Do the repairs taper off at some point?

I bought an F1 360 Spider almost two years ago. It had 32k miles. The PPI indicated need for most 30k service items, so I got a lower price.

I did all the regular 30k maintenance stuff (and anything else the dealer recommended) and also replaced the fuel pumps and rollover valves. I had convertible top issues and had that fixed as well. Now, it looks like my water pump has failed. I live in another state (that I don't take the Ferrari to) half the year, so in the two years I've owned it, it's spent more time in the shop than it has being available for me to drive. So less than 1k miles put on it in almost two years.

So my question is, now that all of those repairs have been made and it looks like the water pump is next, am I close to done? I have the money and that's not really the issue, but at some point, I want to actually enjoy the car I own and not worry about what's going to break next? I know you don't have a crystal ball, but I'm hoping that at some point, I catch a break because it has literally been a problem from day one when it was delivered with a leaking fuel pump.

I constantly waiver between selling it to cut my frustration losses and buy something newer. Then I think I'd just be starting over fixing things again.

Any advice?

 

Ive never had your issue. Ive owned F430, scud, spec and now my 360 mt. The most expensive cost ive incurred outside of yearly maintenance is a dead battery, $150 at Sears.

I say just sell it. Its not about the money, its about the wasted time.

How about making it a garage queen and buying a german car?

 

Jana, let me walk you through Ferrari ownership, as I have had mine 10 years or so...

Year 1: You get all the maintenance done. Car is pristine. You drive when you can, probably do about 3000 miles...

Year two: Still a cool car. Need to find time for the fluid change, etc. Drive about 1000 miles...

Year three: Man, that's a good looking car. I really can't park it anywhere. You start putting the stuff in the garage closer and closer to it... Drive about 400 miles.

Year 5: Hmmm. Major service coming up. Thrill has worn of, but still a cool car. Driven 3-4 weekends that year. Have 4-5 other cars to choose from.

Year 6: Hmmm. Car has really gone up in value. Should I sell, don't drive it much. Nah. Lets keep it. Driven... yeah. occasionally.

Year 7: Wow, porsches are cheap, and practical. You get one, drive every weekend... Ferrari sits.

And so on ...

Ferrari's are neat, as a realization of a dream. But there is a reason they all have such low low LOW miles. Fear of breakdowns and repairs is always looming in your head... Or some moron keying it...

You are doing what every other Ferrari owner does...

Welcome to the club. So, what kind of Porsche should you get to park next to it? Can I recommend a 996 turbo .

Bo

 

It already is a garage queen for the most part. We have an SUV, GT-R (which is very reliable) and an E60 M5. I have a Jeep in Florida. We work from home, so no commuting. The SUV gets all the miles as we drive it from Texas to Florida. So I don't need a car. I wanted it. But yeah, the frustration level is high.

 

I think I started off in year 6. LOL I was actually starting to drive it more (like three times a week) before the water pump issue. I don't need another car (see above post). We're already overstocked in our garage as it is once you add the motorcycles. The problem is I always wanted a Ferrari, ever since Magnum PI and I wanted the Berlinetta line and specifically the 360 because I think it's beautiful and love the sound. But I hate the aggravation. Then I think, at this point, I've spent so much money it would irritate me more to sell it. In addition to all the repairs/maintenance, I've added Capristo exhaust, protective shield, front and rear cameras and an Escort Passport 9500ci radar detector so there's nothing left to do as far as improvements go.

I waiver constantly so since I can't make up my mind, I'll probably end up doing nothing until the next time something breaks. I am having a kart built right now. It should be ready next week, so maybe that will take some of the sting out of it.

 

Jana, You need to drive the car more often. My car has 62,000 miles on it and no leaking water pump. I drive it every 7 days, start it, drive it, put away.

It's not a BMW. It's not Toyota. Drive it. It's sitting too much IMHO and the seals are drying out.

 

Like you said, most of us have "always wanted a Ferrari..." Its nice to check that box...

Like you, I have cars I really prefer to drive, mostly porsches. The Highlander SUV gets the most mileage, and I love it.

The car I will never sell, is the 930... which is far from pristine, and is slowly turning into a track car. I can drive that car to my limits, work on it, and not worry. The fact that it was never pristine to start with goes a long way... But, its a car I truly love.

One day the testarossa will get sold to fund the kids college, or retirement...

To put ownership in perspective:

For what the last owner spent on a major for the testarossa (plus tires), I can rebuild my 930 motor if it blows...

 

I have done all the repairs you have mentioned minus the waterpump. I also have installed a new clutch. Mines an 04. We all have these same feelings. It has to still give you a "buzz" to make sense in your head for all the frustrations. Love my car. It was a dream fulfilled for me also. Everytime i turn the key and get a huge grin. And it just has so much class and style on the road. Its a hard choice!

 

Actually, they were all just replaced. I drive it as often as it's available to drive and it's not horrible weather. But I have a six month window during the winter to do it and it's been in the shop 70% of the time I've been here. I was driving it 2 to 3 times a week. My husband and I both work from home, so nothing gets driven a whole lot. Some days, we never leave the house.

What do you think is a good amount of mileage to put on the car?

 

Yeah, what I've spent so far on the Ferrari could have bought me a nice BMW.

 

Sometimes the buzz is there, but it's lessening with every failing part.

I appreciate all the commiseration. It's nice to know I'm not alone in the mental struggle and that I have a place to complain. Anywhere else, you get "I'd like to have that problem" which just makes me want to slap people.

 

To put a smile on your face, goto the aviation section. Whole different world. When I see what folks spend on fuel/charters/and play planes, it makes Ferrari ownership seem downright ridiculously cheap. $500k a year on fuel and maintenance makes ferrari' maintenance cost seem like pissin' in the ocean.

Funny thing though. When I first got into porsches I thought parts were stupid expensive. Now, looking through the Ferrari looking glass, I often catch myself surprised at how cheap Porsche parts are .

Its all relative...

 

Its a normal cycle of any car ownership. Sometimes you love it, sometimes you dont. Thats why I keep mine because I never am happy with one car. But, if the love is gone, its gone.

Sometimes I love my porsches, sometimes my BMW, but a ferrari will always have a place in my garage. The rest are parked in storage.

 

Oh, we've chartered a Lear from Dallas to Pensacola because we won't fly our dogs commercial. An hour and twenty minute flight runs about 10k. Planes are stupid expensive. The Ferrari parts are definitely a killer. Boats are a bottomless pit as well, but I'm a water baby, so I have that drain on my bank account too.

 

It's tough to hear of your woes. I think you may be our only female owner that is active in F-Chat! Sitting around isn't the best for the cars but I am just as guilty as the next guy when it comes to the frequency of driving. I just don't do it all that much. I have so many hobbies that compete for my time. There are days here and there where a drive is just what the doctor ordered and I am so glad to have the car then.

 

OK I get it.. but.. water pump is not a common failure.
1000 miles in 2 years, about 500 miles per year. drive 2-3 times per week means it gets driven 52 to 78 times per year which means each drive on average is between 6.4 to 9.6 miles. That's not enough to even get the oil warm..

 

A wise man once told me:
If it flies, floats, or <insert other F word here>, rent, don't buy.
You can use your imagination on what that third F was

 

Two yrs ago, when I first got the 360, the dealer was fixing a couple things and stated that there was a small leak in the water pump. Very small. They recommended just monitoring it. Same thing at last yrs annual inspection/fluid change. So 6000mi later ...... its still working just fine, including numerous track days (i.e. the car is not babied).

Is the pump really toast, or maybe an overly cautious maintenance staff?

 

THAT IS SO TRUE!!!!!! That's why I always have a classic Porsche in my garage. Just waiting. I owned a 996 Turbo and would agree with Bo that it's a FANTASTIC car. Look at the 997 Turbos as well....they're getting cheaper every day.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they were taking advantage of the OP.. unless coolant was clearly leaking on the garage floor, in which case bearing seal on the pump is leaking or maybe htey overtightened the belt.

 

This is awesome. I've only had my Fcar two months so i don't have any standing to really weigh in here but i aspire to put 62k on mine

 

It was low and filled about three weeks ago. Came home two days ago after driving it earlier that day and all the coolant was on the garage floor and it was bone dry. So it dumped a full reservoir on the garage floor in a couple of hours. The assessment of failed water pump is my husband's thinking. He worked in the auto industry for 15 years. The car goes will be towed in to the shop tomorrow morning.

 

Remember, I live in another state without the car half the year. I bought it in April 2015, so 22 months ago. Of that 22 months, I spent 11 in Florida. Car is in Texas. Of the 11 months I spent in Texas, the car was in the shop for six and a half of it. So that leaves four and a half months of actual driving opportunity and that's winter, so no driving in bad weather. My husband goes to Texas from Florida every four to five weeks and drives all the cars. So it's more like 1k miles in 5 months.

And before anyone asks, no way will I take the car to Florida. We live in a condo at a resort with only one open garage parking space and the vacationers dent everything we park. The resort is right on the Gulf, so tons and tons of salt spray and air. Also, no Ferrari dealership anywhere near.

 

Yep. And you don't feel bad revving to the limit every shift...the Porsche likes it...

Shifting at redline in the Ferrari always involves a small subliminal prayer to the mechanical gods, while slowly subconsciously holding my breath, and disbelief that the belt didn't break... After a successful drive, I feel like bulletin has been dodged yet again

Message to self: stop reading about all the belt and diff failures on fchat....

 

My bet is on a hose connection.... specifically the one at front of engine on the pipe to the front of the car. Please let me know if I'm wrong...&#128512;