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Car Forum / Ferrari Cars / October 2005550 Maranello. Good 1st Ferrari?
My only experience driving a Ferrari was in 1985 when a friend allowed me to drive his 1979 512BB Boxer. Car was stunning to look at but a handful to drive. How is the 550 Maranello in comparison?. Heavy clutch?, manuverable at low speeds?. > My only experience driving a Ferrari was in 1985 when a friend allowed > me to drive his 1979 512BB Boxer. Car was stunning to look at but a > handful to drive. How is the 550 Maranello in comparison?. Heavy > clutch?, manuverable at low speeds?. You are talking about cars that have been build maybe 20+ years apart. I would think they will be chalk & cheese (never having driven either!). They are fundamentally different in almost all respects save that both have 12 cylinders, 4 wheels, 2 seats, a gearbox & a steering wheel! The only way to find out whether a 550 is right for you is to go & drive one.. Cue Mikey....."A 550 is the perfect car, go & buy it!" I. > How is the 550 Maranello in comparison?. I never drove a BB512 (would looove to!), so I can't tell about the comparison - although comparing a BB512 and a 550 is like comparing cabbage and carrots, as we say over here. > Heavy > clutch?, manuverable at low speeds?. I drove a 550 for a few miles, though. It's as easy to drive as your everyday car, except that you need to remember that you have 485bhp under your right foot (slippery when wet !).  SignatureJ.C. > My only experience driving a Ferrari was in 1985 when a friend allowed > me to drive his 1979 512BB Boxer. Car was stunning to look at but a > handful to drive. How is the 550 Maranello in comparison?. Heavy > clutch?, manuverable at low speeds?. They have power steering these days. If you're serious, go test drive one - it's the only way you'll know for sure. There must be a million and one reviews of the 550, you should read a few. 2 seconds on Google yields: http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/ferrari-550-maranello-20034 29.html http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=49771 http://www.mathewscollection.com/former/Former_Ferrari_Maranello.htm I'm puzzled as to how you've come to consider a 550 with (and I don't mean to insult) such little knowledge of the car. -MCPD Still chuckling over the 'long term' test above of a 550 with less than 5000 miles one her. > Still chuckling over the 'long term' test above of a 550 with less than > 5000 miles one her. Wha's funny??? That sounds like about a 3 or 4 year test to me !! I. > > Still chuckling over the 'long term' test above of a 550 with less than > > 5000 miles one her. > > Wha's funny??? That sounds like about a 3 or 4 year test to me !! > > I. MCPD would call that a summer trip, and more power to him. Plus with the shorter sidewalls of the 550 he could make his tyre black go a lot further... -Matt- "..." >> Wha's funny??? That sounds like about a 3 or 4 year test to me !! > > MCPD would call that a summer trip, and more power to him. > > Plus with the shorter sidewalls of the 550 he could make > his tyre black go a lot further... See? ....always worth at least a dollar! I. "matt borland" <mborland@columbus.rr.com> wrote > MCPD would call that a summer trip, and more power to him. Yes... If I could have afforded one this year :-( > Plus with the shorter sidewalls of the 550 he could make > his tyre black go a lot further... Kick a man when he's down, eh? WHY I OUGHTA....! -MCPD ("never kick a man when he's down - he may get up") I like Ferraris and when we go to Italy once a year always see the big Ferrari gathering in Naples each year. My favorite one was a Yellow Daytona Spyder. I like the 550 and 575 because they look like the old 1967-70 Shelby Mustangs. But with Italian BRIO !. But people tell me the reason they have such few miles on them even when 10 years old is because they are such a handful to drive thus their owners only drive them when they are up to it physically. > I like the 550 and 575 because they look like the old > 1967-70 Shelby Mustangs. You'll go down well with the Tifosi if you say things like that ;-) Personally, I think the 550 looks entirely a Ferrari, highly reminiscent of the equally beautiful 275GTB4 MCPD >>I like the 550 and 575 because they look like the old >>1967-70 Shelby Mustangs. > > You'll go down well with the Tifosi if you say things like that ;-) Some of the build quality on the early 550s was certainly Ford like, but I can't see any other similarities. > Personally, I think the 550 looks entirely a Ferrari, highly reminiscent > of the equally beautiful 275GTB4 > > MCPD Or dare I say the 365/GTB4. T308 SignatureLIVERPOOL FC - European Champions 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 > LIVERPOOL FC - European Champions 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 ...but currently residing in the bottom half of the premiership (just!)....calm DOWN! I. With two games in hand an no goals conceeded this YEAR! T308 > > LIVERPOOL FC - European Champions 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 > > ...but currently residing in the bottom half of the premiership > (just!)....calm DOWN! > > I. With two games in hand an no goals conceeded this YEAR! T308 (Who will be happy with second in the EPL and yet another CL title in 2006...) > Or dare I say the 365/GTB4. You dare. I was recently chatting (over a Pimm's and cucumber sandwiches, of course) with one of my near neighbours and it turns out that he has a 365 GTC hidden away somewhere. Funny old world isn't it? He is a motor trader and having acquired the car only recently he seems a little in awe of it and a little reluctant to stretch its legs, which is a terrible shame. Having never had the chance to sit behind 12 cylinders I'm trying to work out how to blag* a drive... MCPD *English slang, meaning to beg/borrow/steal without payment. "Paul Duffin" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message Having never had the chance to sit behind 12 > cylinders I'm trying to work out how to blag* a drive... Easy! You offer to let him try out your 308 at the same time. Invite him to a Pub Run and swap cars for the drive from the park to the pub. You certainly have a better bargaining chip than most people... -Matt- "..." > "Paul Duffin" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > You certainly have a better bargaining chip than most people... ISTR nobody but nobody (except maybe Mike at QV) has ever driven ol' smokey....but you make a good suggestion - I can hear Paulo "wobbling" from here! I. > > "Paul Duffin" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message > > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > I. I'm another "nobody drives my cars but me" guy but anymore if I get to supervise the driving by riding along or following in their car I'm okay with it. I've come to realize all my stuff is used anyway (my motorcycles especially!) so who gives a flying sh.t about a quick down the street? As a quick OT aside Iain, how long do you think the "my 355 has white ropy strands throughout the engine compartment after spirited driving" thread on Ferrarichat would have lasted on here before an off-color joke was made about the car liking it hard or some such was made (possibly by yours truly)...? I was honestly surprised nobody took that post to the gutter. I resisted the urge myself, but I did have two or three good jokes on deck if needed... :-) Pretty decent bunch over there, I'd say. -Matt- "..." > I'm another "nobody drives my cars but me" guy but anymore if I > get to supervise the driving by riding along or following in their car > I'm okay with it. I've come to realize all my stuff is used anyway > (my motorcycles especially!) so who gives a flying sh.t about a > quick down the street? I'll throw the keys to just about anyone (as long as they have insurance). I tried to give Mikey a go at the 308 but he turned me down. Speaking of Mikey, has anyone heard from him?? Paul, once the GTE is back on the road you'll have to come and break your V-12 duck. T308 > Paul, once the GTE is back on the road you'll have to come and break > your V-12 duck. It's a V2 duck, actually and I like it in one piece* -Paul P.S. Thanks! I'll take you up on that one of these fine days! * Motorbike reference. > > I'm another "nobody drives my cars but me" guy but anymore if I > > get to supervise the driving by riding along or following in their car [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > insurance). I tried to give Mikey a go at the 308 but he turned me > down. Speaking of Mikey, has anyone heard from him?? As for Mike, I heard from him recently. He's doing fine. Probably spending more time with his girlfriend, and so less time online. He did take the time to burn a Cibo Matto disc for me though... :-) -Matt- <<As for Mike, I heard from him recently. He's doing fine. Probably spending more time with his girlfriend, and so less time online.>> Psycho Mike's got a girlfriend? Hmm... what's her damage? Oh, come on! Like ya'll didn't wonder that about my husband before you met him! C. :::who's got a husband now!::: > <<As for Mike, I heard from him recently. He's doing fine. Probably > spending more time with his girlfriend, and so less time online.>> > > Psycho Mike's got a girlfriend? Hmm... what's her damage? I have absolutely no information beside she likes him. I don't even have a name... Still, who isn't happy for him, eh? > Oh, come on! Like ya'll didn't wonder that about my husband before you > met him! I pictured him shorter...? Kinda peckish, docile, wimpy even? :-) I certainly didn't picture him being your match in an argument, which arguably (of course) he could be... > C. :::who's got a husband now!::: Congrats! I can see it now: Paul's 'honey-do' list: rebuild engine, adjust coilovers, flush coolant... -Matt- "..." > <<As for Mike, I heard from him recently. He's doing fine. Probably > spending more time with his girlfriend, and so less time online.>> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > C. :::who's got a husband now!::: She's very nice. Rochelle. Got some kids, though - I didn't think I had the fatherly thing in me but apparently I do. M >> <<As for Mike, I heard from him recently. He's doing fine. Probably >> spending more time with his girlfriend, and so less time online.>> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > M Amazing how that happens when you become "Insta-Dad". T308 (Who has been down that road...) SignatureLIVERPOOL FC - European Champions 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 Isn't this pleasant? -Paul (Wondering how long it will last :-/ ) > Isn't this pleasant? > > -Paul > (Wondering how long it will last :-/ ) Screw you guys! I'm outta here! -Matt- "At least for a few minutes." matt borland wrote: >>Isn't this pleasant? >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -Matt- "At least for a few minutes." Uh, penalty - five yards - lame use of weak bad word phrase in the group! Correct phrase usage: f.ck OFF, a.sholes! You should know that by now. Five more yards for being ignorant. dbh matt borland wrote: <<Screw you guys! I'm outta here!>> <<Uh, penalty - five yards - lame use of weak bad word phrase in the group!>> No South Park where you live? Don't you have cable? C. > matt borland wrote: > <<Screw you guys! [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > C. Now that I have to shuttle a couple kids around, and watch them at home until Mom comes home, South Park is strictly verboten. I've watched the 10 yr-old try to figure out the lock code on the remote; hilarious. Not that I've ever watched it myself. "Beavis and Butthead" was more my style if I went that way at all. Nowadays, if I want sophomoric, ridiculous humor I just go rent "Road Trip". Makes me want to order French Toast! Without powdered sugar! dbh I happen to like "Evolution" also. Good goofy movie. > Now that I have to shuttle a couple kids around, and watch them at > home until Mom comes home, South Park is strictly verboten. Have you sampled 'Team America: World Police'? ('unsuitable for minors') Wonderful. -Paul >>Now that I have to shuttle a couple kids around, and watch them at >>home [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -Paul I watched it. Can't say I had the same reaction. By the time it was 3/4 through I was looking for a pickaxe. dbh > Isn't this pleasant? > > -Paul > (Wondering how long it will last :-/ ) For a while at least, but isn't half the fun the return of the exile? I wonder who will leave/be banished next? T308 SignatureLIVERPOOL FC - European Champions 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 matt borland wrote: > As for Mike, I heard from him recently. He's doing fine. Probably spending > more time with his girlfriend, and so less time online. Two cat 5 Hurricanes in a month and now Mikey's got a g/f? Can the four horsemen be far behind? The world is truly coming to an end. T308 SignatureLIVERPOOL FC - European Champions 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 > matt borland wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > T308 You know what's next of course... LOCUSTS!!!!!!!!! -Matt- "..." matt borland wrote: >>>I'm another "nobody drives my cars but me" guy but anymore if I >>>get to supervise the driving by riding along or following in their car [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > -Matt- And in return you sent me Damageplan and The Sneaker Pimps! (Best Green Goblin voice) Impressive!! I want to say you gave as good as you got, but I think you stepped it up a bit. I'll have to send you some select choices from my Wayne Newton, Michael Bolton, and Celine Dion collection as recompense. dbh Ooh wait, I got some Christopher Cross and Kenny G as well. "death by hurricane" <user@example.net> wrote in message > > As for Mike, I heard from him recently. He's doing fine. Probably spending > > more time with his girlfriend, and so less time online. He did take the time [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Ooh wait, I got some Christopher Cross and Kenny G as well. You are still a very sick man. -Matt- "Do that and I'll send you Pat Boone's 'In a Metal Mood'". matt borland wrote: > "death by hurricane" <user@example.net> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > -Matt- "Do that and I'll send you Pat Boone's 'In a Metal Mood'". Hey - I WANT Pat Boone's 'In a Metal Mood'! That black leather vest - chest hair - David Hasselhoff knockoff thing gets me hot, every time! dbh >>I'm another "nobody drives my cars but me" guy but anymore if I >>get to supervise the driving by riding along or following in their car [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > T308 You lying sod! Somehow we were never quite in touch enough for me to get there and grind your gears. However, on that trip I will admit to mostly wondering why I always saw a fog and the sidewalks seemed to tilt a bit. dbh I would like a 512 TR as my daily driver. Testarossa's and 512's are not as easy to live with as the 550's and 575M's. Then again I don't like the styling or interior of the 550's and 575's at all. D.H. >> My only experience driving a Ferrari was in 1985 when a friend allowed >> me to drive his 1979 512BB Boxer. Car was stunning to look at but a [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Still chuckling over the 'long term' test above of a 550 with less than > 5000 miles one her. >My only experience driving a Ferrari was in 1985 when a friend allowed >me to drive his 1979 512BB Boxer. Car was stunning to look at but a >handful to drive. How is the 550 Maranello in comparison?. Heavy >clutch?, manuverable at low speeds?. It is a great 1st Ferrari. Can be used every day. Here is a link to a good guide on the 550: http://www.ferrariforum.com/classified/guides.php#42
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