F355 Market

There was precisely my point... and on all that, how can they be sure for some cars but not for this one? If I were the seller, I'd be pissed..

 

+1

 

This is all true but also remember, some people are pigs and just don't take care of anything. I've seen that more than I care to admit with Ferrari.

Some of the sticky parts we get are so bad it would be impossible for the owner to use the car and get in or out without tar covered hands

 

That's incorrect. Unlike RM, Gooding, and Bonhams, neither Mecum or B-J inspects or researches any of the cars they sell and so they refuse to accept any liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the description. Hence, they will say "believed to be..." or "appears to be.."

At their sales, it's caveat emptor in all capital letters because there is no recourse for the buyer.

 

Pretty sure I saw some cars where they stared "actual miles"


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"Pretty sure" or sure?

There are two other wrinkles here:

1) Mecum owns a number of cars that pass through their sales. If it's their car, you can bet that it will have a different description.

2) There are some "star cars" or whatever they call them. If it's a 1,800 mile F40 or something, they are selling it based on the low miles and there will be some extra attention that goes into it and other special circumstances for the description. If it's your run of the mill used Ferrari that goes through their sale, they won't even look at it before.

I personally know someone who bought a matching numbers Austin Healey from Mecum that was advertised as such. After three years, he took it to RM to sell it and RM, upon their inspection, noted that it was not the original motor and had researched all of the documentation to prove it. Mecum just shrugged about it and refused responsibility for the listing. I go to a ton of sales and this is something that I saw with my own eyes.

 

Any thoughts on this one? Initially, the looks are deterring, but IMO it looks like a great candidate for an easy restoration: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/665824751/overview/

Other than being arguably cheapest color (im in no way bashing, only basing that on the 4 of the 5 lowest priced cars on cars.com are yellow), The negative seem easily fixable, remove tint, paint rockers, gas cap and wheels.
Now you got a yellow GTS. Sell the wing for ~$8k and the seats for like ~$10k

 

Remember seeing it, but to be 100% sure would need to go back to their website



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That yellow GTS in TN has been on offer for quite some time. The "description" is so generic and tells nothing about the car. Going to the dealer's website doesn't give you much more in the way of details. There are no engine shots, either - which to me is quite telling...

Worst case scenario, it needs a lot of work under the hood (fluid leaks/guides/headers/axle boots, etc.) - and selling the best part about the car (seats, if carbon and OEM) would only get you part way through that.

Unfortunately, after you get it mechanically 100% - you'd still have to deal with the prior owner's questionable desire to tint all the things. Wheels, glazing, lighting, etc. would all need to be refinished as well.

Personally, if you could pick it up in the mid to high $40s, it would make a fun project, but for $60k, no way!

 

I believe only the original challenge wings are actually worth money. I don't believe the wing on that car is an original challenge piece.

 

Here, let me correct you. At the same Mecum auction the 355 that sold said "17,614 actual miles", the 574M said, "10,075 original miles", the 348TS (no sale) said "28,478 original miles", The 550 (no sale) said, "9,800 original miles". No caveats. Those number may or may not be accurate, but they are represented as though they are. No "believed to be". Shall I go on?

 

Well, let me correct you again with this information from Mecum's registration materials as it doesn't sound like you're familiar with them. As I said before, other than some exceptions, Mecum does not inspect the cars and does not accept responsibility for the description. The descriptions are those of the consignors. If Mecum writes the description and not the consignor, they put "believed to be.." unless they own the car or have some special circumstance with the car.

Anyways, here you go:

7. All Lots are sold “AS IS, WHERE IS”. Mecum makes no representations and extends no warranties, express or implied, respecting the Lots. Mecum is not responsible for any defects in the Lots and Purchaser accepts the Lots, inclusive of all faults, including, but not limited to, structural, mechanical and cosmetic defects and imperfections, whether latent, obvious or included in the Lot Description (defined herein). Mecum makes no description, representation, warrantee or guarantee respecting a Lot’s authenticity, originality, condition, restoration, numbers-matching features, ownership history, mileage, provenance, reliability, uniqueness, limited production, color, options, etc. (“Lot Description&#8221. All Lot descriptions and representations are that of the Consignor and not Mecum.

8. Bidder/Purchaser is solely responsible for determining the Lot Description’s accuracy and in deciding whether to bid for a Lot. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Bidder/Purchaser releases, waives and discharges Mecum for any and all claims arising out, involving or concerning a Lot Description. Bidder/Purchaser shall reimburse Mecum for all costs and expenses incurred by Mecum, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees in defending any Purchaser claim arising out of, involving or concerning a Lot Description.

9. Purchaser accepts ownership of the Lot at the gavel fall and immediately assumes all responsibility and liability for the purchased Lot.

 

Absolutely, it ~could~ need everything, could even have a blown motor. Could. Also could be a pristine with perfect maintenance history owned be a meticulous owner with simply bad tastes or that owns a vinyl wrap company. Could. Since I dont know, that is why i asked if anyone had first hand experience or history knowledge. I dont buy the assumption of all that simply based on the lack of an engine picture. You cant see anything, oil leaks, header leak, from a 800x600 top engine picture, You only can see if they sprayed armor all.... "oh shiny! its a keeper"! lol

Unfortunately, i think you are right on closer inspection. It does not look like my wing, you can see subtle differences. especially the lack of curve in the vertical fins.
You would likely just break even selling the wing with the cost to repair or replace the bonnet.

However, On closer inspection. The rockers, and gas cap and likely windows are just vinyl wrapped, so in 10 minutes you could peel off all the black with no paint work. I bet they are even protected!

 

Yellow is a great color for F355 - it shows off the lines well...

I was a skeptic originally but it grew on me quickly and is indeed a great color.

I agree not everyone can pull it off...

Robb

 

The wing and supports are original looking. Hard to tell but the end winglets may have been replaced by straight ones as the originals are hard to find and about 650 each.

 

OK. I think we are looking at this differently, how the vehicle is represented vs. who is responsible for the representation. But I get where you are coming from. So does RM, Gooding, etc take responsibility for the automobiles they sell? Well, a quick look at Gooding and it's basically the same as Mecum, they take no responsibility for anything and rely on info from the buyer.

No auction is going to take such responsibility.

 

This 1995 black/tan 355F1 just came up for sale (24k miles). No pictures yet. They want $79.9k. This is their asking so what would they actually take. No idea what it looks like but I'd assume a Ferrari store would only have nicer selections. It isn't a 6speed which some people like and it is a early version which is fine. No idea about manuals, tools and covers. Is this the market?

Search our Used Inventory | Wide World Ferrari Spring Valley, NY

 

No F1 in 1995. They have the wrong year or wrong transmission designation.

 

its a 955 with 24k miles. Reasonable ask, but I would not expect to fly off the lot.

 

It's a one owner Berlinetta. I can't wait to see the photos. Carfax shows it serviced at Wide world what appears to be it's entire life.

 

Carfax says it's a 95.

 

Price just went up

 

Based on the VIN it has to be a 1995, so it must be a 6speed. If in "A" shape, with books/tools/cover it would seem to be low by about 6-8k. If missing that stuff then it's probably priced well and a little room for negotiation (perspective). If it's a "C" car without stuff, this is in the wrong ballbark for pricing.

 

Probably were getting calls from other dealers, "Hey, get that price up. What are you trying to do, kill the market?"

 

Too funny. Perhaps the dealer is watching this thread