Good article. While the 599 is an amazing car, looking at prices of 550's right now, they look like the bargain of the Ferrari market.

http://www.ferrarilife.com/flq/flq.php
Issue 9 page 6

 

Are 550's reliable?

 

My old boss had one with 65K, with not one issue.

 

Nice cars with that fabulous Ferrari 12 cylinder engine.

 

Yes very, if you adhere to the factory maintenance schedule.

 

i allways liked the 550. one day im going to buy one.

 

i think prices on 456s and 550s are coming down due to the added strain of high maintenance costs. testarossa are tanking quicker than 308 and 328s

 

the 550 barchetta is all time fav car....they are under 200k now!


btw here is a read on 550 mant

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/09/w...-a-late-model/

 

I just recently traded in my 1997 550 after 6 years of troublefree ownership and 30k miles on the odometer. Maintenance wise, I spent about $800-$1000 per year for basic service including fluid changes and in the fifth year the 30k major cost $7500. I also spent about $1500 replacing the hoses. With depreciation and maintenance the car cost me about $1,100 a month to own. I can't think of any cars that I could lease for that amount that I would have rather owned.

 

I took a recent look at 550 prices. Many are now under 360 prices. If yo can afford the maintenance, it has to be one of the best buys in the Ferrari market right now.

 

550/575 was/is one of the best-looking 12-cylinder modern Ferrari. It can't hold a candle to the 599 in the performance sense and is very GT-ish from my limited drive of one. If you like the drive, then you'd be getting a GREAT-looking car for cents on the dollar.

 

A buddy DD a 550 for 30K miles without a problem. It was 1997, too.

575M would be an awesome weekend toy. Very under appreciated.