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Advice on first Ferrari

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by sean-blaire, May 31, 2006.

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  1. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #1 sean-blaire, May 31, 2006
    Hey guys/gals,
    I am thinking of getting my first Ferrari. Do you guys have any advice on
    importing a car from another country?
    I am living now in southern California and I want to get one from Kuwait.
    I heard that I need a bond to pick it up from the shipping dock, where can
    I get this?
    What is the process I have to go through, and what do I need to prepare before I purchase the car?
    Would you guys suggest I get it converted, I called a shop in Costa Mesa and he said it will cost about 10-20k to get California emissions for the vehicle.
    Or should I get it as a show car and limit my driving to 5000 miles a year?

    Any help is appreciated.

    thanks

    sean
     
  2. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
    7,645
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Greg Calo
    #2 GCalo, Jun 1, 2006
    Sean,

    You would be better off finding a car in the US. You may find that a vehicle from Kuwait may not even be allowed in the country.

    The price to convert a car is far more than $10K-$20K so don't get sucked into that trap.

    First consider your budget and then see what model fits into your projections.

    This would help you narrow your choice, and then you can start acquiring information on the model to make sure you don't trapped into considerable expense.

    This site is an invaluable aid to finding model problems, and it is cheap insurance. Use it well.
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,608
    Gates Mills, Ohio
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    Jon
    #3 Bullfighter, Jun 1, 2006
    Adding to what Greg said, I'd find a reputable Ferrari mechanic in your area first and discuss what you plan to buy, considering the servicing costs in your budget decision. Then buy a known car from a known seller.

    With any model/year, you're going to want it inspected before you buy and unless it's a new car there will be stuff to do right after you get it. (Ask me how I know this...)
     
  4. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    #4 Simon^2, Jun 1, 2006
    What model are you considering? Lot's of members with expertise in each.
     
  5. George J.

    George J. Formula Junior

    Apr 18, 2005
    540
    Bay area, CA
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    George J
    #5 George J., Jun 1, 2006
    Or buy a Ferrari out of Kuwait that was built before '67 and it will be exempt.

    The Ferrari's I've owned have been pre-67 and I still think that is the way to go anyway. - George
     
  6. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
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    Franklin E. Parker
    #6 parkerfe, Jun 1, 2006
    Whatever you get, be sure it has a 12 cylinder engine. Otherwise. you will always wonder what a 12 is like. The 8s are so plentiful you can always get one of them later...And as great American Forest Gump said,...that's all I got to say about that...
     
  7. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
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    Scott
    #7 jsa330, Jun 1, 2006
    I agree about the 12 cylinders...V12 preferably, pre 1975
     
  8. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    HUBBSTER
    #8 WILLIAM H, Jun 1, 2006
    Sounds like a headache unless you are getting an insanely good deal on the car I would walk.

    To begin with if the Customs twit is having a bad day your car may not be able to enter bcus he argued w his wife the night before. Customs is very powerful & capricious

    Then IF your car is allowed into the US you have to jump through hoops at EPA/DOT have a mechanic modify the car, it could easily cost $50-100k & be a year before you could drive it
     
  9. Dietrich

    Dietrich Rookie
    BANNED

    May 31, 2006
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    Decker Kanyon camp
    Full Name:
    Dietrich Grodzinski
    #9 Dietrich, Jun 1, 2006
    I am liking 12 zylinder autos also. They goes faster than 8 zylinder car and better for fender bender. If you buys one, maybee you let me drives it? I be your friend then.

    Dietrich
     
  10. 483hp

    483hp Formula 3
    Owner

    Aug 17, 2005
    1,428
    www.fca.alberta.com
    #10 483hp, Jun 1, 2006
    If it is a newer car, don't forget that your warranty is gone if it is not a US car.
     
  11. junkyarddog

    junkyarddog Formula Junior

    May 18, 2006
    353
    Palatka, FL
    Full Name:
    Kelly Lake
    #11 junkyarddog, Jun 1, 2006

    I agree with GCalo...unless it is a truly rare, impossible to get ahold of car it's not worth it to import it.
     
  12. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #12 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Thanks for your info, I will definitely think about importing.
    My main idea I thought of this is because I noticed they are
    pretty cheap in Kuwait compared to here.

    sean


     
  13. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #13 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Yes I called a mechanic here in COsta Mesa and he told me it would cost anywhere between 15-20k for a particular car I wanted to convert.

    Thanks for your advice

    sean


     
  14. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #14 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Actually I had a choice of a few in mind. Here is the list:
    1996 Ferrari 456 with 43750 miles on it
    1994 Ferrari 348 spider ( do not know how many miles on it )
    1999 Ferrari 355 spider with 33750 miles on it ( The user arezzo on this board
    from Kuwait has it for sale, Salman )
    I spoke with Salman on the phone and thats where I got the idea of bringing
    his car here as a show car, that way I do not have to convert it.

    sean


     
  15. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #15 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    I did not know that, did you import your Ferraris from abroad yourself?
    What is the law, and the number of years old that a car has to be in order
    for it to be exempt?

    sean


     
  16. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #16 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    I will keep that in mind,

    thanks for your reply

    sean

     
  17. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #17 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Why pre-1975?
    ANy particular reason?

    thanks for your reply

    sean


     
  18. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #18 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Wow that is a lot of money to convert it, I will definitely not conside it if this
    was the case. Its wierd, I am a Canadian living in California for the last 8 years and when I imported my Canadian Dodge Avenger 1995 car here there was absolutely no problems with it. I have it certified, smog tested, the whole nine yards. I did not pay any special import tax, or duty. It was put on
    a flatbed and brought over here, I had to fill in some letter specifying that the
    car was approved for California emissions. So thats why I thought it should be no problem importing a car from abroad.

    sean


     
  19. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #19 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Why would it be better for a fender bender? ( bigger crash? )

    sean

     
  20. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #20 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Thats a good point, I did not even think of that.

    thanks for your reply

    sean


     
  21. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

    Jan 3, 2004
    4,629
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    Dave Helms
    #21 davehelms, Jun 2, 2006
    Many of the cars delivered to that region were built to North American spec. As stated earlier, there is no warr. through Ferrari NA. The cars in the UAE were all NA spec but used HARD and put away wet! That said there were a few exceptional cars that proved to be a terrific value. PPI before it leaves the country!!!!

    Dave
     
  22. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #22 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Thanks for you info, what is PPI?

    sean

     
  23. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,608
    Gates Mills, Ohio
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    Jon
    #23 Bullfighter, Jun 2, 2006
    pre-purchase inspection
     
  24. sean-blaire

    sean-blaire Rookie

    May 19, 2006
    12
    #24 sean-blaire, Jun 2, 2006
    Does anyone know a good cheap place near Irvine, CA ( where I live ) that will do Ferrari conversions, work, mechanical type stuff?

    thanks

    sean
     

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