97 550 purchase

I have an opportunity to purchase a 97 550 one owner, all records, books tools 9K miles, US model for 110K. Seems like a fair deal. However, it just had a 30k belt service which cost 18K! Reading through the records it appears that the car might have had some significant problems that needed to be corrected. It said the engine was running rough when brought in. Anybody have any thoughts on this? Should I have the car checked out before I buy it even though it had the full service 500 miles prior.
Thanks for any help.

 

How is it running now?

"Where was it serviced?", is a good question to ask. 18K is more than 3x the price of a belt service. A dealer would most likely not gouge a guy like that so you'd get a better read on the car's history if it were, in fact, serviced by an authorized shop.

DL

 

18K$ service for a 9k miles car ? What did they do to reach such a ludicrous amount ?
Check out the 'Doodypedia' on 550 majors in http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4345, you'll see that a major fetches 4 to 7K$ depending on how you get milked, but at 18K$, there must have been either major problems (or major fraud).
I'd stay away from a 97 car (1st year of prod) which has some question marks on it.

 

thanks, the car was serviced at Ferrari of Houston. I will give them a call.
Regards,

 

I wouldn't walk away from this car so quickly. The 18k service should be incredibly complete and the dealer will likely tell you if any issues remain with the car -eg a salvage/repair type of thing. Also, as it went thru a dealer, all recalls, updates should be completed and they will be able to confirm that as well. Otherwise, that car should be good to go and be in incredible shape, considering the recent cost of service. But I would have a PPI done by a different shop if possible, in case the dealer does have some sort of interest in keeping something quiet.

Let us know what went into that 18k service-was there a clutch issue?

 

18 thousand dollar service? Holly crap..

I have been tossing around the idea of getting a ferrari but 18 grand service would have given me a stroke..

Maybe the car was hit and that was part of the repair bill or maybe the owner spared no expense and did everything under the sun..

Thats a brutal service bill.

 

I found out the 18K service included a new water pump for 2500, a full service and head removal to replace a valve because they thought it might be slightly bent. It appears they really sold the owner hard at the dealership.
Thanks

 

Do they have leakdowns showing poss bent valve a&p replacement? Was coolant changed q 3y or not, ergo gummed up pump? FoH never impressed me when I lived in Houston years ago...service seems to be cash to support racing...they used to brag how much people spent on challenge cars every weekend, loved it when drivers wrecked. "Cha-Ching" was a phrase I heard often in service. Caveat Emptor
FWIW
Lee

 

They did a leakdown. I will check the paperwork again on your other questions. Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

 

seems cheap. get the factory warranty and drive the piss out of it.

 

That's not ALL they did to him hard at that dealership!

DL

 

i'm with henryr on this one. get the two years warranty negotiated in and drive it like you stole it!

and for the avoidance of doubt, sell it 22 months later

good luck! might be a great deal!

doody.

 

I'd run, not walk, away from this one. I just had a 30k belt service done at FOH, and it wasn't anywhere near $18k. There are a lot of Maranellos out there. Most of them are really great cars. But something doesn't add up on this car. Are you sure that the service was $18k and not $8k?

DrTax

 

Always have a trusted indepentant mechinic check your car out BEFORE buying it.

 

$18k? That really sounds like a major engine rebuild. How is the tranny? I have heard that 97 550's had some Tranny problems, but the 550 guys here would know better.