Am I expecting too much?

Forget that dealership...Plenty of great 430's out there, look around.

 

I've had much better luck with meticulous private owners than through dealerships. It's also why I do my own maintenance. I grew tired of little things being missed or half-@$$ed, like skipping a belly pan screw, etc. No one cares about my car more than me, and if there's ever a next owner, they'll appreciate that.

 

A lot of first-time buyers expect too much. Ferrari have a storied racing and bespoke past, but I remember buying a low-mile 308 from a Ferrari dealer that was delivered with a seized brake caliper, leaky windscreen washer bag, and a/c belt that squealed alarmingly. Ultimately these are just used cars dealers buy and sell to turn a profit, with the added factor of being relatively complex (newer cars) and built for buyers with bottomless checkbooks.

But as others have posted there are thousands of F430s, so consider other dealers and other sources. It sounds like you were shown a beat-up car -- definitely pass on that one.

 

Sucks doesn't it? Owning a Ferrari can be like having a high maintenance wife AND mistresses.

 

But the ride is absolutely worth it

 

Find another dealer to work with.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

This whole post makes no sense.... let's be real and think a bit.... There are cars all over the country in dealers and private. Some are PRISTINE and some are in pieces in a back yard salvage... AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN-- this is just one car you checked out and it happens to be one on the lower end of condition. BIG DEAL. And when a dealer takes in a trade or buys one from auction to resell, they certainly aren't going to restore the car and fix every cosmetic thing... They are going to safety it and resell. The ONLY thing you said that makes any sense is that they were asking same price as a clean one... but who knows if that's true even...

So, yes, you are asking too much as it seems you're asking for every car you check out to be excellent just because it's at a dealer.

This one is simple. Not the car for you. Don't buy it. Move on to the next one and good luck.

 

If you think your experience is lacking now just wait until you hear the sucking sound coming from your wallet at your 1st Ferrari service department visit.

 

I hear you, but based on my personal experiences, this would not have happened at a Porsche dealership. Indeed, I would say the same for the old Ferrari of Houston. I haven't dealt with the new ownership so I can't say if things are the same. It is called pride.

 

What hasn't yet been said is that Ferraris are "difficult" to buy. Its not like Honda or Porsche where you can walk a line of cars on the dealer's lot, kick the tires and pick your favorite one. Compared to other marques, Ferraris are rare cars. BMW cranks out the same number of cars that Ferrari makes in a year by noon on January 1.

It has already been said that you need to be patient. A nice car will come. The dealer now has your name. They will call you. It might take a while.

It has also already been said that there are other, and perhaps better, places to look than at the dealerships. But buying through a private sale requires sufficient knowledge of the vehicle to be able to know how to ask the right questions, know the right answers and be able to tell a good car from a bad one.

 

The dealership gets lots of Romas and F8s on trade as people take delivery of a F8 Spyder or 296.

F430 owners are long time holders. They aren’t trading these cars for a new Ferrari. Your chances of getting one at your local dealer are slim. In the last 12 months my dealer has put zero 430s on their website. There were 2 458s in 12 months. Probably a dozen 488.

 

OP…. Call Mike Berman @Yellow Compass. Or text him and he’ll call you back day or night. He’ll find you a car. He knows the market better than just about anyone, and is great to work with.

973-610-7111 Mike B.

 

Buying from a dealer gives a buyer really almost zero benefit over a private sale. If the car is out of warranty, they won’t just fix every single item needed. It is a used car at the end of they and they are a business. A private sale gives you an idea of how much love was given to the car and all service records. I would for sure buy from a private seller over any dealer. YellowCompass is a great choice to help you find the right car.

 

In France at least, it's not unusual even for dealers of mainstream brands to offload (to other dealers) the cars they trade in, if they think they are not good enough.
That way, the official dealers have mostly recent and low mileage cars, in decent shape - and that's why they typically charge more than independent dealers.

 

My first thought when you mentioned that the F430 had the previous owner's personal belongings behind the seats is that it had been repossessed. In light of the other damage, that doesn't seem unlikely!

 

You need to open up your search past F dealers......430s and Calis are not want they want to sell at 15-20 years old. They aren't restoration shops, nor do you want them to be.

Buy from a long time owner, or the handful of good indy dealers. Insist on service records.

 

Your buying an old car. 2005-2009. It is.now 2023. Be real. You are going to have old car problems. Unavoidable. I love the 430. But you will not find a new one.

 

Be realistic. Buying a Ferrari should take some time.
Shop national.
Look (online) at every car on the market.
Talk to owners/dealers.
Ask questions.
Narrow it down.
Eliminate any deals where the conversation isn’t professional and transparent.
Forget this local dealer you described, not worthy.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

And if the OP buys the car, could he kindly return my stuff.

 

Subscribe to Ferrari Market Letter and monitor the classified forum on this web site. You should be able to find a suitable car.

 

Psssh... Go on Facebook marketplace and peruse the car sales websites. It's a national search. And as others have said, they're old cars now. Don't expect perfect unless you're paying for perfect.

But will it need to be perfect for you to love it and enjoy it? Prob not. Fix the flaws. Rock chips? Yeah you're going to get those. I haven't fixed like 3 dings on my car because I don't want to drive a perfect car for 5 minutes... until the next rock chips the paint.

Oh and don't expect the pre-purchase inspection to be all knowing. You can't remove things on a car that isn't yours for a really really comprehensive inspection.

Good luck! I enjoyed the search.

 

But I highly recommend paying up for a near perfect car. Don’t get hung up on colors and options, or even miles. Condition, condition, condition are all that matters.

Last point, Ferrari builds some lemons. These cars are possessed. Cheep price, multiple owners, no records, you’re skydiving without a parachute.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app