| Author |
Message |
FABS (Caruso360)
Junior Member
Username: Caruso360
Post Number: 73
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 4:39 pm: | |
Hey Todd; After reflecting a liitle bit more on your post, I believe you got your credibility issue a little off target, probably a doctor thing. |
FABS (Caruso360)
Junior Member
Username: Caruso360
Post Number: 71
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 4:45 pm: | |
Todd; I stand corrected, a misspell on my part. |
todd spencer (Todd)
Junior Member
Username: Todd
Post Number: 53
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 4:14 pm: | |
FABS, very rude to address Dr. Weiner as Weener even if you are being sarcastic or attempting to elicit a pun. Your credibilty is diminished when it is needed most. |
FABS (Caruso360)
Junior Member
Username: Caruso360
Post Number: 70
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 4:03 pm: | |
Well it seems a bit "Clintonesque" on this thread
with the "not on my watch" comments. Mr. Weener
points the finger to the dealer, Amerispec doesn't respond at all, I've dealt with the negligence, Weener says it's his last post--NOT!
There would be no reason to post any of this if the car was as stated. This is the way things are in these times. However, Euro conversions can be good values, they just require an iron fist and a high degree of skepticism when going through the buying process. BTW, if Weener doesn't like the open forum format by directing Tim to "bud out" why not start
WeenerChat.com? |
Brian W (Jetx)
Junior Member
Username: Jetx
Post Number: 140
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 11:02 am: | |
Shocked about the negative Amerispec comments. They're reputed to be the best. |
martin j weiner,M.D. (Mw575)
Intermediate Member
Username: Mw575
Post Number: 1210
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 9:05 am: | |
Mr Barnett,
I see you are a fellow Boulder resident of FABS.
FYI during and after his buying process (from the dealer not from me),I spoke with him many times.Thought I was helpful and knew I was perfectly honest.
Thanks for your advice!
My advice to you is BUD OUT!!! |
Tim Barnett (Tim_barnett)
Junior Member
Username: Tim_barnett
Post Number: 78
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 10:06 pm: | |
Dr. Weiner,
Hyperbole or not, it appears that FABS has some unresolved questions about a car that you previously owned for most of its life. In the spirit of this board I would suggest you communicate with FABS publicly (or privately if you're not already). |
john Fliessbach (Riverflyer)
New member
Username: Riverflyer
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 10:02 am: | |
Thanks all for the good info(and reading)! |
FABS (Caruso360)
Junior Member
Username: Caruso360
Post Number: 68
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 8:24 pm: | |
Dear Sir; I have at least five rounds left in the
magazine. The SD2 computer has revealed data which is irrefutable! I will enjoy the vehicle because I have remedied a vehicle that was neglected and somewhat abused. My 360 required patience, knowledge, understanding and more cash than I initially wanted to spend so that it can be truely enjoyed. These are not accusations my dear fellow- these are the facts. I'll post as I deem necessary. |
Robert Faber (F129b)
New member
Username: F129b
Post Number: 50
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 8:20 pm: | |
Get your EPA/DOT conversion quote in writing immediately after JK has inspected your car. Also, make sure they feel the "pressure to perform". I got a verbal of $13k and 10-12 weeks in a face to face in Baltimore. His attitude was that it was "no big deal", just like their pre-inspection quote of $12-14k. In actuality it was $16k+ and 16+ weeks before my car was released. Another "loss of control issue".
Jonathan & Lois seemed to kind of do a "good cop-bad cop" routine and were often unresponsive to my occasional (monthly) phone calls. But, when they wanted $$$, let me tell you they ALWAYS had time to talk and would actually leave ME 2 or 3 messages in a day. It sounded like they were going to kill each other, so I'm surprised they're still in business together.
My car was done perfectly, so I'm really not complaining. But it was weird! |
Adam (Fasttalk)
Junior Member
Username: Fasttalk
Post Number: 233
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 7:44 pm: | |
this thread has take an interesting turn... |
martin j weiner,M.D. (Mw575)
Intermediate Member
Username: Mw575
Post Number: 1203
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 7:26 pm: | |
FABS-This is my last post on the subject.You certainly are prone to hyperbole.No,it was not a "Pallette" of "LUMBER " that fell on the front bumper in my garage but rather a small firewood log.It produced a 2"x2"
dent which was easily repaired when the front bumper was painted to fix stone chips."no recollection" of incident???? Maybe you are having a junior moment but I not only told you of the incident but posted it on the chat.
I understand that you are angry but I really object to your including me as a guilty party.
In spite of your accusations,I wish you well and hope you eventually enjoy the car as much as I did. |
FABS (Caruso360)
Junior Member
Username: Caruso360
Post Number: 67
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 6:59 pm: | |
In response to a prior comment, I suppose the dealer is far more responsible for non disclosure. However, I do recall a post that mentioned a palette of lumber falling on this car in "someone's" garage but there wasn't any recollection, when asked if there was any body damage and or repairs. Reminds me of the infamous Rosa Lopez in the OJ trial. Hey, Ferrari owners better be "big" boys. I'm sure I'll see a post with more back peddling!
|
Robert (Rjklein4470)
Member
Username: Rjklein4470
Post Number: 300
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 5:25 pm: | |
John, I would tell you that if you stay with G&K or J&K that you should be fine. I have a Euro car converted by J&K, and I have had no problems. I got the car 2001 360 with 300 miles for about $138,000 to my door. To me it was worth the risk, and at the time new was about $180,000. |
martin j weiner,M.D. (Mw575)
Intermediate Member
Username: Mw575
Post Number: 1202
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 5:16 pm: | |
FABS posting suggests or at least does not make clear that the problems in the exhaust system and other mechanical problems were not known to me.(Nor to my knowledge were they picked up by the PPI HE arranged for.
I purchased the car with 3000 mi.On my watch the cats were never replaced nor repaired.
I am sorry he had so many problems with the "conversion" however perhaps this points out the hazards of importing a grey market car. |
FABS (Caruso360)
Junior Member
Username: Caruso360
Post Number: 66
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 4:27 pm: | |
Robert here's the rest of the story. I bought the 360 Dr. Weiner imported. The conversion was done by Amerispec. However, the work was warrantied by JK Technologies out of Baltimore.
After my purchase, with a clean bill of health stated by both the previous owner and a dealer in Oregon, the clean bill of health was not the case. Amerispec did a sub par install with inferior parts. The air injection tubes were cracked, the left header had cracks, the heat shields had been removed causing heat to affect wiring that should have been protected, the secondary stage of the exhaust had been disconnected which in turn caused insufficient horsepower at lower rpm's and the emissions tubing was haphazardly installed with a severe lack of care in that it was run over the engine
frame and the quickest ways to where it had to be connected. My research also revealed that the cats had been replaced a couple of times. Of course none of this had been disclosed to me. However, the good news is that JK Technologies
honored the Fed EPA warranty to replace the entire system with the stipulation that they do the work to keep the labor cost affordable, since they have had many cars returned with emission problems due to the shoddy work done by Amerispec. Needless to say that •••• of Amerispec will not retrun any calls. The car is in transit so I cannot say at this time what the outcome truely is. I will state that Jonathan and Lois of JK were outstanding in stepping up to the plate and corrected a job in which another
entity had collected the lion's share of the fee charged to initially do the conversion. Despite this case of trauma I would recommend a car that JK converts. Stay away from Amerispec at all costs. At this point I'm still out the $2,500 in round trip shipping but that's a story for another day.
|
martin j weiner,M.D. (Mw575)
Intermediate Member
Username: Mw575
Post Number: 1200
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 11:56 am: | |
Robert,
It's too long a story.It came to me with burnt paint inside the headlight assemblies and no background dash illumination-Both of which were replaced (updated) at my expense.
In '00, euro owners of 360's were made to feel like pariahs by FNA.And there are many other reasons such as what one saves one looses on resale plus the warranty is not honored by FNA.
I would never do it again! |
Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Member
Username: Paulie_b
Post Number: 793
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 11:05 am: | |
also figure in the shipping costs by boat or air. |
Michael Klein (Malibumk)
Junior Member
Username: Malibumk
Post Number: 95
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 9:15 am: | |
Spent $25k including $5k air freight at G&K and it took much longer than the 10 weeks quoted. G&K handled every detail....it's just time and money. Note that the $15k conversion fee is only part of the total cost. Add the travel costs to europe to buy the car to these figures too. |
Robert (Rjklein4470)
Member
Username: Rjklein4470
Post Number: 299
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 7:59 pm: | |
Martin, what happend to your car? Did you have trouble? |
martin j weiner,M.D. (Mw575)
Intermediate Member
Username: Mw575
Post Number: 1199
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 11:12 am: | |
John,
I imported a 360 from Germany.Would NEVER do it again.
For all the reasons go to search under "360 euro" or "importing a euro"-There are globs of info.
|
Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Member
Username: Nebulaclass
Post Number: 454
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 12:10 am: | |
Also keep in mind that resale on non-US cars is considerably lower than on US cars. The money you save could easily be offset by the DOT process and any loss in resale. Of course, you could still come out on top, but is a few thousand worth the time and hassle of importing, DOTing, and registering? Who know...if it saves you more than 15k initially, go for it. I don't think you'll lose more than that on resale. |
john Fliessbach (Riverflyer)
New member
Username: Riverflyer
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 11:47 pm: | |
Robert, thanks much for the great info. I will check out these sources before I move into the process too deeply. |
Robert Faber (F129b)
New member
Username: F129b
Post Number: 46
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 11:18 pm: | |
John-
I imported a 355GTS from Italy in 2000. THe conversion process (DOT/EPA) should cost you $14-20k on a 360. Your calif. license fee will be based on the declared value on the bill of sale that you give to US Customs. You also will pay Ca. sales tax on the declared value/sales price. You can get around Ca. sales tax, as I did, by using an ICI that is out of California. The rule stated (in 2000) that if your car is out of the state of Ca. for 90 days of the first 120 days of ownership, you are exempt. JK automotive technologies in Baltimore did my conversion. The whole process should take 2-4 months once the car arrives in port and clears customs.
I recommend that you talk with George Gemayel at G&K Automotive (ICI) in Costa Mesa. He does a bunch of Ferraris every year. G&K finished my Ferrari's California emissions requirements & certification. Apparently JK and G&K are/were into helping each other out.
An Indonesian car may be without ANY emissions controls, be advised.
My 355 could not be more perfect! After 3 years of enthusiastic ownership, I will attest that this whole process can garner one a car that is INDISTINGUISHABLE from a USA car. Beware, however that there are elements of control and comfort that disappear when #1 you deal internationally, and #2 you have to go through Shippers, DOT/EPA, Customs and the Conversion shop. BE VERY CAREFUL. Talk to George (G&K) or Jonathan (JK) before you get too deep into this. |
john Fliessbach (Riverflyer)
New member
Username: Riverflyer
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 10:43 pm: | |
Hello, I am considering importing a 360 from Indonesia. What kind of costs should I expect to get the car registered in Calif. ? What are the main issues in terms of time and hassle that need to be addressed. All advice appreciated, especially from anyone who has been through the process(I assume it is the same for europe as asia??) thanks, John |