About to take the plunge, but....

Hi gang,

Ok, I've been a lover of the Ferrari brand since I could see and I've researched the brand intensely over the past 2 years as I am now in a place in life where owning one makes sense financially and for my own enjoyment.

I've looked at a lot of cars (4 or 5 pretty seriously) and have come to the point of trying to hammer out a deal on one. Naturally, this being my first exotic, I want to make sure it is a memorable experience for all the right reasons and not all the wrong ones.

I've developed a few questions about the one I've gotten serious about due to the Carfax report and I'd like some feedback from the pros to see if I'm missing anything or if I'm on track.

1990 348ts 13K miles. Dealer representing the vehicle says it is mint with no stories, damage history, paint or chips.

Carfax:

05/23/1991 89 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Houston, TX
Title #********** Title or registration issued
First owner reported

08/05/1993 3,922 Oregon
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Grants Pass, OR
Title #********** Odometer reading reported for title
or registration

08/19/1993 Oregon
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Grants Pass, OR
Title #********** Title issued or updated

11/14/1996 4,756 Kansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Overland Park, KS
Title #********** Title issued or updated

06/14/2000 Nebraska
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Omaha, NE Title issued or updated
Exempt from odometer reporting

I've talked to some car people about my questions but would love some Ferrari people's input.

What I see from the Carfax:

1) The car "lived" most of it's life in the Central US region but is now located on the East coast of the US (as indicated by the dealer representing the car);

2) The car appears to have gone unlicesed for a few periods of time (assuming a 2yr max licensing period - I'm Canadian and in Ontario where I live max licensing is 2yrs but I don't know what US regulations are with regards to max licensing period for a car or even if they change state to state?). If 2yrs is also the max in the US then it appears the car went unlicensed for a year between 1993-1996, another period of 2yrs between 1996-2000 and has sat, presumably, from 2002-present (5yrs);

So given the above, the questions that come to my mind not having an understanding of US regulations:

1) How do I ensure the current owner has clear and unencumbered title to the vehicle as there are no records of registration since 2000? I find it odd that a car that "lived" in Central US for most of it's time and where it's last registration record is, ended up on the US East coast, having been unlicensed since 2001/02. Can anyone think of any explanations (I've thought of a couple but don't want to taint anyone's opinion with my thoughts)?

2) Plausible explanations for a car sitting unlicensed for 5yrs? Again, I've got my thoughts but I don't want to taint opinions by giving them.

3) Having talked to some high end car folks I know well (Benz dealership owner who also owns a Ferrari himself & his service manager), they thought the Carfax showing the car apparently sitting since 2001/02 likely is not a good thing. They felt that it would mean a lot of work could be needed on the car beyond just a major serive, such as new battery, new tires, all new gaskets + seals, all new hoses/rubber, likely AC recharge or possible compressor replace, possible rust issues with car and more particularily breaking system etc... Are they right? Anything else they may have missed?

Obviously a good PPI is in order as is a personal inspection, but I'd like to bounce around some of the above issues with all of you and get some other input to go with my thoughts.

So what do you think Ferrari Brotherhood?

If you need any other info to make informed recommendations, let me know and if I know the answer I'll provide it and if I don't have the info I'll ask the dealer representing the car to get the answers.

TIA for your help

 

Ok, that is nice to know. Thanks for that. So it could still be 1 owner who just moved to a different state and not necessarily a new owner of the vehicle?

I'm dealing with an intermediary (dealer representing the car) so I'm at a bit of a disadvantage having not spoken to the actual owner of the vehicle.

It is in the process of being assembled and forwarded to me. I'll post more once I've got the info. Hopefully it all checks out.

Owner will perform a major to complete the sale, so that's all well and good, but I would like to see that the car has been cared for previously and not neglected.

 

Thanks for that advice. Was tossing that around in my head as well.

Keep it coming guys. I love all the advice. My head is swimming right now with info overload so getting good advice and having things pointed out that I may have missed is what this thread is all about.

Thanks again to all.