Used Ferrari 575 2002 - 2006 review

Category: Sports car

More a superfast tourer than a sports car

Ferrari 575 (02 - 06)
  • Ferrari 575 (02 - 06)
  • Ferrari 575 (02 - 06)
Used Ferrari 575 2002 - 2006 review
Star rating

What's the used Ferrari 575M coupe like?

If you were unsure about the definition of a Grand Tourer, you'd only need to look at the 575 (which was derived from the 550) to instantly understand - a front-engined, rear-wheel-driven V12 powerhouse with a Ferrari badge on the front.

Granted, this isn't Ferrari's sharpest-handling car. It has massive ability, but lacks the effortless control of a 360 if you try to push on through a bend.

Overview

More a superfast tourer than a sports car

  • It's comfortable and luxurious, with stunning speed and a wonderful noise
  • The handling is a bit mushy for a supercar

However, this isn't the point of a GT. Cruising ability is the key factor here, and that's where the 575 excels. The ride is absorbent over most surfaces, and although there's a bit of tyre noise at speed, refinement is excellent.

The cabin is beautifully made and gives a feeling of luxury worthy of a Ferrari GT. There's also a huge list of standard equipment, but then again, for this sort of money, so there should be.

Ownership cost

What used Ferrari 575M coupe will I get for my budget?

How much does it cost to run a Ferrari 575M coupe?

You wouldn't be considering a Ferrari if you were short of a few quid, but the 575 is sensationally expensive.

True, this means that used versions will have depreciated by tens of thousands, but getting your hands on one will still cost you a huge wedge of cash. If your heart is set on a Superamerica, you'll pay the most. Even if you can find one, the price tag on the 2005 car was almost £200,000.

Fuel consumption checks in at the 13mpg mark, and it'll also cost you an absolute packet to insure and service. Low running costs may not be important to Ferrari owners, but the 575 is pricey to run, even by Ferrari standards.

Our recommendations

Which used Ferrari 575M coupe should I buy?

The 575 was derived from the 550, but unlike that car, the 575 came only as a coupe for most of its life. Mind you, that's no bad thing. The 550 Barchetta soft-top was vastly more expensive, and Grand Tourers don't really work when they haven't got a roof.

The coupe body suits the car's character perfectly, and it's faster than the soft-top, which is heavier because of the extra weight of its roof-folding mechanism.

The 575 uses a 5.7-litre V12 with 508bhp, and even more performance than the 550 it replaced. Refinement was also improved, along with cabin trim, and the F1-style paddleshift gearbox also became available.

A drop-top 575, the Superamerica, with a flip-top Targa-style hood, did come along, but only just before the car was replaced by the 599 GTB.

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Ferrari 575M coupe?