458 My Ferrari Buying Experience - Strike One and a Home Run...

I purchased my first Ferrari about a year ago, well before C-19 appeared. In the Ferrari world, I’m a single grain of sand on an endless beach of much more important Ferrari buyers. I spent more than 30 years as a Mercedes-Benz SonderKlasse buyer...

When I retired a couple of years ago, I started looking for a Ferrari. I spent months researching different models and I decided on a CPO 458 Italia. I found one at a dealer in another city. At this point, I had never even sat in a 458, much less driven one. When my wife and I arrived at the dealership, we were a few minutes late due to heavy traffic from an accident.

I introduced myself to the salesman and we chatted about which car I was interested in buying. As we headed over to it at the opposite end of the showroom, he showed me a 488. It was stunning, but I wanted a NA V8 458. The heart wants what the heart wants... As we walked over to it, I distinctly heard angels singing... , but the drivers seat was well forward (I’m a tall bloke) and I knew I could not sit normally in a seat that far forward.

The salesman gave me the key so I could move the seat further back. Blimey, the battery was completely dead! My wife was comfy in the passenger seat, whilst I felt like a sardine. I asked if they could do anything else to get the seat moved back and all I heard was “crickets.”

As I sat and pondered what a sardine must feel like, my wife asked me if I was still keen to buy it. I said not unless I can ensure my long legs fit. (I was not concerned about test driving it). The salesman never tried to find another way to move the seat and he really seemed uninterested IMHO, so we finally left.

I must say that I was surprised that nothing was done to move the seat and make the sale. I was ready to sign the papers for the asking price and call the bank to authorise the EFT but, I was left wanting.

That night, I decided to keep looking and I found another similar CPO car 900 miles away. After verifying it was still available the next morning, I put down a deposit to hold it. I headed to the airport a couple of days later. The second Ferrari dealer was very accommodating and made me feel welcome in every way.

They offered me a test drive and I bought the car and drove it home an hour or so later. The funds had been wired the day before I arrived, so the paperwork was a snap. My drive home from the dealership was an epic 878 mile trip and my first time to ever drive a Ferrari... What an epic ride!!! Second time at bat with a dealer, I scored a home run!

After my experience at the first dealer, I decided to have my 458 serviced at a dealer that’s three hours away from me. They are always professional in every way and I get invited to special events, even though I bought my Ferrari from another dealer. They provide exemplary service on my 458 and they’ve always exceeded my expectations.

Whilst I’m disappointed at the first dealer, the second dealer was awesome! I’m so happy to have my 2015 458 Italia! It is such an awesome car and it makes me smile like the Joker every time I get in and hit the twisty bits! Now to find an 812 SF to fill out my stable, my 458 needs a friend. Gotta love those V-12 Prancing Horses!

Cheers!

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Thanks, I put 5,000 “s-miles “ on her in the last eleven months. It’s a very addictive car!

Cheers!

 

Thanks Gene,

I always enjoy your posts! I also had a few tense moments as I pulled out of the dealers lot for my near eighteen hour straight drive back home.

It was such an enjoyable drive though and I was very confident in the car a few miles down the road. It’s such an awesome ride. I have been blessed with no issues on my 458 as well.

It’s the only car I’ve ever owned that I never, ever want to sell. The stars aligned when the 458 was envisioned and the result was nothing short of epic!

Cheers bruddah!

 

Thanks so much! As it turns out, the 458 I ended up buying from the second dealer was newer, it had lower mileage, was better optioned and in my preferred colour combo! Cha-ching!!!

Therefore, my original faff at trying to buy the first 458 ended up being a blessing in disguise, since that encouraged me to find a much better car in the end.

It would be great to meet you at an event, as I’m in your neck of the woods occasionally. It’s always a pleasure to meet others who share a passion for the Prancing Horse!

Cheers!

 

Thanks so much for the kind words! I have found out that’s it true what they say about being retired... You’re busier than when you were working. Kinda funny, but oh so true!

Cheers!

 

Thanks so much! I was in sales for 42 years before I retired. I would classify myself as a slam dunk buyer - ready to buy, no haggling over the price, bank waiting for routing info and I did not want a test drive.

The only thing I wanted was for them to move the seat back and if my legs fit, Bob’s you’re uncle it’s sold! I have no idea what happened to derail the sale. I had no buying history in the Ferrari world at the time though, which may have been a factor.

Cheers!

 

Thanks for your comments. You are right and I would never cast everyone in the dealership with a broad brush... That’s why I did not mention the dealers name, or the salesman. The stiff a**ed Brit portion of my DNA would not allow such things...

With my Benz, I know the mechanic who works on it and I have taken him to lunch several times. He is a good friend to me and I value his professionalism and attention to detail when working on my SonderKlasse Mercedes-Benz cars. Ditto on my service advisor, she is an absolute gem!

The Ferrari service department at the dealer I’m using for my 458 have exceeded my expectations in every way. I am thrilled to be a part of the Ferrari family, even if I’m still a single grain of sand on an endless beach of more important Ferrari buyers. I love my 458!!!

Cheers!

 

Thanks so much! They are made by OZ and are available through the Ferrari Collection catalogue. They are mounted with Ferrari Titanium lug bolts.

Cheers!

 

Thanks! I left that out because the point of the post was not to name the dealer or the salesman, but to say in general terms, if you have an buying experience at any dealer that does not meet your expectations, you have options.

I’m not upset at anyone at the first dealer, (they are a great group of folks) just disappointed. However, I found another car and all is well. I would give the first dealer another chance if they had a car I was interested in buying. Anyone can have an off day...

Cheers!

 

Hello Gene,

I’m sincerely humbled and appreciative of your kind words, but I’m not sure I’m deserving of such high praise. I’m just an average Joe and even when I scrub up, the north end of a south bound mule is much better looking...

Whilst I’ll never grace the cover of GQ magazine with a mug like mine, writing comes naturally to me. My first magazine article was published in my 20’s, a tribute to my mum. I was also the editor of my local Mercedes-Benz Club newsletter for five years and a member for 32 years.

When I had my art studio, I wrote regular monthly articles for an international magazine based in London (God Save the Queen) and more than 150 articles about various topics within my medium.

You’ll find my writing style mixes the Queen’s English, American English and Hawaiian with a casual syntax, unless I’m being graded by my editor. :-o

I would be honoured to meet you one day Gene! As for the beer and the steaks, I’ll be happy to pick up the cheque, if you pick the place.

Cheers!

 

Hello again Gene,

I just noticed your area... I have many fond memories of the PNW. Back in the day when I had hair and was working in my art studio, I demonstrated artistic techniques at convention centres and trade shows all over the U.S. Your area was one of my most favourite shows!

I was typically out of town for four days a week, for up to 32 weeks a year. It seemed like I spent more time in first class at 35k feet, than I did on the ground... Over the years that I demonstrated, I completed 1,787 demonstrations and I was blessed to meet tens of thousands of great people at the shows.

Please give your state a great big virtual hug from me, I miss being there and the many close friends I made on my travels in your area.

Cheers!

 

Hello Gene,

You live in a very beautiful state for sure!
Have you ever tried Terminator Stout, brewed by the McMenamins chain of Brewpubs in the Portland area?

OMG!!! Best tasting dark beer I’ve ever tasted. If you enjoy dark, full flavoured beers, give it a try. It might be available in your neck of the woods in a bottle.

Texas has some fine twisty roads to enjoy a Ferrari. We call the Austin area the “Hill Country.” It’s a very beautiful part of the state with gentle rolling hills. Alas, many parts of Texas are flat as a board.

If you get back down here, there are lots of places near Austin to explore a Ferrari as Enzo intended. COTA looks like an awesome place, but I’ve only seen it in some YouTube videos. It’s definitely on my list to experience!

Unfortunately, the only elevation changes around here are when you cross a freeway overpass, or you get in a building elevator... :-o. That’s why we love the Hill Country so much!

Cheers!