https://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/d/warren-1999-ferrari-550-maranello/7367057166.html A couple of weeks ago I found this 550 on Craigslist and contacted the owner. Car has some interesting features and looked pretty good on pics, although price was too high for the mileage. Everything was going well until I told him I wanted to get a PPI done. First he sent me more pics showing the real condition of the car, including a dent on the edge of the door that would require the whole door to get painted. And he started making up one excuse after another to avoid the PPI, until on the day before the appointment he told me he decide to keep the car. Days go by and I see the ad still running. My cousin contacted him and he said the car was available… I contacted him again and he said it was not for sale. So, beware, the car had some valve problems in the past already documented here on fchat, and that’s why I wanted a compression and leakdown test done, and that’s when he changes his mind. VIN ZFFZR49B000113125
This is good info, thanks for sharing. ZFFZR49B000113125 And for when the ad at the link goes down….. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Man, i confess I’m surprised on how shady people can be. You expect this kind of behavior from some low end car dealers, but not from a Ferrari owner. Last week I was looking into another 550, a silver one in Palm Springs. Looked beautiful in pics, price was good, lowish miles, and the seller told me he was selling cheaper because he didn’t have records and car needed 5-year service. I contacted local dealer to schedule a PPI and dealer told me they had just done one on the car a few days earlier, but they could not tell me the results because the report belonged to the guy who paid for it. Fair enough. But they did tell me the seller knew of the results. I asked the seller about it and he told me he wrote the results down and was going to send a pic of it to me. Days go by and even though I reminded him about it a few times he never sent me anything. But he told me it was just minor stuff that would be resolved during normal service. What he forgot to tell me, and I found out later, was that the car had been totally repainted, the A-plllar had some poor body work done to it, both fenders too, and it looked like frame was bent… There’s also some talk about this car here on fchat many years ago. VIN ZFFZR49A2X0115498
I was contacted by a broker about the NJ car last October. The guy sent v old pics. When I was finally able to see current ones, the car was in rough shape. Squeezed into a small garage with lawn chairs v close and lots of dings and scratches. He has owned for a very long time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Since the car has scratches and dents all over, most likely it would need to get a full body repaint. The front spoiler is broken in several areas, but since it’s one piece with bumper, it can’t be replaced, it needs to be rebuilt. The corner of the door bent hit the door frame, so it will be tricky to fix it, and I believe it will need fillers. Reading between the lines the owner seems to be the kind of guy who cuts corners to save a buck. Car has definitely been neglected, and he is so afraid of the PPI, he must know something real bad would be found. My guess it’s related to the previously bent valves. Problem is, even if you spend tens of thousands getting the whole body fixed and repainted, engine/valves rebuilt etc, you’d still end up with a 45k miles car, and his current asking price is of a 20k miles, impeccable car. Makes no financial sense. I’ll keep on searching, and more than ever, I wouldn’t buy any car without a PPI, no matter how good of a deal. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
that car has been sale since ive looked at least 2013 it was offered in the $80's then didnt have that damage in the front same guy same pics
As always, fchat archives have been extremely helpful. Otherwise I wouldn’t know about the car’s valve problems history and would’ve been so adamant about getting a compression and leakdown test done. Seller is an odd person, to put it nicely. After i exposed his scam he’s been sending me offending text messages. My guess is the car’s been for sale for so long because once the buyers got to inspect the car closely they saw what it really is. Luckily most Ferrari buyers are knowledgeable and diligent with inspections. Unfortunately this guys is going to keep advertising his car until he finds a less knowledgable buyer to scam.
Not if you hand it to a broker that has no answers. People on BaT are spending huge money with no PPI. show a full set of fobs, a stack of receipts and “no stickies” and prepare to receive cash. 8-( heck for giggles do a lock and swap belt job at the cheapest guy you can find while at it.
@henryr it would also be hilarious if someone took selective paint meter readings and then had all other photos at 10+ feet!
I bought this car in December of 2021 (and I don't know if Niteroi actually saw the car in person before I bought it). Two inspections were performed (Ferrari of Rancho MIrage and EMC in Arizona). There is no structural frame damage on this car (as noted on the report and I would not have bought it if it had frame damage). It did have a list of deferred maintenance all of which was addressed under my ownership since. It had some paint work on the bumpers and front fenders. The areas where the paint was blended into the door and a-pillar seemed to have "way too much" paint on it to the point where it looked like it was (almost) running on the a-pillar; in addition, apparantly something dripped on the hood (maybe from the car it was parked under the lift), Because of this and after taking care of the service items/mechanicals, I had the car fully repainted in the original color; also replacing the glass (windshield was delaminating at the bottom and one door window had a chip). I spent over $40K to get the car back to its former beauty. It drives and handles like a well-serviced 25K miles 550 should. I am not much of a poster on any forum but wanted to post this to update the record of this car and update the community.
Thanks for sharing. Looks amazing in that photo….would love more. Are you in Norcal/greater-bay-area….?….if so then there is a Ferrari event at the Candy Store in February and we should get you on the V12 “gathering” conversation/DM-thread.
Hi Ferrari55whoa. Thanks for the nice comments. It took some time and money. I really like the 550/575 design. it is so timeless and beautiful. I am in SoCal most of the time nowadays. I appreciate the invite. Have an awesome day & fun with your car(s)!
For me #113125 Assy # 30141 Grigio Titanio / Bordeaux daytona Seats have Nero Calipers RollBar Fiorano Handling package Aftermarket Radio Image Unavailable, Please Login
Was hoping you were up in Norcal and we could add one more to our local group! In SoCal - this February upcoming Ferrari event at the Petersen would be awesome…wish I could come down south for it. https://www.petersen.org/events/ferrari-tour-day We are going to the snow for my daughters birthday that weekend or I had thought about catching a cheap southwest flight down….
Eric, thanks again for the warm welcome and nice thought. I am in the Bay Area every so often and maybe I'll ping you to grab a bite sometime. Have fun in the snow with your daughters. ...back to my "virtual recluse" state in the meantime
This is a big event! Looking forward to it again this year! Image Unavailable, Please Login May the Horse be with you
