ANOTHER SUPERFICIAL 550 VS. 575 YOUTUBER "COUPLE OF EXPERTS"

Funny, I was thinking the same thing when I recently watched that video.

While I have not driven both so I can not comment on that specifically, this "review" was very focused on one thing and frankly just poorly done. It really tells you nothing about the cars.

I have driven several gated vs. F1 355s and I will say personally I would never own an F1 personally. The gated experience in my mind is synonymous with a classic Ferrari to an extent.

I would however be interested in a converted 575 as I feel that is probably one of the best values you could get.

 

Interesting both to see the video and read your replies.

i can realize that he 575M is a better car in many many ways. However I find the 550 to be the "original" just like a Countach LP400 without the flaired wheel arches is the original vs. a 5000 Quattrovalvole. The front of the 575M is more soft in the line with its face lift. However the rear end is the same except the minimal changes in the recessed area in the rear bumper. Because of this the "softening" and modernization of the design should also have been done to the complete car both front and rear. That would have been making the harmony between the front and the rear better. What is the difference in the steering from a 550 to a 575M?

 

So the question is which smoking hot girl friend is better right?

 

Obviously the one who likes playing with the stick.

 

Lol and yet….yes.

 

I’ve noticed a lot of these “reviews” - not all, but many - seem to have been decided before the car was even delivered for the test. The popularity and professed attributes of a given model (as much as I love 993s for instance, I always get the sense that most reviewers have decided they are brilliant and nothing else comes close well before they drive it) inflict severe bias.

The current pricing of 550s relative to 575s certainly plays a role - the older car commands more, so it must be better!! Sometimes that can be true, but I think the fact that all 550s are manuals and people are willing to pay premiums for manuals is the real deciding factor there…and the mystique just grows longer legs as time goes on.

If both were priced similarly, I would personally take the 575 manual. That’s not a slap, either, I love 550s as well and honestly will probably have one eventually because I’d like to savor even the most subtle differences.

 

For a few years a few years back I owned a manual 575, a 550, a F512M and a Testarossa simultaneously.
The 575 is maybe 20 to 25 per cent better than the 550. The F512M better than the Testa by a bigger margin.
Still, there are some aspects that are better in the 550 and the Testa, fairly subjective. Exterior design, and elements of interior design. Testa and 550 looked better, I thought. And the typeface on the Testa's instruments was way nicer than the F512M. Designs don't tend to get improved by being messed around with, while engineering does, which explains that.
There may be a slight rawness (due to the suspension mounts?) in the 550 that is missing in the 575 also, but then the steering, ride, poise, and engine are less good in the 550 than the 575, not to mention interior quality.

 

Anybody who thinks they can drive an F1 Ferrari well after a short drive has no clue. Like any skill, it takes practice to learn how and drive smoothly. If you are not smoother in an F1 Ferrari than an equivalent 3 pedal, you need more practice.

 

Exactly. I wasn’t expecting a learning curve, but I was smart enough to realize “Ahh, it isn’t the transmission, it’s me!” Requiring something more of the driver is SO Ferrari…or it was anyway.

The fact that there is that slight challenge is honestly what kept the F1 in my car up to this point. I wasn’t sure I would be ok with it at first, but once I started speaking its language it far exceeded my expectations.

 

Also, while (to still talk about V12s) the 599 F1 was the latest evolution (before going to DCT on the F12) and therefore the most accomplished, the 575 already got a pretty decent F1 system - I did hate the early 355 F1 but enjoyed the 575 F1.
At the time the 575 was an evolution of the 550 and it really made sense for it to benefit from the F1 system, as it is an objective improvement in terms of performance.
I think the rarity of the manual 575 and the irrational US worship for manual transmissions have distorted the relative market values of the 575 F1 and 550.

 

Bingo!

 

I saw their reply to your post, which just about sums them up. So I posted a reply: "Rude so and sos aren't you? Hardly the best way to get subscribers."

I prefer the looks of the 550 inside and out, but if I were going to buy another Maranello today, I would probably go for a 575F1 - more usable in today's road / traffic conditions.

 

Now it just looks like 2 people arguing on the internet.

They want to play YouTube car reviewers, a seemingly saturated market already. And so far with marginal results

You want to prove a point or have a discussion in a comments section. I dont think either of you particularly care what the other is truly interest in. Content and subscribers for them, constructive car discussion for you in the wrong place

You both lose

 

I like to play the part of a
“typical American”?….I eat at the buffet….when the price is right (youtube/Instagram/et.al) then I’m grateful for the quantity and not focused on the quality. 8-(

I pay the Rosso fee here and feel like the quality of FerrariChat is very strong and the membership underpriced for what I personally get out of it, I don’t need to blow smoke up @tazandjan ’s skirt but if Terry only had all his value add comments behind another pay wall I’d pay extra for that quality as well.

In an age where there is so much free “social media noise” it’s hard for me to be too judgy on the quality.
Just one guys thoughts.

p.s. @niftyfivefifty if you are still out there and watching….I’ve been sad that your YouTube video with our friend Fabio singing at full volume is gone/down….it was free but I’d pay to get to keep a copy of that…sometimes when I am having a down day watching that video put a huge smile on my face - hope you are doing well.

 

You all miss the point here - which is for the presenters to get YouTube hits. No sense turning this into yet another 550 vs 575 debate thread. If one truly wanted critical reviews of the two, they would seek more in-depth information than what could be found on a single, short video review. I liked it myself - simply for the joy of listening them go through the gears in the canyon. Didn't sway my view of the two cars a bit.

Of course there are subjective and objective differences between the two models - and I have my (biased, of course!) opinion on the matter as well.

 

Did not see this as a 550 vs 575 debate, so you must have been reading different posts from the ones I read.

 

You see tomato, I see tomato...

 

Today I drove the 575 to Malibu from Beverly Hills.

Had breakfast and drove the 550 back to Beverly Hills.

Here is my short take on the two.

1. The throttle cable on the 550 is sticky… I know this can loosened up and I sent this video to my friend who owns the 550.

2. The 575 is faster by a fair bit. Feels more spritly and delicate.

3. The 550 shocks handles the bumps
More and the handling was better up until 60mph.

4. The clutch was very heavy on the 550 dispute it just being replaced.

5. Both are amazing cars. Just different.



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May the Horse be with you

 

Today, I actually enjoyed driving the 575 with F1. Just by lifting off during changes it really does emulate driving a Manual… without the clutch and gear shifter of course.

The 575 F1 is possibly the best value Ferrari in todays market.

I prefer driving a manual and this is the only reason why I am having mine converted.

If not I would be more than happy to remain with the F1.


May the Horse be with you