Someone give me a shot of tequila

Today was finally the day that I could pick up my new '98 rosso fiorano GTS (referenced in an earlier thread) at FCI in Charlotte. My brother and I drive up early from Atlanda, beautiful day, a bit cold. I hit the road a little after 11. The car is amazing, incredible sound, pulling hard, handles like a go kart.

About 80 miles north of Atlanta the car hesitated and luckily I was able to get over to the right lane. Within a few seconds I began to lose power and the car died when I got it on the shoulder. The car would turn over but engine would not catch. My brother and I think it is fuel related, prob a clogged fuel filter, maybe a bad fuel pump or bad gas (or a combination). The car is now being flatbedded to FoA. What a kick in the nuts. PPI was great btw.

I guess I'll have to wait awhile longer before I can truly enjoy Ferrari ownership. Meanwhile I'm having a stiff drink....

 

Tough break my friend. Don't get too down just yet because it may not be anything serious. Just know that you did your PPI just as you should've and there's nothing else you could do as a well informed buyer. Let FoA take a look, and hopefully the horse will be runnin again soon. Let us know what the diagnosis is when you find out! And don't let it sour you on the car, when you get it back it will be even better I'm sure.

 

Thanks PH17, I appreciate the words of encouragement. I prefer to look at life as a glass half full!

 

Hope you're back on the road again soon. Good luck!

All the best,
Andrew.
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sorry to hear but congrats on beautiful new toy!!!!

where abouts in GA do you live?

 

Oh jeez. I actually live probably 40 minutes from where you broke down today, I assume you were on I-85. Let us know how it goes.

 

My first day of ownership my 348tb left me stranded 5 times. The battery died (it had been a garage queen) and I called my wife to come jump it with her truck. So I jump it, and assumed (wrongly) that the car would charge the battery and I could be on my merry way. I drove 2 blocks and she died again. Another jump, and I let the truck charge up the battery for about 15 minutes. I drive to the gas station to fill it up and it dies waiting in line for gas. Another jump and a quick disconnect to get out of traffic and it died again. One last jump, and I park her on the side of the road, where I returned with the truck, removed the battery from the top (I didn't think it would be easier to pull it out the wheel well) and I charge the battery for 8 hours then finally drove her home.

My Ferrari leaks water from the windows when it rains or when I wash it, the electronics have a mind of their own, its a pain in the ass for me to get into sometimes (I'm not that old), its too low for many driveways, it doesn't like second gear when its cold, and I'm sure I'm missing other stuff.

That being said, this is my second Ferrari and I'm shopping for a 3rd. Its the best car I've ever owned, by far. Its my daily driver, rain or shine, and I always have a smile on my face after I get out. I go outside and look at her when she sleeps, with a great sense of satisfaction.

She has left me stranded a few times, but she's never let me down.

Welcome to the club.

 

This is a great post and perfectly illustrates what one is willing to endure to enjoy the ownership of a tempermental mistress that the older Ferrari can be!

 

Great to hear from you guys -- a temperamental mistress indeed! To answer your questions I live near the Moores Mill exit on I-75 and the mistress broke down just north of exit 166 (Toccoa exit I think). Frustrating but not the first time -- my favorite was when the drive shaft fell off of my Alfa Duetto because the mechanic only hand tightened the bolts holding it to the gearbox.

Right before we left in my brother's car I asked the tow truck driver to please get the car to FoA before they closed. Ten minutes later he passed us going 85.....how many of you can say they were passed by their own F car on a flatbed???

 

Welcome aboard.

It'll be fine... In the end it is just a car and can be corrected. Nothing a good glass of Chimney Rock and an A Fuente cigar cant fix for the evening.

...now PICTURES!!!! damn it

 

I suspect it is a failed Fuel pump, from sitting around with modern fuel in it. Probably a quick fix by the good guys at FoA! My car and your will be "cell mates" next week as I am getting some minor things addressed.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Ferrari. You will now understand why owning your dream car should have been left as a dream.

Hope all works out for you and it's simple fix...if not, well...

 

Maybe this will make you feel better:

So a former Fchater had this new red 348C and we all went to the track. Of course his 348C broke down and needed a tow. So the Tow driver makes a slow trek back to LA while he and a buddy drive quickly pass the flatbed. They stop off some miles ahead for something to eat. It is a long day on the track and you get hungry! So they make it back on the freeway and out of the corner of his eye as a few miles pass..."dang that looks like my car upsidedown on the side of the road!" Can't be! They turn around and sure enough the driver did not tie the Ferrari down properly and it fell off the flatbed! The car was totaled with all those nice raceparts new front timing cover bearings and I just rebuilt his gearbox. The story ends well as the insurance paid top dollar for the 348C and he was able to upgrade to a newer more reliable Ferrari. Fast forward a few months and his buddy and I are back at the track. This time his buddy's car breaksdown and the SAME tow driver comes to pick up his car. The driver knew who we were and said he would not let this car fall off. The buddy said its OK if it falls off I really want to get a new track car. This is a real story post back on Fchat many years ago anyone remember it?

 

Lol...I do feel better and I can report that FoA called me to say that the car arrived safely 5 min before they closed.

 

Best of luck to you. I've been to FoA in mid December and those are good guys, they will take good care of you and you will be behind the wheel again in no time!

 

Yeah, that was one of the Epic stories.

 

Holy F that is a crazy story.

 

I think your car will be fine. But i understand how you feel.

I have the similar issue in the first weeks when i bought the car. After car wash , the car lost power and then stopped. I got the car towed to private F service. They checked and found nothing which we all thought it was because of faulty sparks or bad fuel.

Then we found the car ran out of fuel despite the fuel gauge show over 1/4 . We filled the tank and worked fine.

Hope yours is an easy issue like this.

 

Sorry to hear this, but I am not surprised. This has been the story of my life with the 355, be prepared for many more situations like this. It's a love-hate relationship.

 

I can't remember his name but I hung out with an asian guy from SoCal at Cavallino 7 or 8 years ago who had his 348 fall off a truck. Ended up with a gray 456 if I recall. Nice guy too.. Always wondered where he ended up.

As for first day Ferrari issues... Mine showed up at my house in FL where I promptly took it out for a drive. While waiting at the entrance to my neighborhood looking for a break in traffic, an old guy on a tricycle ran into the side of my car. I dropped it off a few days later for $1200 in paintwork... So yea, mine lasted about 30 seconds before tapping into my wallet. It's all part of the experience I guess, so welcome to the club.

 

Winner winner chicken dinner! Just found out from FoA it is indeed a failed fuel pump. Hopefully I'll have it back on Friday. Matt is great to deal with btw.

 

Congratulations! That is great news! And mentioning Matt and FoA treating you well is the better advertisement than they could ever purchase.

 

And where are we going for you to buy me my winning shot of Cuervo?

 

Someplace that has many winding roads on the way there...

 

I got busy early this week and my car never made it up to FoA. Is yours still there?