| Author |
Message |
arthur chambers (Art355)
Member
Username: Art355
Post Number: 268
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 9:08 am: | |
What difference does it make if you buy a Euro or American 360? Their both Ferraris. If one if cheaper,there are probably offsets such as the service and declining values. If someone can't afford, or won't pay the over retail prices for a 360, and they can get a euro, the more power to them. It just means more Ferraris on the road here. Nothing wrong with that. To disparage someone because they won't pay the asking is eltlist.
I don't own a euro, but have driven one, and an American one. Can't tell the difference without a microscope. |
KH (H00kem)
Junior Member
Username: H00kem
Post Number: 66
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 8:52 pm: | |
Mr. Robert, want to cry...buy a grey market Ferrari. If you can't afford a US Ferrari...buy something else. KH |
Michael Fennell (Mfennell70)
New member
Username: Mfennell70
Post Number: 29
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 10:05 am: | |
Bret, the issue isn't the language the software is written in (and it all ends up as hex code no matter what language was used originally), it's what the software does. It would be completely trivial for Ferrari to set up the interfaces so that Euro cars can't 'talk' to diagnostic computers used in the US.
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Robert Jude Klein (Rjklein4470)
New member
Username: Rjklein4470
Post Number: 7
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 7:48 am: | |
Mr. KH, I do not think afford is appropriate here. It is just smart business not to pay more for a depreciating asset. I have take time to educate myself on the market place. This includes FNA patition, dealers ability to make deals so that they can sell the cars for market value, and not MSRP, and to find out just how different the cars really are. For starters FNA will loose their patition, on the basis that they are maintaining that the cars are signifantly different. Most of the computer parts are manufactured here in America, for example the wire harnes is made by Delphi. On top of that Ferrari does not have to comply with many of DOT safty regulations because the number of units manufactured. That rule is manipulated by the number of cars that they bring into the states by FNA. So this is not about just $$$ it is understanding the politics that are driving the market, and yes there are some people that part easily with there money, but I am not one of them. |
KH (H00kem)
Junior Member
Username: H00kem
Post Number: 64
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 7:53 pm: | |
want to cry...buy a grey market Ferrari. If you can't afford a US Ferrari...buy something else. |
martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member
Username: Mw360
Post Number: 345
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 7:09 pm: | |
Robert,
Bought a 99 360 from Amerispec 2 yrs ago and certainly hope your experience will be better than mine.A few potential problems 1) when the local F dealer entered the vin # in the computer nothing came up.Finally got info with the help of Jason who asked his UK dealer to enter the vin# and I found out there were a total of 8 "recalls" never taken care of in Germany where the car was originally.Finally got some done by FNA and the rest I pd for myself getting parts from Lyle Tanner.I think FNA perhaps did this since I had purchased a new Us 355 in '97.
2) the local Dealerships are so intimidated by FNA that they do not wish to do any repairs on Euro's.I have the feeling this varies from shop to shop.I found a F tech who opened his own shop and can get euro parts so I don't have to feel like an "untouchable",groveling at the F dealership.Screw 'em.
3) ins should be no prblem
4) I am sure you realize that the $ we saved on the purchase will even out at sale time.At the time I bt the car prices of flipped cars were 200k
and waiting lists for sticker cars 2-3yrs.
Bottom line however is the car performs perfectly,
Have had no mechanical problems and I love it.
Good luck hope you enjoy many yrs of pleasure. |
BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bretm
Post Number: 1843
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 3:17 pm: | |
I don't like it when they call them gray market cars, they're euro cars, gray market makes them sound like they're bad or something.
I find the computer thing interesting too. I got into a little bit of programming about a year and a half ago, I never found anything about europeans using different codes than Americans in HTML, VB, C++, etc. I find it interesting that Ferrari makes a whole big deal when as far as I have found programming is somewhat of a universal language, especially in something as narrow focused as automobiles. It seems it would cost them a lot of money to recode all the cars in a separate language that corresponds to the people that will be driving the car.
I just like US cars because it avoids hassle. Best of luck with your car and congratulations. Keep us posted on how things go with it, and tell us about it. Color? F1? post a pic? |
Ben Lobenstein 90 TR (Benjet)
Member
Username: Benjet
Post Number: 503
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 11:01 am: | |
Accroding to my local Auth F dealer/serivce mgr. they don't require a VIN for ordering 360 parts (maybe only certain parts? like whole engine?) but DO require VIN for 360 Challenge parts. This was 6 months ago, things may have changed, since them. Just FYI.
-Ben
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arthur chambers (Art355)
Member
Username: Art355
Post Number: 254
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 10:58 am: | |
Robert:
could you send me the details of where you bought the car, etc. I'm looking for a 360.
Art |
Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member
Username: Miami348ts
Post Number: 1548
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 8:54 am: | |
Good for you!
I can not congratulate you enough on this decission. You saved yourself tens of thousands of $$$ that you could spend in service and repairs but likely will never. If the engine blows send it back to Europe to get it fixed. Its a hassle but it is covered there!
Howie, as far as insurance I have never heard of that. Why would they not?
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Robert Jude Klein (Rjklein4470)
New member
Username: Rjklein4470
Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 8:22 am: | |
Insurance was not a problem for my agancy. |
Robert Jude Klein (Rjklein4470)
New member
Username: Rjklein4470
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 8:19 am: | |
In other words if a dealer orders parts for the car they need the vin number, and ferrari will be able to tell that the car is a gray market car. The dealer is afraid the FNA will flex there muscles even more aside from the petition. The dealers are afraid this will hurt their allocation |
Howie F. (Brokerofexotics)
Junior Member
Username: Brokerofexotics
Post Number: 135
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 8:09 am: | |
You also have to be careful with regard to insurance. There are many companies that will not insure a Euro car for full value. |
Robert Jude Klein (Rjklein4470)
New member
Username: Rjklein4470
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 8:05 am: | |
The car was already converted by J&M. There are other warranties out there, but I feel that this car will not need a warranty. The only issue with a gray market car is finding a dealer that will work on the car. Now they will tell you that they do not have software to work on a gray market car, but this in not true. The software is compatable to the cars cpu. The dealer is concern is ordering parts for the car. Ferrari tracks all parts ordered by dealers and the dealers are trying to protect their allocation of cars. |
Erick Gravel (Erickg)
New member
Username: Erickg
Post Number: 15
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 1:10 am: | |
robert: is the car already dot certified?
because i've seen euro 360's for as low as 103k
without the conversion.
euroferrari.com also sells euro specs that have been dot certified.. prices arent too bad.
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Erick Gravel (Erickg)
New member
Username: Erickg
Post Number: 14
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 12:05 am: | |
Here is what they state about the warranty issues
"BMW and Porsche honour their warranty worldwide. Ferrari does not.
However ASAM CARS is in the unique position to sell Ferraris with warranties equal to that of the
Ferrari S.p.A warranty. With the warranty, it can be serviced at any Ferrari dealer nationwide and
the dealer will be paid directly by the warranty company. Extended warranties are also available
on all models. Thus, there is NO difference between one of our Ferraris and one originally
delivered in the USA. Many people may sell European Ferraris in America, only ASAM CARS offers
them with warranties." |
Chris Richardson (Boozy)
Junior Member
Username: Boozy
Post Number: 69
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 10:32 pm: | |
You'd be amazed at how long it can take to get all that stuff done and how much variation in quality of work you can get in having it done. It looks like Rjklein did it right in getting one that's already done. That's the only way someone should consider getting a Euro car. (Note I didn't say grey market.) |
wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 113
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 9:55 pm: | |
If the car was a ""no stories" car in correct condition, i too would be less concerned about warranty issues,given the price savings and immediate availability (assuming it was configured the way you wanted). The big trouble is: is the car fully legal here, with all necessary approvals (yours is, you say) and were you at risk with your money at any time. If you were able to minimize these risks, you should be commended and share, if you are willing, your knowledge and experience. |
Tim N (Timn88)
Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 476
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 9:34 pm: | |
What are the details on the warranty? If they have a warranty i dont see how you could go wrong. The one thing would be if your local dealer's computer cant read your car's computer. I thought i heard that somewhere, but it sounds like BS because the computer thing at miller that the mechanic used to adjust the clutch on a 360F1 was in italian! |
Erick Gravel (Erickg)
New member
Username: Erickg
Post Number: 13
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 9:21 pm: | |
I also had a deal going on a 360 f1 for 135k
from europe
135k includes the conversion.. damn good price if you ask me..
still not sure if thats the route i want to go.
Alot of people advised me not to go with a euro spec.
asamcars.com sells euro's and they provide there own warranty on cars they sell, in case of service needed, they send you a local service center that can work on the car, much better then having to ship the car back to europe.
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NGSVDO (Azspider)
New member
Username: Azspider
Post Number: 40
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 8:59 pm: | |
In my opinion if the price is right it was a good deal. What is the difference if you bought a three or four year old F car out of warranty? At least with a new one you have less to go wrong right away. |
Robert Jude Klein (Rjklein4470)
New member
Username: Rjklein4470
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 8:43 pm: | |
I just purchaced a 2000 360 gray market car. There has been alot of talk about the gray market cars, and I did my best to gain as much knowledge as I could about the gray market cars. I decided it was worth the risk. I purchaced the car for $138,900 with 300 miles on it with all the paper work and DOT information. Now for me this was worth the risk, and I feel it is important to get into a car at the right price. The car runs great, and I am not convinced that the cars are that much different. just FYI |