[Boxer]

I have found a decent 550 which I think I could buy for very reasonable $$$. It is not mint but would make a great driver. Problem is I am not sure what I would really use it for but price is almost too good to pass up.

[212Export]

Dear Boxer..just my 2 cents:
I have been on the track yesterday with the Scud. With us was a very nice gentleman with a wonderful 550. Since the 550 was my first Ferrari and having not driven a 550 for the last 8 years I was eagerly offering him to have a drive in my Scud while driving his 550. The track was a very curvy one and while I enjoyed very much driving the very tempting and beautiful 550 (searching the gears while flashing into the curves), I realized how old this car has become. I really like the 550 and the torque is still impressive but the general feel is softness, heavyness and the brakes are--well gone within 3 laps. Even the seat position is less comfortable than in the Scud. Its not the comparison to the Scud, that would not be fair buts its just the realization that the 550 is to young to be a classic and to old to be very special yet. That time will come for the 550 but not yet maybe.
Now this may not mean anything to your motivation of thinking to add another car to your stable. Actually 550's have become so "cheap" I started to fantasize bymyself to buy my 1st. car again..! But put it this way...while driving back from the track I rethought about my initial happyness of being able to have driven that beautiful 550 again. And at the same moment I was thinking that I rather would buy a 365 BB or a 330/365 GTC (as you soon will drive the Daytona). There you have a great classic, the difference to a modern car is huge, but the special "touch" remains unaltered.
Ohh and one more thing......the day has 24hours only, having another Ferrari in the stable means driving the others just a little more seldom.

[cgt]

Scott, we have already discussed this, but just to reiterate my view, I think it would be a great buy. If it's the right colour (which I think this one is ) then very few cars today have the road presence and 'classic' styling of a 550. When it comes to presence, the shark-like styling is so much more attractive than the modern Euro-blob shapes that currently predominate.

Add that to a classic V12 engine and incredible ability to be both a sports car and a long distance GT and in years to come I can only see 550 values increasing. Factor in relative rarity as well compared to huge numbers of later cars manufactured and I think it is a safe bet.

In the end, of course there are newer cars that are faster and corner quicker than a 550 but then by those standards we would compare how relatively slow a 275 GTB is compared to a BMW 535.. it is not all about straight line performance, more about 'feel' and in that respect the 550 is peerless (well for me anyway)

A car that communicates more to the driver through a corner is preferable to me to something that will corner at massive speed with unlimited grip. I have a Playstation 3 game that allows me to do that too

[212Export]

Uhhhh.....I guess I got the message. I will run a buy a playstation !

[archiegibbs]

Originally Posted by Boxer

I have found a decent 550 which I think I could buy for very reasonable $$$. It is not mint but would make a great driver. Problem is I am not sure what I would really use it for but price is almost too good to pass up.

Boxer, if you are not sure what you will use it for, I'll look after it for you and as long as you give me a few months notice in advance of when you want to take it out for a service, I'll try to fit around you

[cgt]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Uhhhh.....I guess I got the message. I will run a buy a playstation !

oops sorry didnt mean to offend.. this question if anything crystallises the differences between what different people want from their cars.. for me the modern, ultra-fast and ultra efficient cars just dont do it in the way older cars do.

The example is when I was thinking about buying a 360 CS a while back. I know the car is very highly rated by many enthusiasts (I am sure deservedly) but it did nothing for me. It was loud, uncomfortable and required a great deal of concentration. For me that would be very tiring if I were to cover any significant number of miles in it. Thing I love about the 550 is very similar performance but in a much more accessible manner.

[212Export]

Ohh no probelm at all I've never felt offended ! That's exactly what this forum is all about...we only can learn a lot from each other.
I really like the 550. Its a wonderful machine and to drive long and put many miles on it I strongly believe that there is nowhere such a great package for such a low price around anywhere in the Ferrari World.
My impression probably was a little inclined since I have not driven a 550 for such a long time and in my mind it was still a as "new" car.
I have owned several older Ferraris and I believe to understand your point very good.

[Gcalo]

Put in better springs as I did with my 360, improve the brakes, and you have a great car.

Why not?

[agp22]

Originally Posted by 212Export

.. and the brakes are--well gone within 3 laps. .

212Export, I went to the track last weekend with Boxer, and I thought of taking the 550 along. However, to avoid that brake fade thing and to avoid burning out my street tires, I ended up not taking it. I know myself, I would probably get too enthusiastic about it, and the tires would go away.

From my experience, if you want to enjoy a heavy car like this on the track, you should replace the regular Shell brake fluid by Castrol SRF (the discs and pads should be good enough to handle the heat), and that alone should be enough to avoid brake fading. If you want to have some more fun, then get an extra set of wheels with slicks on them for those days. Sure, it gets tougher on the suspension but what the hell, if you don't want that, then don't use on the track.

My USD 2.00

[Boxer]

Gentlemen, Great advice and I have to admit I am very conflicted over what to do on this one. You are all right which just makes it harder.

On a positive (and pretty irrelevant note), if I do buy it, then I would be able to do a front engine V12 review between the 365 GTB/4 and 550 Maranello.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Gentlemen, Great advice and I have to admit I am very conflicted over what to do on this one. You are all right which just makes it harder.

On a positive (and pretty irrelevant note), if I do buy it, then I would be able to do a front engine V12 review between the 365 GTB/4 and 550 Maranello.

O.K. Boxer..you win ! We wait for the comparison report !!!

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by 212Export

the brakes are--well gone within 3 laps.

This was not my experience last Wednesday. They lasted quite well, I thought, for such a heavy car. I got fading after about 7 or 8 laps of the Zandvoort circuit, which admittedly is not very long. But it is a GT anyway so I don't think it's fair to compare it with a regular 430, let alone with a Scuderia with ceramic brakes.

The point is - what does one buy the 550 for, if one is going to buy it? You should only buy it if you're looking for that type of car: a comfortable GT with a sporting edge that munches continents for breakfast, and which is relatively modern but still has a very analog feel. It is not a classic, nor does it pretend to be, but it is a 'modern' interpretation of a classic type of car (Ghibli, 330GTC, Lambo 350 etc). It is not the latest in technology either, but to me that is a plus. The car is still relatively simple and there is nothing to detract you from driving, if you switch the ASR off. I much prefer the 550 over the 575, for that reason - it is a bit purer, less electronical.

Boxer - you've already owned one, so you can decide best if you should buy it. But if you were going to use it for long-distance travel in Europe, I think it would be a very smart buy.

As for me - I'll sell all my other cars before my 550. It is very special to me.


Onno

[212Export]

Respect, Onno, you said some strong points for the 550. I agree. But one question. Would you really sell the 365 BB if you only could keep one ?

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Respect, Onno, you said some strong points for the 550. I agree. But one question. Would you really sell the 365 BB if you only could keep one ?

Yes, I would. It would be a hard decision, but I would let it go in favour of the 550. Why? For the following reasons:

1. The 550 was/is my first Ferrari. It represents a dream come true, and it is a drop-dead gorgeous example. It has a lot of sentimental value - with the 365 I do not have that relationship (yet).
2. The 550 is much more practical. I want to keep on doing nice road trips through Europe, and the 365 just isn't the car for that. You can do it once a year but that is really IT!
3. The 365BB is RHD. I spend by far the most of my kilometers on the continent, so LHD is a distinct advantage.
4. This is a vulgar reason, but if I could keep only 1 it would be for financial reasons (I have enough garage space), so it would make much more sense to sell the Boxer as the resale value of the 550 is lower. Mind you - I just had it evaluated last week and in Holland it's still worth EUR80k. But this will go down still in future, IMO.

But - I hope it never comes to selling. I would miss that Boxer if it happened right now, but once I've spent more time with it, I'm sure it's going to be even harder to let it go.


Onno

[212Export]

Indeed all very reasonable points. Will you plan to join fled 2 with the Boxer or the 550 ?

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

The point is - what does one buy the 550 for, if one is going to buy it? You should only buy it if you're looking for that type of car: a comfortable GT with a sporting edge that munches continents for breakfast, and which is relatively modern but still has a very analog feel. It is not a classic, nor does it pretend to be, but it is a 'modern' interpretation of a classic type of car (Ghibli, 330GTC, Lambo 350 etc). It is not the latest in technology either, but to me that is a plus. The car is still relatively simple and there is nothing to detract you from driving, if you switch the ASR off. I much prefer the 550 over the 575, for that reason - it is a bit purer, less electronical.

Very well put and compelling. Having a 550 for long summer driving trips across Europe is a very appealing proposition. ......

Have looked at a few different cars (911 2.4S, Jaguar XJR 15) over the last several months but for one reason or another I never got to much past the research and test drive point.

[Louis355]

If the price it too good to be true, why not? Can't imagine the 550 will dissapoint.
The comparison with the daytona will be interesting.....and when you decide the time is up for the 550 you can sell it easy as well....I might be interested myself..(hopefully the credit crunch stays away from my business)

Good luck with your decision.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Indeed all very reasonable points. Will you plan to join fled 2 with the Boxer or the 550 ?

It will be the Boxer. Very much looking forward to driving her in the mountains!

@Louis - selling a 550 is not easy these days. Most are up for sale for a very long time.


Onno

[Boxer]

If it is a 550, the next question is Maranello or wait for the right Barchetta?

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Boxer

If it is a 550, the next question is Maranello or wait for the right Barchetta?

I knew it....there we go again