550 owner buying 2007 Porsche Turbo

Your frustration is logical. If your plunking down big cash for all aspects of Ferrari ownership then one would expect to be treated like a king. There is a whole snobbery to all of this....it seems they know that customers can be kept in the dark and treated poorly and they will still get their money. I hope they dont forget what things were like in the early 90s when 348s were not selling. What if that F1 team continues its downward slide.......You never know. I remember when cable tv had that big monopoly. They treated everyone like crap cause they knew they were the only game in town. Enter Direct TV and now they are on the floor begging for buisness. Enjoy your Porsche....its a real monster!

 

I feel ya.

Just sold my 360 for a 997S for basically the same reasons.

Mostly I wanted a car with a warranty, one that would not need service all the time and something I could drive every day. I got all of this and more. I have recently owned 355/360, 996C4S and Boxster. The 997S is very special. I have no doubt that you will absolutely love a 997TT.

Piece of advice - I miss the sound. I would highly recommend PSE as an option. I am having an aftermarket (AWE) exhaust and cats put on this week. Also, I don't know if it comes standard on the TT, but you really want Sport Chrono Plus (and PASM - this I would think is standard).

 

Been there. Had two 550's then a porsche gt2. Although I had no major problems with either ferrari ( the first one, a berlinetta, I. bought used and it had needs which the dealer did cover only after driving revealed them) I was ready for a change. The Porsche was almost flawless but it was not a daily- at least the way I had it set up. It was very quick and hardwired in its handling- something the power steering in the 550 lost. Ultimately I sold the Porsche in favor of a 6 litre diablo which has much of the exoticness that both cars sorely lacked. I haven't yet driven the new 12 ferrari but I get what you mean. (PS- a friend just got back from Spain where he drove the TT on a track- he raved and he used to manage a ferrari dealership) enjoy.

 

All good points well made, but it sounds a lot like the angst heard by those who can't walk-in to there local Rolex dealer and buy a SS Daytona or Prince watch and buy a fantastic Tag Heuer instead. It also sounds like the frustration and envy of those watching frequent airline fliers being afforded short security lines, early boarding and first class upgrades. The volume of your business and your loyalty speak volumes when you desire to obtain something in limited supply, albeit an artificially limited supply. As I've said in other threads, Ferrari's golden egg is their brand value and they have no interest in significantly increasing their production volume only to dillute their brand's value down to Porsche, BMW, Jaguar, etc.

A classic example for you wine lovers is Silver Oak Cabernet. It was a moderately difficult wine to obtain for decades and virtually unattainable in the retail market. Then the founder past away and the new owners pledged to the lovers of Silver Oak that they would ramp production to meet demand. Now you can find their wines stacked up in most fine retail wine stores and it is widely considered to be an overpriced product having pissed away a iconic brand.

 

Congrats on a great purchase. You can't go wrong with the new 997, the 996TT was a beast, how much better can they make it after this latest evolution?
One of the Aussie members has stated time and again that a good dealer and mechanic/workshop can make or break your Ferrari experience. With a Porsche you walk in, buy the car and generally end of story. Even out of warranty there are many specialist workshops that are cheap AND good. Unfortunatly the same can not be said with Ferrari's....

 

nerd, not necessarily.

 

Nerd, I don't think speedball was necessarily talking about the production numbers of Ferraris. It appears that he was observing the differences in treatment at the dealerships. I agree with him-- when a person is willing to buy a new car for 300K, the dealership should really roll out the red carpet. Ferrari dealerships have gotten quite snotty (some of the salesman are VERY condescending) and I absolutely agree with speedball's sentiments about that.

 

Oddly enough, the experience is the exact opposite here in Phoenix where UAG owns both dealerships. I've always been treated warmly by the Ferrari dealership's sales and service teams. The Porsche dealer could care less when I drop in having NEVER offered assistance in the dozen or so visits over 5 years. The Porsche service experience here is identical to Toyota. The service writer doesn't know you or your car and couldn't care less. As soon as he's done writing-up the service order the car goes into the black hole at the back of the dealership.

My point is that Ferrari dealers never have new cars available for sale (order actually) unless you are a valued customer. Given Ferrari's focus on carefully managing their brand's value, that is good business. On the other hand, most Porsche dealers have had Carrera GTs in inventory since they were introduced and I've been sorely disappointed, given that I'm one of your "persons willing to buy a new car for 300K" that the local sales persons won't even get up from their desks to welcome me to the dealership. That is just bad business.

 

I agree with Nerd. It sounds like you have a lousy Ferrari dealer.

We have an excellent Ferrari dealer here and a so-so Porsche dealer. I've never bought anything from the Porsche dealer, but have been a customer of their sister Audi dealership for years, never very happily. From my visits to the showroom, I don't get the sense that the Porsche dealership is much different.

 

problem is that Ferrari dealers do not want you to buy a new car from them, unless you buy 3 used cars from them, or sponsor their racing team. They will take a deposit and never give the the car, especially autogallery. Ferrari dealers should just stop pretending to sell cars at MSRP, they should just sell the cars with the markup on the window like other dealers, at least we buyers will know where they stand and stop pretending that there is a list and they actually follow that list.

 

Nerd, that's a shame about you having a bad P-dealer. I understand what you're saying about valued customers leading to better brand, but a believe speeball is referring to treatment... actual tones and words.

BTW, you have perfect cars.

 

Agreed! There is no excuse for treating any potential customer poorly in any business. Speedball, please enjoy the new ride! It undoubtedly will be brilliant and reliable. I've been eyeing the new GT3 or GT3RS if it actually comes into the US.

 

I'm not going to ask them, because they'd expect me to follow through and take delivery, but yes, I believe my dealership would do it. And if they wouldn't, they'd give me a straight explanation as to why they couldn't.

Regardless of how good or bad my dealer is, I agree that yours is lousy!

 

For more than 10 years, Ron Tonkin has always treated me well in person and over the phone.

 

One only needs to use the SEARCH function to find countless other posts that all reflect negatively on Autogallery.

 

I don't believe Ferrari dealers even need salespeople. As a matter of fact, I can't recall ever being "sold" anything in a Ferrari dealer. It's kind of like the post with the Rolex SS Daytona comment, "you walk in looking for a SS Daytona". Ferrari is the same way, you don't walk in to find out what's new for 2007 and trade in the 1995 Ford Taurus, you walk in knowing exactly what you want. I've waited five years to get what I've wanted before, sometimes it's the only one in existence and you have to be patient or pay dearly (or both). Does anyone really need to be "overly-polite" in this lopsided supply/demand environment? Every time I drive my Ferrari to the Porsche dealer, they try and "sell" me a Porsche (and they're very polite).

 

To sell used cars mostly! And based upon the rolling inventory at the local Ferrari dealer, they mostly sell Porsche and Mercedes.

 

Ognar sold the dealership to Auto gallery. Mr. Ognar was more people friendly. Things quickly changed after Mr. Ognar left.. I bought my first Ferrari Testarossa. And never went back. Time to time I just visit there showroom thats about it.. Try Motor cars International.. nice warm friendly people. Mid west seems better people friendly for some reason then West Coast dealerships. Sorry about your rough experience. I am sure you' ll tire of your Porsche and jump into another Ferrari.. I too had a Porsche and traded in for the Testarossa. Built by Andial Porche 1989 S Turbo, slant nose..
Good luck
hope to see you in a Ferrari
john

 

0-60 in 3.3? Maybe in a nasty Tiptronic (lowest I've seen is 3.4) but not in a 6 speed. They're significantly slower, more like 3.7 or 3.8. The tip allows you to build boost at a standstill, which you can't do in the manual unless you want to buy a new clutch the next day. Really, the car isn't much faster than an old Turbo S until you're over 100. What a slug. Buy a Caterham for less than half the money and go faster with no fwd and the engine where it belongs. HA, just kidding, awesome car, and most Ferrari dealers do indeed treat customers poorly- they have no motivation to do otherwise, face it.

 

Hi Scot,
I enjoyed reading your announcment. I must admit I feel exactly the same way. I would like to have a 599, but my dealer is taking a similar position.

For the cost difference between my 2001 Maranello and a new 599 I should be able to buy a turbo and keep the 550. I was also considering the GT3, but favor the turbo. I think you are making a smart choice and sincerely wish you great fun with your new one.
Regards,
Woody Byrd

 

Can't go wrong either way as they are both great cars, I just think the new 599 is much more of an exotic car than the TT. There are just way to many Porsches on the road.

Don't get me wrong, I have had 4 911 in various versions since 99 and am now back in my Fcar and for a third vehicle that I drive for the fun of driving, there is no comparison.