Hello! Well I've been on my 8 month quest for my first f-car. I've done a lot of reading. Know all the warnings. I'm down to a couple red 308 GTSi. Both are cross country unfortunately. If I choose to go with one of these, any advice on getting it here? I don't really think I should drive it 2,000 miles. Any idea on the cost. Companies? More importantly, I am seeking a fellow F-chatters guidance. Before I jump into the pool, I'd like, I'd appreciate, finding a more experienced F-chatter to maybe give me the thumbs up or down on my purchase. Part of me is being very cautious. Maybe too cautious. Waiting for the perfect car. But I may have past up recent deals I should have closed on. If you can spare a little bit of time, e-mail me @ redrocket <at> cox.net. I'd appreciate your opinion if you'd go for either vehicle. Well, Thanks again for all the help I've received on this forum over the months. Marc
Marc, Getting an Fcar delivered from elsewhere in the country is pretty much normal. It's rare that one will find the exact car they want locally. There just aren't enough of these things out there. My 308 came from PA and the Mondial from NC (to MA). I had the cars shipped. Not that expensive, especially if you find the right car. I used Intercity Lines for the car from NC and they did a great job. They are a site sponsor too. Cost from NC to MA was $700. If you go 2,000 miles it will be more, but for the right car, it's a small price to pay. I can't emphasize enough how important a PPI is though. It's the best way to figure out what's good or potentially bad with an Fcar. I'm happy to give you my $.02 on a car if you e-mail me. Contact me through my website: www.birdmanferrari.com Best, Birdman
Are you buying from a dealer or private party? I bought my 328 from a dealer without seeing it in person because the dealer agreed to ship the car to my house and I would only pay shipping if I bought it otherwise I could send it back free of charge. The car was as beautiful as he said so I bought it. I then paid the $600.00 for the shipping. The dealership was approx. 700 miles from my house.
Don't you dare buy one at trust it 2000 miles from home. I would do that first 2K in my home town first.
Marc - Welcome to the family. Like you I spent 6+ months researching and finding my 308. It was well worth the wait to get a car that I really wanted (1985, single owner, good shape, all docs, rosso/tan) When I bought my car, it was at Ferrari of Atlanta, on consignment, and I live here in Northern California. I flew out in July for an inspection on the car and ended up buying it. But I wanted to drive it back with a friend and he wasn't available until September, so I had to have them store the car for me until then. Hard to wait 2 months once you've bought a car until you could drive it. A friend of mine from the UK flew over and I met him in Atlanta. We drove the car home, 3000 miles, over 6 days and had an absolute wonderful time. Wouldn't have done it any other way myself. Yes, we had some minor issues (lights would only alternatively come up, was using a fair amount of oil due to some leaks, etc). But we had a blast and I have stories to tell about our drive and will never forget it. Even met some friends along the way. I assume since you've done your research for 8 months, you are buying a car of some quality. If that is the case and you are having it checked out, then I wouldn't have a fear of driving it across the country, if you have the time. I'd stay on major roads/interstates and major cities so if there are problems, you can get it fixed right away. And your laptop so you can get on FC and find a local mechanic. BTW, where is the start and end points of the destination? Only time I have my 308 let me down was 250 miles from home at my high school reunion in the middle of Nevada, when the electronic ignition control went out. Classmates got a hoot out of that. But you never know when something is going to break down on one of these cars. There are enough of them around however that there are mechanics usually not too far away, if you know where to look. Best of luck - mark
Thank you for your responses. i'm in San Diego. The other car is in Florida. I drove from Florida to CA 20+ years ago. I swore I'd never do that again. Marc PS both cars are Private.
Call Gary Bobileff (858.622.1600) and ask him if he knows of any 308s available locally. He has a ton of them in and out of his shop. Gary can also walk you through a car if you're planning to buy.
