| Author |
Message |
Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member
Username: Agracer
Post Number: 100
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 10:03 am: | |
You guys are not the norm as far as Ferrari owners. Most don't do more than wash their cars, if they're not paying someone to do it.
I met a local owner here at the Ferrari club and he told me when he mentions he does a lot of his own work on his 308, most of the replies he seems to get are of the "I feel sorry for you" nature. |
Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Junior Member
Username: Dom
Post Number: 149
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 9:52 am: | |
This place has helped me out considerably. I admit I am not the most technically inclined person, but with the help of the people on this site I become more confident every day.
Thanks Rob! |
DJParks (Djparks)
Junior Member
Username: Djparks
Post Number: 197
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 9:08 am: | |
I was literally beating my head against a brick wall trying to find some of the simplest things for my 308 when I first got it. After numerous calls to the dealer in my area I became a victim of (in the words of another Fchatter) FUD, dealer instilled Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. My Fcar experience was fast becoming a bum trip.
This site is the best resource for information I can imagine thanks to everybody's input. I hope I can return the favor.
DJ |
Dave L (Davel)
Member
Username: Davel
Post Number: 260
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 8:15 am: | |
Clearly this is the best automotive site on the web. For technical reasons and for advice on driving and or buying the cars themselves, this site is a must read for a current or future owner. Im in the middle of possibly buying my first Ferrari after 3 Lotus Turbos, and the friends and contacts Ive made here have only added confidence and knowledge for my purchase.
This will help people drive and buy or own smarter. Rob, thanks....Davel |
Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member
Username: Dapper
Post Number: 640
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 4:50 am: | |
Rob,
Second Collins sentiment, I too wouldn't have the confidence for long term F ownership without the invaluable wealth of special to marque experience out there that is accessible to me through the FChat forum. |
DamonB (Prova7)
New member
Username: Prova7
Post Number: 48
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 3:56 pm: | |
"We all know that 75% of the public thinks our 308/328's are worth $100k plus"
I guess Barnum was right =) |
Jeff Green (Carguy)
Junior Member
Username: Carguy
Post Number: 250
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 3:52 pm: | |
I too must say that without this site, I would NOT have purchased my TR in the first place. But after searching the archives, and reading current posts, I had a good idea what I was getting into, and what to look out for. The nearest F-Dealer is well over 100 miles away from my small town, and the ONLY place I get info. is from ferrarichat. Rob has brought up an interesting and profound question, just how has fchat affected the market? I believe it gives more power to the true enthusiasts, where it belongs. At times I can't believe how much work I've done on my TR, but the "speculator" types would have you believe that "you can't work on a Ferrari....your not qualified!" Hogwash! I have recovered my dash, rewired my console, converted over to "normal" seatbelts, "accidentally" removed some unnecessary hardware that does not aid performance, installed new tail light sockets (....G.M. types that just happen to work) and lots of other things. Without the site I'd be totally lost! Words really cannot express how grateful I am to be a member of fchat! |
Ben Millermon (Brainsboy)
Member
Username: Brainsboy
Post Number: 259
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 1:08 pm: | |
This site gives you the ability to work on problems, and think of solutions together as a group. I have meet alot of people that have influenced and worked with me on new products for ferraris. Im not sure I would of been able to design the Millermon distributor conversion without this site. This site really makes owning a Ferrari more enjoyable. |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 4628
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 11:29 am: | |
I do too!
I have about 3-4 that I haven't had time to add yet.
For that reason, creating a message thread is better as it's immediate and you can search for it later. Look at my 328 Rear Brake Pad change I did a few weeks ago as an example.
Maybe we can add them in threads and then I can add the link the P&S section.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/112/234196.html?1050786147
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Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member
Username: Owens84qv
Post Number: 767
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 10:08 am: | |
Collin (and Rob!), I know that I probably wouldn't have undertaken a lot of the work that I have if it had not been for FerrariChat. The amount of technical information on this site is mind-boggling. I check the site no less than 5 times a day just to see what's going on.
I do wish people would post more how-to's in the Parts & Service section... |
Collin Hays (Chaysintexas)
Junior Member
Username: Chaysintexas
Post Number: 99
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 9:33 am: | |
Rob, the Ferrari market hasn't been hurt a bit by FerrariChat.com. But the maintenance scares have, to this point, been largely true. Take all of my fixes for example: What would a dealership have charged me for these rather "rinky dink" items? Probably a fortune.
What F-chat has done is elimate the "boogyman behind every door" insofar as fixes are concerned. I know some may disagree, but these are machines - nuts and bolts - and most things can be readily repaired rather inexpensively.
It does seem some wear their maintenance and repair costs like a badge of pride, rivaling the pride they have in the car, itself!
You are correct about perception - everyone thinks F-car automatically means $100K. Oh well, so be it. I'm not too concerned about what folks think my car is worth, at least until I try to sell it!
And if and when I do ever sell it, I will write on the inside cover of the manual the link to Ferrarichat.com.
Outstanding work, Rob, and a real gift to us Ferrari owners. |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 4625
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 9:23 am: | |
That's good to hear Collin. I was wondering how much you think FerrariChat.com has impacted the Ferrari market. Has the market stayed more stable because FerrariChat.com has dispelled some of the Ferrari myths about maintenance and price of ownership? Do you think FerrariChat.com has hurt the Ferrari market because buyers can make more informed choices.
We all know that 75% of the public thinks our 308/328's are worth $100k plus. Were there buyers that were paying excessive premiums because they didn't know the true market value? |
Collin Hays (Chaysintexas)
Junior Member
Username: Chaysintexas
Post Number: 98
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 9:13 am: | |
And that's the truth. Like most 308's, mine has had a few gremlins. Add that to the fact that heretofore I was basically a mechanical idiot, I could have had some major headaches.
However, with all of the help I have gotten off of F-Chat with you guys, the ownership experience has been a pleasure, and I have learned so much about car stuff in general!
Let's see...here is what I have done myself as a result of F-Chat member input:
- Redyed seats and door panels (I never thought that possible!
- Replaced sporatic speedo sending unit
- Replaced fuel accumulator
- Fixed "fast" start-up idle
- Converted my US bumpers to "euro" in about 10 minutes
- Correctly diagnosed and fixed turn signal gremlin
And I am sure much more that I can't recall. Thank you guys for helping me along with my first F-car, and God bless you all.
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