What I learned in buying my first Ferrari from an official dealer

Just took delivery of my 03 360. I looked and read for a long time on line and then in person for over a year. Quite frankly, I wasn't sure what to expect from the buying process and thought Ferrari dealers and owners wouldn't be interested in someone looking to buy only a 360. I couldn't have been more wrong about the process. Everyone was friendly and enthusiastic about sharing their love of Ferrari. Thank you to everyone who recommended in buying my first Ferrari from an official dealer as I think it was the right thing to do. Here's a few things I learned in the process.

1. The average car at the Dealer appeared to be better than the average car at a used car dealer or a private party sale. Obviously there were exceptions but the Dealer appeared to keep only the best cars in the lot.
2. No PPI at official Ferrari dealer. I don't know if anyone else was able to get a PPI but every dealer I asked told me no way on an independent PPI. I ended up buying a CPO car that already had everything checked including a compression test.
3. Prices in Southern California were higher than what everyone talked about. I didn't see any low mile 04 360 for 80K the people were talking about.
4. I cross shopped 430 and found Dealers more willing to negotiate on 430 than 360. My take was that someone was eventually going to buy the cheapest Ferrari so why negotiate over few thousand dollars (actually told to me by a Ferrari salesman).
5. Ferrari service departments are friendly and very willing to provide service records; the only exception was Autogallery who said no and hung up. Everyone else went out of their way to track down service records, going far as contacting the prior owner to obtain permission and then sending me the records.
6. The prices at the Ferrari Dealer were no higher than used car dealers or private party sales. Not sure if I would have been able to negotiate a bigger discount at other places but at least the advertised prices were remarkably similar between all sales.

I hope this provides some information for other looking for their first Ferrari.

 

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That's great info. I'm sure a lot of others looking to buy will find it interesting.

Personally, I like buying through official dealers. Some say it costs you more but I say they stand up more behind the product they sell.

Now.... post us some pics!

 

yep bought from Ferrari and got the warranty.. peace of mind.. and at this point I'd rather pay extra for something I want, than bargain hunt.. this is a dream after all, not coupon clipping

 

+1`

 

Thanks for posting. I had a similar experience (with Ferrari of Newport Beach). I looked at a bunch of 360s and the ones at the authorized dealers were generally nicer than the ones at independents or private individuals. Tell us who the dealer is so others can go there. Too often you only hear negative things when things go wrong.

 

I paid to have the car I was interested in transported to an Independent Factory Certified Ferrari mechanic and have a PPI done. In my mind it was worth every penny. If the dealer wants to sell the car, you can get the PPI done. Just make sure they know you are serious and not a tire kicker.

Just picked up mine last Saturday, it's my first F car and I'm LOVING IT !

'02 360 Spider F1 Nero....

 

Congrats the 360 is a bada$$ ride! But, we're all gonna need to see pics of your new baby!!!

Joe

 

yeah I feel more comfortable when buying from a official dealer too.
Peace of mind.
Price is really the last thing I am worry about, $5k here $10k there is not that big of a deal on these cars.
I also like to install "things" through their service department too, yes is more money than inde, but not a lot.....and if somethign goes wrong they will cover it.

 

I bought from Jason at Ferrari of Silicon Valley. This is the best experience I ever had at ANY car dealer. Jason said that he just wanted me to be happy (yeah, I didn't believe it either) but he really meant it and went way, way out of his way to make sure that everything was perfect. He and the Dealer are men of their words and I am definitely buying my next car from them. Even more amazing thing is that I probably bought the cheapest car they ever sold, but got treated as I was buying an Enzo from them. They are a true class act!

I'm not so sure that an official Ferrari dealer is more expensive at least in my experience - or maybe I mean that an independent used car dealer or an individual is no less expensive. I guess depends on the desirability of the car. The cars that I looked were definitely not cheaper through independent or private party. But then again, I tried to look at only the best cars.

I highly, highly recommend Jason. I read so many horror stories that I was really apprehensive about my first Ferrari, but after this great experience, wonder why I didn't do it sooner. Hopefully this will be of some help for those of you in similar situation.

 

We need pics!

 

Same experience as you on the PPI. No way an independent PPI at an official dealer. A second point: I have found that the majority of used F Cars at official dealers are there on consignment.

 

Was the dealer prep-fee reasonable? in other words was it the same for your car as for a 458?

 

Bought my 360 from a individual that owned it from day one and serviced it and had all documents,fobs,tools,etc. I'm more comfortable purchasing from a Ferrari lover over a salesman but thats just me. Congrats and were is the pictures!

 

If you mean the document prep fee, it was $55 which was what I paid for the Prius. Not bad since they Fed Ex documents both ways. Only other fee was smog.

I agree that probably the nicest car I saw was an one owner for sale by owner car, but it was an exception. Also it was sold for top dollar which was well over the figures mentioned in this forum. In my area at least I don't think I actually saw another other one owner 360s.

 

That's exactly what I am looking for, and so far it seems impossible!

 

I believe you were the one who came over to my house and looked at my car. Congratulations on your purchase. I'm sure you will enjoy every minute of it.

 

Congratulations.

I know you will love the car. (Drove mine today for the first time in months...66F and no snow. Loved every minute.)

I assume you had no trade-in as it was not mentioned. Dealers have a definite advantage if you have a trade.

Bought all my Fcars from the dealer and I have no complaints. I feel they have to stand behind their sale as word travels fast at FCA and the Fcar community. Just smart business.

 

The bad thing about buying from a Ferrari dealer, or independent dealer in AZ, is the sales tax. You pay an additional 8.8% on top of the purchase price. That is a lot of change when you are talking about a $100k car!

Buy from an out-of-state dealer and you are forced to pay the 8.8% tax when you register and license it in AZ. Again...ouch!

Buy from a private owner in-state, or out-of-state, and there is no tax of any kind! Makes it almost impossible to buy from a dealer...especially when you are a cash buyer and don't need the help of financing!

 

right, and remember don't register the car under your name too. I will keep that in mind when I try to save that 8k over my 100k purchase.

 

I am sorry but I don't understand what you are saying. If you register a car in a company name in AZ (much like I do in my LLC name) I don't avoid any tax or registration fees.

 

Unfortunately here in Cali when you go to register they will charge you the state tax so theres no way getting around it.

 

This doesnt' make any sense. How can you avoid paying a state sales tax with any dealer if you are registering the car? I don't get it. I buy cars in NY and reg in Fla and I pay Fla sales tax because I need to get plates.

 

Get a PPI or no deal.

To me it's a sign of their confidence in the car.

The future owner is paying for it so what's the big deal??

Good point about the consignment...the ACTUAL owner of the car may not want you to do it!!!

Just my 2¢.

Tom

 

The only way not to pay sales tax and registration (about 10% in California) is to buy the car out of state and register it somewhere else. Oregon and Montana are popular and there are plenty of people willing to help you do it. However it is illegal.

 

I thought it was impossible too but I came across my 360 while looking for a fcar Indy shop. Funny how it worked out but since it was a one owner car I believe I paid more $$.