Do euro vins not show on carfax, Mannheim etc?
One thing I don’t understand is what would motivate someone to buy a Euro unless it was much cheaper. Very few that I’ve seen don’t have Many options Maybe more creative color combos Almost always higher miles?
Different specs on Motronic ECUs and emissions related equipment. No side markers, just turn signal repeaters. Some did not have catalytic converters, In general, though, less optioned than US spec versions, like you said, and they were used hard.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m excited for the 575’s to hit the 25 year mark but there are so many good 550’s here I’d be hard pressed to buy Euro 550 unless it was a screaming deal. Just my personal opinion.
I had a euro federalized for usa and still own a usa model. No material difference. I don't see why euro hate. The car is from Europe and that's the model you would own in Europe. If in usa and car is legal euro car no big deal.
Not carb compliant and thus not cali legal. Needs another state license plate which is fine unless an owner wants to play by the rules. i was personally prepared to not play by the rules if necessary, but that’s another level of risk/complication I don’t personally need if I can avoid it.
not true. Everything is 50 state legal. So if federalized it is so in 50 states. When in Cali they issue a carb sticker for the car as well as the federal sticker. I know this because I owned a legal euro 550 licensed registered and titled in cali. It was converted by amerispec upon us entry by the po.
There are plenty of USA cars in the us. But if a good properly documented euro car is available in the options you want I would not pass it up. I have owned 2 euro legal Ferraris with no issues in cali
I like euro cars….. I viewed one yesterday red/black with Daytona seats…..standard wheels. Had Modular’s on my 575m, I,personally like the standard wheels better. Stickies need attended to, a/c needs a charge, suspension light is on but the system is working properly…..verified by Ferrari west palm beach. 25k miles
Sometimes more interesting specs, but definitely price point. My Euro 550 (Grigio on Blu Scuro interior) was HALF the price a comparable one would have been in North America, and the mileage isn't all that crazy. I've had it just about a year and is likely a lifetime keeper for me. No stickies, came with a fresh engine out from a reputable spot with records, and all books/tool kit.
FBB - here is the fine point….correct me if I’m misspeaking…. If as you note, Amerispec or other goes thru the federalized process and then simultaneously provides a carb sticker, you are good, then I agree. If you do NOT have the car federalized….but rather just wait for the car to be 25 years old then it is ok on the federal level BUT my point is that car that hasn’t been thru the “pre-25 year process” and then also not the Carb process in CA will not be a legal car. It would have to have all the proper smog equipment and a valid cert if the car was 1976 or newer. Since CA is such a huge market, if a car can’t pass CARB smog cert then it inherently has a lower value because a large group of buyers don’t want the hassle of out of state registration.
To each his own. Do your due diligence and buy. The smart play is to buy the best example you can afford. Some think any color but red is a deduction. Some think FHP is the cats meow and is the peak of Ferrari suspension tuning on the consumer model 550. It’s your toy. Play with it the way you want. If in the USA and 2 identical 550s USA and euro I pick USA. I owned a euro and USA 550 at the same time. The only reason I sold the euro was because I liked the other color better. In fact my euro 550 set its smog monitors faster than my USA car!
Image Unavailable, Please Login My 2 Lira opinions are a number of car buyers may be concerned/afraid/worried that the EPA/DOT will confiscate your car and crush it due to poor EPA/DOT conversions and or paperwork and (more importantly) some snooty F dealers may not turn wrenches on your vehicle and or order euro (RoW) only - specific parts. This may have some weight with a late model modern car but I doubt it makes much sense with an older vehicle. Yes, it's true a number of F dealers are more than happy to take care of a euro car. Aside from the older classics and 365/512 BB/BBi I am not sure if authorized F dealers are willing to take a euro in trade and list it in their pre-owned inventory. Will they lowball the seller and just wholesale a euro car. Often with a grey market car you get in cheap and get out cheap. No free ride when you sell. Buyers who know will expect to receive a discount when buying a euro. This is not a problem if you understand this when you buy a euro. I looked into importing a euro (RoW) from Japan but it did not make any economic sense when you added up all the numbers and compare to the market prices for a U.S. car.
To answer the original question: Sure, a non-US VIN can have a Carfax report, if there are records in the US that make it to Carfax: titling, inspection, service work, etc. As long as it's a 17-digit VIN.
And yet we had the recent $240K euro 550 sale on BaT. I guess there are always exceptions... https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-ferrari-550-maranello-25/
That sale was completely non sensical. To borrow a term from the concrete tilt up construction industry….that guy had an enormous erection plan for that thing. Did the high bidder close? He is a heavy hitter In that he paid big boy money for a new Acura historically so he is likely a legit bidder that will or has closed. look at the 2nd highest bidder and his history….any chance he was a ghost and ran it up? Other than exterior color….explain to me how that car was worth as much as @chris1866 the car isn’t even California legal. God bless America for the seller and buyer. I’m sure they will both be happy and that’s all that matters in the end. I’ve got my “forever 550” so I don’t have a horse in the race other than the price was shocking and great for anyone contemplating selling as it lifts the market.
I mean a guy REALLY has to have Blu Swaters? Did it come with a weekend getaway with Jennifer Aniston? I just don’t get how frantic the market is for 550’s and 575’s. Such huge deltas within the 550 market and within the 575 market.
@Ferrari55whoa I hear ya, man. Since I'm also not looking to buy or sell currently, I'm just as bewildered a spectator of this schizoid market as you.
Sellers, owners, and potential sellers are often happy to spotlight a vehicle when it sells considerably over-market. The hope is the price sets a new bar for a similar vehicle. Buyers take the opposite approach.
