Should you buy a Ferrari without test driving it first?

Test drive? I can't even SEE one in person without getting on a plane or packing the car for a multiday road trip.

 

Don't ever buy a Ferrari (or other exotic) without a test drive AND thorough PPI

 

+1,000....most of the horror stories on here result from one or both of these not occuring.

 

I bought my 360 spider without ever having seen it (it was 2800 miles away) or even having sat in or driven in a Ferrari. I did my homework on the model and had a PPI done (which didn’t catch everything).

I have no regrets but would certainly advise trying to at least sit in one with the same seats as whatever you might buy, especially if you are unusually configured in height, weight, etc. if you can’t do that then at least read these forums to understand any constraints or common issues.

 

I agreed to buy a car sight unseen (through Yellow Compass) but I didn't actually pay for it until I had a PPI and did a test drive. Seemed trivial to pay for an airplane ticket to be sure I was getting what I paid for.

As the Russian proverb goes: "Trust but verify."

 

Why can’t you get a test drive?

My main dealer would offer either or both if I asked and was serious; no problems. If your local dealer won’t play, then go to another!

I’m told the f12 and 812 are very different animals so yes is the answer, get a test drive.

 

Maybe you should take a driving course before you buy one, many a fool have wrapped their Ferraris around a tree because they did not have a clue what to do behind the wheel. Only you can answer this . I dont think Ferrari makes a car with less than 600 HP at the present time.If its a mid mounted machine, well thats a completely different skill set all together .


Thank you,

 

" How many of you have bought without a drive first?"...
(Repost)
I did... I "shopped" online for 6-8 months looking for a 575M gated, FHP, Red over black. Sent money by bank transfer, flew halfway across country, arrived a dealer 20 minutes before closing. First time I had ever sat in a Ferrari was when I drove it out of the lot and headed home. Because of work commitment, I drove 1300 miles with only gas and BR stops. Heavy ran started in NYC and snow in TN. Fun times!

The best part of the the "test drive" was when it was pouring rain, dark and I was in the wrong lane on the Cross Bronx Express Way, had to exit and end up in the South Bronx, no Nav, no Map. #Bonfireofthevanities!

 

First drive in mine was after the check (loan) cleared.

 

My "test drive" was driving it off the lot after the purchase.

 

You should not buy ANY automobile; without test driving it first...


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I have bought a few Ferrari's over the years.
Nearly all of them in another country, so that means no test drive.
However it is important that regardless you get all the information you can about the car. Also there are big differences concerning the age of the vehicle,
what model your buying, who the owners have been, etc Also in most cases if you can get a PPI done great, but otherwise it may not be necessary.
Generally you would think that say buying a 25oTDF would present less problems than buying a 400i.
Most of the time thats correct as the more expensive car will have more money spent on maintenance, regular checks, be stored in a garage than being parked on the roadside with a
check once a year.
So far I only had one car I bought not up to the standard I thought it would be, however was lucky as it was a time of high inflation for Ferrari's so it did not matter to much.
Due your due diligence and be logical in the purchase.

 

I think you should definitely test drive any car you are buying. the F-12 and the 812 are spectacular cars but each has a little quirkiness.

while getting a PPI on this vintage of a car seems a bit redundant - and any dealer can tell you the mtns history with a VIN and Chassis number... if your mechanic does not have the Ferrari software there is not much that can be seen or told from visual inspection. Unless the car has been flogged hard on a track ( pretty rare thing in the V-12 cars ) mileage and mtns history from a dealer should suffice. all 812's will be under warranty... and some F-12s would have some warranty or extended warranty to go. they also have dealer Mtns packages... so there is no reason to not maintain them at least routine items.

To me the main difference is the feel of each from the cockpit. the f-12 feels a bit bigger, while the 812 feels small and taught... it literally shrinks around you. also the controls are slightly different in the 812 - not much but just enough. both have amazing performance - so much so that you cant get anywhere near limits... even on a track. If you were simply not able to visit the seller - then I guess with a dealer service history report etc.. i would feel better about buying the car... but for me I'd fly to where ever and see and drive the car. its the little things that eventually irritate... and if you don't see and feel them up front ... you'll be that much more irratated.

 

Should I? No. Do I? Yes.

 

Just off the "top of my head", no test drive: Porsche 944, Porsche 928S4, Boxster S, 911TT, Cayenne S, Cayenne S, 575M...no problems, just lucky, I guess. :>)

 

"and any dealer can tell you the mtns history with a VIN and Chassis number..."

Is there a Ferrari dealer centralized mtn. data base? When I asked a dealer about 10 years ago, I was told no.

 

Hi vandevanterSH; A test drive does not always mean that you speculate problems....but mainly if the automobile is the right one for you. For example; i am a professional Bass Guitarist.. and there have been very expensive bass guitars (really good ones) that did not suit me...or did not have the right feel for my style...(and some were actually a much heavier frame than my usual Bass Guitars...which made it difficult to and unnecessary for my style and playing technique...


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I have bought a Challenge Stradale, a 328 GTS and couple of months ago an Alfa Romeo SZ all sight unseen, for different reasons. I’ve been lucky in all occasions so far ;-)

 

I bought mine sought unseen, never driven, no test drive, first-ferrari-I've-ever-driven when I drove it off the transport truck.

Sometimes when you know you know.

 

South Bronx,,, you are lucky to be alive

 

South Bronx,,, you are lucky to be alive

 

My wife and I flew out to Chicago from the Seattle area for a long weekend. As she set the trip up, we went first class and stayed at a great hotel of her choice. We saw the car on a Tuesday when the store opened and I knew it was the one for me. I walked around it and I started it up but never drove it until it was delivered to me. I purchased the car as a CPO and with a 2 year warrantee. This warrantee doesn't cover everything but I felt good when I did the deal and it all worked out for me.
I did have an issue with the car when it was delivered but the dealer and I worked it out.
My heart still skips a beat when I drive her!
It was a great weekend with the best wife ever.

 

Was curious on people’s thoughts on auctions. Not just BaT, but Mecum, Gooding, Sotheby’s, etc. How well can you figure out a car at those?