Ferrari of Houston....am I missing something?

that's definitely not good to hear. especially since we've decided to start looking for 430's rather than 360's

 

They are short handed due to the racing team.

Dale

 

i've had the same kinds of experiences with them...its like they're making too much money to care now.

 

It's the racing team, the shop doesn't have a whole lot of people working there & from what I've seen they get backed up with a ton of work. You should be able to find a shop that uses the PPG color photo-matching system. In fact call Ted at my old shop in the memorial city area, he should be able to help you out.

Memorial Collision Center
281-597-1282

Tell him Will sent you.

 

have you Dino shipped to Boardwalk Ferrari here in Plano. Ask for Steve Smith to do the repairs. He is awesome.

 

I had a friend from Oak Ridge tell me that they only wanted to work on newer models, treated him like he was at the wrong dealership in his 328

This was last year when he told me this...

 

...that's why I go to Lamborghini of Houston. Top-Notch service!

 

Mason Auto Supply on Washington Avenue....

In fairness they don't do resto work......

They have Enzo drivers and Challenge racers and 430 red/tan spyders on the showroom floor!

OTOH Russell in Parts was very helpful in running down the oval gaskets for my door handles!

And they are always nice to me...just snag the latest Cavallino and a model and ball cap and head towards Vintage or EuroCar.....

 

They lurk here, you know...I swap PMs with them all the time!

 

All our dealings with FoH have been very positive. Great bunch of folks there.

Carol

 

Hard to imagine you have been treated that way. I know all the guys there well and feel they will do what they can to help you out. Could you have possibly said something the first time you were in that could have set them off or something? Not saying you did, just asking.

 

They are definitely not in too much of a hurry. phone calls take days to respond. I think the fact of the matter is, is they have a full shop of Ferraris getting serviced and they know there really isnt any other options out there. The service manager Guiseppe is a top notch nice guy, he just lives life in the slow lane.

If youre that upset, i would try Driver's Source on Memorial. I have had my car detailed there and they are an authorized Ferrari service place. they were working on an F40 when i was there.

 

even let out of towners in early when they want to take a look around...

nice guys..

 

I too have had less-than-satisfoactory experiences there..

I've called the parts desk several times, left a message, never got a call back.

When I drove my 77 308 over a curb last year, I had the car towed into Ferrari of Houston's body shop. Steve in the body shop was really negative with me, saying the car was probably totalled, and that the repair bill he would draw up would be $20,000 or so, forcing Allstate to total it anyway (only the front left corner subframe/condenser/rad was damaged). He seemed very un-interested in helping me. He told me that their price on the a-arm frame attachment forks are $800!!! Those things are about $50 elsewhere! Insane...

I had it removed and sent to Prestige Collision off Fondren/Richmond. Their estimate was half, did a great job. All the car needed was a bit of new subframe welded in, new condensor/rad, new front valance, and paint. The main frame was fine, not bent.

Others have sung Steve's praises around here, but personally I was offended at the condescending attitute he displayed towards my car.
After the repair was complete I brought it by for him to see it (not sure why...) and he said the job was just OK, not great! Trust me, it was done perfectly. Just plain rude, in my opinion.

These Ferrari dealers need to get out of their ivory towers and realize lowly 308 owners may be future 430 owners someday--treat them accordingly...

My .02..

Greg

 

Wow, I am surprised at this thread.

The staff at Ferrari of Houston has always been helpful to me. These cars discussed seem to be of earlier vintage. From my experience, it might not be cost effective to repair / restore these cars at the dealer. They are required to use factory parts that can be very expensive. Are your cars of show quality? Are they stock? It is easy for a small repair to grow to a large percent of the value of the car.

On the issue of paint for the Dino the auto parts idea sounds like a good one! What is the price from the dealer $100.00 as opposed to $4.00. Save the money.

For the 1977GTB you said it (the a-arm frame attachment forks are $800!!! Those things are about $50 elsewhere!) What can they do? They must use the Ferrari parts and repair the car to factory specifications.

I think the dealer likes the earlier cars, look at the showroom!

 

Well, I guess I'm mainly disappointed in the attitude displayed more than anything. There's just a palpable sense of elitism around there (not at the parts desk, but in the sales area, and the body shop).

Just my experience--others might intrepret differently..

Greg

 

I'm not surprised. Official dealers are never any good at the older stuff. If it isn't current, it's too much trouble. I will only use my local dealer for warranty items. My old stuff goes to owner-operator independents who need the business and make sure you are happy enough to come back when the next need arises. Dealers will also charge full retail on parts and that in and of itself is a giant broomstick in the same cavity that Abner Louima had from the NYPD some years back.
Their only saving grace for OBD II cars is that they have an SD3 diagnostic computer and most independents don't, so they can diagnose codes readily.

FoH is also a bit of a unique place given its heavy involvement in racing, which it appears leaves the shop a little understaffed during race season.
I'm certain that you can get viable referrals on Fchat to reputable proven independents who will be delighted to work on a 328.

 

Dave's cars are real nice....The point though still is that the dealer shouldn't have treated him that way regardless....Older or not, some people want that authentic part.....

 

Awesome Dave! Can't wait, I'm sure the pictures do no justice with that blue and creme.

 

anyone know the owner of the dealership? i would like to have a chat with him about these kinds of issues. if he doesn't give a shi*, then i just wont step foot in there again.

my attorney went there with a blank check to buy a maserati they had on the showroom floor. he told the salesman he was there to look at maseratis and the salesman said "i'm waiting for a fax right now." he waited 15-20 minutes and didnt hear from the salesman. went back to the sales desk and asked the guy if he got his fax and he said he got it 10 minutes ago. he didn't even have the decency to come up to him after.

he got pissed and walked out and bought one in Dallas...cash.

 

Giuseppe Risi

Good luck with that.