The 550 maranello is the greatest car ever.

Timeless


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3048 made, but how many are left? And how many NEW car enthusiasts are are looking for cool cars these days? From 1997-2002 and until now, several continents of the world has had an enormous economic growth. How many Chineese were buying Ferraris in the late 90ies? There are 1,3 billion people there at the moment. America has more millionairs and billionairs than ever before. These 550s are the next investment model. The Testarossa is quite dated and at the same time not a real 60s/70s classic car with the lack of chrome details etc. The newer like 599 has no classic appearance at all. The F12 and 812 are great but a bit fast and furious in the design and has no Pininfarina badges... And no manual click click transmission. Add the reliability and build quality, and the V12 power and sound and there is only one Ferrari that check all the boxes. Add that it does 200 mph. and has airbags etc. There is only one model!!!

 

You know how much I love the 550 and I see all your points.

My point is...people should stop focusing/wishing on potential future value as part of a reason to have a car.

Yes the manual is great but we have to also consider a huge majority actually prefer flappy paddle or even fully automatic these days. Even from people I really didn't expect it off actually prefer a flappy/automatic for the real world these days.

I remain of the opinion that those ''collectors'' who only buy cars in the hope the value goes up are not good for car enthusiasts in the long run. The real enthusiasts will be priced out, the collectors in cars that aren't easy to maintain don't really drive them anyways, so by the time others can actually buy them, they'll have overpaid for a car with a myriad of problems, only to find the parts they need are impossible to get leaving them unable to enjoy the car they lusted after for so long.

There is also the fact (not for all, but many) that if prices do shoot up, current owners will actually be priced out from enjoying their cars...they'll start to realize every mile they put on the car will affect it's value more and more. Risk of damage they don't want to take. That's not just true for 550's but other cars, too. E36/46 M3 prices went balistic in the last 2 years, i personally know of 2 people that sold the car they lusted after for so long for precisely the reason cited. Yes they made a great profit, but both are sad because the car they wanted for so long they practically HAD to sell because they couldn't ignore the profit and potential loss.

 

I agree. A car that is driven regularly and serviced is the best running car. I prefer real automatic transmission in my daily driver. My daily is a XK8 Convertible. But I love driving the manual 550. I just wish it cpuld have a 7th gear or have less rpms in 6th. Especially when driving through the continent.

 

Thank you, whomever merged the threads

 

I guess easiest way to achieve this would be by changing the final drive...and then drop 100 or so kilo's from the car (front + rear bumper + skirts in carbon will do a huge chunk of this) to offset some of the lost pull.

 

I have checked this thoroughly. It will cost about 6.000 euro + installation. I believe the accelleration will not be too different from original, but of course each gear will take slightly more time to empty but the car will also achieve a higher speed in each gear.

 

Australian Dollars perhaps….


May the Horse be with you

 

Only after I make my 550 into a track car and completely destroy it's value...

 

Seats in my 575 were HEAVY; easy place to save some weight!

If someone makes high quality lightweight carbon clone bumpers (note the 550/575 are slightly different in the rear as well)….I’m game!

 

Yeah a huge difference it won't be, but it'll be an improvement in all areas...Acceleration, braking, cornering. Little difference that do add up.

The seats alone weigh a combined 58kg for the 550, not sure what 575 seats weigh. Adjustable sport seats should weigh around 12-15kg each with fixed back in carbon around 6. That doesn't count for the electric moving seat sliders, either.

There's so much weight hiding in these things it's not even funny.

Replacing the bumpers, skirts, boot (trunk), front fenders to full carbon, a lithium battery, rear boxes of the exhaust to aftermarket and adjustable sport seats should take an easy 150kg out of the car without changing comfort. That's a serious amount of weight. That's not much more than I weight and I'm really tall and not exactly skinny.

 

I have to say that my manual 599 is fricken awesome. Thanks EAG. I have never driven a 550 Maranello, but the secondary catless sound, extra horsepower and sheer acceleration of the 599 is an epic experience.

 

The 599 with the Enzo derived V12 engine is simply magnificent.

 

You are 92? Congratulations and hoping for many more years!! I am 72 and still have the passion for driving the prancing horse. God has blessed us all for being able to enjoy Maranello's wonderful creations.

 

After craving out an exception for the AC, I vote the Daytona as the best Ferrari ever. 400 Rock 'N' Roll horses are enough for this old guy.

 

The speed of the 599 certainly doesn't leave you for wanting more...that engine is just superb.

 

Since the 599 has looks only a mother would love, it is lucky to have been given a great engine to compensate.

 

I am so sorry but I disagree as I am very fortunate to own both, I disagree with your comment as they are completely different driving style and you can not really compare, different era and different cars. I love my 550 and my 599 and I use them for different reasons, which is very hard to explain as it is a personal feeling. 550 in my humble opinion it’s special for so many reason but also the 599 is exceptional in my opinion but I do not have the knowledge that so many have a F chat but I do enjoy both and I wish one day I get the privilege to drive a 599 GTO or a manual version but working my way there [emoji4]
I am a novice compared to many of you but it’s just my opinion. Enjoy the time we have and enjoy more the cars love you all


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Right, FBB. I've gone and destroyed my 550's value with all the track miles I and its previous owner put on my car, ~11,000 miles in total. I love it anyway and especially for its identity crisis. It doesn't know if it's a race car or a GT car...


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These days, it gets me to the track to meet up with my F355 Challenge...


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...always willing to substitute for the Challenge car should it break down during an HPDE event.

 

My maranello Daytona seats

 

….channeling Matthew maconahay….
now that’s livin….l-i-v-i-n!

 

Now, Now.....

The 599 is Classic Ferrari and I only think it will get prettier as the years go on.


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Hi Seth!

92 and driving Ferrari and posting on Fchat!!! Wow. That deserves an atticle in itself. Can you tell about your story from your first to your recent cars? That would be really cool to hear. I keep saying that fast cars and boats make people keep healthy and fresh. I quess you are a good proof of just that!

Cheers from Oslo

 

Agree. Everyone different opinions. But my opinion it’s a very handsome attractive model. Another model which
doesn’t always photo well


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