BE CAREFUL WITH THIS DEALER

How many times have we heard about an untruthful dealer, well I was about to pull the trigger in a 1998 550 Maranello VIN ZFFZR49A5W0113145 with almost 35k miles, I even had the money and the insurance ready, we had a deal for 62.5k out the door (57.6k before taxes and registration) with the condition that I would perform a PPI and he would perform a FULL 30k major service and fix any mechanical issues to the car (I get the car is 1998 so obviously I did not want him to pay for every single thing) and I would pay for the cracked windshield (1,500 if you find an used one) I did a PPI and the car showed several stuff, but nothing major (besides the Airbag ECU was blown and the bulb was removed from the cluster so you could not tell, 4 cracked tires, water leak and an oil pressure problem), to be fair the leak was just a hose and the oil pressure was due to excessive oil, the car has no records at all (only an alternator belt and an idle bearing at 24k miles that he claimed was a major service)
So he did the "30k full major" that consisted (according to him) of replacing timing belts, oil change, brake and clutch flush, that was it (and replacing the airbag ecu), I told him that was not the deal that we had, because the car has no service records I wanted to have a fresh start and do the whole thing, "well feralc and why did you not just pay him directly and did the repairs yourself?? you might wonder", well because he did not allow me to, he said that he had "special discounted prices with the shop because he is a dealer" and he asked me if he could keep that difference.

He said that the FULL 30k major service" is not what the ferrari service book says BUT what the mechanic says is needed, I told him I did not want him to salvage any parts, the deal was to change everything, because sooner or later those worn parts will fail.

The guy has an attitude and I told him that he was not honoring his word about the full 30k major, he told me "I am losing my patience", by that time I have lost mine as well and tired of all the confirmed (thank to you guys) lies that he said.

I threw 600 dollars down the drain, so I will do what I think is the best, to let you guys know what I found so if you are interested in the car, you do not need to spend them.

The car is beautiful BUT there is more than meets the eye, so let's start with his ad:
1998 Ferrari Maranello 550 6 speed, Black/Black Leather only 34,000 miles, Carbon Fiber Package, factory Ferrari Sport Seats, upgraded BBS Wheels, all three remotes both keys, books and records, always garaged non smoker car, clean carfax, 30,000 mile Major Service just completed, mint condition, must see

He purchased the car in auction for 46k in January, I can only verify he spent 1.7k in the "major" and whatever the used airbag ECU would cost him, he said he spent "7k in suspension and cosmetic repairs" (yeah right that sounds like 2k, 3k at the most to me)

- upgraded BBS wheels, that is correct but I would not say a BBS wheel is an upgrade more like a downgrade, the RF has a small scratch, the RR has a big scratch, and as I said earlier all 4 wheels are cracked, dont be fooled by the tread they need to be replaced (another 1,500)

-all three remotes both keys: I could never verify more than one key and one remote, former owners had only one key and one remote, I really doubt he purchased two more remotes (that are so expensive to program) and an extra key, but he claims he has them.

-Books and Records, he claimed he has the books and records that I know previous owners never had, so I do not know how he got them.

-Non smoker car, not that I really care but I know it has been a lot of smoking in the car, but all dealers say the same thing without having any proof of that.

-30k major service just completed: if you think timing belts, oil change and a couple flushes quoted at 1,715 is a FULL 30k, then this is your car.

-Mint condition: if 4 cracked tires; cracked windshield; gas door not in level; no rear pads; holes and missing belly pans; gap in passenger window; chips, dents, scratches and cracks in the paint; front repainted; missing hardware in fuse box and side panels; interior temp sensor broken; missing CD changer; missing panels in the trunk; cigarrete lighter not working means MINT condition then this is your car as well



(Disclaimer I am just reading the PPI report)

Things I have found from other members of the forum
1 The right cat was on fire causing lot of damage that was repaired
2 The body had a dent in the driver side rear wheel and looked like it had been in some kind of low impact collision there

While I was writing this post the dealer texted me saying that he is selling the car for more money that I offer but (I quote) "I kept working with you feeling I owed you that as you were the first to make an offer", I really do not believe it and if it is true I feel bad for the buyer of the car that never had time to read this post.

I am not posting the name of the dealer (you can figure it out) because I do not think is ethical, I am just posting facts of what happened, there is always two sides of a story, this is mine, you be the judge.

 

The car as described is, IMO, a beater. But all of the stuff you mentioned could be fixed for a price. The discount on the price of the car was intended to recognize its shortcomings. Given the long list, I don't think that the discount was sufficient. Regarding the work that the dealer was to perform, your experience supports my favored approach to buying used Ferraris, which is to buy one that is due for a major at an appropriate discount and have the work done yourself so that you can verify that it actually gets done and done correctly.

 

Good choice and good response.

I'd go in with a "take it or leave it" offer of no more than 53 for it, and 2K of that is window dressing.

Maybe we should get on a 3 way call with him for kicks, eh F?

 

You get what you pay for.

I would pay more and get a better car, maybe 2 or 3 owners.....Not 7 !

There is a reason that these cars end up at auction.

JMO

cheers,

Bill

 

the bbs wheel were much more than $1500 and are no longer made or obtainable................

 

Yeah, more like $1,500 each plus tires. I'm not a fan of BBS wheels on the Maranello. Too busy for the smooth lines of the body, IMO. Maybe I'm just jaded. Had them on a BMW. A real PITA to clean all of those triangles.

 

I meant 1,500 dlls to replace the cracked tires, I was not saying those wheels were 1,500 but saying that replace those 4 cracked tires will cost another 1,500.

 

What's the point of a thread like this if you won't post the dealer's name? Maybe someone doesn't buy this car, but suppose a month from now they see another car they like with the same dealer? If a dealer will misrepresent one car, they'll misrepresent every car. So that person walks into a trap because it's supposedly unethical to post the dealer's name? If what you've posted is true, then it's unethical to withhold the dealer's name! The dealer is Diamond Motors, Inc. Buyer beware.

 

Thank you.. The original op titles the thread "be careful with this dealer" but chooses not to disclose who the dealer is??? Thanks NNO.. Now I know not to buy anything from these pr*cks..

R

 

As an aside, you should never let the selling dealer perform the major service as agreed in a deal - you should calculate the cost of the major, negotiate its deduction from the asking price, and have an independent party do the work. Most sellers who have to work a major into the price will cut corners so they can recoup some of those lost funds.

 

People...when you buy a car consider the source. The PPI is just as important as who is selling. There are sellers I know and I would not get a PPI because some of those guys "everything they say is a lie" and some of those guys are so "good at customer service and doing the right thing you want to pay them extra."

Look at the rep of the seller. There is no surprise.

 

I thought it would sound biased becaused I was involved, therefore unethical to badmouth him without his knowledge, and I thought it was pretty easy for anyone to find out who he is, but you are right, in a month or more nobody would know what happened, I still think the guy owes me 600 dollars he is the one who did not follow through on his part of the deal, I even thought about suing him in small claims, I sold my Mercedes in order to get this car, and let's say I could get more money out of it if it wasnt for the rush, and I have every single txt message saved.

He mentioned he is a member of the forum, I am sure sooner or later he will come with his side of the story, as I said in my first post you be the judge of it.

 

Sad..... The only car I ever had that didn't have all the keys but came with a voodoo doll......
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

This is the crux in my opinion:

"He said that the FULL 30k major service" is not what the ferrari service book says BUT what the mechanic says is needed"

This is why, assuming you do decide to allow the dealer to perform work, that everything is 100% in writing. For him to argue that what's listed by Ferrari is not needed is BS.

Chalk this up as a loss for the $600 - the PPI and the 30K service are independant. Suppose you found out during the PPI that the engine was shot. You wouldn't go through the sale anyway.

Erik

 

Still FS, along with 3 other cars, quite an empire.
The video presentation is enough to turn me off but worth watching for a laugh.
CG voiceover & porn music
http://video.carsforsale.com/vehiclevideo.aspx?vid=148036801

 

Your tale underscores why so many used car dealers deserve their lousy reputations.

Diamond Motors still advertises "all three remotes both keys, books and records ... non smoker car 30,000 mile major service just completed."

There ought to be a law.

 

You are correct, the deal was that if the PPI showed anything major that he refused to fix it then I could walk away BUT if everything was fine he would do the 30k major and I would get the car, otherwise why would I pay 600 dollars for a PPI if I am not serious about keeping the car?

 

California s unfair competition law ( UCL ) protects both consumers and competitors by
promoting fair competition in commercial markets for goods and services. The text of the UCL
competition law ( UCL ) makes it unlawful:
for any person, . . . corporation . . . or any employee thereof with
intent directly or indirectly to dispose of real or personal property
or to perform services . . .or to induce the public to enter into any
obligation relating thereto, to make or disseminate . . . before the
public in this state, . . . in any newspaper or other publication . . .
or in any other manner or means whatever . . . any statement,
concerning that real or personal property or those services . . which
is untrue or misleading, and which is known, or which by the
exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be untrue or
misleading . . . .
Cal. Business & Professions Code § 17500

AND ALSO CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE
DIVISION 5 ARTICLE 1 SECTION 11713

Unlawful Acts

11713. No holder of any license (DEALER) issued under this Article shall do any of the following:


(a) Make or disseminate, or cause to be made or disseminated, before the public in this state, in any newspaper or other publication, or any advertising device, or by public outcry or proclamation, or in any other manner or means whatever, any statement which is untrue or misleading and which is known, or which by the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be untrue or misleading; or to so make or disseminate, or cause to be so disseminated, any statement as part of a plan or scheme with the intent not to sell any vehicle or service so advertised at the price stated therein, or as so advertised.

 

So why doesn't he defend himself?

Amazing.

 

Better yet: why doesn't the OP report Diamond to the California regulatory authorities?

 

I have decided that I will sue the dealer in small claims, maybe is not worth my time but I cannot stand the idea of him trying to ripoff somebody else, I have all the evidence to show a judge of his wrongdoing, I just need you guys to send me a copy of what a 30,000 major service is according to the Ferrari book so I can show it to the judge, thanks in advance.

 

Guys anybody who can send me a copy of the service book that indicates what a 30K major service is, I need it for the lawsuit.
thanks

 

Owners Manual is available as a .PDF online...Warranty Book shows the Service Procedures, or did on my older cars..

HTH.

 

Pdf where? the only I could find at http://www.ferraridatabase.com/The_Downloads/Downloads.html
is the owners manual but not the service book.
thanks

 

BBS LMs rule on the maranello!