| Author | Message | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Junior Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 72 Registered: 4-2002 |
Awesome story Lee. Congrats on a fulfilled dream  | ||
| Barney Guzzo (Trinacria)
Junior Member Username: Trinacria Post Number: 96 Registered: 8-2002 |
Lee Awesome story, congratulations. Sounds like so many of us here. 7 months now, and sometimes I look in my garage and I still can not believe I have it. This forum is really great. There are lots of good people here and no question is a bad question (as long as you check the archives first). Learn what you can about your car. Working on it can be very enjoyable. Good luck, enjoy and be safe. | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
New member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 8 Registered: 1-2003 |
Bruce: Thank God you didn't notice that other bike hanging from the garage door rail, dangerously suspended ABOVE that prized new Ferrari. Don't worry; I double checked the coat hanger it's hanging on. -Lee | ||
| Norman Yung (Storminnormin)
New member Username: Storminnormin Post Number: 38 Registered: 7-2002 |
Great story. It certainly reminds me of my first F-car drive and the fever it gave me. Bought my F-car 6 months ago and the fever has gotten worse!!! Congrats!!! May the passion burn in you forever!!! | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1227 Registered: 7-2001 |
I think it's great that Lee is in his dream car for less than $20k. He is likely not done, but as we all know, that doesn't matter! | ||
| Todd (Tkrefeld)
Junior Member Username: Tkrefeld Post Number: 118 Registered: 11-2001 |
I love stories like this..... BTW: 6,100 for all that is an unbeatable price. Looks like you found your car, and your mechanic. Best of both worlds! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3720 Registered: 5-2001 |
congratulation! nice story. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 548 Registered: 11-2001 |
Lee...congratulations, and thanks for sharing your experience with us! Sounds like you found an excellent deal with your 308. Keep us posted on the driving experience. Enjoy and welcome to F-Chat! | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 679 Registered: 10-2001 |
$6100 for all that work huh? That's a pretty good deal; I wish my mechanic was as cheap for my Lotus. I hope you give (gave) him a nice gift on Christmas! I HATE my mechanic as he's not as meticulous as I am and charges way too much. I've taken to do a lot on my own under the correct theory that I can screw up my car for a lot less money than my non-Lotus mechanic can! Granted, on a Ferrari you really need someone who knows cars for things like belt changes. There a million tricks that DIY guys like myself would not know first time around and those kinds of mistakes can prove costly. So far all my mistakes have been cheap learning experiences. Congratulations on a great deal!! | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 482 Registered: 4-2002 |
Welcome Lee. If you're ever in Kingsport, give me a call. | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1674 Registered: 4-2002 |
lee ..great story, enjoy your f-car and welcome to f-chat,,, i noticed the bicycle parked to the side of the drivers door...you might want to correct that , i have heard stories of "the bike falling over and hitting the car" just my 2 cents enjoy and regards, bruce | ||
| David Stoeppelwerth (Racerdj)
New member Username: Racerdj Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2003 |
Lee: Great story! We can all identify with your first time, the first drive, the first Ferrari car we saw, and purchased. Coming home from the Cavalino F Car show, the overall impression one receives is the timeless design of all the cars. It makes no difference what model, year or color, they all get looks. Even with Roll's and other expensive cars, when the Ferrari is parked in West Palm Beach downtown its the F cars that get the looks!! | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1593 Registered: 8-2002 |
Lee, that's just a totally awesome story... Congratulations on your new Ferrari... The story itself is really cool, but the enthusiasm behind it makes it all the more invaluable... Please keep us updated with those other repairs and your continuous joy... | ||
| izel k. (Ferrarist)
Junior Member Username: Ferrarist Post Number: 90 Registered: 3-2001 |
Congrats Lee! Interesting story with a very happy end. Have fun! | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Junior Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 213 Registered: 12-2002 |
I agree Ming, some of the real enthusiasts are the ones like Lee who willingly sacrifice and work hard to get their dream car | ||
| Ming Cheng (Onlinesys)
Junior Member Username: Onlinesys Post Number: 166 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats Lee! I love your story rather than someone just went to a showroom and paid cash for a 360 Spider or an Enzo with a hugh premium. Although I don't mind to be the "someone" | ||
| Ron Shirley (Easy_rider)
Junior Member Username: Easy_rider Post Number: 69 Registered: 12-2002 |
Congratulations Lee. I bought my first Ferrari exactly 2 months ago and I haven't come back to earth yet (87 Mondial Cab). I'm already planning, arranging and most of all dreaming of buying a Testarossa or 512 TR next year (not as a replacement, of course, but as an addition). Happy driving from an ex southern boy (Gadsden, AL) now in the real south (Los Angeles 88 degrees and glorious sun sun sun today). Happy driving, Ron | ||
| Scott Stokes (Desert_trojan)
New member Username: Desert_trojan Post Number: 32 Registered: 11-2002 |
Congratulations. My first Ferrari ('90 TR) just arrived 2 weeks ago. Nothing like loading the childs seat and cruising around with my 14 month son... | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1018 Registered: 10-2001 |
Lee that is a fantastic story very similar to my own and many others! Congratulations!! | ||
| Jaime Torres (Chevarri)
New member Username: Chevarri Post Number: 9 Registered: 1-2003 |
The love affair with a man and his car, it's a beautiful thing | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Junior Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 210 Registered: 12-2002 |
Great post Lee! Isn't it great to know you have an Italian Stallion sitting in your garage? I'm hoping I can have a similar story in a few years | ||
| David S (Djs308)
Junior Member Username: Djs308 Post Number: 76 Registered: 9-2002 |
Lee, Ditto! I'm still in the process of dreaming/shopping for my 308 (going on 20 years now). Like you, I just rented a 348 Spider about a year ago. It was my first time DRIVING a Ferrari (had been along for rides previously). It was in Hawaii no less! The 6 hours I spent with the car confirmed to me that owning a Ferrari would be the ultimate experience for a Ferrari fanatic. Driving it turned out to be just what I had hoped it would be. The car has its foibles but that's part of the charm! If only they didn't cost a fortune to run! Good luck with yours and enjoy every moment! | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Junior Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 193 Registered: 10-2002 |
Lee, That is a great story... congratulations on the new car - may it bring you miles and miles of sheer excitement!! I think you described the sentiment of just about 99.999% of the people on this forum: "Absolutley head-over-heels, gotta-sell-the-farm-if-that�s-what-it-takes obsessed." Enjoy! | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
New member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2003 |
Wait, let me try again:  | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
New member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 4 Registered: 1-2003 |
Aw, screw it....here's the car, illustrating one of the most exciting things about it: that it's in my garage! | ||
| Johnny (Up2nogd)
Junior Member Username: Up2nogd Post Number: 122 Registered: 8-2002 |
Lee, Great Story - Congrats and Enjoy!! Johnny | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
New member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2003 |
A pic is coming up soon! I need to do some housekeeping on the car first. It's still garage grungy, and it's been below freezing for over a week here! Thanks for the good vibes... | ||
| Ghostrider (Threefivefive)
New member Username: Threefivefive Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2002 |
Great story Lee -- definitely conveys the level of excitement and passion that goes along with first the thought of, and then action of, buying an F-car. Only thing left is to post a pic. If you don't have a digital camera or can't get a hold of one, take a regular pic and snail mail it to me. I'll scan it in and host it for you. Where there is a will, there is a way!! Congratulations again! Regards. | ||
| Gerrit Visser (Gerritv)
Junior Member Username: Gerritv Post Number: 149 Registered: 6-2001 |
Congrats Lee, Welcome to the dream. May the grin last for years and years :-) | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 387 Registered: 10-2002 |
Congrats! I have fond memories of strapping my 2 year old son into my 308 as Steppenwolf sang "Head out on the highway" I wish you many happy miles! Best Jim | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Junior Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 93 Registered: 11-2002 |
Awesome story, wait till you get a chance to weave in and out of traffic with other Ferrari's around you. Thats the next amazing feeling you will have. Congrats! | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Junior Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 113 Registered: 12-2002 |
Fantastic story! Congrats on your car. | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
New member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hello Everybody. I�ve been reading this site for about a month, and I really appreciate ya�ll�s courtesty and manner. I wanted to share my story with you. All my life, Ferraris have seemed a faraway vision, a dream, an object of fancy, not reality. I�ve always been an exotic car enthusiast to say the least! BUT, I live in east Tennessee (Knoxville). Hence, I�d never even been near a Ferrari, seen only a few in real life, never heard one�s engine or much less sat on the Connely seats. They�ve always been part of this �other world� that I wasn�t invited to. Ridiculous, but a common idea where I come from. Anyway, last September I decided to take matters into my own hands. I was headed to Las Vegas on business and I developed this crazy plan. I discovered that, truly, Vegas is a place where anything goes if you have the money. For my tastes that didn�t mean gambling or hobnobbing or being waited on hand and foot; to me it meant Vegas was a place anyone could rent a Ferrari! I was elated to discover this. I immediately made my plans and reservations with Rent-a-Vette (www.rent-a-vette.com, no affiliation) and plunked down my credit card online for this �once in a lifetime� adventure in my white (rental) 1989 Ferrari 348 TS. $399 for 24 hours, 100-mile limit ($.49/mile thereafter). My first minute in the card was literally like that Mastercard commercial: PRICELESS. I was astounded. The spirit of the car filled my senses and was in fact, quite overwhelming! We drove to the Hoover Dam, this Ferrari and I. We drove to Red Rock Canyon where I put it through its paces following a motorcycle through the curves. We hit the interstate and, frightenly, got lost in Northeast Vegas for quite some time at night, finally making our way back to the strip. I let the valet park it, where he didn�t hide it down below in the garage but parked it right out front, in the unloading lane (�it�ll be right here when you need it, Mr. Pierce�). Don�t get me wrong; I was not obnoxious or arrogant about it. The car made me do crazy and mischievious things, but I never felt more polite and courteous and in touch with humanity and the spirit of what we are capable of than when I was whipping that thing around the streets and deserts in and around Vegas. Well, I was hooked. Absolutley head-over-heels, gotta-sell-the-farm-if-that�s-what-it-takes obsessed. Now, a little more background: I�m a middle class dude, married with a two-year old son, living in a 1500 sf house in suburban Knoxville. I�m running my own moderately successful business (Sylvan Learning Center in Sevierville, TN), but a mortgage, two car payments, and other misc. debt keep us pretty tight most of the time. What business did I have even thinking about a Ferrari? So I started scheming...I�ll start my own exotic car rental business (yeah, that�s what I�ll do!). It�ll own only one car, a Ferrari. I�ll sell prepaid rentals. Once I have 150 or so sign up and give me their money, I�ll buy a 348 and start loaning it out by reservation. Meanwhile it sits in my garage and I can look at it for several hours a day. This is how the obsessed mind works. My wife will attest, believe me. Finally I came back down to earth, and back to thinking,�What business do I have even thinking about buying a Ferrari?�. I can hear you all wincing. Can I even say that on this site? So, flash forward 2 months. I�m joking with a customer in the lobby at work that �for that kind of money you could buy a good used Ferrari�, and another customer overhears, an older gentleman. �You wouldn�t be interested in a late-model Ferrari, would you?� he says. I try to contain my absolute, manic excitement. We talk for a minute. He really didn�t even know what it was, just that he had bought it at an auction in Atlanta in �97 and it wasn�t running right now. It belonged to him, but his son was the enthusiast who drove it and kept it when it was running. The next morning (!) I�m standing in his warehouse-sized garage staring at a grungy but very cleanable and solid-looking, bright red 1978 308 GTS. It had been down and sitting in his garage for about 2 years. (I can hear ya�ll wincing again, and all I can say is �my thoughts exactly�...it was exciting and pretty scary at the same time) He didn�t even know exactly what was wrong with it, just that he knew it needed a clutch and maybe some other things. It had only had 33,000 miles on it but wasn�t currently running. It had 31,000 miles on it when he bought it from the original owner, so he and his son had put 2,000 miles on it over about 3 years. Then the clutch blew out in the summer of 2000 and it spit out �some kind of fluid�. They parked it. They had planned to trailer it down to Ferrari of Atlanta but never quite got around to it, so there it sat, waiting for an optimistic enthusiast like me to come along and give it some thought. Now, it goes without saying that Ferrari mechanics are few and far between in rural East Tennessee. I�m pretty good with a wrench (oil changes, tune-ups, even brakes when I really get inspired), but despite my enthusiasm, I knew I wasn�t prepared for the expense and headaches of a major service (and God knows what else) on an car I wasn�t the least bit familiar with. Well, it just so happens that the mechanic who works on our Volvo (�95 850) drives an Alfa Romeo. I call him and he says �sure...308?...shouldn�t be a problem; bring it on by. I�ll take a look at it�. I give it a little more thought and decide it�s worth a few bucks to decide if this is an adventure worth embarking on. With much excitement and pride, I have this dusty, beautiful but under-the-weather beauty towed about 50 miles to the shop. A few days later came the rough estimate: $3,000 to $5,000 for the obvious fixes, more if they get into it and find out it needs more. That was pretty close to what I wanted to hear. I worked out an as-is price with the owner of $11,500 (plus a little trade with the service my business offers) and gave the mechanic the go-ahead. I would pay for the repairs; after all, that�s what credit cards are for, aren�t they?! The last few weeks have been torturous. Twice weekly calls and bi-weekly trips down to his shop to check on the progress. I�ve been so nervous that the repair bills could soar, as ya�ll well know, if unexpected things came up. Two days ago he gave the call. It was ready. The final bill? $6,100 for a clutch, water pump, flywheel resurface, valve cover gaskets, timing belts and pulleys, valve adjust, carb adjust, plus replacement of a lot of hoses, filters, and all fluids. I considered myself very lucky. That night I drove it home, and the last two days have been indescribable. There are still a few little issues with the car which I will be very appreciative to post and get some solutions for, but this ownership experience is unlike anything my 32 years have brought me, save my wedding day and the birth of my son. Ciao, everyone, and thanks for allowing me to share my story with those of you who understand. Oh, and thanks, Enzo! |