Here's a write up that I found to be helpful: The PPI Buying a performance car can be a little different to buying a 'daily driver'. The process is essentially the same but the key point is the stakes are a great deal higher. Get into a car that has problems and you'll need deep pockets. The Pre-Purchase Inspection is a key safeguard against this. What makes a good PPI, and who does it? You should be getting someone independent to carry out a PPI for you. The cost can be around £250 or $400 US Dollars for an afternoon's work but the expense is well worthwhile. Many people look upon having to walk away from a car that fails a PPI as a negative experience, but in reality the opposite is the case. You've not got yourself a car but you've avoided a whole bunch of grief and you've done the right thing. Most often, PPI's are carried out by Ferrari specialists or Ferrari Main Dealers. It is not normal to have a non-Ferrari garage carry out a PPI because they may not have the experience that is required to distinguish a bad car from a good one. PPI Checklist As an example, the PPI on my own vehicle covered the following checks: Side lights Headlights dip Headlings main Foglights Brake Lights Hazard lights Indicators Panel Lights Reverse Lights Interior Lights Door Lights Aerial Stereo System (and whether CD fitted) Wipers Screen Washers Horns Window Operation Cigar Lighter Air Conditioning Heater Controls Instruments Petrol Cap (these sometimes stick) Boot Light Engine (includes a compression check) Gearbox Final Drive / Axle Clutch Steering Suspension Brakes Handbrake Cooling Fans Coolant Leaks Engine Oil Leaks Exhaust System (including bypass valve) Exhaust Emissions Door Locks Door Seals Window Channels Seats Seatbelts Interior Trim Roof (Sipder / GTS) Exterior Finish Tyre Tread Wheels Underbody Chassis It is normal for a compression check to be offered as an optional part of a PPI. It is important that you get this as it gives key information about the state of the engine. You should get 8 readings from the compression check; one for each cylinder. Expect a good set of values to be around the 180-190 PSI mark. Anything much below 170 means the engine is beginning to wear a little too much. You are also looking for good balance across all cylinders. If one is low and the others are all roughly equivalent and much higher, there is clearly something wrong. Don't forget also to consider having an HPI check carried out to determine whether the car has any finance outstanding. This is especially key if you are buying privately. At the end of a well done PPI you should get a written report on the vehicle, with any recommendations as to work that should be carried out. This can in turn be used as a bargaining tool if the main mechanicals check out. As well as performing static checks they should also have driven the vehicle and should be able to tell you how it feels - whether it drives well or not in comparison to the other vehicles they have tested or driven.
As a point of reference, I spent $500 at a very well known south Florida Ferrari specialist when I looked at a t coupe the end of last year. Included a reasonably detailed written report as well as a phone conversation for mental impressions. Well worth the expense IMHO. Regards, Jerry
I spent almost that much back in 2008 on a black t Coupe in Jupiter; hope yours was a different and better car.
Thanks. Although black/tan has always been a favorite combo, this was not. The car drove well according the Ferrari specialist who checked it out, but it needed some current maintenance (even though some had been done within the last 2 years) and a fair amount of "not now, but the next time you open her up for a real major" type of stuff. On balance this was not the right one for me, so I passed. I believe the car sold some time ago and the seller was a straight shooter too. Hopefully, the new owner is enjoying the car, as there are not too many t coupes around...... Regards, Jerry
Looking at a 1992 Mondial for about $30K with as many miles. Never had a timing belt or clutch job. Can anyone tell me the price on the clutch and belts jobs.
Being that its a 92 t, it will need an engine out ($2k), @ 30k miles, its due for a major service (see thread above for details ~$3500) + new clutch $2k. I would say you are looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of $7500 at a specialty shop + what ever else they will find as they look closer at hoses, water pumps, etc. Now at a full fledged Ferrari dealer, cross your chest and say your Hail Mary cause its gonna be $10k or more. I'm actually learning how to do my own maintenance because the cost is scary and I enjoy tinkering with stuff. Good luck!
I am flying to Miami next week to take a look at a 1989 Mondial T. Would you recommend the "well known South Florida Ferrari specialist" mentioned in your post? Name? Any other recommendations from others on FChat for a Miami area PPI? thx
Don't know who's referenced in the above but Numero Uno is Tim Stanford in Ft. Lauderdale - 954.764.7824
Yup, that's the one!!! Top notch and a pleasure to deal with. While he did provide a written report, the phone conversation was even better! Regards, Jerry
