Would you buy an F430 from Dominican Republic?

The DR is a sketchy place to visit outside of the all inclusives, much less to visit and test drive a ferrari for possible export. A high risk proposition IMHO, but if you have someone trustworthy on the ground there, and an escrow company you trust, then maybe it's a good deal. Personally, I would not want the headache for the cash saved....

 

It's had a knock to the front R/H side that will require a skill panel beater to put right, and of course paint to the front end to finish.

The overall condition looks in keeping with the mileage so I guess if you want to run it for a long time and not care for the mileage/depreciation then it could make sense at the right price, but it would have to be really cheap for me to take the risk.

 

See if the seller will throw in a couple of cases of Brugal rum.

 

Sellers notes
“it has a minimal paint issue on the front end has some paint retouch on some external body paint , interior body paint and leather is all original no accidents or any repair ever”

 

Sellers notes
“it has a minimal paint issue on the front end has some paint retouch on some external body paint , interior body paint and leather is all original no accidents or any repair ever”

 

"site unseen" - you are a brave person. At a minimum, I would fly down and look at it, then have a PPI done (is there anybody in the DR - that is qualified to do one?). Then import into the US and deal with issues with that. No, I would pass and just keep looking.

 

can title and history be verified ? need to run VIN for possible theft, there is no statue limits on stolen vehicles, previous owner needs only to prove ownership to pick it up on sight

if NON US car (never imported), import duty will need to be paid in addition to other expenses

 

I can see it: the front panel ahead of the headlamp has been forced downwards in the impact leaving more of the leading edge of the headlamp exposed than should be. In turn that panel deformation has closed the gap between the panel edge and the bumper.

I've spent a lot of time recently working around the front of my F430 so it stood out to me straight away.

 

I'm from Puerto Rico. I can bring that car in a ship here but I won't risk it. A couple years ago I heard a rumor that in DR enter the high end cars as wreck to avoid the taxes then they "repair" it. Just a rumor. Anyway if you go there and test the car and the police catch you even if you are just going at 5mph be sure to have to cash on you ;-)

 

I remember reading about Pedro Martinez getting a 430 in the DR. Is it possible it's his car?

 

Too many clean cars in this country. Not worth trying to make something with too many variables work.

 

If you look at the pictures you can see that there was some black residue all over the car that has been wiped off (see door jamb and pic of steering column cover). Secondly, the air box cover has an improper screw and the drivers side rear engine panel has a screw missing and the zip tie holding the cables is undone. In the same pic, again you can see black residue. Also, the flags are missing from the ashtray cover.

The items I listed may by nit-picky to some, but to me, these are all warning signs that something was wrong with the car and I would bet that when you get into it, it's not going to be pretty. My .02

 

This.

Potentially saving a decent amount of money, but you are assuming a disproportionate amount of risk and potential hassle IMHO.

 

The seller has 100% positive feedback with over 1650 transactions over 15 years or so. That's pretty good.


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Good eye, I looked closer and can see what you mean.

 

This!
$1M statement right here.

 

Does eBay provide any protect for a deal from DR?

It's a pretty sketchy place. Very poor and right next door to Haiti lol. Plus, rough roads, likely less qualified service places, etc.

I'd only consider it if 1) there was something exceptional or rare about the vehicle
2) it was significantly lower priced than domestic...not just a few thousand but 30-40% better.

 

On the picture showing the VIN on the tag inside the driver's side door jamb, it looks like there is a lot of orange peel on the paint on the very edge of the rear quarter panel..... looks like it was repainted. also looks as if the door latch and screw below it have been removed.

It would have to be a deal at well below the 96K asking. Vehicle inspection reports not available....I wouldn't touch it.


http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t503/josecanaan/IMG_1701_zpsdbchpcqh.jpg

 

Or a couple of bottles of mamajuana..

 

Your great deal at $85k will not seem so great if it's $20-40k to get this thing sorted. As said many times here, there is no such thing as a cheap ferrari. If you have the reserves to sort this, then go for it. The risk just seems out of proportion to the reward considering what else is on market now. I'd treat this as a salvage car and negotiate accordingly.

Regardless, best wishes in your search!