F Owners and multiple owners... Biggest Lesson Learned?

Well, cumulatively most all of whats been said I couldnt have said better. But there are some finer points. As far as self service or dealer only, I would refer to the member who quoted "condition, condition, condition" as the best represtation. We have all seen and heard, as well as some posts here as well, of less fortunate work being done at dealers. They are still human beings and prone to mistakes. And while the self mechanic can surely make mistakes, the love is there to correct it and make it better than new in many cases.

There is the distance factor, the example factor, and the knowledge factor. A car could be far enough away that you cant justify the expense. There may not be many examples you can find and you have to choose a less than perfect example. And there may not be a nearby dealer or shop that is qualified to work on decent cars. I bought the worst example of a 308 I could find that still ran. I'll do my best to restore it and learn while I go what makes a Ferrari unique. The next one will be much nicer.

 

I would reduce my offer quite a bit for the 308-328 series, and wouldn't consider a 355 or newer engine-out service model that wasn't dealer serviced recently. The percentage would depend on many factors - price of the car, rigorous PPI, degree of self service versus professionally serviced, etc., but it's a big deal. For one thing, you will have a Ferrari with no documented service history, which is the kiss of death when you resell the car.

You're right - a 308 parked between an F50 and F40 in a gleaming garage is more promising than one parked on the lawn in front of a rusty pickup. - but WHO performed the recent major services is as important to me as WHEN they were done. As a buyer, I'm looking for any signs that budget was a concern when it came to maintenance. It is a very positive sign for me when a 308 or 328 has been serviced at a Ferrari dealer or one of the reputable independents.

Not trying to disparage those who do their own work - undoubtedly you can save many thousands of dollars. But the car isn't worth as much to me.

 

All I can add is...don't cheap out like I did when you get your front seats reupholstered. Everything else has been said.

 

Get a relationship with an F car dealer. I feel this has a lot of hidden value.

 

I agree.

Dale

 

Then there are some that fit both categories


I only have a few things to add to what's already been said...

1) No matter if you plan on working on the car yourself or having it done at a shop, plan a budget for time and money.

2) Next, at least double your budget for both time and money.

3) Never plan on the car being a 100% perfect concours winning machine unless you plan on doing what Newman is in the middle of (http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4503)

4) This is the most important..........................

Find a car you like and can afford and then HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!

 

I have always subscribed to the theory that it is easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission...that being said I still don't have my 512TR

 

Do not take phone calls when you are doing maintanence on your beloved F-car. OK you guys I'm going to spill my guts here so no laughin'. About 18 years I bought my first Ferrari. The car hadn't had its timimg belts replaced for a while so I thought no better way to get acquainted with this car than a belt job. Everything went fine on the belt change. After I was about to put the belt covers back on I noticed that the small water hose between the water pump pulley and the larger coolant hose had been rubbing on the pulley. It wasn't leaking but I thought I should fix it so I trimmed off about an inch of the hose and reconnected it. The piece I cut off fell down below the connection area, no big deal I thought I will fish it out in a minute. At that instant my wife called to me that I had a phone call. I went into the house to answer it. This turned out to be a lengthy call, about half hour or so. I went back to the garage to finish putting the car back together and start it up. Well... guess what I forgot to fish out what had fallin' some where. That little chunck of hose had strategically placed itself between the cam belt and the front bank drive gear of said cam belt. Well you can guess where my heart was when I turned over the engine and I heard the metallic click of valves and pistons bumpin' into each other. That little piece of hose had lifted the belt off of the gear and the engine of course kept turning and firing just enough to reguire 4 new intake valves. I still have my souvenier hose and 4 bent valves. Thats also when I found out head gaskets for Ferrari V-8 cost $220.00... a piece, thats alot more than a complete valve job on a Chevy(well almost). Moral of story...don't take phone calls and don't have s**t for brains when you work on your beloved Ferrari. Regards, Vern

 

Begging for forgiveness isn't always worth the pain and suffering associated with it.

Try asking first, she may surprise you and say yes.

 

Do not buy the current "run", as its price will be artificially high because of Ferrari's limited production and pressure from those who "must have the very latest". Instead buy from the previous run, or better yet one or more runs prior to that, as these pressures/buyers elements will not be so disproportionate.

Thus when Ferrari is making 430s, buy a 360, or better yet a 355, etc.

I would also be wary of buying an expensive 12-cyl Ferrari if the current V8 model looks more voluptuous and can go just as fast. I fear those who acquired 575s or 550s may find that the success of the 430 may harshly impact their resale market.

 

hey guys so my first is a 95 348 spyder i got on ebay did what i thought any one should do and being an auto tech owning my own shop since 1985 i grilled the guy at the dealer , car fax , talked to the previous owner you know lots of pics ect... i wanted this car because f cars of atlanta took $23,000.00 for a pm service at 21k miles !!! thats right 23k baby !
the list is a mile long 3,000 for flywheel , new cats , painted door panals t-belt sevice , alternator i can go on for a while long story short is 17 months 3,000 miles later i have a cam seal leak , found over spray from a hit , they never painted the valve covers !!! and some other stuff. do i feel stupid ? ya kinda but the previous owner gets the cake he was such a nice guy i asked why so much he said it was his first f car and that he dropped it off at the dealer and said do any services that are needed he never got a phone call they just had a 1st time owner party with the guy. so look any one that can't get a good look at the car should think about seeing the car first had or hire a professional to check it out on your behalf. and talk to you guys that have been around these cars your info is invaluable and i wish i took more time and found f-chat before i made a move. thats my story and i'm sticking to it ! "fuzzy"