Dealership damaged my F430 spider

Hello everyone - I am happy to have joined this forum and am seeking advice under a very unfortunate circumstance. Recently I brought my pristine 2005 F430 Spider with only 2K miles into the dealership for warranty work and routine maintenance. When I got it home, I closely examined the car and saw the under part of the right front fender was scratched. They had to take the car for an off premises inspection and apparently bottomed the car out. I am out of my mind over this. I contacted them and they said we apologize if we did it and will fix it at a body shop. I asked which body shop and it's noting more then your basic run of the mill shop. Hardly looked like a high end place.

The bigger problem for me is how the car has now been devalued as a painted car of this caliber is always looked upon negatively. Them merely repairing and painting is really a by the way to the bigger problem which is now my car is determined to be hit. Any advise on how I might approach handling this would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Forget devaluation. It's nothing.

In fact, it's a blessing in disguise. You've gotten your first boo boo. No biggie. It's just metal, plastic, leather and paint. It can be fixed.

Now, go out and get your own scratches. That's a lot more fun! You didn't buy it to put it in a museum, did you?

 

You have some pics of this damage? It's a little hard to understand how severe the problem might be without seeing what has actually happened.

 

it's deep scratches about the area of a dollar bill

 

Just make sure they fix it so you can't tell. Keep the info about your car on the DL(down low) so that someone doesn't read about it later and get hung up about it if and when you sell. They could have denied it so you have that going for you. Many times these cars are damaged and fixed before a customer ever takes delivery and the customer never knows. It sucks but shlt happens.

 

Welcome to FChat and congrats on the new car.

I hate to start off like this, but I think you're over-reacting. It is unfortunate that damage was caused at someone else's hands, but to be honest, it's likely to happen eventually. At least it is in an inconspicuous place and not as if they dented/scratched a fender or door.

I'd almost recommend another form of compensation rather than repairing damage that is likely to occur again eventually... say a couple free oil changes or other service items.

I also think you're over-estimating the devaluation of such work being done. I would wager the majority of F430s have had some paint work, whether cosmetic for a minor chin scrub or full-on accident repair. If you choose to have your bumper refinished, I would a) get the work done at the most reputable shop in your area and b) document the before damage with photos and a written estimate from the shop that clearly defines the extent of the damage and work needed to repair it. Very few buyers down the line will care much about a cosmetic bumper repaint.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Do you expect them to replace the car? **** happens.

Consider yourslf lucky that it is very minor and that the car was not in a major accident while being moved about.




beev

 

I feel for you brother but you'll do yourself a big favor by not going crazy over something like this. The shop is being awfully responsible and I would take advantage of that in a trade for routine upkeep also. Body work is real art as we all know. If you cannot live with the scratches then take them to a shop of your choice. Lastly, these cars can be thought of as works of art but they are meant to be driven and sadly, the road out there today is waiting for you with a lot worse then an occasional scuff along the underside of your baby.

 

Here's another way to look at it.

The car devalued about 1000% more by driving it the first mile out of the dealership than any properly repaired scratch.

 

If you really look it over carefully, you will probably find paint work that happened before the car was even delivered. I can tell you my 05 does and I bought it NEW. A touchup is not going to devalue it, especially in an out of the way spot.

Dave

 

There is one more thing to be said.

When you buy a Ferrari, you become married to your mechanic.

Now, if you don't like the dealer working on the car, find another or get an independent. But, whatever you do or whoever you choose to work on your car, remember it's a partnership. You're going to need each other through sickness and in health, richer or poorer.

Having a long term good, friendly, and trusting relationship with your dealer or mechanic will go a lot farther than any short term minor problem.

A Ferrari is not a Lexus. You can't just go down the street to the other dealer or qualified shop.

My point... think of the long term relationship before you lower the boom.

 

I feel for you brother but you'll do yourself a big favor by not going crazy over something like this. The shop is being awfully responsible and I would take advantage of that in a trade for routine upkeep also. Body work is real art as we all know. If you cannot live with the scratches then take them to a shop of your choice. Lastly, these cars can be thought of as works of art but they are meant to be driven and sadly, the road out there today is waiting for you with a lot worse then an occasional scuff along the underside of your baby.

 

:::breathe:::

From what you describe it isnt a big deal...just some scratches to be touched up.

As has been said, most Ferraris have been touched up.

 

Ditto Ditto Ditto to all. It's no big deal!

 

Man, if I got mad every time I scraped the underside of my bumper I'd be in the nuthouse by now The underside of the front of my car is a 50/50 mix of red and white, after the first scrape you don't worry as much, no point fixing it as it'll just happen again.

John.

 

Advise?

Stop sniffing glue.

This is a total non issue.

They scratched it. If you use your car you'll scratch it.

They offered to fix it.

The idea that any competent body shop can't fix it is silly.

The idea that a 2005 F430's value would be affected by something like this is silly.

The idea that your car unscrathched or undriven will hold it's value is also silly.

The only value you'll get out of this car by is driving it.

Modern Production Ferrari's age like fish not like wine.

 

Jim - Well said.

That may well be the best piece of Ferrari ownership advice I've ever heard!
Especially comparing Ferraris to fish.

I have met so many owners in the past who refused to drive their cars for fear of ruining their investment. I suggested municipal bonds.

Back in the late 70s, a fellow showed up at Lime Rock with a 308. Virtually all of the mileage was on and off the trailer.

Bob Z.

 

Another great quote!

 

Jim's reaction in video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvPugcb7QGE

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DNBBrkIPN8

 

RIP Leslie

 

Yes, the world is a little less funnier now...

 

Yes, I've seen every one on his movies - the first one was "Forbidden Planet" when it first showed in theaters.

Shirely he was one of the best!!

Bob Z.

 

I'd be ticked off too. A Ferrari dealer should know how to drive a Ferrari without damaging it. When they do, it should be immediately brought to the owners attention, and an offer for repair made. It should not be left for him to find.

 

I wish I had an F430 spider that was scratched. I'll just settle for my 1999 Oldsmobile that is scratched.

 

Based on the following post from 3/2008

it appears you've owned a 2005 430 from new, and have put 2K miles on it in 5 years. I hate to break it to you, but whatever devaluation has occurred due to the scrape (probably about $0 as these cars pretty much all scrape and the cost of a patch and spot spray will be paid for by the dealer), is much, much less than the 60-70% devaluation that has occurred without the car even moving in 5 years.

Drive the car.

BTW - Stockwell has been banned as a username since only one username is allowed per user.