Can I park a Ferrari in my parking garage?

So here's my situation. Would love some opinions from you guys. Sorry for length.

I just moved to TX from NYC a few months ago. Since I accepted the position in February, my Ferrari obsession has been reignited since I realized with the lower cost of living and the help of depreciation, I can fulfill my dream of owning a Ferrari (a little earlier than I initially expected). I have narrowed it down to 2 models and have started conversations on a couple specific cars. 550 and 328 (pls dont flame me b/c they're "completely different", I have my reasons).

Anyway, since I've began seriously inquiring about vehicles I started to realize that my plan my be spoiled by my parking situation. I live in a very nice, but not elegant apartment complex with a self-park unreserved garage under the complex. The garage is fairly large, and has tight but not ridiculous spots. There are a couple of nice cars but no exotics (Viper under a cover that has nevered moved is closest comp).

The car would not be my DD but I worry about leaving it there even under a cover. Vandalism, door dings, etc come to mind. The plan would be to leave it covered with a non-descript cover at all times. Anyone had a simliar situation? Work out ok? I would love to hear thoughts or experiences. Does the model choice matter at all? Thanks.

 

Rent a storage cubicle for it.

 

Probably no difference in the model you buy.

I park in an open garage with mine (assigned spot so it's always 'there") and with a Corvette across the aisle and a new Mustang beside me have had ZERO problems in a gated environment.

I've been there four years and only last month finally got a CoverKing on it (silver, no logos)

Even under the cover, the profile is unmistakable, I'm 4" lower than the 'vette, and 8" below the Mustang! That probably helps....

I confuse them with three identical cars of different colors!!

They also hassle me about expired tags and Inspection stickers and they can tow for that per the lease fine print...(I'm not too good with those among the three cars)...I had to warn them "you touch it you'll hear from my lawyers".....sadly most complexes have a 'Tow without notice" agreement for the Fire Zones and they are aggressive about it.

 

I have that on site too, for $90 a month.....full of Ducati, tires/wheels, hoods, bumpers tools and firewood from the last hurricane.

 

yeah, an onsite storage unit would be great if I had it. I think keeping it in offsite storage would be depressing no? Too much of a pain to get to for a quick drive. I feel like it would greatly reduce the amount it gets driven. Any thoughts on this? anyone done it? thanks again for the responses

 

OK, OK. You can keep it in my garage. Just leave the keys....

 

Actually yes, for an interim solution Sphere Motorsports on West 11th at Ella has a "vault"...it would have lots of appropriate company in there.

Once you are comfortable about your new place (have you checked Police Records for incident reports?) you could take it on home.

No one STEALS Ferraris if that's your concern.

Vandalism is an other matter.

I have everything from "wash me" written in the dust, to acid poured down the opened window glass at the Hospital.

 

Thanks, the truck will honk when he gets there!!

 

I could get a second enclosed garage on my property, $90 month (North 610 Loop at TC Jester)

The FBI HQ used to be right next door but they have moved out by the Gold Cup Strip Bar, still a quiet neighborhood.

I'll tell the Chirpy Girl Manager I bought ANOTHER Ferrari "just to pizz her off"...

 

appreciate the offers guys :-D

really though, vandalism is the thing i'm most worried about. I'm hoping with a plain grey car cover over it ppl will just assume its an old vette and leave it alone.

hate to hear about the acid. a doctor i know with a 360 had his keyed at a hospital where he works. brutal.

 

Tex.....you know there are a wide variety of "Pininfarina" coach designs, all classic. Maybe you'll be experimenting with another after October eh?

 

You are supposed to CALL me!
My phone went into the pool...new one is blank.

Thinking another installment is ready.....gonna be hard to get it all by the 8th, tho....

 

I think you will be the only one who can really answer your question as unless you leave in a ghetto or in your gated house, you will never be 100% sure your car wont be vandalized. You should be able to tell by living there for a few months, who lives there, how many new faces you see etc. Try talking to the Viper owner also.

If all you are worried is being keyed, i would go for it.

 

I know a guy in Toronto that parks in the parking garage of his building...no problems to date (1989 348)

 

That, and usually towing companies come to THEM wanting their business, so they sign contracts with them and tow them for whatever reason.

 

Any idea what they charge monthly and do you have access 24/7?

 

I agree with the others who say to get to know the place first. I think it all comes down to who else is parking in there, who runs/manages the garage, and their impression of you as a person.

 

Wait, what?? The parking garage where you paid to park your car would hassle you about expired tags and stickers???

 

I why I live in country on Agricultural zoned land with no Homeowners association

 

Nope....It will melt.

 

You can park it wherever want. Just make sure you have good comprehensive insurance coverage!

 

Rig up a camera pointed at your car that you can access online and throw a thick nondescript cover on it. You should be OK.

 

You might want to check for obnoxiously high speed bumps or very steep ramps before driving in.

That Top Gear episode where they are trying to get the three exotics out of a parking garage in France comes to mind.

- Paul

 

These aren't new cars. In a private garage, you can fiddle under the hood when it gets cantankerous.
In a "general parking", you'd have to see if anyone could get a flatbed truck into the garage, if you needed it taken to the shop.

You can get to toyota reliability with an older Italian, but only through rigorous maintenance.
Remember: buying an Italian car is only the beginning of the costs.

Not being able to get into the mechanical bits would lose you some of the ownership experience, as these are pretty well made cars. "Elegant" engineering, in many ways.

If you go with a storage shed, make sure it's big enough to accommodate your DD, as well. That way, you can drive over to storage, leave the DD in the storage while you drive the Italian, and then swap them back when you're done.
But most self storage areas are limited access at night or on weekends.

I'd worry more about vandalism if the garage was full of hybrids.
.... or Sentras.

After a heavy rain, check the drainage in the garage.
I park my 328 at the office underground garage during the day, but usually in the more thinly populated lowest level.
And often in the afterthought spots, between a couple of concrete support pillars.
(You have to know where your corners are, and be comfortable backing into tight spots.)


But your big worry may be catching cold:
After buying your first Ferrari, you tend to spend the next few days sitting in the garage, just looking at her.
(I kept nipping down to the garage to look at mine, and I'd owned Fiats and Alfas for decades.)

 

I agree with the others in that you need to get to know the complex first. Still, you never know what may or may not happen.

Keep in mind, you run an equal risk driving it to the local Starbucks or just out to dinner.