Test driving a used Ferrari

like what he said

 

Ive driven almost every make of car from every corner of the world. Small ones, big ones, old ones, new ones, trucks and busses, tons of Corvettes and a few british and Italian sports cars. But the first time I drove a 308 it was quite a different experience. Its not a car you just jump in and drive without becoming accustomed. Maybe the other Ferrari's are a bit different, larger and less confined, I dont know. But the few people I have allowed to drive my car had trouble the first few miles getting their head in the game. They take their eyes off the road to look at the gearlever to shift, they cant find the clutch, its a big learning curve. This is not a car to let people just take for a spin who arent familiar with them, your taking a big risk in my opinion. Even if they dont smash it up, they can grind your gears, lug or over rev your motor or burn your clutch. I dont know about any of you, but I dont need that grief. Sorry, its NOT a Kia. Even its worth less these days.

And I would never expect anyone else to treat me any different. Tell someone you used to own one, how the hell do they know? The seller hold the keys, always respect the seller. If I ever sell one, and if im stupid enough to sell it to a fellow sue happy American, I'm driving first, and what happens after that I will have to figure out as I go. But I wont put the car up for sale just for tire kickers to get their kicks driving a Ferrari they have no intent (or money) to buy.

 

* quickie background check on driver, also make sure he actually owns the car he shows up in(call his insurance agent, verify stuff). Verify agent's biz phone number is in the phone book(no fake docs).

* make sure his car is left somewhere you know it'll be until the ride is over.

* have a chase car or two go with you.

* Hell, if it's a high dollar car deal, I'd hire an off duty cop(in full regalia) to either go along or manage the
deal. That'd tend to cause a wet puddle under any low lifes. Meet up at the police station.

* HA, how 'bout 1/4 gallon of gas in the tank? No long get aways that way(chase car has extra gas).

* Any bad vibes before the 'run', bow out; no car's worth takin' da big chance.

If the deal's worth doing, there probably a way to make it all go down without undue risk or incidence.

 

At 27 years of age, I thought this would be a problem when I went to look at my 355. The salesman (who was around my age) looked at me like I had a third eye, until I said I drove my 911 here. He actually walked outside into the parking lot and checked out my car ( a 996), and after that I was his best friend. I don't think I would have received a test drive with almost no questions asked had I rolled up in my mom's Corolla.

 

I once had a salesman shake my hand and look passed my shoulder to see what car I drove before he even looked at me. Not a great start for a salesman.

 

I don't think I have ever test driven an exotic that I haven't purchased (other than dealer sponsored "test drive days") Most test drives I have taken (in an exotic) have been with PPI already done and cashiers check in hand. I don't ask for a test drive unless I am already committed to buying the car and I would expect the same as a seller. In an exotic, the test drive is the LAST part of the deal.

 

+1. serious buyers only

 

I haven't worked at a dealership, so I don't know this for certain, but I would suspect they would be more amenable than a private seller to letting someone have a test drive. If you have insurance and a driver's licence, you're probably set.

A dealer can and will hold you accountable for damage to the car. It's harder for a private seller.

That said, I agree with Artvonne and Furmano on this one. For some people, it's just cheap entertainment to take someone else's Ferrari for a spin.

 

Interestingly, when I was looking for my 400i 10 years ago, I looked at six or seven 5 speeds around the country in New York, New Jersey, a couple in California, one in Nevada, and test drove all of them except for one: the one I bought. It was for sale by a private party, I got a bit of a feel for it on the ride with the owner and my own personal inspection and felt comfortable enough to get a PPI on it. I was present during the PPI (you really learn a lot that way) and didn't drive the car until after all of the negotiations were in place. There were no surprises.

 

I've sold five Ferraris. Two went to out of staters who didn't test drive them though one had his brother who was in town look at it and drive it. The other three went to people that either I already knew or my mechanic did. I didn't really have any problems with tire kickers. One good thing to do before letting anyone drive any car you are selling is see their driver's license. Another good idea is to list the car in FML, Ferrariads, club newsletter, etc. before trying classifieds, ebay or Craiglist. I think the first phone call will pretty much tell you whether you have a live one or not. Someone in the process of hunting for a Ferrari invariably has been doing research and so forth and will ask questions that are actually relevant.

Dave

 

No way in hell I give 10% to anyone that they get to keep at their discretion prior to driving the car. If there is a specified, in writing, list of what is acceptable as a reason not to buy... perhaps. If someone pulled out hardball tactics like that with me, I can play hard ball... but they most likely they just lost a deal.

That said, do what works for you. If it gives you peace of mind and you get the car sold, more power to you.

 

My friend and I are visiting several Bay Area dealerships tomorrow, he is interested in buying a used F-Car (355 or 360) or AM V8 Vantage with a strict budget of under $100K, and is making the appointments today.

What is the best way to approach test drives at used ferrari dealerships? He will definitely need to drive each of the cars he is considering, but wants to make sure he doesn't offend or come off as a tire kicker...
Should we take his M3 to the dealership or my Lotus? Or is visual perception of what you show up in unimportant to a dealer.

 

When I bought my Gallardo I wasn't sure if I wanted that or a 360. So the salesman at my local dealer took me out in both cars. First he drove the 360 then let me drive it, then we switched to the Gallardo and did the same. Both test drives he had the cars at 100 and let me do the same. I didn't have to get prequalified or put a deposit down to drive either car. I drove home that day in the Gallardo. A short time later I was back at that dealership just chatting with the guys and the same salesman took me out in a brand new LP640 and even let me drive it as well. However I was at a different dealership looking at a Countach and the manager would not let me test drive it without putting a 10% deposit down on the car. So I guess each dealer has their own rules for test drives. I also test drove a Diablo that was locally owned and for sale through a private sale. My wife and I showed up at the guys house in my Gallardo and he just handed me the keys to his Diablo and said you 2 have fun and come back when you are done. I was quite suprised that he didn't want to ride with me. I even offered my wife as collateral but he just said have a good time. I guess because I was already in a Lambo he trusted me. And to be honest I never had any intentions of buying it, I just wanted to drive one.

 

One more reason why I get the 10%, if they total the car, I want the deductible and potential increase in rates paid for. Like I said I lost a couple of people but I also didn't sell these cars from my home, I sold them from a reputable business that sells and locates fine cars. One gent asked for some paperwork to be filled out, I told him he could write up whatever he would like... and he never came back.

Now if I couldn't sell the cars and lost every potential buyer, I'm sure I would relax my ways but there wasn't a need to.

 

This is a fact that changes the equasion quite a bit. If it were a dealer that I had a history with, I would give them 10% without much heartburn, but an individual... that is a different story entirely.

 

I didn't explain exactly how I did it, I just listed my "demands", it came off as fairly harsh for the buyers.

 

No offense, but as you know everyone in California has a BMW. I would agree with Hardtop Dave's comment -- do your research and ask relevant questions. My first test drive was at FoD, and I flew out there to look at the car. I had completely researched the various models, knew that I wanted an early 328 GTS specifically, and knew the maintenance issues with these cars. Bill Orth at FoD was generous with his time and took me on a longer-than-necessary drive.

BTW, I went during a weekday so they weren't busy. I was the only one in the showroom, which probably helped both them and me.

I would say if your friend is going in there trying to decide which model to buy he may come across as a tire kicker. If it really is between a 355 and 360, he should ask the relevant questions -- and there are a ton of them for 355s (valve guides, manifold, power top issues, F1 clutch/pump, etc.) -- and be ready to write a check on the spot.

One other thought, and this is just my observation, maybe not even a correct one, but apart from the manual-versus-F1 distinction -- which is very significant and you need to use it in the specific car you're considering -- I'd suggest that almost all of these newer cars are going to be fine for 99 percent of us. With the older cars (Boxer, 308, Dino 246, Countach, etc.) they really are a tight or ergonomically "different" fit -- I switch off from an Audi daily driver to a 328 on the weekends and frankly the differences are night and day. The 308/328 pedal configuration and the monster clutch pedal effort on the old Lambo really have to be experienced before you buy. OTOH, I don't know anyone who couldn't fit in and drive a 360 very easily.

But, assuming you fit comfortably in a modern car, they should all stop, start, shift, turn and handle well enough, probably far beyond what most of us ever need and certainly beyond anything an owner would let you do on a test drive. You can assess everything from steering/seating position, pedal position, visibility, comfort to ergonomics just by sitting in the driver's seat. There may be 0-60 and top speed differences, but realistically you're never going be able to assess those from a test drive. Unless a car has serious and poorly repaired crash damage, the average buyer won't be able to detect that either. A PPI should catch anything that's broken.

That's why we look at test drivers with a wary eye -- there's not a ton to learn.

 

There are alot of responses so far, and I don't know what all has been said... but after going thru selling my former (and beloved) 308 QV, I can tell you.... NOT NO BUT H*LL NO!!

If someone is serious, I can take them for a ride in the car, and they can get a PPI (I drive or the dealer picks it up).

I had mine with a pretty decent price, and it was turned around and sold at a higher price, and I still got people crawling out of the woodwork to "drive a Ferrari".

--- rant off ---

James in Denver