I posted this elsewhere and was suggested I post here. Sound advice so here it is. Here's my list of questions to ask sellers about their F430 to help determine condition and value to me so I've made a pretty good analysis BEFORE spending on a PPI. I've narrowed the field to 10 potential red/tan cars and want to contact each with reasonable questions to decide which to do a PPI on and purchase if PPI goes well. This is my first Ferrari and don't want to pay a pile of $ then have big ticket problem shortly after if it can be avoided. Spending $100-120k for 9-20k mileage in case you know someone selling a great example. Steel brakes preferred Chips in paint? Clear bra, also around inlet scoops? All service records available? miles or tread remaining on tires sticky buttons or vents? # of owners? Exhaust replaced w/ aftermarket (lighter/better)? Manifolds or headers replaced? date and mileage of last service? Ever painted? Ever wrecked, salvaged, flooded? Percent clutch life remaining? Handbooks available cover? tools? What other questions should I ask? Would you sooner buy from a Ferrari Dealer than an individual? Seems there may be more upfront honesty with more reputation on the line but maybe I'm naive.
I'm also looking into an F430. With regards to tires, you can have lots of tread but this doesn't mean the tire are safe. Ferrari recommends replacing tires at 6 years period. So the date of manufacture is key and this can be a challenge to find out. Must find the date code on the tire and decipher it. Since these cars are driven so little it is common to see very old tires with lots of tread, but if you look close you will fine cracking in the rubber - not good.
+1. Even tires looked in great condition and had tons of life left, I changed my front ones 2 weeks ago. You do not want to take that chance with a Ferrari. A well maintained car is a happy car. If you abandon it, then you will never know what will happen next. I drive mine as much as possible. Also, I take it to my mechanic as much as possible to look at the car. From my experience with F430, the car is very solid, rigid and happy to be driven hard at times. If you take care of headers, check the lubes, do the annuals, and follow up on F-Chat here, you are fine.
