[porscheguy]

Hey guys - I own a 355F1 and I'm doing a PPI on a 1999 550. We are at 77k on the car with the following:

Rossa Corsa / Tan
14k miles
3 owners
Excellent condition inside and out - no paint work

Major service last month at a very reputable shop
* timing belts
* Tensioner bearings
* Cam seals
* front main seal
* Intake plenum gaskets
* New clutch - flywheel resurfaced
* resonator delete pipes installed
* Braided brake line kit
* All sticky stuff corrected
* rear shocks rebuilt

No leather shelf, no shields etc. I love my 355. I really want a 550 to set beside her in the garage. When I add up the two cars - I could purchase a very decent F430?

So - does this seem like a decent deal at 75K? Any comments on the idea of owning two older fcar's vs a single newer model? I havent driven a 430 and I'm scared to try as I'm compulsive.

Taz - good to see you around BTW.

[porscheguy]

Whoops. I uploaded a pic of another car. Here is the one I'm looking at.

[BarchettaGuy]

Originally Posted by porscheguy

Hey guys - I own a 355F1 and I'm doing a PPI on a 1999 550. We are at 77k on the car with the following:

Rossa Corsa / Tan
14k miles
3 owners
Excellent condition inside and out - no paint work

Major service last month at a very reputable shop
* timing belts
* Tensioner bearings
* Cam seals
* front main seal
* Intake plenum gaskets
* New clutch - flywheel resurfaced
* resonator delete pipes installed
* Braided brake line kit
* All sticky stuff corrected
* rear shocks rebuilt

No leather shelf, no shields etc. I love my 355. I really want a 550 to set beside her in the garage. When I add up the two cars - I could purchase a very decent F430?

So - does this seem like a decent deal at 75K? Any comments on the idea of owning two older fcar's vs a single newer model? I havent driven a 430 and I'm scared to try as I'm compulsive.

Taz - good to see you around BTW.

Based on what you described of the 550, I think that is a pretty fair price.
IMHO, I would keep your 355 and buy the 550.
Having said that, do you like touring and taking long drives?.......because I think the 550 would be your purchase choice unless you are into tracking a car.
I am partial to the 550's and 575's now even though I had my heart set on buying a 430 back in 2007. I like to go for long drives, on the highways outside our city to the Rocky Mountains. I enjoy it more in the touring cars.

I think your 355 is a great car to drive and keep.

What ever you decide, I will be happy for you!

Good luck!

[tazandjan]

PG- Good to see you again, too. Prices on the better 550s seem to have stabilized in the 70s and even 80s, and this looks like a nice one. Since they yanked the plenum, hopefully they replaced the hoses with 575M or Scuderia Rampante Innovations hoses from Ricambi or Dave. The other thing you need to look at is making sure she has 575M motor mounts.

If this car is coming from Bradan, which it sounds like it is, it should be in really good shape and they are very thorough. I think I saw something on the internet about this car.

This car has the 575M style tensioner brackets, and the only belts now available are the 575/612 belts, so you should be good, in my opinion only, for 5 years before your next belt change.

In general, the 550s have been pretty bullet-proof with only a couple of Achille's heels.

I am probably not the best person to ask, since you know how I feel about V12s, but with an F355 and a Maranello, you have a great sports car and a great GT. Both of those cars have pretty much leveled out on depreciation, while the F430 is still sliding. Hang in there with two Ferraris and you may be able to swap both for a Scud later if you want a hairshirt Ferrari.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[porscheguy]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

PG- Good to see you again, too. Prices on the better 550s seem to have stabilized in the 70s and even 80s, and this looks like a nice one. Since they yanked the plenum, hopefully they replaced the hoses with 575M or Scuderia Rampante Innovations hoses from Ricambi or Dave. The other thing you need to look at is making sure she has 575M motor mounts.

If this car is coming from Bradan, which it sounds like it is, it should be in really good shape and they are very thorough. I think I saw something on the internet about this car.

This car has the 575M style tensioner brackets, and the only belts now available are the 575/612 belts, so you should be good, in my opinion only, for 5 years before your next belt change.

In general, the 550s have been pretty bullet-proof with only a couple of Achille's heels.

I am probably not the best person to ask, since you know how I feel about V12s, but with an F355 and a Maranello, you have a great sports car and a great GT. Both of those cars have pretty much leveled out on depreciation, while the F430 is still sliding. Hang in there with two Ferraris and you may be able to swap both for a Scud later if you want a hairshirt Ferrari.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Thanks Taz - I have learned a ton from you. You are correct on Bradan. They didnt replace the motor mounts - the owner said it wasnt necessary but likely would be at the next major. I think this is a properly sorted 550. Running a compression and leakdown now.

[porscheguy]

Originally Posted by BarchettaGuy

Based on what you described of the 550, I think that is a pretty fair price.
IMHO, I would keep your 355 and buy the 550.
Having said that, do you like touring and taking long drives?.......because I think the 550 would be your purchase choice unless you are into tracking a car.
I am partial to the 550's and 575's now even though I had my heart set on buying a 430 back in 2007. I like to go for long drives, on the highways outside our city to the Rocky Mountains. I enjoy it more in the touring cars.

I think your 355 is a great car to drive and keep.

What ever you decide, I will be happy for you!

Good luck!

Well - I dont ever track my cars but maybe someday? I never get out for long drives because we have two kids but I have heard a ton of comments about this being a great car for a road trip. I really love the 355 so keeping both seems like the thing to do.

[Ferraridriver]

I had both, the 355F1 from new and the 550 I bought two years ago.

I just sold the 355 but if I had the room for both I never would have considered selling either. Both are exceptional cars.

[BarchettaGuy]

Originally Posted by porscheguy

Well - I dont ever track my cars but maybe someday? I never get out for long drives because we have two kids but I have heard a ton of comments about this being a great car for a road trip. I really love the 355 so keeping both seems like the thing to do.

The 550/575's are great for road trips.
I bought an 04 575M 6 Speed manual car in the spring of 2010.
I flew down to Dallas to pick it up and drove it back to Calgary.
I put 2300 enjoyable and unforgettable miles on the trip home.
It was a great drive.

[Barry]

Personally, if space allowed I'd take a 355/550 combo vs. 430 any day. Good luck with the decision making process.

[Killer58]

You know what they say about two in the hand...

I vote for both. We have a 360 Spider and are looking for a 456 or a 550. I'd much rather have the two than a 430.

[henryr]

i believe the black car is a repaint... not sure why

[porscheguy]

thanks gents

[JazzyO]

I agree with everyone else here. I find the 355 very different to drive, more sporty than the 550. The 550 is the consumate GT. They go great together. But - if you're scene is to do more boulevard cruising (not saying it is, and not judging if it was), or if you're only interested in the most sporting car you can get for your money, then the F430 is a better option.

I suggest you properly test drive the 550 (at least an hour), and make up your mind then.

Good luck deciding!


Onno

[Granucci]

I have two as in 8 and 12 and love them both [albeit they are considered the 2+2 variety], but you are going to love the 550: what a power range vs the 355.

Looks like a beaut. Everything said above is spot on.

On a side note SR hoses are a must and I cannot think Brandon missed on those, but who knows how the customer went.

Not sure about the braided brake lines.

Also, you'll need to consider the mounts at somepoint and I agree the newer belts are probably good for five years, but an easy replace on these cars as in situ and not like the 355.

This will be a more 'affordable' maintenance than the 355 by a lot.

[champagne612]

I really like the 430 ... but if you have the room go with two vs one.

The 550 is a lot of ... actually it's ridiculous how much car you get for those dollars.

A pair of any Ferrari's are hard to beat

[GrayTA]

My thinking, FWIW, is with Taz. Even if he hadnt made his post its exactly what I was thinking when I read your initial post.

Besides - I like having multiple choice questions when I go to the garage. Having two Ferraris to choose from would be outrageous!!!!



PDG

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by GrayTA

My thinking, FWIW, is with Taz. Even if he hadnt made his post its exactly what I was thinking when I read your initial post.

Besides - I like having multiple choice questions when I go to the garage. Having two Ferraris to choose from would be outrageous!!!!

PDG

Three is even better, let alone Boxer's four (although he's trimmed down now, perhaps he found out there were only 2 right answers to his 4-way multiple choice question?)


Onno

[tazandjan]

Onno- Crud, now I have Ferrari envy again.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[Boxer]

They do make a very good pair. The F355 drives like a giant go kart and is a blast to push hard down a country road. The 550 is a continent crusher.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by GrayTA

My thinking, FWIW, is with Taz. Even if he hadnt made his post its exactly what I was thinking when I read your initial post.

Besides - I like having multiple choice questions when I go to the garage. Having two Ferraris to choose from would be outrageous!!!!



PDG

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Three is even better, let alone Boxer's four (although he's trimmed down now, perhaps he found out there were only 2 right answers to his 4-way multiple choice question?)


Onno

I think I trimmed down too far. I do miss having a more useable/practical Ferrari. You can't really drive either the F40/F50 into London and park it on the street. Of the other three (Mosler/Jag XJR-15/Koenigsegg), when the Mosler is the most practical car of the lot (it actually would make a pretty good daily driver), there might just be room for something a bit more useable.

P.S. I have taken the Mosler to the supermarket a few times (trunk space is pretty good), but you can't really run in grab a few things, and quietly run back out as it tends to attract a bit of a crowd.