New to Chicago any tips on owning a Ferrari here? | FerrariChat

New to Chicago any tips on owning a Ferrari here?

Discussion in 'Chicago' started by JosephMBradley, Mar 9, 2018.

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  1. JosephMBradley

    Mar 9, 2018
    17
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Joseph M. Bradley
    Moved to a chicago last year from California. We lost climate but we sure gained community! Love the culture, people, and passion of the city. I am looking to purchase a F430 as my 1st in what I hope to be a great collection. Any tips, card you know that are available, or thoughts on caring for this type of car in Chicago. We live in Lakeview. Thanks for your advice.
     
  2. wmuno

    wmuno Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 24, 2007
    430
    Wilmette, Illinois
    Full Name:
    Bill Muno
    Hope you have a garage. Most Ferraris are stored over the winter to avoid the snow and salt.
     
  3. KBR54

    KBR54 Karting
    Owner

    Sep 23, 2017
    154
    Sylvan Lake Alberta Canada
    Full Name:
    David Garratt
    I don’t live in Chicago but I can recommend Timo’s Autohaus for maintenance and repairs.
    I purchased my F430 Spider in Chicago at Xmas and it is still there getting some work done. I swapped the Manifolds to Capristo Headers, Capristo Exhaust Brackets, all fluids and Filters changed, new Battery and install the Ctek Battery Tender, Powdercoat the Wheels and install new Pilot 4S and an alignment with lowering to Euro spec.
    I have found Timo goes above and beyond what I’ve experienced with other Indies and is a pleasure to deal with. His prices seem very reasonable and as my car isn’t getting shipped to Las Vegas till mid April for me to pick it up he is keeping the car on a lift to keep the weight off of the new tires and suspension till it is shipped.
    He also did a after purchase PPI to confirm what was found on the original PPI done by Fluid Motorunion, as Timo didn’t find anything missed I could recommend Fluid Motorunion as well.

    Feel free to pm me if you would like anymore info

    http://www.timosautohaus.com

    http://www.fluidmotorunion.com


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  4. JosephMBradley

    Mar 9, 2018
    17
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Joseph M. Bradley
    Yes...we have a new home with nice size garage. How many months of driving can I expect? I am a bit concerned with the pot holes on the streets so will have to map out a driving course... any recommendations?
     
  5. JosephMBradley

    Mar 9, 2018
    17
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Joseph M. Bradley
    Thanks for the recommendation... much appreciated. Did you purchase care from a dealer or individual in Chicago?
     
  6. KBR54

    KBR54 Karting
    Owner

    Sep 23, 2017
    154
    Sylvan Lake Alberta Canada
    Full Name:
    David Garratt
    I purchased it from Chicago Motor Cars. Eric Gaudi was great to deal with no pressure to buy. I asked a lot of questions over a month time period before putting a deposit down to get a PPI done. Then thought about the purchase for another couple weeks before flying to Chicago to look at the car in person and handing over the Bank draft. The car was exactly as advertised and how he had described no surprises in paint or interior condition, pictures do not show all imperfections as I found out dealing on another F430 a few months earlier.
    He picked me up and dropped me off at the airport. He also has looked after moving the car to Timo’s and the transport to Las Vegas to their other dealership for me to pick it up. I had a trade in that I had to import and ship from Canada and he was very helpful with that process as well.


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    jjmalez likes this.
  7. JP365

    JP365 Formula 3

    Mar 8, 2007
    1,340
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    John F
    Welcome to Chicago and welcome to F-Chat. I live in Ravenswood so I cut through parts of Lakeview every day. Pot holes, traffic (Cubs traffic and a Ferrari do not mix), length of driving season... are all valid concerns, but in my experience, if you go into this knowing that you have to plan accordingly you'll still get to enjoy the car and not view it as garage art. Your car will end up with dings, nicks, chips and Lord knows what else. Just roll with it. Acknowledge that if you're not rolling by 8:00 on a Saturday, you will be in traffic. If you're coming home in the afternoon, yup, more traffic. Once you get out of the city, lots of great destinations. Starved rock, botanical gardens, Hackney's for a burger, etc. P.M. me if you have any neighborhood specific questions.
     
  8. JosephMBradley

    Mar 9, 2018
    17
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Joseph M. Bradley
    Thanks for the strong dose of reality. Is the ceramic brake option a must on the F430 in your opinion?
     
  9. JP365

    JP365 Formula 3

    Mar 8, 2007
    1,340
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    John F
    Broke my own rules. Left for continental at 10:25, took 30 minutes to get to the Kennedy and it didn’t open up until I got on the 294. Almost an hour to get here. Still good to get out and drive.
     
  10. wildcat326

    wildcat326 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 10, 2012
    1,777
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Justin
    1) We salt the hell out of the roads once the first major snow hits. It takes at least a couple torrential spring downpours to wash it off. Drive before then at your own risk.

    2) We generally patch potholes after we’re confident the snow season is over. Until then, be aware that foot-deep potholes may sprout up overnight that you can’t see much before you hit em.

    3) You’re in for a bit of a shell shock with our winter weather, but it’ll make you enjoy those summer days all the more.
     
  11. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 17, 2001
    33,014
    Full Name:
    Joe Mansion

    No. Esp as prices are going down to below $100k, most buyers will not want to have to bother paying $2000 for pads per corner. They look nice with their giant caliper but it wouldnt sway me from a nice clean car without them.

    Welcome to Chicago!
     
  12. LorenzoOO

    LorenzoOO Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2017
    783
    Italia, US NE
    Full Name:
    Lorenzo LaMattina
    My father-in-laws Family was from Chicago. He used to sing “chicken in da car, car can’t go, that’s how you get - chi ca go.”
     
  13. Townshend

    Townshend F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 20, 2005
    6,672
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Walter
    I'd agree CCB's are not a necessity. $2k is a high number on pads though, I got all 4 of mine done for around $2k+labor. Rotors on the other hand..
     
  14. Townshend

    Townshend F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 20, 2005
    6,672
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Walter
    Welcome to Chicago! Agreed on the above that I hope you have a garage; if not there are storage options though the best suggestion is to find a garage space for rent on Craigslist near where you live.

    I've driven my cars every month of the year. Usually in Dec/Jan/Feb there's a 50+ degree day you can take them out. Realistically though you're looking at end of March-early November time frame.

    Get out on the water at some point (there are boat share programs if you're into that sort of thing) and enjoy the free fireworks from time to time. Also be sure to check out the museums and parks. Feel free to ask any further questions or if there's anything else that you're interested in feel free to post or PM!
     
  15. chet

    chet F1 Rookie

    Jun 9, 2007
    2,950
    Chicago
    Welcome!

    I've had my 612 in the garage since November and will probably take it out in April.

    Are you city or suburbs? I am a couple miles west of Wrigley.
     
  16. tunlhd1

    tunlhd1 Karting

    Jul 12, 2008
    101
    Chicago IL area
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Welcome to Chicago. Please join the Ferrari Club Central States Region and participate in the events. Great group of people and fun events.
     
  17. Raydog9379

    Raydog9379 Karting

    Jan 10, 2018
    131
    Full Name:
    Ray
    Yep, as others... you're looking at April till early Nov. Maybe get a few days here and there before April (yesterday was gorgeous) and a few days in Nov.
     
  18. tifoso2728

    tifoso2728 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Apr 30, 2014
    8,215
    IL
    Full Name:
    DRM
    Get an FF with all-season tires and drive, drive, drive. Chicago is one of the few cities that is really prepared for any kind of weather.
     
  19. JosephMBradley

    Mar 9, 2018
    17
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Joseph M. Bradley
    Timo was awesome! Thanks so much for the tip. He did my pre-purchase inspection and was great to work with...I will definitely use him as my mechanic.
     
    KBR54 likes this.
  20. JosephMBradley

    Mar 9, 2018
    17
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Joseph M. Bradley
    Hi Chet,

    I am taking delivery of my 2008 F430 Spider on Monday. We are very close to you. We live in Lakeview about a 15 minute walk to Wrigley field. I joined the Ferrari club and will participate in there rides. Let me know if there are any other groups, events, etc. in the Chicago area you might recommend.
     
  21. phanliu

    phanliu Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 21, 2015
    620
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    Noel
    Contact Continental and speak with Lisa. They usually have drives scheduled for the summer and fall.


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  22. tifoso2728

    tifoso2728 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Apr 30, 2014
    8,215
    IL
    Full Name:
    DRM
    630-655-3535
     
  23. JosephMBradley

    Mar 9, 2018
    17
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Joseph M. Bradley
    Thanks
     
  24. KBR54

    KBR54 Karting
    Owner

    Sep 23, 2017
    154
    Sylvan Lake Alberta Canada
    Full Name:
    David Garratt
    I’m glad to hear you were as pleased with Timo as I am. My car must have been still there when you had your PPI done as it just went back to the dealership all service completed on Monday ready to ship to Vegas for me to pick up in 18 days...can’t wait !!
    I just got my bill and I am very pleased with the amount for everything I had done. Timo and I have even jokingly discussed to fly him to Alberta once a year to do a service for me...if I cannot find a Indy as good as him here I might really fly him here once a year.
    Congrats on the 2008 F430 Spider purchase !!


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  25. JosephMBradley

    Mar 9, 2018
    17
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Joseph M. Bradley
    Awesome! Can you send me pictures of your 430. I discussed lowering the suspension and he mentioned the work he has done for your car.
     

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