Is 2 keys a myth? | FerrariChat

Is 2 keys a myth?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Jrsupercar, Jan 19, 2022.

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  1. Jrsupercar

    Jrsupercar Rookie

    Feb 18, 2018
    3
    Full Name:
    Jamie rivait
    I am looking at purchasing an f430 spider, it has everything I am looking for and more.

    Problem is it only has 1 key, my research has shown that you should never buy a Ferrari with only 1 key. They say it tells you how well the car was taken care of.

    this particular car has 8,800 miles and 4 owners, model year 2007. From pics and video it looks in excellent shape.

    feedback is appreciated.
     
  2. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    Jan 13, 2011
    6,304
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    Scott
    FWIW I would be a bit "turned off" by only having one key - not only due to (as you stated) a potential reflection of how the car was taken care of but the simply risk that someone out there has a key to your car. That said, that applies with single or maybe two-owner cars but with the car changing hands 4 times it might be a bit unrealistic to expect both keys. If the car checks all the right boxes emotionally and financially and has a clean carfax and passes a PPI then the key issue would not necessarily be a show-stopper. BUT I would demand/include a 2nd key as part of the deal (like anything else I imagine a "spare" 430 key is not cheap or necessarily quick to obtain - others can chime in) - so at least you have a spare key for obvious reasons.

    Lastly, if the car you are looking at is an F1 430 Spider there are a lot out there so you can afford to be picky and might be worth additional searching if the key issue bothers you and (obviously) if there are other issues. One thing I would definitely check on a 430 Spider is if it has been used as a rental or a "buy by the lap" car. Again, not necessarily a show-stopper but you should know up front and that would be a negotiation point. Some of those cars were meticulously maintained and others were trashed by the renters and considered commodities by the renters so probably not a good choice.

    Hope this helps - Good luck with the search and eventual purchase - Cheers :)
     
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  3. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
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    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
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    The Meister
    One key is an "indicator" of how the car was taken care of? What will people come up with next in the growing minutia of things to be picky about?
     
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  4. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    I think the point is (and the market shows) a car (especially a Ferrari or any exotic) with "all keys, manuals, build sheet, window sticker" etc. does reflect the previous owner's attitude toward the car and is a possible indicator of how it was maintained and cared for. In general an owner who keeps all records in an organized manner, has all the keys and key codes, various manuals and literature etc. etc. most likely was just as meticulous with maintenance and addressing any issues quickly. Versus an owner who "loses" the spare key or does not include it with the trade/sale of the car, does not keep the records, does not keep all the manuals etc. potentially has the same "ah it's just a car" attitude with regard to maintenance, care etc.

    Heck I have both keys, maintenance records, manuals and window sticker for my 2015 Jetta - Guess I am a bit OCD :)

    Cheers :)
     
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  5. AD211

    AD211 Formula 3
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    Aug 19, 2017
    1,040
    South Carolina
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    Andy
    I think some owners keep a key as some sort of trophy. Not me but when I bought my 488 it only had one key and was a low mileage specimen of perfection. I easily negotiated an extra key.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
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  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
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    Brian Crall
    No you're right. He's selling an expensive car for Gods sake. How hard is it to get another key? Not to mention hes stupid for only having one./
     
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  7. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
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    Apr 27, 2001
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    I have 3 keys for each of my cars, does that make me a diligent owner...not!

    I get keeping invoices, records, manuals and how that reflects on a car and its owner, I really do. All my cars have a binders of all/any info I have/can find in its history beit under my ownership or via previous owners. I guess this thread just struck me funny that somehow an 8K mile car is somehow "questionable" because it only has one key.

    Admittedly I will never live in this world but if one can drop $250K on a (pure pleasure) car then maybe a missing key is a deal breaker . Its all a matter of perspective
     
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  8. mchas

    mchas F1 Veteran
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    Oct 5, 2004
    5,903
    Los Angeles
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    Mark
    About 4 years ago I got very close to buying an F430 6-speed. Beautiful car, 2008, with under 7k miles. I ended up passing on it and one of the reasons was that it only had one key. That same car today is worth $150-200k MORE than I could have bought it for. A key only costs $1k. If everything else checks out, don’t let the lack of a key stop you.
     
  9. CoreyNJ

    CoreyNJ Formula 3
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    Apr 17, 2006
    2,001
    New Jersey Shore
    When I bought my 2009 F430, it only came with one key. It was in near perfect condition. The previous owner only had one key, I was told that was how he got it. My guess is that the previous dealer he bought the car from "lost the key" and he never bothered replacing it. The car was meticulously maintained and had everything else (car cover, seat/wheel covers, all manuals/paperwork/service records and OEM charger, ...) except the MagLite. I now have two keys and didn't mind getting a new one and having the alarm sync redone for both my keys so that if there was a 3rd key floating around, it's useless. I also got a replacement MagLite.

    I should add in the almost 2 years I have owned my F430, I have only ever used one key and the other key is put away for the next owner or an emergency.

    Unlike a Honda key, I'm pretty sure a Ferrari key is a collectible item, as is the MagLite, so the original owner may have "lost" them when he sold the car to the dealership that sold it to the previous owner to me.
     
  10. FerrariCognoscenti

    FerrariCognoscenti Formula 3

    Jan 19, 2021
    2,429
    East Coast
    The fact that this is even a topic of discussion with mixed opinion and emotion indicates that a second key IS a big deal in the world of Ferrari. In general for all car buying? No. But for a Ferrari or vehicle of similar provenance, it matters.

    The seller should just pay to get a second key.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  11. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
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    I don't think you can read into that at all. I mean just ask him. I mean he literally might have misplaced it in his attic, or his dog ate it. Who knows. If it had 4 owners, maybe he never even got it. If it bugs you that much, just have him buy another key. It should never be a deal-breaker in my opinion.
     
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  12. Solid State

    Solid State F1 Veteran
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    Feb 4, 2014
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    I will never buy a car with one key just like I'll never buy an F12tdf without the model and an F50 without size 11 shoes!
     
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  13. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    The one key being a sign of bad ownership is a ridiculous point to me.

    I'd be much more concerned if there was a very off brand set of tires on the car as an indicator.

    For all of those that think it's an issue...

    If it is an indicator of provenance to you... Is it REALLY provenance if you can simply order another one?
     
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  14. gilly6993

    gilly6993 Formula 3

    Aug 20, 2009
    2,475
    Longmeadow, MA
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    Eric
    I would not be turned off by one key. Things happen. Things get lost. I had a ‘16 GT3 and lost a key. I’m a pretty diligent owner. Quite honestly I have no clue what happened to it….


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  15. Gohigh54

    Gohigh54 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2019
    38
    To me one key screams two things. 1) repo 2) the current seller is too cheap to make it correct before selling. Would I buy a car with one key, sure. But I would look extra closely.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  16. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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  17. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
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    Exactly, I couldn't agree more.

    Who's "they"? It's unfair to the current owner (or even previous owners), how do you know which one of them lost the other keys? What if the current owner, who was only given one key when he acquired this vehicle, took outstanding care of it?

    You should base your judgement on the care of a car by its condition, the service records, and maybe even what shop(s) were used for maintenance. Period.
     
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  18. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
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    Mike
    Exactly, factor this into the deal, make a second key part of the deal.
     
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  19. MrF355

    MrF355 Formula Junior

    Mar 4, 2008
    493
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Kimi
    All this discussion over a key. Very simple, the car ticks all the boxes buy it and get a second key the cost is a fraction of the purchase price. Then drive and enjoy as opposed to reverse out of garage, go to cars and coffee once a month, return home, wash, dry, drive into garage put cover on and look and say to yourself I own a Ferrari. Go for a long spirited drive THEN you will know what owning a Ferrari means.
     
  20. DBomb117

    DBomb117 Formula Junior

    Jun 20, 2019
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    Dimitriy
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  21. SCEye

    SCEye F1 Rookie

    Aug 28, 2009
    2,950
    Norcal - Peninsula
    one key? might as well call it salvaged at this point.
     
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  22. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    A claim made by no one ever. Try an apple/apple comparison next time.

    A square is always a rectangle but a rectangle is not always a square.
     
  23. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Far more importantly an indicator. I inspect cars regularly. I simply do not have xray eyes nor can I see the past. Most of my recommendation is based on indicators. Missing keys and fobs, missing books, missing records, missing tools. Are just a few. If I check every one of those boxes and see nothing else my assumption will be based on a lot of years of experience there is a whole lot more we cannot see and my client is looking for a different car.

    I blew up a GTO deal for similar. Told the client there were far too many indications of a lack of care of and for the car. It had been treated far too casually.
     
  24. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    Also just so everyone knows many cars are only coming with one keys these days.
     
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  25. Solid State

    Solid State F1 Veteran
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    Feb 4, 2014
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    Maximus Decimus Meridius
    Assumed that previous owners especially original owners liked to keep one key and the model (if received) as a memento and tell the dealer or new owner lost in a boating accident.
     

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