Hey brothas, I sold my 348 last week. I still can't believe I did this but it was a situation of simply needing the money. I know I've said many times that this car was a 'lifer' for me but I was wrong. Impossible to predict how life is going to unfold. It's hard to see my baby parked in someone else's garage. Had some good conversation with you guys. All the best. Troy
I did the same thing last week Troy for a slightly different reason. You can always get another one. If I buy another Ferrari it will be sorted first.
Well Troy. I don't know you and never had a conversation with you. But, since you are and have been among us. I empathize greatly as I was faced with that decision not long ago. I am confident that life will turn around and present to you another opportunity to come back with fine stories of a new ferrari aquisition. Best of luck friend.
I got out of my 308 after many years of ownership. I thought I'd keep it for life during the 15 some odd years I had it, but like you said, life is surprising. But that was a car. This is the community. Not sure what you're situation is but no need to leave FChat just because you got out of the car.
Troy I hope the gooddbye you are referring to is the car and not the brotherhood. You should still stay part of the group because you love the cars and the group. I also am hopeful that there will be members close to you and you will be able to participate with them in events of your choosing. Sorry to see you lose your baby but there will be another one. Of that I am confident. Things will turn around for you. Keep your spirits up. Mel
Stick around Troy, don't be a stranger. Sorry to bear about your financial situation, but you gotta do whatcha gotta do.
Mine was pretty simple. We are moving back to California. We may or may not end up getting a house and the major service was coming up as well as many other things that needed sorted out. I just decided that I would rather cut my ties to the car before I got in too deep and never be able to recoup the investment it really needed. Again... If I buy another one it will be sorted. I just got excited about owning my first Ferrari and should have held out for the right one.
You are all very kind. Thanks for the nice words. I definitely will stick around the forum - fchat was actually a big part of ownership for me. As for the $$ part - I simply needed to free up some capital to get my business to the next level and couldn't justify the extra debt/loan to do it. Thanks again fellas.
Oh ok. I was just wondering if it was a mechanical nightmare that happened upon you. Glad to hear that it was a sound decision.
Well with me it was mechanical. And there was a REFLEX RESPONSE TO JUMP SHIP. So, I was like oh gezzz...I am glad it's the latter. :>) Thanks Troy..
We all buy these cars "for life." Before they arrive, we spiff up the garage, paint the walls, coat the floors, like we are preparing a nursery for a newborn. When it arrives, we spend hours googling which polish is suitable for a Ferrari. We are paranoid about whether the "belt change" was done correctly. We worry if we put the correct motor oil in it. We hold our breath waiting for a "check engine" light to come on. Should I cover it while it's in the garage? Do I need to wax it with a Q-tip just to be safe? We drive it. We show it. We admire it. And then winter comes. We worry about crap in the garage bumping in to it. We begin to worry about it more than enjoy it. Then spring comes, and the fire is rekindled, only not as bright this time. We take it for a few drives, then put it back in the garage. One day, maybe a year later, we realize we can put that $40K to better use. A new family room. Hardwood flooring. A new vehicle for the family. College tuition. A new business. Medical bills. It's $40K just sitting there. And the wife says "you know you can always get another Ferrari sometime." So before long, the Ferrari is nothing but a distant memory, and your $40K has been spent. And your "baby" is now someone else's baby and the cycle starts all over again.
So, here is the counter-example. I sold the 308GT4 because I really did not like the very old dated vehicle with 14 inch wheels that I cannot really drive the hell of out it and enjoy the car the way it is supposed to be. Then, after that, I rescued a 328 from a friend who just had it sitting there for years. I spent 6 months getting it to the condition that it is in now, plus some more investment for a nose paint job and clear bra and interior re-dyed and the car is now the best shape it has ever been. It drives well, looks good, and no longer leaks oil. Then, if one is good, two must be better; and the F355 spider joins the family. It has been tempermental, with occasional slow down light problems, with finicky roof problem, with busted engine mount problems, with all the regular 355 complaints. And you spend time working on it, and on it, and on it and you curse it, promise to never buy another god daym spider. And then when the weather is good, and the top is down showing off the redyed seats, and you drive it to the city passing untold traffic on the freeway and pounding the gas pedal every time you go into a tunnel, you forget all the trouble it gave you before. All you remember is the sun on your neck, the sound in your ear, and the shove in the back. So, you figure, is there a Fcar that does not flex and twist, and rare, and beautiful and simple, and ...? Then, the 348 Factory Challenge (#6 of 32) shows up on the market and you buy a 4-post lift to turn your 2 car garage into a 3 car garage. And, the Giallo Challenge car shows up on a truck one day to an immediate engine-out service, with all the trimmings. Then four months later you take it on its first group drive to come back with a busted windshield and quarter size paint chips. So, the nose gets repainted, the $3500 windshield goes on, and the clear bra applied. And every time you drive it down the Crooked Lombard street, the tourists go nuts. Then, just when you think it is safe to get back in the garage... Summer shows up and you know that the AC in all of your cars is worth ****. So, you dig around for a car with a good working AC, fun to drive, something that can keep up with the 300 hp family sedans on the freeway. And so ... the GT3 fills that perfectly. I don't buy cars with the intention of keeping them for life. But, I sure as hell have a problem letting them go. I promise my daughter to give her one of the cars when she drives so I have to keep them until then... Good luck Troy. Hope you come back. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Jeez Husker...I feel like that every spring...and then: After a long and surprisingly warm winter, the Gods decided this weekend the mercury was to exceed all expectations and provide a taste of spring weather. Upon hearing the wondrous news and waiting until the last minute for some form of verification (they've lied before) I called the insurance company and re-applied the full Horsey coverage effective at 12:01 am last night. I climbed out of bed this morning with a little spring in my step for the first time since that awful October snowfall that cut last seasons excitement short. I grabbed a quick shower and quietly slipped into the garage. I pulled up the corner of the car cover to show just a little leg and stepped back for a moment in sheer childish amazement with a naughty if not startling grin on my face. I stepped back in to remove the cover from another fender stopping myself again to savor the moment. Dear Lord this thing is sexy. I continued like a high school nerd on his first date with the prom queen who is whispering in his ear Yes,Yes, more more. Not capable of continuing the strip tease much longer, I tore the cover from the car to reveal her full, curvaceous and magnificent shape. The key was placed in the ignition and the engine was rolled into life for the first time since the last cam belt exercise nearly 1 month ago. It was also the first time in the full glory of sunshine since October. The sights and sounds were enticing me into a frenzy. As she warmed her oils, I gave her a quick wipe with my favorite detail spray and a brand new microfiber cloth purchased just for the moment. I swear she responded with a deep throaty sigh and that special wink that sends all lustful men into a sexual coma making them completely oblivious to anything other than her. Lets call that the Mental Erection. I slid into the drivers seat, fastened my belts like you should with any mind altering machine, depressed the clutch, found first gear and slowly rolled away. We very quietly passed through town and up onto the highway. Her long winter slumber had resulted in some flat spots that needed some heat and time to finally reset. After about a half hour at 65 mph, all the gauges were reading normal, tires were up to temp and rebalanced, everything was reporting to flight control as a go. I found 3rd gear, and promptly let this magnificent lady let loose the slutty supermodel within. She tied me in a bow and then popped it free to send my senses through an incredible journey like she has every single time we play. Ohh!!! what a feeling!!! Just like every spring, I am again in love. Reborn into the most rewarding and only life worth living over and over again in the hopes that absolutely nothing changes...The Ferrari Life. I'm left to wonder if my family, friends and co-workers will notice the difference plainly pasted on my face? Time for the three pedal therapy to perform its magic on my long dormant sense of balance and appreciation for the finest things in life. ......The day I no longer feel this please just shoot me because I'm obviously already dead.
Make no mistake fellas - I would have kept the car if cash liquidity was not a problem. I've learned something new about affordability of entry level ferraris : We all know it's one thing to be able to pay cash to obtain the car and even to be able to properly maintain the car - but... I would warn prospective just-have-enough-cash-buyers to ask themselves whether or not the purchase will affect their potential financial growth within the next few years. I'm probably the poorest owner on this forum so maybe the doesn't make sense to many here. Funny thing is, I will probably have truly expendable cash in the next year or two to do things properly. No regrets and I feel fortunate to have had a taste of that beautiful Italian blood.