Do you get your car towed in for service? | FerrariChat

Do you get your car towed in for service?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Sandy Eggo, Dec 4, 2009.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jun 4, 2009
    3,636
    Encinitas, CA
    Full Name:
    Rick
    Hi

    In reviewing service history on car I am looking at I noticed that it has been towed in for service probably 4 or 5 times.

    Is this 'normal'? Do lots of Ferrari owners do this?
     
  2. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #2 Rifledriver, Dec 4, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2009
    Not unusual. Many owners are just too busy to bring in car. In the big scheme of things a tow can cost less than your time is worth quite easily.
     
  3. absent

    absent F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Nov 2, 2003
    8,810
    illinois
    Full Name:
    mark k.
    Well,when the car is broken you have only two choices,either tow it or push it.....
     
  4. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jun 4, 2009
    3,636
    Encinitas, CA
    Full Name:
    Rick
    Thanks Rifledriver.

    Absent - I did say 'service' not 'repair'. Thanks for the smartass answer though. Did you get your butt kicked a lot as a kid? Not surprised.
     
  5. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2006
    2,293
    WI
    About half the time I have my 328 trucked across town for routine service. Sometimes I'm just too busy to find someone to come along to give me a ride home plus take an hour to drive it there, another hour to BS at the shop, and another hour ride home. Also, if I work those 3 hours I make double what the truck ride costs.
     
  6. 3forty8

    3forty8 F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Apr 25, 2006
    2,713
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Eric
    Some owners have a favorite shop, not in their immediate area, and will have the car transported for servicing.
     
  7. Terculees

    Terculees Formula Junior

    Mar 3, 2008
    699
    San Diego, CA
    Full Name:
    Andrei C.
    Transportation costs with varying shops / dealers can be quite reasonable.

    In Northern California, a prominent dealer charges $150 each way in an eclosed trailer, covering about a 2-hour drive area.

    When weighing the costs of driving 2 hours to the dealer, waiting for service, driving it back, the mileage, and your lost time, $300 added to your service bill can be a bargain.
     
  8. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,285
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    I'm a long ways from any service providers, so I often put it on my trailer and drop off. Sometimes I drive it in, get a loaner, do a bunch of city chores and stay overnight. Part of the price of living in the boonies.

    Dave
     
  9. DGS

    DGS Six Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    60,049
    MidTN
    Full Name:
    DGS
    #9 DGS, Dec 4, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2009
    It occurred to me, last autumn: My car's been to FoW three times.
    I've never been there even once.

    Enclosed truck pickup and delivery.
    (Under the old management. I heard the new owners laid off the driver.)

    Far more convenient than driving it there, they trying to get a cab back.
     
  10. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

    Oct 8, 2008
    6,659
    New York City
    Sandy, I like that one!
     
  11. robert biscan

    robert biscan F1 Veteran

    Jan 17, 2003
    5,066
    Nashville and Palm b
    Full Name:
    robert s biscan
    My dealer is 250 miles away. I have sent my car there for service by truck several times. I also have a trailer and sometimes I deliver it myself. Then I have a ride home. One of the guys at the dealer stores my trailer until I pick up my car.
     
  12. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Some dealers will pick up at no charge depending on what kind of work is being done.
     
  13. absent

    absent F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Nov 2, 2003
    8,810
    illinois
    Full Name:
    mark k.
    Way too sensitive....
    OK.
    Since joking is verbotten in this thread (missed the "smiley"?) the answer to original post probably depends on the particular dealer's service.
    In my case,since local dealer provides very nice Maserati loaners,I don't mind driving my car to service.
    Most Ferrari dealers do not provide loaners unfortunately, so flat bed makes sense if one doesn't want to look for a cab or arrange with someone to pick him up after dropping the car for service.
    Times are changing though,newer Ferraris are driven more regularly nowadays and a lot of dealers are adjusting their policies accordingly.
    I hear that more of them (then ever before) are offering loaners now.
     
  14. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 8, 2005
    72,505
    Las Vegas Nevada
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    Chiillllllll

    This forum is VERY sarcastic. You should adjust to it.
     
  15. newgentry

    newgentry Formula Junior

    Nov 23, 2007
    455
    Johnson City, TN
    Full Name:
    Robert
    +1. Or they are, like me, in an area where there is NO service (or repair either). When mine needs something done I can either take a few days off work to get it over to Greensboro and back (not in the slightest bit feasible) or I have a hauler take it there and then bring it back whenever its ready. Its a hassle and expensive but there's no other real option. So every single maintenance record I have on my car says "towed in."
     
  16. Duck_Hollywood

    Duck_Hollywood Formula Junior

    May 21, 2006
    326
    Dallas, Tx
    I always have mine towed in, its just easier, and a time saver
     
  17. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Absolutely, spot on Rifledriver.
     
  18. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 20, 2003
    16,601
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Full Name:
    Matt F
    If I can't drive it, my Ferrari (and each of my cars) gets towed on a flatbed.
     
  19. MBFerrari

    MBFerrari F1 Veteran

    Jul 2, 2008
    6,057
    NoVA
    Full Name:
    Matt B
    For those of us who move cars, it is a shame that more of you guys don't live in the Mid-Atlantic!!!

    MB
     
  20. zygomatic

    zygomatic F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 19, 2008
    4,847
    Washington, DC
    Full Name:
    Chris

    Gotta be careful. You never know which kids choose the 'push' option. They can be kinda tough to beat up.
     
  21. RSQP

    RSQP F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 25, 2005
    15,301
    California
    Full Name:
    Beaker
    And it's even easier when you call them up to schedule an appointment and they ask if you'd like for them to pick it up for you. It's only a minute out of your day. It's primarily about convenience.

    My other car got flatbedded into the dealer a few days ago as it wouldn't start. I didn't have much of an option there.

    If the towing company didn't come recommended from your dealer or other trusted source, shop around, and only use a flatbed.
     
  22. Dohangs

    Dohangs F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2008
    3,089
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Spiro
    My shop is about 60 miles away from my home so I have the guys get the car and bring it back when they are finished. Saves me the time. Runs me about $130 more but worth it. Plus it's enclosed transport. Time becomes more valuable.
     
  23. speed racer

    speed racer Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2008
    1,462
    Burr Ridge IL.
    Full Name:
    PJ
    I live less than 5 miles away from my dealer. Life is good.
     
  24. junglistluder

    junglistluder F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 23, 2007
    3,557
    VA
    Full Name:
    Brendan
    No, i bring the service to my car! Actually, I just do all work myself ;)
     
  25. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,517
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike

Share This Page