| Author | Message | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 123 Registered: 12-2001 |
Sarah: you are such a tease... Thanks for the acknowledgement. I hope you enjoy the car. I have had 12's and 8's and there is something addictive about the 12 cyl. cars. I am not a big fan of the f1 shifter for street use, but there is something tempting about at least trying the 575. You never mentioned the dealer that burned you by name, but i'll bet if you showed up there with an appointment once they take delivery of a 575, you might get a kick out of driving it. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 340 Registered: 9-2001 |
good for you sarah. My wife drives the ferrari and causes quite a comotion among the men in their BMW etc and she is only driving a mondial. Though with the convertible she is very conspicious. | ||
| Sarah L Evans (Sarah)
New member Username: Sarah Post Number: 6 Registered: 2-2002 |
Well thanks to all for the comments, WHART i think that you are a bit misunderstood, but I will leave that alone, to each their own right. the car is wonderful and fast as hell to, maybe a little to much for me to push but I will certainly be putting it through the paces soon enough. Well every guy who pulls up next to me and motions to put the window down either asks me if that is my husbands car (not married) or if I am gay. Well it is neither I even went as far one day as to tell one guy that if he can catch me he can have me (not that I would have but it was fun to see him try) I am every bit of an enthusiast as any man so please do not treat me as I am not informed. I love the car and the auto is kind of lame but I need it thought about the 355 F1 but I did the V8 and now needed the real thing. So to all of you masculine men out there I am a woman with a Ferrari V12 and a gun does that make me dangerous. Sarah | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
New member Username: Manu Post Number: 26 Registered: 2-2002 |
Sarah, I have to ask you... (given that statistically, 99% of Ferrari drivers are men)Do you ever get any aggro (from jealous men) when you drive either your new V12 beast or when you drove your 328...... I confess that the idea of a woman driving a Ferrari is a fairly new one to me.. Its something that has taken my immense male ego a long time to adjust to..... But now the idea of a ex-Chicago beauty queen (LOL), 4 wheel drifting her 456 through a corner just makes me think WOW! Congratulations once again! | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 121 Registered: 12-2001 |
Hey Dave, i'm the one who made the comment to Sarah about an automatic being "lame" so i would assume your remarks were addressed to me. Sarah's explanation of her physical need for an automatic put my remark into place as far as she was concerned, almost embarrassingly so. But frankly,i do question why anyone (without a physiological reason, as in Sarah's case) would opt for a "high performance" car and put an automatic transmission in it. I made and make no pretensions about what Enzo Ferrari believed; the basis for my remark is my personal experience, involvement and interest in sportscars. As to your snipe about my attitude (why don't you address me directly, since i think that is more appropriate), the whole point of this forum is to express views, opinions, and the like. As to whether i get "dusted" by a 456, well... we'll just let that one slide since i don't bench race, here or anywhere else. I'd rather drive, and, as i said, part of the experience to me is shifting. But, hey, if you enjoy driving a sportscar with an automatic transmission, who am i to stop you, even if it is, in my opinion, "lame." (N.B. just to be clear, i said nothing, in this or any other post, about what constitutes a "real" ferrari, or whether Sarah's choice was affected by her pocketbook. To be sure, the 456M is a pretty pricey car, which suffers from significant depreciation, owing in large part to it GT, rather than sportscar, character). | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
New member Username: Manu Post Number: 25 Registered: 2-2002 |
Sarah, Congratulations! Your 456 is a moving work of art - absolutely beautiful! Great choice of colour! | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 549 Registered: 8-2001 |
Gorgeous car, Sarah! How do you like it so far? Must be quite a different feel, especally power-wise, from the 328. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 339 Registered: 9-2001 |
I love silver - nice | ||
| Sarah L Evans (Sarah)
New member Username: Sarah Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2002 |
Ok I think I can get the picture on here, Here goes let me know what you think. Sarah  | ||
| Eric Hawley (Eric)
New member Username: Eric Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2001 |
Way Cool, Sarah. While looking for my 456, I tested a couple of them with automatics, and as you now know, that puppy is nice. It's an awesome car, and I know you'll enjoy it. Nothing accelerates like a Ferrari v12, and the auto doesn't seem to detract from that at all. In some ways I think it's faster because it takes care of thinking about what gear to go down to for you. Nothing quite like cruising along in top gear and putting your foot into it at around 50mph and feeling it slam you into the seats as it shifts down to 2nd and blasts off. It's nice to hear of another 456 owner. As Willis says, there isn't much said about them her eon Fchat or on other Fcar lists. I can't offer a lot of info, but have maed a few friends with 456s and am always willing to try to help with any advice, etc. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 1817 Registered: 2-2001 |
Cool. Definitely keep us posted on 456 info like Willis said. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 243 Registered: 6-2001 |
Sarah: Congratulations on you're getting what you wanted. Art | ||
| Dave L (Davel)
Junior Member Username: Davel Post Number: 87 Registered: 7-2001 |
This thread is pretty funny on how many people decided to tell somebody they are lame for buying a Ferrari with an automatic. None of us know what Enzo had in mind, nor do we know what someone simply asking for advice really has in mind beyond what they tell us here. She wanted an auto. So be it. Lame describes the attitude some of you have here that someone else's preference in a Ferrari doesnt add up to what you think Enzo knows,knew or what you think is best for another individual. Ive had plenty of sporscars, auto and stick. Drive what you like and dont be so quick to decide that someone else's dream or version of sportscar reality is "LAME". Sounds like she got the car that fit her budget, her family and her personal needs no matter how lame some of us think an automatic is. Im sure that lame auto will dust a few of your personal Ferrari's and do it quite well. Its also her money to spend as she sees fit without insults on her taste or what fits as the flavor of the month sportscar configuration. I dont think she needed to be reminded she was buying a Ferrari. Her Ferrari. Not your vision of Ferrari. This same attitude still permeates this hobby as far as what other Ferrari's are or arent a real Ferrari. The 308GT4 comes to mind as well as the 246. Good for you Sarah. Im glad Ferrari built a car that suited you. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 542 Registered: 8-2001 |
Congrats on the fine purchase, Sarah! Please let us know how you like the car. We don't get to talk about the 456 much on FerrariChat. | ||
| Sarah L Evans (Sarah)
New member Username: Sarah Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2002 |
I first want to say thanks to all, I bought a car the other day. I am now the proud owner of a 1999 456 GTA in silver. I especially want to thank Mr. Wade Nunez of Fortune Motors for helping me aquire my dream. He was both professional and fair. I got a very nice deal on my 328 and paid below market for the 456. I recomend highly Fortune Motors in Louisiana. I will add a picture to the post as soon as I figure out how. Thanks all for the good advice and again thank you Fortune Motors. Sarah | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1539 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sarah, an informed buyer is a buyer that can not be taken advantage of. No matter blonde, brunette or whatever. If you do your homework you will see that nobody can take you for a ride again. Now that you have F-chat you can ask questions once you found a good deal and see what others think. Again, gladly help if you want to e-mail me go into my profile. Click on my name and e-mail me what you are looking for. COlor etc. I will not bother you by cluttering your e-mail. Let me know if you are interested. Martin | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 99 Registered: 12-2001 |
Sarah: you might want to talk to Denise McCluggage who now lives in Sante Fe. She is one of the grande dames of racing (she won Sebring in 1961 in a Ferrari). I think she is listed. When i was in Sante Fe last, i had dinner with her: she is great and knows everybody, carwise. She has some unbelievable stories about women racers in the "old" days. As to the attitude of dealers, i don't know why you think brokers (or for that matter, individual sellers) would be any different; but you're the one who has to deal with them, so OK. I agree with Arthur about selling yours. Late 89's with low miles are selling now in the high 50's, asks in the low 60's. Only trouble is you have to deal with the tire kickers, phone calls, etc. Yellow/tan is not a common combo on 328's and since yellow is very popular right now, selling yours shouldn't be difficult. I would suggest that you get a subscription to FML; you can watch the market for 456's and advertise your 328 at the same time. Let us know how you do. (BTW, if you want the name of the broker i know, i will be happy to forward it). Regards. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 222 Registered: 6-2001 |
Sarah: The market for the 456A is changing. If you have to sell your 328, I would do that first, and when you have cash in hand, go looking for your 456A. It's amazing how big a discount you can get when you are ready to write a check. In the Ferrari Market Letter, you can see how long the car has been listed. I would look for a car with the longest listing, and if there are no visible defects (Crash, major motor work, etc) and all other factors work, try to negotiate a deal. The alternative is to find an auto broker, such as Martin, and use them to sell and negotiate the vehicles. | ||
| Sarah L Evans (Sarah)
New member Username: Sarah Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2002 |
Ok from the start, I paid $82,000.00 for my 328 in 95 it had 1450 miles on it. I need to get the auto because I have lost partial use of my left foot. I also have a child that I would love to put her in the back seat of. I also on occasion take my work home with me and need a trunk. I love the 328 but have not been aboe to drive it for 2 years now. I do sorely miss it. I would rather buy from an individual because when A woman goes to a dealerr especially a 34 year old brunette that was a former Chicago beauty queen (toot toot) haha. But seriously I have alway been treated like a dumb blonde and am far from that. I am doing cancer research and am far from dumb. Well enough crap about me, I would like to get a car and am tired of the treatment of the dealers. Sarah | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 96 Registered: 12-2001 |
Arthur: send me an email off line. I too am a member of that august profession: [email protected]. regards. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 217 Registered: 6-2001 |
Wm: Liked the response? I get paid to do that sort of thing: Trial lawyer. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Junior Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 207 Registered: 10-2001 |
Don't be too hard on the auto 456. It's a Ferrari my wife would actually drive and there's nothing wrong with that. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 92 Registered: 12-2001 |
Actually, arthur, i was just busting your synchros, but appreciate the mannered response. Every time i see a 456 and peer into the window to see a turbo-hydra-matic, i get a little depressed. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 212 Registered: 6-2001 |
Wm: It isn't the lack of cup holders: its the sitting on a hill, and using up the clutch while waiting for the light to turn or starting out on an uphill, using up the clutch. I do it, but it gets old after a while. The SF drivers compare unfavorably to the NY drivers: they are at least as rude, at least as crazy, and at least as uncivilized. Makes me think long and hard about taking the Fcar into SF, automatic or not. I have a Chevy truck for those days, or the wifes A6 2.7. iT | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 450 Registered: 6-2001 |
Instead of a 456 for a commuter car why dont you look into a MB CLK55 AMG. I love ferraris as much as everyone here but a 456 doesnt seem like a ommuter car. They are comfortable, but the benz is more comfortable IMO and has many more features to make driving easier and more comfortable. I love sportscars too, but sometimes i just want to relax and be comfortable. It also has balls, not the 12cly balls of the 456, but its still resepctalbe. If you commute in a city thats also hard on a car. The servicing for a 456 isnt cheap either. The CLK55 msrp is 70k too, so you would have money left over for a 348 or something. If you really want a 456 then go with it, their interiors are amazing, nicer than a CLK, just not as comfortable (but still very comfortable) | ||
| Bob Campen (Bob308gts)
Junior Member Username: Bob308gts Post Number: 66 Registered: 9-2001 |
Very well said, when I take the wifes Z3 out ( mainly to put gas in it ) It is a fun car to drive, but it is too civilized. Heated seats in a sports car just doesn't hack it with me. Now we will return to Sarah's question | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 91 Registered: 12-2001 |
I see this thread taking a whole new turn. We could call it "What's the Point of a F with an Auto T" or "If Enzo meant for there to be an Automatic...". Well, you get the point. I mean, if we're bitching about how we can't deal with the morning commute, i mean really!? Ferrari to my knowledge doesn't make cup holders, either. Why not just get a benz or jag or bentley or whatever makes you hum, and when you want to drive for fun, take out the sports car? I alternate what cars i drive to NYC. I have in the past, driven various ferraris i've owned on occasion, but frankly, it ain't the shifting, its the very idea of dealing with new york drivers that's scary. Somedays i take my wife's big ol 7401 sport, and when i feel really racy, i take the wrx (superb for those runs on the saw mill parkway). Anyway, when are we going to start complaining about the lack of vanity mirrors, nav systems and seat heaters... Yikes! | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 211 Registered: 6-2001 |
Frank: there is a reason why San Francisco is called Rome West. We also have 7 hills, and it makes driving a stick a pain in the a*s. I commute at least 2 times per week in the 355, but wouldn't want to do that every day or even most of the day. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 534 Registered: 8-2001 |
The F1 system should be available on the 460, or whatever it will be called. The full auto mode should make commuting less of a chore for some people. I think the 456s are grossly under-rated cars. I'd get one instead of the new Maserati Coupe if the 456's price comes down even more. Of course, it'd have to be a 6-speed (rarer than the autos). | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 657 Registered: 9-2001 |
Come on guys, you can commute with a manual transmission just fine. I live in the Atlanta area and commute 21 miles one way to work every day in my 6 speed M5 in some of the worse traffic in the U.S.. . You get use to it. I have a hands free phone and have learned to talk on the phone, drink my coffee and eat breakfast and change gears all at the same time. It just thats the right timing. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 208 Registered: 6-2001 |
JM: The reason my friend is selling his 456 was that he was commuting in it and realized how impractical it was. He'd rather drive is 360 Sypder, and when he commuted, use his S500. | ||
| JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
New member Username: Crazy_horse Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2002 |
Keep in mind that the new 460 4 seater should come out real soon. That ought to make the 456 prices come down as some 456 Ferrari owners are going to want to trade up. I would wait a little while if I were you. That's why I am doing because I am also in the market for a 456M GTA . Yes, an automatic ! I want to drive it to work everyday and the traffic ain't going to get better any time soon! | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 89 Registered: 12-2001 |
Arthur:"M's" are that much. earlier 456's are way, way cheaper. Sarah: Why a 456? (And, why, as i asked before, an automatic, which is, frankly, lame...You're buying a Ferrari, remember?) What did you pay for the 328? you may be suprised at what your car is worth, since the price of those has gone up in the last 2 years. maybe you didn't get hurt as much as your informant suggests. There are no bargains. There is an established market for these cars, and i am suspicious of any estate/divorce/gotta have the cash low ball selling tactics. If you think a dealer stung you, don't deal with em again, but that doesn't mean that all dealers are bad. (end of speech on dealers) i know one broker who i trust implicitly. But his cars will be no cheaper; its just that his cars are straight cars. There are businesses selling below market, but (and i can't say i've seen 'em all) from what i have seen, the cars are cheaper for a reason; not well-maintained, no history; banged and/or repainted, etc. You should read FML. Also, you can get on the FNA website, and just for the hell of it, look at every 456 currently on offer thru the authorized dealer network. It may look like a big conspiracy, but you will see that the prices are all pretty much within a range, given the age and mileage of the cars. Good luck. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 651 Registered: 9-2001 |
Sarah, if you are looking to buy a Ferrari I would highly recommend that you subscribe to the Ferrari Market Letter, FML. Go to www.ferrarimarketletter.com and check it out. I get the hard copy mailed to me every two weeks but you can opt for the on-line version. It will not only have cars, parts and assessories listed for sale, but you can also see the trends in the market before the general public, and most Ferrari owners, know about it. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 193 Registered: 6-2001 |
Sarah: If you are thinking about trading your car in for a 456A, you are probably stuck with a dealer. If you want to maximize your value, I would advertise the car in DuPont or the FML, and look for a good used 456A. I know of several 456s which are for sale. None are automatics, all are at vastly reduced prices because they are a glut on the market. One is a 2000 which has less than 10K and I bet the owner will take less than 160K for it. A good buy on one of these will be 150k. Your 328 will bring a little less than 1/2 of what you need for the 456. Plan on substantial depreciation for the 456 while you own it. | ||
| Bob Campen (Bob308gts)
Junior Member Username: Bob308gts Post Number: 65 Registered: 9-2001 |
You must remember that a good deal is all in the mind, it doesn't matter if you got the car from a dealer or private seller there always will be someone that tells you you paid too much. Nobody wants to waste money, but if you feel good with the deal buy it. | ||
| Sarah L Evans (Sarah)
New member Username: Sarah Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2002 |
Well I bought my 328 GTS 6 years ago and paid way too much for it as I was told about 6 months after i bought i. That was through a Ferrari dealer in the Chicago area. I do not want to go that route again, dealers alwasy ask more for a car that I have seen elsowhere cheaper. What is FML should I subscribe | ||
| SteveF (Stevef)
New member Username: Stevef Post Number: 34 Registered: 12-2001 |
Not all dealers are created equal. Look through some of the threads and you'll find both horror stories and ones with happy endings. If you have a couple dealers near you, you can solicit opinions on who you're likely to have better results with. I kind of like having the security of the pre-owned warranty and second wm hart's advice. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 84 Registered: 12-2001 |
Couple of questions:Do you subscribe to FML? Why are you unwilling to work with an a(presumably authorized) dealer, yet willing to work with a(n independent) broker? Price? 456's depreciate heavily, as you probably know. I would think automatics are worth less (why would you want one, for that matter? given the amount of torque, you do not have to be working the shifter that much). I have bought new and used ferraris and with any of the used ones, knew the complete history of the car, had major service, etc. done, before i took it, and did all the deals thru an authorized dealer, even if i was the one that located the particular car. Given the amount of money at stake, i don't feel comfortable dealing with private parties, involving unknown cars. At least with an authorized dealer, their franchise is on the line, and in my experience, the marginal additional cost of running the deal thru the dealer was well worth the trouble when i did have problems. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1528 Registered: 5-2001 |
Outch, I am a dealer in Ferrari Used cars only and that hurts, but I understand what you are saying. If you want I can look out for you in the CHI area if there is anything coming. Need your pref color and some price range. See who I am at: www.4Ferrari.com | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
New member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 29 Registered: 1-2002 |
On your own. There are a LOT of 456's on the market at dealers, etc. right now. Nice choice. Good luck! | ||
| Sarah L Evans (Sarah)
New member Username: Sarah Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2002 |
I am thinking about trading my car which is a yellow 89 328 for a 456 GTA is it better to look on my own or find a broker. Don't send me to a dealer that's what I did the last time and that was a mistake. |