New 550 Owner

Hi Everyone,
I just recently joined the forums and wanted to introduce myself. I bought a new to me 550 last week. this will be my first Ferrari, and first similarly exotic for that matter. I was a long time member of the BMW community in my early 20's and after that phase I became involved in the RX-7 community for a while. I owned and worked on many other cars in between but all short term German or Japanese. My wife and I were in NY the past 6 years for work related reasons but never had the time or necessity to own a car up there. However I always kept a short running list of cars I hoped to get knowing that we would eventually move back to Miami which is where we both grew up. Covid accelerated that process and we moved back in December before the NY winter hit, so immediately the search was on .

The 550 has been one of the few poster and diecast cars for me, well since High School at least. And this one is in the exact spec I've wanted:
Quick details, it's a 2001 TDF Blue on Tan, 24k miles, quilted roof and hatch lining, with red calipers.
Body wise it's a drivers car, not perfect which is how I wanted it. Otherwise I'd be worried every single time I took it out that I'd get a rock chip and that's not how I wanted to feel, I really want to get this out on the road and enjoy it. Never been in any accidents or damaged either.
Mechanically the car needs a major service, it's been sitting for about 4yrs, and had the last major service about 3 years before it sat. But otherwise mechanically it seems to all be in great order and properly running as it should (knock on wood).

I haven't actually taken delivery of the 550 yet, it's currently awaiting transport from Michigan to Miami. I'm using Reliable so it's one of those, "We might get to it in 2 days or 2 weeks" kind of things. So needless to say I'm as anxious and excited as I remember being on the way to Toys-R-Us. I grew up playing Baseball which made me unnaturally anal retentive and superstitious, so I don't want to put up pictures until I get delivery. Hopefully sooner than later I'll post the delivery and first garage photos.

Funny story if you believe in fate or coincidences;
I've been around cars all my life and growing up in Miami you see exotics every day. But interestingly enough I had never seen a 550 in person, it always eluded me. Well, the night I found the 550 I talked to my wife about seriously considering getting the car. The very next morning we went out to breakfast, and parked right outside the front doors was a TDF Blue on Tan 550.

My first car was a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442, handed down from my dad for starting college, now it's pretty awesome to be stepping into a 550 and hopefully have my kids learn to work on a Ferrari as their first.

Looking forward to talking and being a part of the community!
Rich

 

Hi Eric,
Before deciding to buy the car I did try to come on here and find some discussion about it but couldn't dig anything up. I was able to find discussions on other forums about the selling dealer and having good experiences with them so that helped. Given the car was drivers condition and needing a major, I was able to work out what I think was a pretty good deal to cover myself if any other incidents pop-up.

Regarding the shields, yes I'm on the side that likes them as well. I did not know until coming on here that there are factory fenders specifically with the shield indentations. I know my fenders don't have the indentation so it's an add-on shield, but I still like the look regardless.

I've always worked on all my cars myself, and I think my anal retentiveness has served me well in doing things the right way. I have every intention to take the wrench to the 550 with no hesitation, I'm very excited on being able to work on a car like this. Although I decided for the very first major service to take it to a reputable indi shop in South Florida. I didn't want to do anything silly on a car of this value without first learning and recognizing everything I was getting into.

I can tell you that first order of business is ripping out the aftermarket sound system/amplifiers that are installed in the car and returning it to stock form. It has these massive custom made kick panels that look very obstructive and just ugly to me. I will install better aftermarket speakers and radio, maybe some extra padding and sound deadening, but keep it all looking original.

I'll definitely be discussing any work on the car on here.

Thanks for the well wishes!

 

Thanks, I will undoubtedly enjoy it fully!

 

Thanks John, great to see a twin of mine. Can't wait to finally have it delivered and post some pictures.

 

Thanks Steve, I'm looking forward to hanging around here.

 

Thanks fellas, new update, car will be here Saturday!

 

The eagle has landed!