It really is a mental hassle isn't it. Thank you for that, it means a lot to know that someone else went through this. I'm glad yours worked out well. Did it "curb your enthusiasm" for the brand in the end or were you able to get past it?
I suggest that before you go nuclear on their azz, you get some advice on what is and isn't a lemon under the law and then sit down with the dealer. You may be on some really shaky ground on the lemon thing. I don't know but if they have all the cards, you're screwed. And, telling them they are dishonest here several times isn't going to make them be very sympathetic. Get some legal counsel, present your evidence, and work from strength. Trying to embarrass them on a little internet forum ain't gonna get it done and I've never been in a business situation were I burnt down a bridge that didn't come back to bite me in the long run.
Sorry to hear about your problems. Not sure how much management/ownership has changed at the Scottsdale dealership, but I had a MISERABLE experience with them back in '98. Yup. 14 years ago. I don't forget easily when someone wrongs me.
I believe the "total" of all of our knowledge and opinions have been expressed. With an understanding of the lemon law, help from FNA, and documentation/pictures of the problems, you are "armed" to first negotiate and then litigate.. Although I keep reading a "lemon" has (usually) one recurring problem, and some criticize the legitimacy of your problems, it is my view that the number of recurring problems and the inability of a dealer to fix them should make your case. I don't think you can argue about a replacement bumper not being the original, but the rest of it has face validity. A car , through no fault of yours, that has been out of commission for so long and recurring problems that the dealer cannot fix leads a reasonable person to conclude that Ferrari sold you a defective car and/or a dealership should be threatened with losing their franchise. I suspect a good case can be made that you are entitled to compensation. Best
welcome to paying way too much for a sub par product. most people wont admit it after spending so much money,but the truth is that its not a quality product. with that said....He wouldnt be having problems with the dealer IF he wasnt having problems with the car. So that makes it a car problem first! and an incompetent dealer just rubs salt in the wound.And apparently its been back ELEVEN times for various problems. Its just a shame when you spend over 300k and you cant enjoy your purchase. And it really is as simple as that! the product is not living up to its expectations and no one can seem to get it right for the customer. i dont know if that makes it a lemon,but i wouldnt want it! And YES i own one!
I'd think about getting the car back to the Vancouver dealership, have them keep the car until everything is fixed, no matter how long that takes. Then sell it. If you get hit with much diminished value, then go to court and have a judge decide what is fair. Finish that process and then decide if you want to start over with a new 458. If you do, I would keep on shipping it south, but try to arrange all service while the car is in Vancouver.
Thank you for that. In my situation I was forced to let Scottsdale service the car because it died in my garage down there during the winter. Odds are, I will be in that same situation this coming winter if nothing changes. Regardless though, I want to thank many of you for your advice and support.
Agreed. Or trade for another and work out how much you get in return. It might be very little loss if anything from the dealer. The lemon law is just a hassle on all sides while costing both sides money and taking a long time. Get it back to the dealer you trust and can work with, take what FNA gives you on the bumper issue, and trade it in or sell it. Don't burn a bridge if you still have an option.
Sorry to hear...these things do happen. I suggest legal advice from a firm that speacializes is Lemon Laws in your state is the best solution. They will guide you in the right direction.
Wow that's great! Why didn't you say so before? I hope they work it out for you. Obviously, you feel hurt by all this. Get it behind you and look for better days ahead.
One approach to solving problems when the dealer or Ferrari don't offer a satisfactory solution is to take them to small claims court. You don't need a lawyer. And the judge would probably be on your side.
Good idea but... I'm not sure you can take them to court on asking for a car to be returned valued at $300K though. It's not a little thing here he's trying to take care of. He wants the whole enchilada. Hopefully the dealer he trusts and work things out. My suggestion still is to see if he can get a trade. It would be the best solution for both the dealer and the OP.
Several years ago I had a jinxed Gallardo and the dealer and Lamborghini stepped up and replaced the car. Disappointing that Ferrari has not done so here. Stories like this keep potential customers at bay. I guess Ferrari feels their customer base will tolerate this. I have had several Ferraris but simply won't buy new because this is not that big an aberration
Yes you are right. He's not getting 300k or a new car trade in small claims. But if you have a 10,000 issue- one way is small claims court. For the whole enchilada he would need to hire an attorney to fight and probably lose. He should get a new bumper and tow hook and the other stuff should get fixed too. Here is one 458 owner who might wish for his car to catch fire and burn to the ground. Then he would get a do over car
Well --- The op claims the car has had several problems and that Ferrari of Scottsdale screwed it up. He posts here asking for help-- but has praise for the Vancouver dealer. He has a little praise from FNA but says he wants the car taken back no matter what. The only mechanical things listed are a dead battery, weird actions from the backup sensors, and two bad dash units. So, he asks what he wants us to do here. He says he wants advice and that he will never work with this dealer again. So, we give him advice. Find a lawyer, fix the car and trade it in, meet with the dealer, etc. Now the car turns out to not be at the offending dealership but back in Vancouver -- the dealership he says is trying to make things right. I'm sorry but this post seems a bit like sour grapes. It seems more like the purpose was to get even than get help. Given how little we know and the strange facts presented, it's premature to say either party is at fault here. Flame me if you want but I was sympathetic until I was told the car was no longer at the dealer he had a beef with. What's the purpose here? Just grind out more anger? I'm not saying the OP is bluffing or trolling. I'm just saying we should focus more on helping him and less on blaming anyone as we don't have any facts.
Interesting. In the same vein, I was toying with the idea of replacing my '11 coupe, which I bought with 1000 miles on it, with a '13 coupe optioned and colored to my exact preferences. But I am backing away because: -The '11 has been a great, trouble free car -I can upgrade to current standards via the new handling package for "only" 10K. -You never know what problems you will inherit with a new one.
I can sent you more then 1 clip of a 458 on fire on utube if you like it will make you sick it will be too much to post, all i,am saying when the 458 first came out they were a nightmare from day 1 from catching on fire and now this crap that this owner going through it just a bad car front the start , i was going to upgrade to a 458 after hear about all this stuff going on forget about it, i,ll wait to the next design come out , but i love my scud.
You think so, to bad it half a German car ??? check where the 7speed transmission is build from, Try a German Company call " Getrag" they build all the transmission for all the supercars
Yah... and Lambo's are not Italian but Hungarian because their V-10's are built there too. Look, if you want to troll, go to the California section. They are used to it there. We are not here to tear down other owners cars. We are here to help each other. I'm sure if you have a problem, you'll ask for help in the F430 section and would like to not have to put up with smart mouths on the internet who's only joy in life is showing they have a big balls by making silly remarks about other people's cars. I suppose people actually like doing that but I would it would be more likely on Ferrarichatjr.com. You won't see 458 owners up in the F430 section saying what cheap B*tards you are for not buying an obviously superior car and instead drive around in a outdated vehicle that depreciated 50% in one year which was designed in 1998 and warmed over and repackaged twice. That's not our style. You can buy a fancy car but that doesn't buy you class. I suggest you try to find some and then return here to help us, as we would you. Now, if you don't mind and if we don't offend you with our purchasing decision too much, we would like to see if we can help the OP here with his problem.
