| Author | Message | ||
| Najib Amanullah (Najib)
Member Username: Najib Post Number: 264 Registered: 4-2001 |
Bought my 348 TS unseen from a dealer in Switzerland. Was negotiating with the original owner when he part exchanged it at this dealers before I could arrange for it to be inspected. Was very upset with him. Anyway that gave me the confidence that it had passed the dealers inspection. Was very pleasantly surprised when I went to clear my car from customs. It was much better thatn I had imagined. Also the dealer threw in a one year (5000 Kms.) warranty on engine and drivetrain (for free) which we had not even discussed. Had the car now for almost 2 years (8000kms) without any problems (touch wood). Has restored my faith in mankind to some extent!!!Ha ha. | ||
| Crawford White (Crawford)
Junior Member Username: Crawford Post Number: 205 Registered: 3-2003 |
Vishal - what great taste you have!  | ||
| ShanB (Shanb)
Junior Member Username: Shanb Post Number: 72 Registered: 7-2003 |
I would, assuming a SOLID PPI by a reputable third party, and then another good visual looking over by someone I trust. I've bought most of my cars this way with no problems or nasty surprises thus far. | ||
| Gary Reed (Gary_reed)
Junior Member Username: Gary_reed Post Number: 230 Registered: 2-2002 |
I just bought a Boxer without seeing it in person. It's been shipped all the way across the country to me next week. I only reason that I was comfortable doing this is because two people who I know and trust (one is an FBI agent) in the FCA who knew the car and it's owner very well. Both of them had also driven the car before. So, with their approvals of the car/owner, along with a clean bill of health from the owner of the prestigous repair shop that serviced the car, was all that I needed to buy it. | ||
| Vishal Soin (Vs1)
Junior Member Username: Vs1 Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2002 |
I bought my yellow 328 sight unseen [from Shelton]. My dad bought his 355 sight unseen [Motorcars Intl. - we've bought from them before]. Both cars exceptional. Now, with that said, I would only buy sight unseen from a dealer with a reputation to lose. Crawford - great color choice!!! | ||
| Mule (Mule)
Junior Member Username: Mule Post Number: 122 Registered: 6-2003 |
I bought mine sight unseen from Ferrari of San Fran. I knew the exact color combo and year that I wanted. It arrived in nicer cosmetic and mechanical condition than described. They put on four new tires, fixed the ignition switch, installed a new leather cover in the trunk, a new leather center console, and delivered it by Horseless Carriage all after the price was final. I think FoSF certainly has a reputation to uphold more than most dealers, since they are owned by the factory. I would buy another car from them sight unseen, but I would not buy one sight unseen from a non-Ferrari dealer. Despite some of the posts of poor dealer treatment, I would give the dealers I have dealt with (New England, Denver, San Fran, Dallas) the trust to do it. Their reputation is on every sale. | ||
| Andrew S. (Andrew911)
Junior Member Username: Andrew911 Post Number: 66 Registered: 9-2003 |
I would never buy site unseen. I would have been quite upset had I done that with a porsche I passed on after flying from NJ to FLA to look at it. It was worth the money & day off of work to determine it wasn't the right one for me. The irony of the story is I did find the car I wanted 2 days later, and........flew back to the same exact airport in FLA (West Palm Beach) that weekend, and bought the car I have now! What a coincidence that the only two cars I actually looked at were in the same area & I found them within a couple of days. Especially since I was looking for 6 months for the right car (you can tell I'm quite picky) | ||
| Carstore of Glenside (Carstore)
New member Username: Carstore Post Number: 19 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Wayne: Thats GREAT news. Wooo-Hoooo! Talk about buying sight unseen! How about selling sight unseen? You wern't the only one with your fingers crossed for luck. This is the first Ferrari we ever owned (and sold) without seeing it. Hats off to a very honest and cooprative seller (John M.), a good initial peek by Buzz Marcus in Boca and a good checkout by Shelton Ferrari. The icing on the cake was finding it a good home. Sounds like mission accomplished! Enjoy it and PLEASE call me when you are ready to sell it. Thanks again Wayne. (now lets put something together on that 360) Tom Mellett www.carstoreofglenside.com | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3384 Registered: 2-2001 |
Well if you have a PPI thats different, you havent seen the car but a machanic has checked it out for you. that makes a world of difference & is probably better than just you looking at the car if you are not a mechanic | ||
| Marc Hartog (Hedge)
Junior Member Username: Hedge Post Number: 146 Registered: 6-2003 |
Bob, The greatest thing about this site is the people posting, and their willingness to help. I posted a message as a fairly new member, asking if anyone could do a visual inspection on a car in Germany (I live in the UK). Trevi, who is completely bonkers but very nice with it, popped up in the European forum and went the next weekend to view the car - took detailed photos and gave me a run down far more in depth than the one I got from the dealership. And despite tempting him with English delicacies such as fish, chips and mushy peas, he would not accept any money for his troubles. Tough call as to whether I would buy one completely unseen by someone independent with nothing to be gained - probably not - but use the site & the people on it. I know I would gladly return Trevi's favour if there was a car in my region that someone wanted a visual inspection of..the ppi can take care of the mechanics and mileage verification..but you want someone to tell you if the car 'feels' right. Cheers Trevi! | ||
| wayne skiles (Bad_tt)
Junior Member Username: Bad_tt Post Number: 139 Registered: 8-2002 |
Tom .....Car Store at Glenside... I told you if car was nice I would Rave if not yell at you.....well.... RAVE RAVE RAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know it is just a 348TS but whoever gets this one from me (in about 1 year when the 360CS arrives) Will be getting A VERY NICE EXAMPLE!!! THanks again a pleasure doing business with Car Store of Glenside! www.graduategemologist-gia.com/348int.jpg www.graduategemologist-gia.com/348side.jpg | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 604 Registered: 10-2002 |
I bought mine this way too...but was covered if it wasn't to my satisfaction. In that case I would cover all expenses to return the car. I had tons of pics, service paperwork, even videos of the car being started cold, hot, and driving. I was scared to death until it arrive and was exactly as described. I would NOT do this again however. I feel very lucky things turned out okay. | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 502 Registered: 11-2002 |
I bought mine sight unseen. I did have my sister-in-law's boyfriend look at the car, however, and a PPI. I was pleasantly surprised when I actually got the car. The condition of the paint was better than I thought it would be. Until I got my first look at the car, though, I was pretty scared. Dom | ||
| Lou B (Toby91)
Member Username: Toby91 Post Number: 355 Registered: 4-2001 |
I bought a 512TR from Ferrari of Los Gatos with a third party ppi. No problems dealing with them on some improvements (belt change, tires etc.)and was very satisfied with the car when it slid out of the truck on Cape Cod. I might not have been so trusting if it wasn't a dealer. | ||
| Crawford White (Crawford)
Junior Member Username: Crawford Post Number: 204 Registered: 3-2003 |
Doody, Allan, Chris, DJParks, Coachi - thanks for the compliment! Was in a car show this weekend and lost out to a fully restored MGBGT (nice car), 60's Jag (nice car!), and an 88 Supra (not happy about that  ). | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2081 Registered: 5-2001 |
BobD, I think it depends a lot on who is selling, and the age of the car. If this was for a late model 355 with 10k documented miles, how much wear could the car really have? I nice video tape of the car's details would probably suffice. But if it was a 328, with 40k miles, then I would want to see it first hand. Agree with Byron, working with a reputable dealer (either FNA or independant), can ease one's confidence. | ||
| 1987 Jerry (Slag_328gts)
Junior Member Username: Slag_328gts Post Number: 241 Registered: 9-2003 |
I did, but would do it different if I had to do it again - I wasn't around this site before I bought it - Now I would ask everyone's opinion here first (as they know more than I) and maybe even ask if someone in the area could look at it for me. If the car was really expensive, I would have to go look at it myself as I would be more picky about how the car would need to be. | ||
| Byron Faber (Adrenln328)
Junior Member Username: Adrenln328 Post Number: 78 Registered: 9-2003 |
Yes, that is exactly how I got mine, after searching the nation on the internet & with lots of contacts with private sellers & dealerships. One advantage of dealing with a dealership is that they have more of a responsiblity & reputation to uphold. After getting LOTS of pictures emailed & all maintenance records faxed to me, I trusted Benn @ Shelton in Ft Lauderdale. The car is beautiful & very sound mechanically. Maybe I was lucky, but I think it is just good business for a dealer to be sure the cars they send out are not just good, but really good. Besides, if I were to go check out every car I looked at & investigated, it would have taken months longer & LOOOOTS more money. And anyway, unless you are a Ferrari mechanic, there might be some things you wouldn't know even after looking at the car. If you know the seller or know folks who say he is giving you a straight up good deal or have a Ferrari mechanic you trust who says it is sound, that is great. Otherwise, I think you have better chances with an official Ferrari dealership than you do with a stranger. OK, it may cost a bit more, but the peace of mind and avoiding hidden troubles may be a bigger payoff in the long run. Just my $.02 worth.... | ||
| Dr. I. M. Ibrahim (Coachi)
Member Username: Coachi Post Number: 457 Registered: 5-2002 |
Indeed very beautiful I bought a 412 once sight unseen...as well as a 1979 308 GTS. The 412 was immaculate...kept it two months, then sold it. The 308 was a great disappointment, not as described in the least bit..had to do a lot of work on it and it still is not right for me. I hate to travel to look at cars, but when spending this kind of money..I think it is quite prudent. I have to say I have had great help from very knowledgable people who gave me great recommendations. | ||
| ben (Benedict)
New member Username: Benedict Post Number: 37 Registered: 9-2003 |
I did. Car was in Colorado and I am in NJ. I got tons of pictures, researched the dealership and had an authorized, independent Ferrari dealer do an extensive PPI. I also took the extra step of putting the entire purchase price on AMEX. I had possession of the car before I paid the Amex bill. Car is perfect and I had a fabulous summer with it. Another thing which tipped the scales, the guy who did the PPI said his Mom lived in NJ and he offered to drive it here with his son(2000 miles). I said no but at least that told me he was confident enough in the car to drive himself and his son cross-country in it! | ||
| Spasso (Djparks)
Member Username: Djparks Post Number: 668 Registered: 2-2003 |
Crawford, That 328 looks surprisingly good in yellow! Of course I could be biased.............. DJ | ||
| wayne skiles (Bad_tt)
Junior Member Username: Bad_tt Post Number: 133 Registered: 8-2002 |
Let you know in about 1 hour car is being delivered from Fla. dealers photos were distant low quality. I relied on Shelton Ferraris description and PPI. And seller was CAr Store at Glenside and they have a good reputation. | ||
| Chris Parr (Cmparrf40)
Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 764 Registered: 3-2002 |
Crawford, beautiful car! | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Intermediate Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 1401 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thats an awesome 328! You dont see many in yellow! | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member Username: Craigfl Post Number: 705 Registered: 1-2001 |
I did, but the final deal still hinged on my approving the car when it was delivered. No problems and I'm a happy owner for 3 years with virtually no problems. I talked and dealt directly with the PO -- CEO for a software company. If everything prior to the delivery went as smooth as this one did, I would do it the same way again. | ||
| Ken Sullender (Sulley)
Junior Member Username: Sulley Post Number: 149 Registered: 9-2003 |
I wouldn't buy sight unseen. Do not trust the PPI either. I used Automotive Inspections Inc, they claimed to be qualified to handle exotic inspections. After I went 1,100 to finalize the deal and look at in person I found that in no way were they qualified and the PPI was of no value. Always look at in person unless money is no object. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1987 Registered: 11-2001 |
not sure i've ever seen a yellow 328 before - gorgeous! doody. | ||
| Dino Micalizio (Ingenere)
Junior Member Username: Ingenere Post Number: 84 Registered: 12-2001 |
I purchased 3 Ferraris so far without seeing them 1st. A 348, a TR and a Mondial t cab. I guess I got lucky as all 3 have been great cars. I really interviewed and got to know the owners before I made a final decision. Developing the relationship and geting a feel for the previous owners might have been a key as I walked from quite a few cars because I felt that the owner wasn't being straight. | ||
| Crawford White (Crawford)
Junior Member Username: Crawford Post Number: 203 Registered: 3-2003 |
I did. Even had the PPI done at the owners own garage. No problems at all. The car looked better than I thought it would, and it was pretty exciting to see it for the first time as it was being off loaded right onto my driveway!  | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 4431 Registered: 9-2001 |
yes, I did, top was torn slighty, owner claimed no knowledge, (car was sent with top down) he claimed the PPI person must have done it, I still owed him 1k so I took off 500 bucks, he was not happy but could not do much | ||
| fanatic (Fanatic1)
Member Username: Fanatic1 Post Number: 535 Registered: 2-2003 |
I would never buy it without seeing it myself.....for anything over 40 g's....it's worth the 300.00 plane ticket anywhere in the US.....I'd even fly in for 2 hours and fly out....but I'd look at it myself. Unless, I had so much money that it really didn't matter and I could spend gobs of cash without even blinking....then it'd be different....but for now.........I want a personal hands on experience. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1582 Registered: 3-2001 |
It seems like more and more people are buying pre-owned F-cars based solely on a PPI... without even looking at the cars. If you did, were there any issues when it was delivered? Would you do it again? Just curious. |