Market Prices 575 Manual vs 575 F1 (conversion costs) vs 550?

I have a fair bit of experience in this area around the technical requirements of converting F1 cars to manual, though like you I'm always interested in hearing other's thoughts on what the value of such cars should be. The conversions are essentially bolt on projects, so there is no reason why a converted car should look or feel any different to a factory manual, though it goes without saying that the value will be less. Looking at some of the same prices for converted 430's, there is definitely the potential to add more to the sale price of a car than the basic cost of a conversion. I would always advise that this is the wrong way to look at it though; if nothing else the data above the the experience form this year is that prices are volatile, and often its very hard to explain why one car is valued so highly above others. Convert your car then because its the car you want. Expect to loose money (because that's what cars do as a general rule). Enjoy the car(s) you own.

I believe the rough cost for the 575 conversion mentioned above was $30k before any of the other preventative maintenance items you might want to do at the same time. It feels like this price is on the up though as parts become ever more scarce. Then again this is driving me and others to look for solutions to unavailability of original Ferrari parts.

 

If the price is $30K or more, then I doubt there is much room to add value in excess of the cost.

Agreed. It is a cost effective way of getting yourself a manual 575 and the driving experience will be exactly the same, so who cares that it is a conversion? However, if you don't already have a nice 575F1, and the premium for a manual is, say, around twice the cost of the conversion, and you can afford it, it might make sense to by a genuine manual, just in case one day you want to sell.

 

I agree with the 30k price tag on the conversion. I know a shop that has done multiple 575 manual conversions.

 

I would just buy the 550, if you want the manual. At the same time I do understand if a collector desires to pay a premium for the 575 factory equipped manual. (When) the 550/575 appreciates my guess collectors will not be all that interested in buying a 575 manual conversion.

 

I owned both 550 and 575 manual at the same time.

The 575 had the FHP and this car was so much nicer than my 550 to drive. It was night and day different.




May the Horse be with you

 

The numbers in the initial post show how weak the 575 market really is for upper teen - 20k+ mile cars.

The question of whether converted cars retain or increase in value is an open one, as so few converted cars have come up to sale. At least in the AM Vanquish world, conversions retain their value on sale with converted cars typically commanding a $30k premium.

Also realize the % of young people who can drive manuals is ever decreasing. Whether the 575m will increase in value prior to the new generation becoming the dominant market force is an open question.

 

Personally I think the Aston Martin conversion is not quite comparable as it's a warrantied aftermarket conversion undertaken by Aston Martin themselves. The car is then effectively a "factory" manual, with factory parts all supplied by AM.

Any 575 conversion is going to be a little Heath Robinson due to parts availability and Ferrari's unwillingness to support it's back catalogue in any sort of meaningful manner. It's a shame, I think they are missing an income stream for this sort of conversion that would lend credibility to any after the fact alterations. Mind you the'yd probably want to charge 100k for a conversion.

 

Whilst I cant verify this myself, I've heard from a couple people recently that Ferrari are putting some of the 430 manual parts back into production. Whilst its of little use to V12 owners, then if its true, then its a sign that they are getting the message around the demand for manual cars.

 

30 to 35k is the price for the 430 fwiw

 

"The 575 had the FHP and this car was so much nicer....."
*****
I also have a 575M, gated and factory FHP. It is a real pleasure to drive; a 105,000 miles on the "clock" pleasure. Best I can tell, there are very few gated 575s with FHP in the US. I read, years ago, that dealers discourage people from ordering FHP because the Pagid "orange(?)" brake pads were quite noisy.

 

Yup, true on the dealers discouraging FHP because of brake squeal. Continental had quite a few sets of nearly new Pagid 4-4 pads that had been swapped for standard pads because the customers could not take the noise. Funny thing is, once bedded, the pads only squealed occasionally. Mine would let out a squeal about once a month for who knows what reason. My ceramics now do not squeal at all.

From the FNA FHP technical bulletin:

NOTE: The Fiorano handling package uses Pagid brake pads. These pads have special
characteristics and will cause brake squeal. This is considered to be normal. All dealers
are to inform the customers that this possibility exists, and if they elect to have any work
performed to reduce the squeal, it will be at the customer’s expense.
Warranty will not cover replacement of the pads, chamfering of the pads, deglazing of
the rotors, applying disc brake quiet, etc.

 

"Yup, true on the dealers discouraging FHP because of brake squeal."
******
I rather liked the brake squeal. Pulling up to a stop light/sign, with just the right brake pedal pressure, it sounded like a garbage truck; a real Ferrari paradox. The Padgids were changed out at first and subsequent brake changes; I miss the old sound.

 

When I bought my 550 in May 2103, the car had been standing for a long time. Almost not driven in many years. It squeeled ALOT. So much I felt a bit shameful in the streets. As I started to drive it, the squeel became less intrusive. Now when I drive it every second day it never squeel at all. I still have the same front pads and discs as back in 2013 when I bought the car and about 85.000 kms. later!

 

Most of the buyers are old men who just want to pose. 1/2 the local club had no desire to go on the fun run and they bitched to the president that he drove too fast. 1/2 the people just wanted to show up for the breakfast and chat.

The buyer profile has really changed over the last thirty years. They now want a practical refined car with all the amenities.

 

"Most of the buyers are old men who just want to pose."
****
I'm 76, guess I have't reached "poser" age yet! :>)

 

Ralf- Did I ever tell you the part about you being full of crap? I likely owned Ferraris before you were born. Even old men can be car freaks, believe it or not.

 

And even young men can (and want) to drive manual! Confirmed as one of them.

 

1). It’s not a personal attack against anyone. This is not my intent. No trolling either.

I understand some are true enthusiasts. No doubt.

It is what it is with the local chapter. Some of
the 40 something y/o’s did not want to participate on the fun runs either. Again the cars are refined and practical and today’s buyer who wants a new F car has different wishes.

 

I also owned a 575 manual with FHP and a 550 at the same time. Still have the. 575. I agree completely about the difference, the 575 is a better car and much nicer to drive.

Any Ferrari manual is a PITA to drive in town, though. The 430 is better because of some spring loading in the shift, and the shift seems a bit shorter too.

I don’t know if I’m an old man but I like to pose AND drive like I stole it! I think that has been kind of the point of Ferraris since the start.

 

Ralf- Generic statements about Ferrari owners are nearly always wrong. You just seem to be dealing with some who happen to be weak dicks.

 

I know they can vary a fair bit but i have always found my 550 a pleasure even in traffic.