| Author |
Message |
Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2001 - 2:33 pm: | |
Chip, I want to share a short story with you about my Ferrari purchase. I recently bought a 84 308 QV from an absolute gentleman in New York. He told me that the car is 100% mechanically sound. He told me that we will drive the Ferrari to the mechanics (Sport Auto in CT) which was 125 miles each direction before I bought it. I felt the owner went above and beyond helping me to get the car inspected prior to my purchase. Before I ever gave the owner 1 penny of my money, we drove the car 300 miles and spent 5 hours with a Ferrari mechanic going over every nut and bolt on the car. I was VERY lucky, and I knew exactly what I was getting into. I even drove the car 1000 miles home to Atlanta without 1 single problem. It was wonderful.
I must give big props to Bill Pollard at Sport Auto in Gaylordsville, CT. He is among the most knowledgable and coolest Ferrari gurus I have ever met and he helped me greatly with my first Ferrari purchase. I fully recommend him if you are local. |
Ron Dallas (328infoseeker)
| | Posted on Friday, June 08, 2001 - 5:26 pm: | |
Please, go back and make our day by showing this idiot that you should not judge a book by its cover when you buy your car. I am in sales and this type sales person gives sales people a bad name. |
Micheal Stenning (Mike348)
| | Posted on Friday, June 08, 2001 - 1:59 pm: | |
Keep your spirits up! There are plenty of fish in the sea. |
SJ Chip Petrillo (Chip)
| | Posted on Friday, June 08, 2001 - 10:42 am: | |
I did not want to drive the car alone. I went to the dealership wearing old clothes and maybe I got judged. I had to ask a couple of times to even look inside as the car, in the showroom, was locked and had signs stating "DO NOT TOUCH! ask for assistance". When I asked about starting it up and test driving it the salesman said that they had people that would be doing that all the time and that we could not do so until 'the deal was done'. At that point I did not want to beg and plead but I wanted him to know that money was not the problem so I gave him my business card that shows that I am the first name on the letterhead of my law firm. It didn't help. I guess I should move on from this car and, while it sounds good to drive by and flip the bird I may just have to drive by and smile and wave, not because I am not pissed, but through the sheer pleasure that I will feel at finally ending up with "my Ferrari" Anyone know of a good deal in the Toronto area? I might know a buyer. |
Herbert E. Gault (Irfgt)
| | Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2001 - 7:23 pm: | |
If you go to a Chevy dealership and ask to drive a new Chevy, they will throw you the keys and top off the tank. Why? Because the Chevy is a good car and an inexpensive car that will do every thing it is advertised to do. On the other hand, the Ferrari is not always a great car and is always an expensive car and can easily be broken in the wrong hands and will be expensive to fix regardless who was at fault if something went wrong. I would let someone test my car only if I went along and attended the inspection and the ride home. |
Martin Wiescholek (Miami348ts)
| | Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2001 - 8:20 am: | |
When I looked for my 348 I had one dealer tow his car to my mechanic to have it inspected. I must say though that this mechanic is well known in the exotic car repair. They did that without a problem. Towed the car in the morning, my mecahnic looked at it and the tow truck came and took it back. I ended up not buying this car.
The way I came about my car was, that my mechanic knew I was looking for a particular car and one day I got a call from him and he told me about my current 348TS sitting in a dealership that hw knows well. I went there, looked at it, they let me drive the car immediately, because they know I came with references, and I bought the car that night.
My 2c are, let dealters and mechanics for these cars know, that you are in the market for the RIGHT car.
My wife has an easy method for telling it is a good or bad car. If the interior is well maintained....you got a winner. If you find ash, cigaret burns etc. in the car, likely the engine and all other vital parts are abused too.
I must say she was right. 8000mls and one year later....no problems. |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2001 - 7:30 am: | |
Good point Craig. Maybe after a few visits and getting a mechanic involved will make the dealer open to letting you drive. When I went to look at the car that I bought the first thing the guy asked was if I wanted to drive it, and I'm pretty young so it looks kind of doubtful about me buying one. If he doesn't let you drive it after you put your time in with him then steer clear of it. |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 5:39 pm: | |
Chip...
Here's a different perspective: The dealer may be saying that he doesn't want you to "start it up until it's paid for" because that's his "style" or method to keep the non-serious buyers away. After all, no person that really wants to buy that car is going to do it on those terms. I would just ignore his talk and proceed as if you are a real buyer-- tell him you set up an appointment at 2pm, Tuesday for your mechanic to check it out- how does that work for him? I can't say I like his style but if you think the car may be the right one, don't rule it out yet! |
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 5:36 pm: | |
Hi, I think we may have it all backwards, in NYC here we call it the "velvet rope syndrome" the minute you tell someone they can't have it, can't even sit in it, the seed willbe planted and they will have to ....someday...have one... c,mon we have to admit as herb said, the arrogance of the Ferrari is part of its mystique and allure. even at auto shows,the ferraris are the one cars on display that you can't even touch! you have to be a big shot just to get the car show literature ( which is worth $$$'s) and you see hundreds of show goers hanging over the rail trying to get a glimse of these cars. the average guy who shops/considers a ferrari is probably a unique self confident individual who has been successful and used to getting everything his way, the minute a dealer tells him he can't have something, you bet he is on a mission to own one...my take on life and luxury goods marketing -- keep it at arms length and they will cry for it and reach for it all the more. |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 5:15 pm: | |
If you break, do you have to buy? |
Herbert E. Gault (Irfgt)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 4:40 pm: | |
If you were selling YOUR car and a total stranger wanted to take it out alone and have it checked out, would you allow it? |
Ron Dallas (328infoseeker)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 4:29 pm: | |
As I read the responses my mind started to wander. Are we talking sex and women here? Like I say, always test drive before you buy!
My $.02
Ok, back to the subject. |
stu cordova (Balataboy)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 1:13 am: | |
Chip,
I've mentioned before that I own a small dealership and I have to say that I agree with everyone who has suggested that you NOT buy a car without driving it first. It may, however, be more a matter of financing, rather than trying to hide something wrong with the car, as the reason they are reluctant to allow you a test run. Many salespeople are trained to qualify a potential buyer before spending too much time with them and certainly before they take the time to go out on a test drive in a expensive car. Have you talked about how you will pay for the car should it meet your expectations?
Don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting that all dealers have only good intentions, but on the other hand it's important to realize that not all dealers are crooks, cheats and liars either. If you are really interested in this particular car, then show them that you are either pre-qualified for a loan or that you have the cash, and then request a test drive. If they are still unwilling to let you test the car - then do as others have suggested - walk away! One suggestion I would make different from Heath's, and that would be to wave and smile when you drive by in your new Ferrari. Good luck! |
Adelina Vallese (Dina)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 11:18 pm: | |
Hi, I drove the ferrari I bought ('77 GTB)and the owner was an absolute gentleman. Do not buy a car they won't let you drive. My car was a high mileage car bought privately. The couple of dealers I went to for advice were absolutely obnoxious. Only found one car at a dealer I could afford and when the sales 'person' took me for a drive he became very aggressive after I told him he should learn to double clutch properly. My usual "foot in mouth" trick. Keep looking and don't be afraid to inspect a private Ferrari as long as you get it checked by a proper Ferrari specialist. There are lots of GTB/S's out there just waiting for you ! Don't get cold feet and DO NOT PANIC ! A moment of frivolous pleasure driving a Ferrari is worth more than a life time of owning mundane transport. That's my 10c worth, Dina |
HEATH VAUGHN (Heath)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 9:59 pm: | |
CHIP
PLEASE AFTER YOU BUY YOUR FERRARI FROM SOMEONE WHO WANTS YOUR MONEY GO BY THAT DEALER AND FLIP THEM THE BIRD.
BEST OF LUCK
HEATH |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 8:49 pm: | |
A good dealership will always let you test drive a car before buying it. They will send a salesperson with you. This is their way of making sure you don't abuse the car. If they won't do that then they're trying to hide something. MAGOO |
Ben Lobenstein 90 TR (Benjet)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 7:26 pm: | |
And now we know why F sales are doing so well and Viper sales are in the toilet. I really could go on a rant about this, it really pisses me off not to be able to drive (especially a NEW car) before you buy it. My buddy and I damn near flipped over a NEW Yukon while test driving it (we DID have it on 2 wheels, so said the witnesses, where was my camera THEN?), he didn't end up buying that one, and no visible damage was done.
I can see how some delaers/private parties would be slightly reluctant to let you drive, at least on the first meeting. It took a few visits to the local F dealer before I was even ready to drive, (could it be that I said I hadn't driven a stick in YEARS???) I did get a ride (in the car I now own) I think the 2nd time I was there. They want to avoid lookie-loos and concentrate on those seriously interested. If you are asking alot of GOOD questions, as opposed to "well I've never even sat in a Ferrari before", I'm sure things will go more smoothly.
ok that was a half rant.
-Ben |
Danny R. West (Dan_West348ts)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 4:27 pm: | |
Originally, I was considering a Dodge Viper before The Ferrari bug bit me. The Dodge dealer in Gilroy, CA told me the same thing as Chip. I was told I had to purchase the car before I could drive it.
I did not buy a Viper from them nor will I take my kids there to shop for cars.
Dan |
David Albright (Dalbright)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 4:06 pm: | |
Tell the dealer to kiss your butt and move on. Plenty of great and honest people out there that will work with you and let you (or an independent) check the car out and test drive it.
Just my .02 |
Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 2:41 pm: | |
Chip, I just bought a 1990 TR from a private party. Granted it is much newer than the 308 you are considering, but during my search I drove anything I felt interested in, dealer and private parties. No one thought twice about it ( at least that I could tell), but dealers were specially eager to get me behing the wheel for a test drive.
I would not even consider buying a car without driving it, no matter what it is. I think the dealer is trying to hide what could be apparently obvious at startup and during a test drive. I will recommend you have the car inspected by an independent mechanic before closing any deals with this dealer.
Good luck!
Caribe. |
Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 2:36 pm: | |
No!! Stay clear of that car. You should have the option to both drive it and have it inspected independently if you wish!! |
SJ Chip Petrillo (Chip)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 2:20 pm: | |
I am getting cold feet. The dealer wants about $30,000 (US) and I cannot even start it up until the deal is done. He says that this is to protect the car. Is it a good idea to buy any car, even a Ferrari, without even hearing it (let alone driving it)? |
Mark (Mnmark)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 8:27 am: | |
This topic was fairly extensively covered a few months ago. Look under "search". I think you'll note, the 30K miles maint ran from $3K to $6K. Aside from that, not terrible, considering the heritage. |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 3:32 am: | |
Forza magazine's Buyer's Guides always include average costs for routine servicing (and costs for major servicings like engine/transaxle rebuilds etc...).
Check issues: #5, Spring 1997 and #25, Oct. 2000, for some examples. |
SJ Chip Petrillo (Chip)
| | Posted on Monday, June 04, 2001 - 6:09 pm: | |
Hi guys. I am thinking of buying my long time dream car...a 1978 308 GTB with 47,250 miles on it. I am finally able to afford the purchase price and insurance but I am wondering about the cost of regular maintenance. Can anyone provide me with their experience in this area. Thanks for your help. |
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