The 2003 Ferrari 575M is Imperfect Grand Touring Royalty

The Ferrari 575M marked the beginning of Ferrari's paddle-shifted future and is one of the greatest grand touring classics available. The 550 (on which this 2003 575M is based) was a return to Ferrari's formula of front-engined V12-powered flagship cars. How is the F1 gearbox? The suspension that changes at the push of a button? How are the plastics holding up? Watch and find out.
2003 Ferrari 575M F1
Engine: 5.75-liter V12
Power: 508HP / 434lb-ft
Weight: ~4100lbs
0-60: 4.2s
0-150MPH: 22.1s (1.4s quicker than the 550)
1/4 mile: 12.25s
MSRP: $247,000
Thank you to Porsche of Colorado Springs for letting me drive this car. They have a bunch of incredible stuff in their showroom, from Porsche GT cars to Taycans to a Ferrari 512BB and even a few Singers (those aren't for sale). Call/visit them and ask for John Dyste! www.porscheofcoloradosprings....
Ferrari listing: www.porscheofcoloradosprings....
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T: @thesmokingtire @zackklapman
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[@RizzlaD93]

Drive it like you are mike Lowrey

[@TheSmokingTire]

They wouldn't let me jump it OR drive behind a car-hauler jettisoning cars onto the road.

[@2fast2nick]

I’m Mike Loooooooowrey

[@sbusisombatha5899]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Mike Lowwrrryyyy B*#ch!!!!!!!

[@raphaeldelaghetto5343]

It was the dashboard!

[@Stuart3162]

Everyone wants to be like Mike.

[@RussianSupaPowa]

Fell in love with this car after watching Mike Lowry thrash it around Miami.

[@enesset]

@Nutbox Deliverer bad boys

[@duileyah]

haha! It was the 964 turbo for me.

[@elliottcaras3281]

Yeah but what made that so epic was they used the F355 engine note dubbed over to make it exciting.

[@davedovala2700]

Have a 575 diecast model sitting on my shelf since dirt was new. After all these years of wondering you have clearly conveyed the nuances of what it's like to actually have a go!

[@baileybrewer1172]

I share the same shameless love for the 550/575. I really, really hope I can own a 550 one day.

[@minno234]

Go for the 575M - all the irritating glitches of the 550 ironed out. Make sure it has a Fiorano Pack and 19" split rims. The paddle shift it manual BTW.

[@enzoalec92]

Need For Speed: High Stakes on the original PlayStation made me fall in love with this car - yes, I know it's actually a 550 in the game. Memories of blasting down a tree-lined country road in Scotland (Celtic Ruins) while racing against a C5 Corvette in the dead of night, with Callista by Saki Kaskas (RIP) as the perfect soundtrack...

[@williedowdy6830]

You just took me back to great memories, thank you sir!

[@Arjun-eb1yc]

Same here, Need For Speed High Stakes. Although I played on PC. This car was an understated beauty.

[@farm_life_mob]

Yeah Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 3 for the original PlayStation introduced me to this legendary ride, but Bad Boys 2 made me idolize this beast on the road.

[@longtailgt]

Same! But for me it was the PC version. I miss those classic 90s NFS games so much. The passion and love for cars just oozes from every part of the game. Something that post-2002 titles never managed.

[@CruiseControl1]

Beautiful car, a manual 550 would be my choice. The road he is on is called the 24 and it takes you into Woodland Park, great road.

[@CarsandCorey]

24 is a great road, just not on the weekends ;-)

[@ThatRosco458]

I believe he's on Route 67 as well, which if taking it south takes you to Route 24 and Woodland Park.

[@CruiseControl1]

@@CarsandCorey Agreed

[@CruiseControl1]

@@ThatRosco458 Could be on the 67, that's another great road. I know when he is at the light that's the 24 getting back into Manitou Springs.

[@ThatRosco458]

@@CruiseControl1 Yeah seems so. I have an Alfa Romeo 4C I take up there every once in a while, like to get there very early. I do a loop through Bailey and Tarryall and back to Colorado Springs, great roads no doubt 👍

[@Maelstrom8]

The passion in Zack's voice tells it all. Pure gearhead joygasm! I love it. THIS is why we love cars. Wonderful video, Sir!

[@davevan9150]

GT cars of that era feel as light as today's sports cars. A great generation.

[@miguelajanel2332]

It’s no ferrari but my 2008 mazdaspeed 3 GT weighs in around 3000lb

[@Overland_History]

This is why I enjoy watching Zack videos so much, the guy's passion for these cars definitely comes through in his videos! Great work Zack!

[@kristopherseibert9004]

Thanks for bringing us along Zack! Beautiful car.... surprised me how quiet it is too!

[@Kamukix]

I have never clicked on a video so quickly! I am 1000% absolutely still head over heels in love with the GLORIOUSLY 550/575 especially the manual, but I'd take any of them. True works of art. 👌

[@TheSmokingTire]

High five! - ZK

[@Kamukix]

@@TheSmokingTire I'm SO glad you got to experience this, and your hero was just as great as you were hoping it would be.

[@mikepawlikguitar]

550 Maranello fam checking in here. Used to play NFS III: Hot Pursuit around 1998, and this car was then permanently embedded into my soul forever!

[@MarcSob22]

The 550 and 575 need to be manual!! The 550 is the most gorgeous "modern" GT ever made!

[@Leonidae]

This is the way.

[@victoralley708]

I agree. Absolutely must be a manual.

[@johnmitchell2269]

The 550 was only available as a manual. The majority of 575m were sold as auto's, but some were sold with a manual. Because those manuals are rare though, they cost way more. A smart idea would be to buy an auto 575m and get professionals to convert it to a manual. 575m had the optional Fiorano Pack which improved the suspension and handling.

[@Rei_n1]

Modernish gt.... :)

[@EVILSPAWN1003]

You must have forgot the Aston Martin DBS.....

[@skagerstrom]

This and the 550 are some of the very few Ferraris I actually drool over :P So elegant.

[@IntegraDIY]

Would be cool to see more older modified cars getting driven and tested 😁🙏

[@TheSmokingTire]

We're down!

[@stevenwilliams1805]

I kinda miss that from TST.

[@rds6962]

@@grievuspwn4g3 Only OG's of TST remember about the "3 brakes" incident...

[@spadgm]

This!!!

[@DJFaNaTiiC]

@@rds6962 please explain

[@lukef13]

We can tell who’s been out on the water all summer lol love all the marine comparisons

[@atticusrussell1225]

Love the legit GT stuff

[@RedC220]

I drove a manual one of these, it was the most wonderful car I've ever driven. I'm now actively seeking an F1 version to convert to manual as the factory manuals command too much premium these days.

[@jetara3082]

Not saying it's the biggest task in the car universe, totally doable from a mechanical standpoint, but 550/575 parts are expensive nowadays and to get it all working you'll better have a technician who has some Ferrari experience. Still, it has been done and looking at the price difference which is like 70K in my country it may still be an option, furthermore you have much more cars available, so you'll probably find an F1 that suits you better than a manual car. For instance you won't ever find a manual Fiorano Pack car. The parts you'll need are really, really expensive, cause they are (surprise) Ferrari Parts. First you'll need a pair of ECUs, cause it's a different Version Motronic F1/Manual. There goes the first 10K for nothing. In the end you'll have parts for around 25-30K at the very least if you search the parts yourself, don't rely on new parts only and maybe have some luck with trading in an F1 gearbox. No screw has been touched to this point. Most of the converted 575s were cars that had been in the hands of the owner for long and they wanted to change to manual, so money has not really been an issue, if you are price sensitive and consider that in resale a converted car will most likely not get you the same money as an original manual this may be close to Zero money you'll actualy save. It's nevertheless a cool project and you will end up with a fantastic car, but in the end, if you want one of those with a manual the 550 is the way to go in my opinion.

[@RedC220]

@@jetara3082 It can be done for GBP 20K and has been done for that amount all in,. NLA parts can now be 3D scanned and milled. The ECU's can be flashed and there is someone who is and has been succesfully doing that for some time, again in the UK. Most parts are interchangable with 550 parts which are on the whole available from breakers. Do also bear in mind that nearly 30% of the 575 supplied in RHD were manual transmission. So at least here there are more than you think. I'm quite a way into this and it's not a pipe dream, I've done plenty of research before I started my search for an F1 car. The guy that can do this for me converted his own 612 to manual, which is way more complex from an ecu and electronics standpoint. The 575 is a walk in the park in comparison. The bigger difficulty is trim components like the steering column surround if you want to remove the paddles and complete the full manual look. a-gearstick-where-once-there-was-none on the F Chat forum tells you all you need to know.

[@machtschnell7452]

There is a company set up to do precisely that. They do 430 too.

[@putinputout4023]

This review is one of my favourite. Thanks Zack

[@loonatticat]

A friend of mine ordered a 575, visited the factory, spec’d an INCREDIBLE interior, chose a better Ferrari wheel package that wasn’t even listed an option… it was an amazing car. Later traded it for a 458 Speciale that was less personal, but so much more Four Five Eight. An unscrupulous Ferrari dealer helped him out of the 458 in exchange for a LaFerrari allocation that never panned out. I’m not sure which trade he regretted more. Sometimes, you just have to stop climbing and get off the mountain. Edit: The subject of this video is a beautiful car. The spec of my friends’ 575 was SO perfect, your tester is less than ordinary by comparison. I don’t mean that as an insult as much as a statement of how great these cars CAN be.

[@KCScorpion34]

1st time I saw a 550 was in Need for Speed High Stakes. Loved that car. One of my top 5 favorite Ferraris!

[@easye97401]

Video was good! These are my favorite Ferrari of this time. The looks are timeless and the engine is amazing.

[@DoWorkExotics]

Love that torque filled engine.

[@davect01]

Zack's enthusiasm is enjoyable to watch even if I don't care about this car

[@chamade166]

Who would not care about this car?

[@jareknowak8712]

@@chamade166 HAL 9000

[@user-gl1uk9uc9o]

Such a great commentary...beautifully done. Thankyou from a 12-year 550 owner!

[@idunlap34]

My old car! Great review of the car!

[@damienlee1165]

Ferraris GT cars are what defines them in my opinion, all the competitors also make mid engined monsters but none build a GT like Ferrari.

[@allensaunders449]

The midengine platform is better

[@coreygolphenee9633]

@@allensaunders449 but they are more darting insect than prancing horse which was his point

[@allensaunders449]

@@coreygolphenee9633 I love the look of the newer midengine cars to each his own

[@coreygolphenee9633]

@@allensaunders449 the 458 is an all timer it goes down down with the boxer 330 and the best of the mid engine offerings, its just their GT cars are like their Mercedes s class it should be their flagship otherwise they are just lamborghini

[@allensaunders449]

@@coreygolphenee9633 the new hybrids the SF90 the 6 I think they are great nothing like Lamborghini

[@pininfarina575]

I really empathize with Zack here. This was the car that inspired my ID as a kid. I just went to a show room where a red one of these was for sale. The sales person was a Mercedes Benz sales rep (the owner of the dealership was selling it) and had no clue about the car, and let me sit in the car. I was essentially behaving the same way Zack was in this video - like the kid we were when we were inspired by this car.

[@mcbedeakin]

Living the dream Zack! Great review!

[@michaelbrown9363]

Since 550 values have jumped, this might be the way to go for under $100k. *searches for 575 in colors other than red* Thanks for the video Zack.

[@AmraphelofShinar]

I'm on board with you brother. Absolutely one of the most beautiful designs to come out of the 1990's. Glad you got to experience it in real life!

[@gavdcookuk512]

Beautiful car and I’m sure you’ll own one someday.

[@benreifhardt4471]

Ever since I drove the 550 in NFS 3 on the PS1 I have always had an affinity for these cars. It's the best looking Ferrari of all time imo.

[@SigMan66]

Always have loved the 550/575 platform, just such a perfect looking GT car. Great review bud and nice scenery up there!

[@TheSmokingTire]

Gorgeous place. That was quite a day, other than the S2000 going 12mph under the speed limit.

[@chrisej5987]

I thought it looked familiar then I remembered this was an away one take and I was just out there on vacation. 😅

[@ossBASHA]

Congrats on surpassing 1M subs! Well deserved 👏

[@Mr54ford]

I remember picking this car up at my local frys grocery store back in year 2000 when I was 7 years old. I loved everything about the car followed with the 575 GTC. Now I have an spread sheet alone for this car.

[@rykalskyes8888]

Thanks Zack. Very well done for this car

[@tallgeese1953]

I love the look of this car as well. I remember the first one I saw I instantly liked it. I’m really glad this is a case where meeting your hero wasn’t disappointing!

[@fiors73]

great review ! thanks

[@jonowen6612]

What a lovely car. Awesome video.

[@gregorymachenil4868]

Great review Zack!

[@ryaneccles1237]

Zack is a riot! I love it!

[@lachezarlazarov7566]

Literally my favourite car !

[@lambo4ever]

Great review. I adore the 550/575!

[@clyde5273]

I used to own a 2002 575M and still regret the fact that I couldn't keep it when I bought my F430 Spider, it was a fantastic car, great tourer, comfortable, gorgeous. The 2 issues I had with it were that it wasn't a track car and I wanted to enjoy tracking my car once in a while, and I had an issue with the slow F1 paddle transmission that if you tried to rush it too quickly it would bump into neutral, and that would drive me crazy. I brought it to the local Ferrari dealer plus other Ferrari experts and they couldn't fix it. Finally they just told me its an old first generation F1 tranny for the V12 and you just can't rush it. Aside from that it was a great car and I miss it. My spec was just about exactly like your test car, except I had the 3 piece wheels

[@TheSmokingTire]

A slight throttle lift when shifting seemed to help. I think you made the right choice in moving on and having a different F experience.- ZK

[@clyde5273]

@@TheSmokingTire Thank you Zack. I have actually moved on from the F430 Spider a few years ago and got myself a McLaren 600LT which I love, though I do miss having a Ferrari. It would be so great if I had the ability to keep all my old sports cars.

[@patrick815]

I love the 575. Great review!!

[@Mighty_Marty]

Really excitet for this! As a kid I had a red 575 Maranello as a Hot Wheels and it was my favourite one. 💕

[@fernandososa5547]

I love these and couldn't agree more with you... but the Prodrive 550 Racecar (in red) with the wider arches is just the absolute best and glorious to look at!

[@gt_grandtouring]

This car is very you Zack. You need to own one, one day.

[@kingjaf]

Wow, the 575M always occupies some space in the hero garage for me too. Zach having a good summer, dream car drive that didn't disappoint and Steve Dinan himself working on his ride. I wonder how hard it is to un-automate the F1 box? Same concept used on M3 SMGs and Aston Martin should be doable.

[@PeteRench]

I'm with you, Zach. My favorite Ferraris. Great video!

[@R3LF13]

Sometimes I love being the same age as you guys. I too remember staring at magazine photos of the 550 when it first came out. 😍

[@EmmanuelTurner245225]

How old is Zack, like, 35?

[@R3LF13]

@@EmmanuelTurner245225 I believe they are both 39 - class of 99/2000

[@EmmanuelTurner245225]

@@R3LF13 Wow, I wouldn't have guessed. Thanks.

[@richardtribe9788]

It was worth the vid. Thanks

[@TheSmokingTire]

Thank you!

[@TommioRS]

Legit the 550 and 575 is my favorite Ferrari. Nothing compares.

[@lukewaring2832]

Thanks for sharing..

[@nickfusco9667]

Still my all-time favorite Ferrari! Had a silver 1:18 scale die cast model in my bedroom as a kid. There was a red one at my local Cars & Coffee this past weekend and I stared at it for a very long time. lol Bellissimo!!

[@MrFabiobilla]

Nice review. It’s days that I look at the 550 because a Ferrari v12 with a manual gated transmission will be next level in the electric world

[@MannyScoot]

I took your advice for my 2002 model M and did the catless longtube Fiammenghi race headers all the way back to Tubi mufflers and included a 360 Trev tune which totally transformed the car's performance. I ditched the terrible factory coilovers and did Muller MSC 1 way coilovers and replaced all the control arm bushings with Powerflex units. Then added some black HRE wheels and Michelin PS4 tires w/ new TPMS sensors...... and wow what a difference that made !!!!!

[@agrippa1234]

I like the (speed) boat analogy as she gains speed and rotates dropping its nose.....well said

[@jays9211]

Beautiful car. I’ve been lusting for a 599 that one day I’ll purchase.

[@lknanml]

Just an amazing GT design.

[@fanman71]

Sounds like the GTC Handling Package was a must w/ the modified suspension, low restriction exhaust & upgraded wheels. Love this car.

[@bodenwhitmore7699]

I have always thought the 550 and 575 looked great, and it makes me so happy that they are nice to drive as well, just seems like a perfect classic grand touring Ferrari

[@GS-zc4sk]

Never understood the obsession with the sound of a car. A little goes a long way.

[@TheSmokingTire]

When did you first see a 550/575? Was it "Bad Boys II" or Need for Speed?

[@QuavyQua]

Lol Bad Boys II for me

[@joephillips262]

Need for Speed

[@NeoNeko99]

A manual 550 is the dream for me 😍

[@YourMother88]

One of the most beautiful cars ever made.

[@sutats]

Engine and exhaust noises sounds like those that you'd actually hear from car racing games of its time.

[@solidsnake3861]

drives a Ferrari becomes Italian with the hand gestures haha love it

[@martijnvangammeren1868]

Agree with all except sound. It is perfect as it is. It’s sophisticated.

[@SpeedKeem]

I actually was six yrs old when this was new, only seen one since. Bad Boys 😂

[@crashyyy4116]

Beautitful (and the S2000 in front). For me, the 456/M takes the cake, but the 550/575 rock, too.

[@faeinthebay]

FYI you'll still get GPS without cell service. You just need to give it 30-60 seconds since your phone doesn't have any cell towers or wi-fi hotspots with known locations. Normally it uses those to help the GPS algorithms being narrowing down your location.

[@TheSmokingTire]

True. I've used that for GPS but I don't think Wayze can connect (and thus, we can't use its speedometer)?

[@faeinthebay]

@@TheSmokingTire yeah waze might refuse to load without a connection, so you'd need a separate speedometer app.

[@GilesGuthrie]

@@TheSmokingTire Try using Motion X GPS. It has loads of functionality including pure GPS location, speed & altitude.

[@Mooreinlife84]

Lol we were on a boating trip. Nice vid 👍

[@sneakybeni]

a gated 550M and f430 is all I've ever wanted in life

[@toddbecker2952]

The 550 was my first Ferrari experience and the one I would want if I ever wanted a Ferrari. Blue with tan interior and stick.

[@RachelDrivesCleanCars]

John Dyste at Porsche Colorado Springs sold me my Panamera Turbo S. Would buy from him/them again :)

[@TheSmokingTire]

He's a really nice guy and he loves what he sells. - ZK

[@markbogosian9436]

And the roads around Pikes Peak are awesome.

[@patrikfogelstrom3484]

Thanks for this great review. If not the best, at least top 3 on the tube with regards to 550/575. Great stuff. I have owned my 550 Maranello Schumacher Options car (roll cage, carbon interior, carbon seats, sport exhaust, etc) for 25 years. I have been offered good money for it but can't get rid of it because of it's looks and ride. Newer cars are faster, but the Maranello still puts on a great show every week end.

[@antwonlewang1390]

My favorite Ferrari of all time that 575 is still beautiful

[@jeromep3182]

I always loved the 575 over the 550 model

[@XavierGoncalves89]

Garage saurus turned a 550 into a time attack machine, it sounds amazing

[@richardthelionheart5594]

At first sight I loved this car. Hence, I bot a new 575 grey/grey. Drove it c. 15 years / 25k mi. Ur analysis is spot on e.g. ET c. 4.2sec, sticky buttons, etc. Added a Capristo exhaust instead of the Tubie bc I thot the Tubie too loud & annoying at idle. Only complaint is I didn't like the comfort level of the seats. Great GT tourer. Ended up repacking it w a MZB SLS Black Series. Thx for the vid.

[@bruceroche193]

I had a 575 for 8 years. It is very good as far as GT cars go.one of the best.Thought about getting an F12. Decided to try a C8. Great sports car GM hit a home run. Next car ZO6,followed by ZR1 then the Zora. Never been happier or more imptessed.

[@KABOBkabob]

Weird seeing you drive a road I frequently drive!

[@MrColdwatercanyon]

Love those roadsters

[@pereldh5741]

This is now my favourite Zach film

[@longtailgt]

I fell in love with the 550 because of Need for Speed High Stakes! So I always preferred it to the 575 but damn, either way, these cars look gorgeous! I would honestly say that the 550/575 (but more the 550 in particular) is the best looking modern front engined V12 Ferrari of them all. And I love to see that Zack shares the same sentiment and enthusiasm about this car.

[@Firemarioflower]

I love the color

[@samchisholm2088]

Great rig.

[@BloodyRedSquadron]

I can't help but be reminded of that Topgear comparison with a 575M and a Vanquish S when watching this! Have either yourself or matt done a One Take on the Vanquish S?

[@JElledge37]

The first time I went to the Sebring 12 HR race I was so excited to see the Pro Drive Ferrari 575 GT cars and they weren't there. "05 or '06 I think.

[@2fast2nick]

Such a beautiful car.. I don’t even like silver cars but it looks good

[@bodhim4353]

Hopefully the new Patreon helps put Zach in a 550, permanently...

[@jacobaboudou6538]

Agreed, this is one of Ferrari's prettiest cars. 9yrs ago you could get them for under 90k, still too rich for my blood but far more attainable than they are now.

[@KCScorpion34]

14:47 it's funny he says that cuz the back of the car always reminds me of Italian boats.

[@basithph8958]

One of the best Ferraris of all time

[@juancarloslang]

The 575 Super America it's one of my favorites Ferraris of all time

[@TakuroSpirit77]

Ferrari 456GT: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@ryand4533]

So we’re just gonna act like the 456/456M wasn’t made?!?!?!! My 2nd favorite car ever.