355 F-1 GTS - with no books | FerrariChat
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355 F-1 GTS - with no books

Discussion in '348/355' started by yellow wheels, Apr 21, 2005.

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  1. yellow wheels

    yellow wheels Karting

    Mar 17, 2005
    68
    clarkston, MI
    Full Name:
    marc henretta
    #1 yellow wheels, Apr 21, 2005
    Guys, I found a beautiful 1999 355 F-1 GTS with only 5,000 miles but the owner said he lost the books. He is the original owner and the car is immaculate. I've had it inspected by a sharp Ferrari guy and he said I won't find a better car than this 1999.

    The owner has a couple dozen cars and he says he is not trying to pull a fast one, somehow, they just disappeared.

    Is it possible to obtain all of the books for a 1999 model? I heard the warranty/service book is VIN specific, so my hunch is that one is not replaceable?

    How many books came with this car?

    I heard the vehicle came with 3 key fobs, 2 black ones and 1 red one. Does anyone know if this is true?

    If I purchase this car without the books, am I making a mistake? Is there a universal deduction (dollar amount) to a car if it does not have the books?

    It has the took kit, inflate a flat, cover but no books. Carfax verified he is the original owner and the car is beautiful but not sure what to do since it does not have any of the books.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks

    martin
     
  2. SEAL2CC

    SEAL2CC Formula Junior

    Jan 19, 2005
    352
    #2 SEAL2CC, Apr 21, 2005
    Service receipts/history? Is that included in books? Seems like there are lots of 355 cars out there but if otherwise it is the right car and has service records, I'd probably give it a go but I also am one to get a car and enjoy the heck out of it and obsess less on a missing book, nice though it'd be. Replacement owners handbooks are easily obtained but I guess warranty/ service books are car specific...but if you had service receipts?? I bought a 99 Mustang Cobra in 02-03 and obtained Ford dealer svc records off their computer. Ferrari available like that? I'll be interested in hearing the other responses..

    Chris
     
  3. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
    Owner

    May 24, 2004
    9,334
    DC/LA/Paris/Haleiwa
    Full Name:
    Mr.
    #3 LetsJet, Apr 21, 2005
    Martin (Marc),

    Small world....my wifes family is in Clarkston.

    I'm a bit suprised that a careful, fanatical (aren't we all?) Fcar owner would misplace anything like this. But, I guess it can happen. I think at this point the service records / history is most important.

    That said, I've seen books sold on ebay before. So they are available. The owners manual is also avail as a pdf file online on the Ferrari owners site.

    Good luck
     
  4. yellow wheels

    yellow wheels Karting

    Mar 17, 2005
    68
    clarkston, MI
    Full Name:
    marc henretta
    #4 yellow wheels, Apr 22, 2005
    I do have all of the service records/receipts and the owner did do the proper maintenance when the schedule suggests. I was able to verify this from the dealer he had the service performed at.

    Eric, I also agree with you when you said, "How can anyone - regardless of how many cars you have - loose the books to a car." I will never be able to understand that.

    I phoned Ferrari North America and they are checking to see if the books for a 99 are still available - the dealer did not think they were, so if I purchase the car, I'm hoping I will be able to purchase them somewhere/ebay?

    Eric, what part of Clarkston is your wife's family from? I live in a sub on the corner of Baldwin road and Clarkston road - 3 miles down the road from Pine Knob music theatre.

    Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

    marc
     
  5. jakermc

    jakermc Formula 3
    Owner

    Jan 17, 2004
    1,804
    Palm Beach, FL
    Full Name:
    Rob
    #5 jakermc, Apr 23, 2005
    If you are buying a car you want to admire parked in the garage, perhaps the books are important to you. If you want to show the car, you need them.

    However, if you intend to drive the car like it was meant to be driven - who cares? Use the missing books as a negotiation point, lower the price, then enjoy the ride. The information in the books is readily available in pdf form from many places, including the Ferrari Owner's website. All you'll miss is the 'originality'.

    Yes, the 355 came with 3 fobs, two black and one red.
     
  6. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
    Owner

    May 24, 2004
    9,334
    DC/LA/Paris/Haleiwa
    Full Name:
    Mr.
    #6 LetsJet, Apr 23, 2005
    Marc,

    I'm not to good with that area, but I think they are right near you. Baldwin Rd. sounds right. Their house backs up to a golf course and the community is gated. They are here visiting us, so I'll ask.

    I think you will find the books on Ebay. I see them every once in awhile. They will not be stamped like they should but it's close. Also, like I said, if you just want the info, it's avail. online as a pdf file.

    Good luck & let us know how it goes.

    Side note- My father-in-law just saw my 355 last night for the first time and wants a ride today. So, we are going for a little spin.
     
  7. SEAL2CC

    SEAL2CC Formula Junior

    Jan 19, 2005
    352
    #7 SEAL2CC, Apr 23, 2005
  8. W00dEar

    W00dEar F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Feb 24, 2004
    3,592
    LI, NY
    Full Name:
    Chris
    #8 W00dEar, Apr 23, 2005
    you guys worry way way too much about this sort of things.

    its a car. if its nice and clean, no story no bs, you like it, u buy it. i personally dont see the big deal at all about books. i know if u go to ferrarin owner site u can down load user manual and some other docuemnts in pdf format.
     
  9. Gershwin

    Gershwin F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2005
    6,415
    Kentucky
    #9 Gershwin, Apr 23, 2005
    Totally agree - missing books will only matter to a particular few.

    When shopping for an F-car I'v encountered many that didn't have complete books. I use it as a negotiating point as I have no intention of showing.

    However, service documentation is PARAMOUNT - deduct $2,500 (for missing books) and buy the car already!
     

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