[dino_viking]

Hi all

Well, been a busy week. But, not to busy, got time to test drive a 98 550 and a manual 456 M 2000 model.

First, the 550.
What a car.

Inside, a bit more old fashioned comparing to the 575, but at the same time, cooler.
The sound is just amazing, still cant stop thinking of it. Who needs a stereo in these??

The manual gear was so much better, easier to drive, comparing to the F1 in the 575. I did feel I was driving the car, not just rolling back and forth in the street.
When I was in city traffic, I was in control, was able to relax more than with the F1 gear. I did drive in some stop and go traffic, just to test that out.
Hill start was also better.
Still hard to park in a garage, the noose is loooong......

Out on the highway it is a great car, what a GT these is. Feels a bit more heavy than the 575, steering to. Very precise. Suspension is firm, but not to sporty, so long trips are comfortable, but still able to go fast on a twisty mountain pass.....Great.

I also that it is more quite in here, comparing to the 575.....Hmmmm....The car is older, more or less the same milage. Why? MAybe better taken care of. What I did notice was the sealing around the doors, it was in top condition, maybe replaced(do not know), where on the 575 they was showing some wear.
Wind noise was also less, well I think so.

I really like these cars, a big heavy GT with a great engine, cruising at high speed, and still able to hit the twisty roads in a way I had NO idea I was able to do in a car like these. Keeping my old BMW 850 in mind. Comparing, the BMW was nothing.

These time I also stopped by home, got out a small suitcase, a duffel bag and my weekend fishing gear.
WOW, it all fits inside. Good
The 550 are capable to carry a lot more than some think.

Changing gear was easy, the clutch was heavy, but not to heavy. Was told the clutch also can be adjusted if I like that.

YES

I really like the 550. Also the 575, but I do not like the F1 gear at all. What is wrong with a manual gear box?

So, the 456 m.
Oh yes, it is good.
But, not as the 550, it feels more relaxed, more "soft", sorry, but I do think so. The 456 feels more like a GT only, where the 550 feels like a sporty GT. Hope you all understand what I mean.

Noise inside is even less than the 550, not as power full, but still, a great and very fast car. But, when driving a 456 I feel more "relaxed". Understand me?
In the 550, I feel like getting of the highway, and find a small mountain road and go for it.

But, the comfort is high in 456, quite, what a GT. Able to take even more luggage than the 550, even got back seats, for more luggage. Can not se who can fit back there.....Kinds under 10 will.

Also, the 456 feels older, the dashboard, the center console, it all feels "older" when comparing to the 550.
But, the seats are even more comfortable. LAcking the side support, but more comforting on long trips. I feel they match the car just great, not needing the side support so much in the 456.
Oh, I feel I am getting some 456 owners mad now.......sorry.

The gear, it was heavier in the 550, but the clutch was heavier in the 456. Hmmm.... Maybe needs some adjusting?

Parking was easier with the 456, witch is good.
Also, the V12 feels different. Help me, I do not know what to say, but driving it feels different. I did feel these even more in city, stop and go traffic. Feels more relaxed.

So, what do I feel now?
Well, I did start these hunt for a Ferrari, and had in mind that it was going to be easy.....NOT SO. Well, yes easy if not going for a good one, but to find a good one is not easy. But, the hunt is so fun. And learning so much here. Great.

Will it be a 456 or a 550/575? So far, I am more a 550/575 man(now).
It will for sure be one with manual gear.


456:
+: Great comfort, good space, good luggage space, even a back seat, look superb, great sound, good visibility when parking.

-: Feels more like a GT than a sports GT. I know I am NO expert, but it feels more soft, relaxed and made for long trips at high speed in great comfort, but it lacks the "take me to a mountain road" feeling.
(Guess these can also be a + point.)

(What I try to say is, for me a Ferrari shall be a great car, high speed, low speed, high way and also on a mountain road. Yes, I am not a great driver, but I did feel more able to toss the 550 around the mountain pass than I did in the 456.
Some input from 456 drivers will be good.)

Interior feels a bit old. Other than that, I like it

550/575:
+: Great GT, high comfort, great seats, good luggage space, visibility is good, fun drive on twisty roads, fun on high ways.

-: Hard to park in a parking garage. Large doors, hard to get out/in a garage, some have F1 gear.

More?
No, I feel these two cars are great, well made, very well made, high comfort, easy to drive and so.
Yes, I do like them. A LOT!

Oh, dinner time.

Will be back when I had time to think about the test drives, the more I think about them, the more I learn.

Have a good weekend all

[JazzyO]

Thanks for sharing Vigo, good analysis I think.

FWIW - I do love my stereo/satnav in the 550, particularly on longer trips, but I have it off a lot too. I can recommend a stereo with a rear view camera - that is one upgrade I really like. You can't see much when reverse parking as standard.

You're taking your time with this, which is the best way to go about it. And like you say, a lot of fun exploring. Good luck with the rest of the search!


Onno

[mk e]

I still think you may want to test drive a 456 auto.....even a clutch that feels light on the test drive can fell pretty frikin heavy after sitting in traffic for 30+ minutes.

I hated the 308 clutch in traffic, but in normal driving it was fine. Some hp upgrades I made required a switch to a multi-disc clutch so I decided to up go a 3 disc which let me go to a much lighter spring (think honda civic light clutch pedal and you will still be thinking heavier than I ended up with) and I just love it!.....and Lana can drive it too. The clutch was probably the best change I've made to the car as far as making it nice to drive.

[colonel1961]

Fine review - thanks for sharing. It's always interesting how opinions vary amongst the myriad posters here...

[il Capolino]

Great impressions!

What an enjoyable phase of the purchase you are in right now. Take your time and enjoy.

I agree on discarding the F1-box on the 575. The F1-transmission IMO only starts getting worthwile from the 360 and is truly worthwile on the 430/599/612.

What coulours would you prefer for the 550/575 and for the 456?

Take care!

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by il Capolino

I agree on discarding the F1-box on the 575. The F1-transmission IMO only starts getting worthwile from the 360

Actually, the 360 is 3 years older than the 575.


Onno

[dino_viking]

Hello all

Thanks for replying.

Well, yes, I take my time. A long one to....But, these is noting like getting a standard car.
And boy do I like the hunt. I learn more and more, her and when testing/looking at Ferraris.

Did have a look at a "good deal" 550 today, no thank you. No need for a test drive. The car looked badly taken care of, last service, the private seller did not know for sure, seats was showing heavy wear and so. Good deal? Maybe for him.

So, I will look and take my time, before I go home with my baby.

456 GTA, well, yes, I shall go and look/test one. I was thinking, a Ferrari with automatic???? Hmmmm......Not so interesting.
But, from what I learn, the combination was not bad at all, rather good.
Whats the rev like when cruising the highway, comparing the manual one?

Colors? Well, I like a deep blue/dark blue, green or black one.
But, I am seeking a used car, so I have to take what I can find. Crazy dream? A bright yellow one with black and tan interior.

I did test a 360 F1, and the feeling for the F1 was the same. A dealer told me he rather have the manual 430 as well, all models he sad. Only feeling the 612 maybe needed some kind of automatic he sad, telling me about the 456 GTA he will show me next week.

Well, dont get me wrong, he say yes to F1 gear, but to keep service cost down, more comfort in city driving/parking, go with manual on ALL models he sad.


IF I was ordering a new Ferrari, not sure what I had done, but thats not happening yet..........

So, last night I did some more reading about the 456 GT, maybe I got it wrong. Did read that is was a great handling car, good by Porsche they sad.

Hmm, need to take it out on the mountain roads once more.
I am sure it is just me and my driving skills, but I feel its not a handling car, when comparing it to a 550.
But, again, it got back seats. So was the idea of the car was more a fast GT, rather than a handling GT, like the 550? Or?

The dealer that told me about the 456 GTA M asked me if the suspension settings did work 100%......Have to say I am not sure. Will find out.


Have a good day all

Vigo

[Boxer]

Having owned a 550, 575, and a 456 GT, of the three my favorite was the 575 (manual with the Fiorano Handling Pack).

[il Capolino]

[QUOTE=JazzyO;124444]Actually, the 360 is 3 years older than the 575.

Again, I bow to your knowledge! Nevertheless, a few years ago, I drove the 575 F1, 575 manual, 430 F1 and the 360 F1 back to back on the Fiorano track (the 360 was my own, the rest of the cars were part of Ferrari's driving course program). I must say the 575's great engine is much more enjoyable with a manual tranny, on and off track. It is a great car albeit a bit lost on the track obviously.

The smaller displacement 360 and 430 are more exploitable for their driving purpose with a F1-transmission. You really get to squeeze the optimum out of those cars with the F1-box, especially on badly surfaced twisty roads. You hardly loose any precision since you're holding the wheel with both hands as the car tries to rip the wheel left-right when the front wheels are copying the bad road surface. Smooth braking wilst toe-healing on bad surface is at least for me very difficult - yet another advantage for F1 for these cars.

That said, if I were to buy the 360 today, I would buy the manual. Having gained experience from the superior F1-versions of the 430 and the likes it would be a step backwards in dynamics to choose the F1.

In general regarding F1 versus manual, it seems to me that many drivers don't give the F1 enough patience before dissapointedly going back to their manuals. When I was getting to know the F1 concept I found that I was less interactive with the accelerator when upshifting. On a manual you instincively interact not only with the clutch but also simultaneously with the accelerator to achieve the smoothest gearshifts, particularly when short changing (When your upshifting with full power to full rpm you obviously just rip in and out of gear with a quick off-on with the accelerator). I'm not talking about doing racing blips as you shift up which of course is unnecessary, I'm referring to that unconscious tiny adjustment of gas as you clutch and declutch during an upshift at slower pace than full-on. This somehow gets lost in translation on an F1 as it doesn't come natural when you're not using the clutch in the same process. It needs to be relearned (at least in my case) or you will feel disconnected and annoyed by the accompanying woodpecker syndrome.

I hope I am making sense and to conclude I will return to the core topic and heartly recommend a manual 550/575 for our friend, dino-viking.

Salve!

[agp22]

[QUOTE=il

That said, if I were to buy the 360 today, I would buy the manual. Having gained experience from the superior F1-versions of the 430 and the likes it would be a step backwards in dynamics to choose the F1.

In general regarding F1 versus manual, it seems to me that many drivers don't give the F1 enough patience before dissapointedly going back to their manuals.
Salve![/QUOTE]

Without wanting to drift away from the topic, I have been told by a friend who races an F1 430 in GT3 category that he would rather race GT2 since they use sequential stick shifts that are much faster than the F1 on the GT3 cars.

I talked about this with a guy who owns a racing team with 2 units GT2 F430 (sequential) and his comment was "do you have any idea what the F1 gearbox system on the actual Formula one cars costs?"

So that can give you mixed thoughts about F1 gearbox use on a sports GT you may want to enjoy to the fullest. I can shift very fast on my 550.

[dino_viking]

Salve

Thanks all for good help with my first Ferrari and good tip regarding F1 v.s manual gear.

I know it will be a manual one, not sure yet if I end up with a 456 or 550/575.
These week will show more, will test a 456 GTA M and learn more about that car.

Onno, how does the rear end look, when the camera is installed? Like that idea, helps a lot when parking.

Vigo

[JazzyO]

The camera is a tiny cube of a little less than 1x1x1cm. Mine sits above my number plate - people never notice it. I don't even notice it myself. It's very hard to see in the all pics I have but here I've tried to highlight it.


Onno

[JazzyO]

Sorry - the software didn't save it as I expected.

If you look really closely or zoom in you can just see the round lens of the camera.


Onno

[jtremlett]

Originally Posted by dino_viking

...got time to test drive a 98 550 and a manual 456 M 2000 model...

Very good review. I think you need to bear in mind that the 550/575 and 456 were designed to do different jobs. The 456 is a bit softer but, on the other hand, if you need four seats then that's the car to go for. If you don't then head towards the 550/575.

Originally Posted by JazzyO

...You can't see much when reverse parking as standard...

You reverse park your 550!!! I don't think I've ever done that. In fact, in ten years of Ferrari ownership I think I have probably done so less times than I have fingers to count with.

I do use the radio in mine too though. If you're using the car as a proper GT - travelling a good distance across Europe - then it is great to have it. In fact, I even tried to listen to the Grand Prix on the radio in my 348 a couple of weeks ago. I could just about hear it!

Jonathan

[dino_viking]

Onno, thanks for the info. Well, who can se that camera? Nice.

Jonathan, well, I have not parked the cars I have tested reversing. What I have in mind is, when reversing, indoors or not, the camera will help a lot. Reversing out of a parking space and so.

Yes, I do bear in mind that the 456 and the 550 was designed different.
And that is the impression I also have after had them out for a test drive.
THe 456 is as you say, softer. But, I find it nice. Hmm, maybe more like a DB7, fast and comfy. But, still able to out run almost all cars from its time. (Even today.)

I really like the two of them, I like the small back seat in the 456 and the pop up head lights, the comfortable seats and the quite cabin makes it a great GT.
Hmm, but I also like the 550/575, the long hood (a bit old style layout, cool), seats far back, the shelf behind the seats are just cool, good cargo space to, high comfort, great handling on twisty roads.... for the two of them.

When Ferrari started the 456 project, was it a Daytona style they had in mind? A Aston Martin rival?

Tomorrow, tomorrow I am off to test drive the 456 GTA M, oh, cant wait.

Lett you all know when I get back home.

Thanks for all in putt and tip.

Vigo

[Boxer]

If you are leaning to the 456 GT, do take it out on a good twisty road and give it a run. One lasting memory I have of it was how heavy the car felt when you are trying to toss it around. Overall very happy cruising on the highway, but not pleased blasting up a mountain.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by jtremlett

You reverse park your 550!!!

Well, yes. But even if you don't, you'll need to reverse out of where you've parked. And as Vigo mentioned, the camera is very handy for that.

BTW - forward parking can be tricky too. The opening of my parent's garage, where my 550 is normally parked, is exactly 1 inch wider than my 550. That's 1/2 inch either side... Needless to say, I need to stay reasonably thin to even get out of the car!


Onno

[dino_viking]

Oh, a easy way of staying slim.....Thanks for the tip Onno

[dino_viking]

Hello

Have been a bit busy, but got time to test a 456 with automatic. 1999 model.

Well, as Boxer sad, it feels a bit heavy, sluggish, on twisty roads. More about that later.

I did borrowed the car for a day, so I had the opportunity to really test it. Really friendly dealer.

So, in city driving, the automatic was good, relaxing, as a auto is. Heavy stop and go traffic, no problemo.
Out on the high way, you really do not notice the auto. Part from one thing, the revs are a bit higher than the manual model. Causing a bit more cabin noise. Not so good, when out on a longer trip.

Did drive on the high way for about 150 km, so I did have time to notice and think about it.
Then, turning off to the mountains, Grimsel and furka pass is just the right pass to test a car. Did it with the 550, the 355 and the 456 manual.

But, these time, I have time to drive all of the road, two times...., no need to turn around and head home half way.

First I notice that it changes slow down, even when flooring it and it feels more heavy, top heavy..or just me...., compared to the 550.
The manual 456 was easier in the corners, able to keep a higher speed and a more "flow" in the speed.
Out from a corner, it changes up, NO, I like to stay in 1st, aaaa....over and over.

Yes, I know I can force the gear change by overriding the auto, working the gear stick myself. But why do that??

No, sorry to you auto lovers, but I really do not like these gear.
It is great on the 456 GT, if used a lot in city, stop and go driving. But, hitting the twisty mountains roads here, the auto is just wrong.
I do feel I was able to drive a bit faster and in more control with the manual 456.
BUT a lot more in control and also faster with the 550.

Do not get me wrong, the 456 is a good car, but in my mind, not as good as the 550.

The 456 feels to heavy for the job.
No, it is a high speed GT, with a manual gear. Great one to.

But, for me, the winner is the 550.

So, now I know what model I like....The hunt is on.

Keep you all up to date.

And for sure, will be back with more questions

Vigo

[JazzyO]

Glad you figured out what you want. I had already bought my 550 before I drove it... and had never driven anything with more than 270bhp (my brother's 328)! Fortunately worked out fine!


Onno