k?, 360s start at £70k?...550s range from £55k for lhd 1998 to about £10k for same car in rhd?
Given the choice between a 355 & 550 I'd have to go for the 550 I think...
There is (or were) 2 rhd 355 for sale for £33k recently - 1 was described at Cat 4 on the register though - don't know whether that's Cat D or worse....
--- "Also, the prices at present reflect what people want to buy IMO. Running costs will be a factor in this, but there will be few people who believe a 550 is prettier than a 355, either inside or out."
Eh ?!? The F355 interior is hideous compared to the 550 (set-square anyone ?) and IMO the 550 is far prettier, less edgy than the F355.. but that's just my opinion.. I just must be alone in this !!
-- "There's also starting to be some overlap between 355 and 360 prices I think"
But not a true overlap though.. I mean, a late model,red, tiny miles F355 spider will be similarly priced to a high mile early model 360 in an unfavourable colour.. but that's not really comparing apples with apples..
Eh ?!? The F355 interior is hideous compared to the 550 (set-square anyone ?) and IMO the 550 is far prettier, less edgy than the F355.. but that's just my opinion.. I just must be alone in this !!
-- "There's also starting to be some overlap between 355 and 360 prices I think"
But not a true overlap though.. I mean, a late model,red, tiny miles F355 spider will be similarly priced to a high mile early model 360 in an unfavourable colour.. but that's not really comparing apples with apples..
The 355 interior is simple, but very nicely executed. The 550 is nice inside, but simply "different" if you ask me, rather than better.
Which kind of sums the two cars up. They're different creatures. Do you want a car that can be readily thrown around, or a more GT interpretation of a fast car?
12mths ago you couldn't get a 360 for anywhere near 355 money. Now you can. In 12mths time I'd wager there will be proper overlap, even on sane colours. Some believe the 355 to be looking dated, but I think it'll be widely regarded as an all time classic. I don't think the same will be said of the 360 or the 550 (though both are growing on me).
Whichever you get, you'll have a lovely car. And a 12cyl Ferrari is something very special (though give me the numbers 2, 5 and 0 with the letters GT SWB any day
).
Rubystone likes pink cars. Porsche 964's at that. Nuff said.
Which kind of sums the two cars up. They're different creatures. Do you want a car that can be readily thrown around, or a more GT interpretation of a fast car?
12mths ago you couldn't get a 360 for anywhere near 355 money. Now you can. In 12mths time I'd wager there will be proper overlap, even on sane colours. Some believe the 355 to be looking dated, but I think it'll be widely regarded as an all time classic. I don't think the same will be said of the 360 or the 550 (though both are growing on me).
Whichever you get, you'll have a lovely car. And a 12cyl Ferrari is something very special (though give me the numbers 2, 5 and 0 with the letters GT SWB any day
). Rubystone likes pink cars. Porsche 964's at that. Nuff said.
murph7355 said:You know, I've heard this one a few times but it's not borne out in my experience, or in those cases where I know what's being spent. I've run both V12 & V8 at the same time and it was the V8 that had the greater number of niggles and was marginally more costly to run. Insurance on the two was the same. Of course there's no smoke without a fire, but I do wonder where these dogmatic statements come from. That's not to say that V12s are cheap to run, just that both varieties can be expensive. I can guarantee you that a major engine failure in a V8 "just doesn't bear thinking about!" either.
Running costs, including insurance etc, will definitely be more than the 8-cyl cars. And if the engine should give up and you don't have a decent warranty...well it just doesn't bear thinking about!
In terms of marketplace, there is no doubt more liquidity in the V8 market. It can't be the price point. Personally, I don't think the V12s are so obviously aspirational as the V8s.
murph7355 said:
The 355 interior is simple, but very nicely executed. The 550 is nice inside, but simply "different" if you ask me, rather than better.
Which kind of sums the two cars up. They're different creatures. Do you want a car that can be readily thrown around, or a more GT interpretation of a fast car?
12mths ago you couldn't get a 360 for anywhere near 355 money. Now you can. In 12mths time I'd wager there will be proper overlap, even on sane colours. Some believe the 355 to be looking dated, but I think it'll be widely regarded as an all time classic. I don't think the same will be said of the 360 or the 550 (though both are growing on me).
Whichever you get, you'll have a lovely car. And a 12cyl Ferrari is something very special (though give me the numbers 2, 5 and 0 with the letters GT SWB any day
Rubystone likes pink cars. Porsche 964's at that. Nuff said.
Well agree with 7355. Acually i think the 550 is a great car but is it a classic?? i think not.
Its interesting that so many ferrari owners dont like the 360 looks wise in comparison to the 355,those that like the 360 say the 355 is dated, to me this is like saying the 288gto is dated; ok its not new but to me the 355 as a shape that is almost perfect
When i bought mine 3 years ago the same year 360 was 30K more than my same year 355. Now its parity.
I can actually see a time in the not to distant future where 360 prices drop below the quality 355s out there. The 355 was a car I aspired to own but the 360 does not evoke the same feelings and I think many feel the same.
I did a poll recently on ferrari chat and 74% said they preferred the 355 to 360
355f said:
Well agree with 7355. Acually i think the 550 is a great car but is it a classic?? i think not.
Err - Not sure if I agree - I reckon the 550 is already seen as a real Daytona replacement - and will end up a classic - I'd also go as far to day that the looks aren't aging any more - indeed I used to always joke that my 550 looked like an Italian Supra.
The 355 was/is a pretty car too.
I also agree with 456 - I've run 308's /328's/ a 348/ 355 / 360 and a 550 - The 550 wins every time on running costs etc. The 8's (pre-360) are high maintenace - engine out (not for everything, granted)- origami packaging - Whilst LdM cars are a 'bit more sorted'.
Horses for courses - or indeed - the lucky few!
Enjoy!
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