It's my wife's fault I bought my first Ferrari

I've decided that's my line whenever anyone asks.

But really........

I'm 45.

Im not embarrassed to admit the first Ferrari I remember seeing was on Magnum PI. Love at first site. I watched that show religiously as a kid just to see the car. I knew from then on I was going to have a Ferrari one day. Just knew it.

Didn't think it would take me this long, but many other priorities came first.... Career, wife, kids, investments, etc.

Bought and sold other performance cars to feed the need.... 2004 350Z.....2010 Camaro 2SS.... Great fun, and great cars. But I don't miss them.

Flash forward to my 10 year wedding anniversary trip to Vegas 2013. My wife surprises me with a World Class Driving super car experience. We drive a 430, 458, R8, XK-RS, and a Lambo through Lake Mead National Park.

Most fun I've had behind the wheel in my entire life!

We go back and do it again the next day

Can't shake the buzz I had driving the 430 and the 458. The performance. The control. The sound!

The memory solidifies itself into a determination that sits patiently in the back of my consciousness.

Time passes....... until recently I stumble across an article discussing the best cars for investment, and I'm not surprised to find some Ferraris included in the list. Buy the right Ferrari, drive it, and you can still watch it appreciate!?!?

My determination to own a Ferrari sits quietly no more.

I jump head first into full research mode, comparing Mondials.... 348s....355s... 360s... 430s.... Finding that the 360 is most likely to fit the budget and what I'm looking for in performance and investment.

Data I mined from Fchat and elsewhere taught me that there were only ~2600 3-pedal Modenas built, and ~50% of them were red... So my target became a 3-pedal Modena, NOT red.

Timing of all this just happened to coincide with a vacation to Florida for a couple weeks where I was able to see some awesome cars, and chat with some gracious owners at Cars and Coffee in Orlando, and at the Ferraris on the Circle at Sarasota.

I also took a test drive of a 360 F1 spider with a Candido Bonilla Jr., a fantastic salesman at Ferrari of Central Florida who spent several hours with me talking cars, and even checked campaigns and ran a carfax on a very interesting car I came across which Jack Babbitt (👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 ) of NJBAutomotive near Columbus, OH had been servicing for the past 4 years.

A 2000 360 Modena 3-pedal owned by a great car guy near Louisville KY...... 24,600 miles and a solid paper trail to its sale from Ferrari in Scottsdale in 2009.

After some research (Joe Abernathy at Cauley Ferrari was great about getting me all service receipts from sale to the first 6 years of its life, and written confirmation of campaigns) and a small bit of haggling, I decided to have the PPI done.

I had Jack do the PPI even though a PPI by someone other than the regular mechanic is considered the better route.... His reputation here on Fchat was excellent and he already knew the car.

Other than a weak AC, a door that needed some lube, and some "stickies", the car was given a great report.

So I have all receipts between delivery to 2006, and from 2009 to current, and record of 3 PPIs done since 2009, the last of which I paid for......

So, now I'm ~$80k poorer and one Ferrari 360 richer.

It's still at Jack's getting the AC worked on and stickies fixed, but I can't wait to be driving it myself! (although being in the upper Midwest, that might HAVE to wait for 6 more months)

A fool and his money are soon parted, and my wife was looking at me like I'm a fool when she saw the wire transfer receipt.... But she was the one who paid for me to drive a Ferrari for the first time, so I think she knew what would happen eventually

Thanks to all on Fchat, as I read here extensively about all things Ferrari and learn something new everyday, and for reminding me of the CAR in carpe diem!

Cheers! 🍻🍻🍻
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Thanks! I am continuing to keep my eye on the market, as I'm betting (hoping) my wife will want her own eventually. 😍 I'll be happy to send your way any good spider I find.

The last spider I saw of interest was this one, but not black:

Ferrari 360 360 Modena Spider | eBay

 

Thanks!

The seller included the original starfish rims as well. I thought I might sell the OEM CS rims, but they look great so I may just have to keep them

Great to hear another endorsement of Jack, much appreciated. He has been very honest and straight with me. Looking forward to meeting him in person in the near future!

 

My sincere appreciation to all who have said kind words and shared their stories in this thread. I've enjoyed reading each one! Loved hearing how great your wives were!

Frank,

I hope you had a fantastic ride home in your 360! I know you got a great car as Brent took great care of it... Gary gave it glowing review and said Brent asked a very fair price.

Drive hard and keep safe!

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