FC members, I've been more active on the forum for about the last year, picked up a good job that will allow me to afford an Fcar (in a year after a couple other financial goals are met)/maint, and am looking at possible an early year 430 or CS. However, my closest independant Ferrari service center is an hour and 15 mins away with the nearest dealer being in Atlanta (about 5 hours away). With the F1 issues Ive been reading about, would you own an Fcar with service that far away? TIA, Jim
That is definitely a concern, but not a big one. Your car will be out of warranty so I would let your independent do the service and repairs. An hour away isn't that big of a deal. I will only take mine to the dealer for the 5K, 15K service, etc when the warranty expires. F1 owners do seem to be on this forum with some complaint all the time. I was deadset on F1 transmission until I drove both. I went for the manual.
1. Are you kidding??!! 1 hour 15 minutes? That ain't far! 2. Get one of these: Image Unavailable, Please Login
My service is 3.5 hours away. They had to come get the 355 once and put it in a trailer. Not had any problems like that with the 360. 1.25 hours is a piece of cake. If they won't give you a loaner you can rent a car or have someone follow you over and drive you home. May the horse be with you.
Not saying an hour fifteen is far at all either. But 5.....yeah. Smithmotorworks in Panama City is the closest for me. Was just wondering how far is "considered too far". Thanks for the replies guys.
All the more reason to make sure you buy a well sorted car from the start. There may be a guy willing to come to your place for piddly stuff? Just dive in when you're ready, the water's fine.
Closest dealer is two plus hours for me. Independents are even further. Only a few times in five years have I left the car overnight. I can usually kill the time by getting stuff done in Denver that I can't do in our little town and they always give me a loaner, even overnight. I stayed overnight there twice. If I were in dire need, they would send a trailer. Renting a room once in while is a pitance compared to the overall cost. My 430 has been very reliable, but I do have a stick. Judging from Fchar posts, most problems with 430s are with the F1 system although I understand problems are still very few. Get what you like with the understanding the paddles may be needier. Dave
Both independent and Ferrari Dealer are the same distance for me (2 hours away), but that didn't stop me.
For the first 8.7 years of my F355 ownership the Dealership was 3.2 hours away, now its just 17 minutes away.
How refreshing. most people with questions about buying an Fcar pretty clearly signal that they cannot afford it (of course they can spend nearly all their discretionaly income on one object, but i would never suggest it). I would not let the distance to a dealer deter me. That kind of problem is just part of the fun. For majors the dealers may well flatbed the car at their expense. If you have to pay shipping, it will be a minor add on (a few hundred). It will add character to the experience. When the truck with the SF shields arrives to pick up you car for an oil change and the neighbors gather around and echange comments, you will be rewarded for your fortitude in going ahead with the purchase.
Hell, here in SOCAL, an hour and 15 minutes may only be 30 miles. . Oh yea, and get a stick. Much more fun. Darrell.
Nearest Ferrari dealership to Winnipeg, Toronto, way too far, Calgary, a couple days drive, or Minneapolis, 8 hours and an Internation border crossing. Continental Cars in Winnipeg though has DVDs of ALL car service manuals available and services exotics, as does Euro Cars also in Winnipeg. I think any competent mechanic can repair an exotic with the service manual DVD or am I dreaming? I might pick up a used '07 or '08 Quattraporte someday, with no dealer within 8 hrs, is that risky?
