Ferrari 550 Maranello **SOLD** - Video Test Drive with Chris Moran - Supercar Network

A sexy black Ferrari 550 Maranello...complete with Tubi exhaust! Presented by D&M Motorsports and hosted by Chris Moran

Marking a return to a front-engined layout for flagship sporting Ferraris, the 550 Maranello sparked a revival of more usable Ferrari models. With a layout harking back to the Daytona of the Seventies, the 550 backed up its position by carrying a stick the size of a giant redwood. With 485bhp to call upon, it was at least two seconds quicker around the Fiorano test track than the Ferrari F355 itself no slouch. With used models now starting to appear, can a 550 Maranello justify itself on any rational basis? Find out here.

Leaving aside the question of depreciation, performance or running costs, the less tangible aspects of Ferrari ownership come to the fore with the 550. Take the interior for starters. Theres a refreshing lack of pretension in its execution, a firm understanding of Ferrari heritage and whats necessary and whats mere frippery. No pompous walnut veneer here, no mock-F1 style carbon fibre.

Nor are there modern niceties like steering wheel stereo controls, dimming mirrors or cup holders. Can you imagine the late Enzo Ferrari ever specifying cup holders in one of his cars? The very thought of trying to drink while at the helm of a Ferrari. The great man would turn in his grave. No, a Ferrari cockpit should always be designed for driving - and this one is.

That doesn't stop it from being an automotive work of art, however, swathed in leather with careful chrome touches here and there. Take the polished gear-knob - it looks and feels extraordinary. Alone, it must be worth £500; or maybe even £1,000 - who can tell? Though the exterior styling may be more Beckham than Barrichello, this is a car for people who love Ferraris and don't mind others knowing. Perhaps it is this more than anything else that marks the 550 Maranellos greatness. You can't imagine someone who might otherwise consider, say, a Mercedes SL or a Jaguar XK8 buying this car; it's too wild - too extreme. But, unlike the F360 Modena, not so wild and extreme that you couldn't really use it as everyday transport. Which, by almost any justification, is about as good as it gets.

That the Ferrari 550 Maranello can now be had for five figures rather than six is probably not going to prompt a buying stampede, but it nonetheless makes the car look conspicuously good value against admittedly newer rivals. In many ways, the beautiful thing about the 550 Maranello is that with a private plate on, only a true Ferrari anorak would ever know which model year it was. When used valuations vary by over £50,000, theres a pragmatic sort of appeal to this course of action. Opening values for a 550 are around £43,000 for a 1997 P-registered car, whilst a more recent 2001 X-plated model will fetch in the region of £62,000.

Insurance? Youd be disappointed if it were anything other than Group 20

The 550 Maranello is an astonishingly reliable car. In order to demonstrate its durability, a team of British journalists drove one from Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego, a trip of over 3000 miles on a mixture of tarmac, snow and dirt tracks. Despite the merciless pounding the car received, the only reported fault was a broken temperature sensor on a catalyst, testament to the 550s mechanical ruggedness. Using four valves per cylinder instead of the increasingly common Ferrari five, the Maranello is a surprisingly uncomplicated beast.

[ChrisDrivesCars]

It's seriously a great value to buy right now. They will not depreciate, and as long as it's up to date on maintenance, you really cannot break it. I took this exact car on a 400 mile road trip, and it was one of the most comfortable cars. One of my absolute all time favorites. I'll own one personally someday.

[resplendentwitticism]

To me one of the best looking cars ever made.

[ChrisDrivesCars]

You are correct...mostly. The Maranello was updated for the 2002 model year, becoming the 575 Maranello. When the 575 was introduced, it was the first F1 transmission available in the Maranello. I have driven a 575 F1...and I'd take a manual any day.

[thatoneguy]

My dad's first Ferrari was a 2001 550 in titanium metallic with Bordeaux interior that he picked up from the factory. I'll never forget that car.

[thesantiso]

This is just the BEST Ferrari and the BEST sports car I've ever seen.
 I'll tell you why. Not because the engine is something unique, as I prefer other engines over this one, though it's still a marvelous piece of engineering. Not because it's performance.
 But because of it's looks. It's the simple, austere touch that makes it sublime. A somewhat straight line that covers all it's body from tail to head being a bit wider than the cabin's, so that it looks a bit like a boat... In fact, this kind of design was referred to as boat-design (Alfa Romeo's Giulia, Fiat 1500 Euro Vignale Cupe, etc.). The height-length relation of the car is flawless. The front end of the car has that look of a bull shark with wide, big, hunting eyes (the headlights) and a bit opened mouth (the grill). The back of the car. The most unique and perfect part of it. The curvature of the back line (looking at it straightly from the back), making it a lo-angle arc gives that sporty amazing look, leaving the car without the necessity of adding a spoiler on it. In fact, there's a really low-profile spoiler that looks superb.
 Hell I cannot speak about ALL the parts of the car. But you get the point. I'm not a big fan of Ferrari. Never was. I'm all into German cars. But this is a true work of art

[justmechanicthings]

As a technician i had the pleasure of test driving one once. it was savage! the traction control was always losing the fight with that magnificent v12!

[MasterBait]

Need for speed III made it my favorite ferrari

[roberts]

I wish Ferrari still offered a traditional manual transmission. I know it's not as fast round a track, but it's so much more satisfying to drive on the street.

[ZLAKOZILLA]

love the 550. it looks much better than the the last ferrari gt versions.

[ege]

This car is the prettiest thing on mother earth .

[oClucker]

one of my favorite ferrari's not sure why. i think i just like the look and the fact that its not ridiculously expensive and if i play my cards right i may be able to purchase my

[DesmRob]

great review! How reliable is it really though, for a daily driver? What sort of annual service costs are owners paying on average? And did these engines have timing belts or chains?

[FahrerNordschleife]

"They're almost brand new. If they're not brand new, they have better than 95% of wear on them."

"There really isn't no damage to speak of"

The Testarossa a rear-engined V12?

Good lord, man.. are you alright?

[MrrrSpock]

Great video and car!! I was wondering what the music is that starts at 7:48 Do you know the artist/title? Thanks!

[mrbondohrama]

Chris, do you remember if this car had a full tubi exhaust system or just the back box?

[wba]

nice review! im ganna be bidding on a 2000 f550

[imbluz]

This car is tight! great looking and great riding vehicle.

[djkasdjkasdjdjdj]

mine too, well until the 599 came out, thats nice too

[IronmanLE]

my uncle sold me A beautiful 550 maranello for only $30k with 32, 000 miles! I am extremely lucky to have a rich uncle who was willing to give it to me so cheap!!

[chrillenews]

My godfather he had one i Love that car !!!!