| Author |
Message |
BobD (Bobd)
Member
Username: Bobd
Post Number: 712
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 8:30 pm: | |
Find a good independant. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 565
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 7:47 pm: | |
i wouldn't put a deposit down. if FoH is doing the PPI and the car is within a 20 minute drive of the dealerhip then there's zero hardship here. it's not like you're having it trucked 200 miles away or something weird.
it's possible that the owner wants to see good faith money, which may or may not be reasonable on his behalf. i still wouldn't pay it though. you're clearly operating in good faith by forking for a PPI.
doody. |
DMC (Machinnes)
New member
Username: Machinnes
Post Number: 3
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 7:15 pm: | |
Never put a deposit down. You want to know from someone other then the dealer that the car will pass a full PPI. You having the car checked out for $300-$500 dollars is trust enought that your serious about this car. The owner,in most cases would be the person to take the car to the shop, and dont worry FOH will get their $ for the sale. PS I have had major problems trusting some Ferrari dealers. |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 270
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 6:26 pm: | |
Carl,
Personally I have bought from both dealers and private people. Either way, I like to know the seller has title in hand before I even look at a car. A PPI by a seller is pretty useless, in my opinion, but FOH is very unlikely to sell you a car they know is bad just for reputation's sake, especially if they have no financial interest in the car. A 328 is pretty small potatoes for FOH and I would not think they would sell a bad car they don't even own just to make a couple of grand. If they know the owner from day one and records go back all the way, I would consider buying even without a PPI. Buying from an independent broker is another can of worms entirely. FOH may offer a 30 or 60 day 1000 mile waranty which would give you plenty of time to find out if there is a problem with the car.
I bought my 89 328 from Camissa last year long distance. They asked if I would give a credit card number to hold it while I had an independent PPI done. I agreed, but they never actually took it. PPI went fine, I wired the money and a couple of weeks later the car arrived.
Since FOH does not actually own this car, I doubt it's going anywhere. If you can be there in a couple of weeks, arrange to see it and hire an independent to go over it with you. Be prepared to do the deal on the spot. Have a price already agreed to as long as everything checks out. My 2 cents.
Dave |
Carl Rose (Carl_rose)
New member
Username: Carl_rose
Post Number: 7
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 4:16 pm: | |
OK guys the plot thickens...
Dealer is Ferrari of Houston. Car is *not* currently on the market but also in Houston. Now my parents (who live there) started tracking the VIN# and the car currently resides about 3 miles from their house...we have seller's name/address, but not phone number (but hey, they can always knock on the door)Car is currently about 25 miles from dealer, not certain if they'll pick it up or drive it there.
Now my parents aren't Ferrari experts but my intention was to have the car brought to the dealer, inspected, and have them look it over. I can't return to Houston for 2 weeks or so. Not sure if the current owner wants to have anything to do with the sale so haven't contacted him directly (and I think given that FOH "found" the car that would be highly unethical) I understand the point about dealer having incentive to produce good report but apparently they've known this car since new..and it is pretty close to perfect. No modifications, etc. so sounds like what I'm looking for. I figure the deposit is to ensure I'm serious about purchasing & not kicking tires - they're in a difficult position as I am in another state - so I don't have an issue with putting down some $. I'll pay for the inspection, just want to clarify scenarios should the car turn out *not* to be what I want for any reason that I'm not out $4500.
I've called a gentleman at another dealer in the meanwhile (who has no interest in transaction)& he thought this process was kosher but wasn't sure he would refund deposit should I "change my mind for no objective reason". Again, tough to say yes/no (that's where on-site parental inspection comes in) from 500 miles away...
Thoughts on this? Probably have to make a decision by Fri/Sat.
Another car just offerred to me - exotics4less - 1988 1/2 328 with 735 (!) miles on it, serviced this year, priced in high 60's. Not certain I'd want something I'd be afraid to drive?
Any and all advice appreciated at this point.
Thanks again everyone,
Carl |
Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Junior Member
Username: Iluv4res
Post Number: 192
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 3:17 pm: | |
Do NOT pay a deposit up front to have them get the car!!! (Insist!!! resist the temptation!) There are way too many people who have lost the deposit money that way!!! (Do I need to mention the dealer's names??????? (Florida-hint))
If they want to sell you the car, have them provide it to you to have it inspected at a dealer or mechanic of your choice. Then buy it if it turns out ok. If it doesn't check out ok and you paid up front, you have all the hasstle of your deposit. Furthermore, with up front deposits, you don't even know for sure if they have the car!!!!
DO NOT GIVE UP FRONT DEPOSITS!!!!
What car is it, where is it? Perhaps someone else can go take a look for you if it's far away. |
david handa (Davehanda)
Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 297
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 2:41 pm: | |
Carl, like anything "get it in writing..."
With that said, I think it may be to your advantage to have the car inspected by a reputable independant mechanic. The dealer may be outstanding and have a great reputation, but here's the rub: If they bring the car in, and the compression/leakdown (make sure they do a leakdown test too) shows the engine may be marginal in one cylinder,...there is an incentive for them to want to "gloss over" that number or make it seem not too bad. Cause otherwise they may get stuck with the car and have to try and sell it to someone else. Obviously the dealer is staking their reputation on it, and that says something, but by the same token, they want to move that car. I have no problem with buying a car from a dealer (and paying the slight premium), but the inspection you may wish to have done elsewhere. Also, it would be wise to have a body shop guy come out and give the car a "once over" as most mechanics will not pick up a lot of repaint and repairs that may have been done in the past. They don't charge much, maybe $100 or $150. |
TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member
Username: Tifosi
Post Number: 1582
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 1:01 pm: | |
dealership PPI should be under 500 prob between two and four, not sure why need deposit. you pay for the PPI whether you buy the car or not. Would be leary of dealer doing it but maybe it can be ok if he gives you a warranty |
Noelrp (Noelrp)
Junior Member
Username: Noelrp
Post Number: 95
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 12:56 pm: | |
It is not a good idea to have a PPI done in the same dealership. You might not get a fair report.
Try to find another shop for the PPI. If you like the car & you think a full 'refundable deposit' is worth the risk, I think it's fair.
Good luck. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 563
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 12:48 pm: | |
i for one am confused, dude.
the dealer is selling a car and you're going to have them do the PPI but they want a deposit before they'll do the PPI?
even if the car is under consignment i don't understand this entirely.
what dealer? what state? be careful of states with fuzzy deposit return policies (eg: FL).
a full-bore PPI should be under $500 including compression test. i've heard some here talk about $250 and thereabouts. make sure the car is fully warmed up prior to compression test.
doody. |
Carl Rose (Carl_rose)
New member
Username: Carl_rose
Post Number: 6
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 12:38 pm: | |
Hi everyone,
Three weeks into this & I may have found a car! It's through a dealer, who is asking a $5000 deposit to bring the car to his shop. Then i would have a formal Ferrari NA inspection performed with compression testing which I am presuming to be in the $500-1000 range. Should I choose not to purchase the car, would one normally expect to be refunded the difference?
Just wondering on Ferrari dealer etiquitte.
Thanks,
Carl
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