Prospective buyer of a 575M. What to know and look out for?

doctorj · 08-02-2010, 02:32 PM

Hi everyone,
I am looking into buying a 575 Maranello. There are a few cars I have looked at. One was a great deal but sold before I could get to it.

Currently, I am looking at two of them. One of them is a 2002 Gray with a black interior and has 11k miles. It is up to date with servies, and recently had its clutch replaced. The 15k service will be due in a year and a half or so. This car has a tubi exhaust.

The second one is a 2003 Red with a tan interior and has 15k miles on it. The 15k service needs to be done, and I am guessing the clutch will also need to be replaced. Both cars have an F1 trans. I am guessing that I will have to put a minimum of 7-10k into the car for the service. If the clutch is bad, then even more.

Which one would you go with if either of the two? The 2003 may have some issues while the 2002 has been taken care of.

What else should I look out for and watch for when buying a 575?
Thanks!

Ankur

ECSofVirginia · 08-03-2010, 05:45 AM

Usuallly you can negotiate a better price on a car that needs servicing, to the point where you can have your own Indie shop do the service work at a reasonable price and actually be ahead of the game on the numbers. Red/Tan cars also generally sell easier and for more so there's some resale advantage there.

There's a buyer's guide section on the site available tot hose who subcribe, well worth taking a look at.

On either car, cooling system operation and F1 system operating/leaks are my primary points of concern. The Maranello's have troubles with cooling hoses collapsing, running hot and burning up the radiator fans...The F1 pumps on any of the Ferraris get weak and burn out after time and hydraulic line leaks aren't uncommon either.

These are all items that can become expensive to fix and are routinely overlooked during normal servicing. It takes added effort to inspect these issues.

You should compare all of the records, not just belt services when deciding which is a better car. Overall preventative maintenance and repair history is equally as critical.

JazzyO · 08-03-2010, 06:07 AM

[edit: good tips from Josh, posted while I was typing. Here is my perspective].

Have a look at the buyer's guide on this site, and there are plenty of posts regarding Maranellos if you do a little digging.

It is not the norm to wear out a clutch in 11k miles, this will only happen if the car is not driven properly or only in the city or traffic. So it may be many miles before the Red one needs a clutch. Even if it does, it's not an extremely expensive job (guessing around the $1k mark).

The major service for my 550 with 27k miles on was $4k, your estimate seems too high.

Both seem like very decent cars. For my money I would take the gray one but only because I don't like red on a Maranello at all. If I went for the gray car, I would still have my trusted mechanic go over the car and perhaps do another service. I sincerely distrust the "sold with service" thing, I've burnt my hands on it before. [and as Josh says - costwise it can make sense too].

From that perspective, there is nothing wrong with buying the red one and having it properly 'done'. It's a great way to start ownership, knowing you've pampered her before she's put to work! Just make sure you have the PPI done before making the decision.

Plenty of people like the F1 system but I do have to say as a 550 owner - for me the analog way of driving fits this car better. So a manual 575 or a 550 is for me the ultimate Maranello.

Best of luck.

Onno

wetpet · 08-03-2010, 06:23 AM

all good advice. i would second jazzy on the red on the 575 to break the tie. I don't think that is as desirable a color on that car as it would be on say a 430. Black, blue, silver. i like that car in black and blue very much. Take your time there is always another one down the line and it's a buyers market.

dino_viking · 08-05-2010, 07:28 AM

Hello and good luck

Well, sad here, the 575 is a solid car.
But, if you do not NEED the F1, go for the manual one. My tip, I am also seeking around for my first Ferrari, and after testing the F1, I say no. Also cost more to service.

Service and service histories important with all cars, special Ferrari.
Bettor to find one with higher milage with a good service book, than one with out.

Look around, take your time, and find the best one you can afford.
The more you look, the more you will learn about the 575. I know I am.

Wish you good luck

08-02-2010, 02:32 PM	#1
doctorj Join Date: Aug 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 1	Prospective buyer of a 575M. What to know and look out for? Hi everyone, I am looking into buying a 575 Maranello. There are a few cars I have looked at. One was a great deal but sold before I could get to it. Currently, I am looking at two of them. One of them is a 2002 Gray with a black interior and has 11k miles. It is up to date with servies, and recently had its clutch replaced. The 15k service will be due in a year and a half or so. This car has a tubi exhaust. The second one is a 2003 Red with a tan interior and has 15k miles on it. The 15k service needs to be done, and I am guessing the clutch will also need to be replaced. Both cars have an F1 trans. I am guessing that I will have to put a minimum of 7-10k into the car for the service. If the clutch is bad, then even more. Which one would you go with if either of the two? The 2003 may have some issues while the 2002 has been taken care of. What else should I look out for and watch for when buying a 575? Thanks! Ankur

08-03-2010, 05:45 AM	#2
ECSofVirginia Master Mechanic Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ashburn, VA Ferrari Life Posts: 477 Name: Josh Hill	Usuallly you can negotiate a better price on a car that needs servicing, to the point where you can have your own Indie shop do the service work at a reasonable price and actually be ahead of the game on the numbers. Red/Tan cars also generally sell easier and for more so there's some resale advantage there. There's a buyer's guide section on the site available tot hose who subcribe, well worth taking a look at. On either car, cooling system operation and F1 system operating/leaks are my primary points of concern. The Maranello's have troubles with cooling hoses collapsing, running hot and burning up the radiator fans...The F1 pumps on any of the Ferraris get weak and burn out after time and hydraulic line leaks aren't uncommon either. These are all items that can become expensive to fix and are routinely overlooked during normal servicing. It takes added effort to inspect these issues. You should compare all of the records, not just belt services when deciding which is a better car. Overall preventative maintenance and repair history is equally as critical. Exotic Car Specialties www.ECSofVirginia.com 201 Davis Dr. Suite L Sterling, VA 20164 703.421.5356

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-03-2010, 06:07 AM	#3
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,289	[edit: good tips from Josh, posted while I was typing. Here is my perspective]. Have a look at the buyer's guide on this site, and there are plenty of posts regarding Maranellos if you do a little digging. It is not the norm to wear out a clutch in 11k miles, this will only happen if the car is not driven properly or only in the city or traffic. So it may be many miles before the Red one needs a clutch. Even if it does, it's not an extremely expensive job (guessing around the $1k mark). The major service for my 550 with 27k miles on was $4k, your estimate seems too high. Both seem like very decent cars. For my money I would take the gray one but only because I don't like red on a Maranello at all. If I went for the gray car, I would still have my trusted mechanic go over the car and perhaps do another service. I sincerely distrust the "sold with service" thing, I've burnt my hands on it before. [and as Josh says - costwise it can make sense too]. From that perspective, there is nothing wrong with buying the red one and having it properly 'done'. It's a great way to start ownership, knowing you've pampered her before she's put to work! Just make sure you have the PPI done before making the decision. Plenty of people like the F1 system but I do have to say as a 550 owner - for me the analog way of driving fits this car better. So a manual 575 or a 550 is for me the ultimate Maranello. Best of luck. Onno

08-03-2010, 06:23 AM	#4
wetpet Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chevy Chase, Md Ferrari Life Posts: 6,600 Name: Ed	all good advice. i would second jazzy on the red on the 575 to break the tie. I don't think that is as desirable a color on that car as it would be on say a 430. Black, blue, silver. i like that car in black and blue very much. Take your time there is always another one down the line and it's a buyers market.

08-05-2010, 07:28 AM	#5
dino_viking Join Date: Jul 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 54	Hello and good luck Well, sad here, the 575 is a solid car. But, if you do not NEED the F1, go for the manual one. My tip, I am also seeking around for my first Ferrari, and after testing the F1, I say no. Also cost more to service. Service and service histories important with all cars, special Ferrari. Bettor to find one with higher milage with a good service book, than one with out. Look around, take your time, and find the best one you can afford. The more you look, the more you will learn about the 575. I know I am. Wish you good luck