Buying a FF (First Ferrari) Questions!

3- yes
1 - no idea how to answer that. use basic common sense
2 - you pay for it
4- extended warranties are a waste of money

 

It's better to set the money aside and thus self-insure instead of buying an extended warranty. You will likely come out ahead.

 

But he is talking about an FF. I bought one with 20,000 kms and thankfully under warranty. It developed a simple small head gasket leak (oil) on one bank and a bit of seepage from the weeping hole on the water pump. The dealership had the car torn down so you could walk into the engine area and 4 large rolling shelving units loaded with parts with the front drive hanging on a hook. It was nearly 3 months later when I got the car back. I asked the service advisor what the bill would have been and he said in the $50,000 area, who would have thought. In Canada, a one year warranty is nearly $7000 per year and would only cover the power groups which might cover the service I received. If you do the math and needed this particular service in the future it better be 7 years from now if your self-insuring. With a service manual (not available as of yet to the public) or a "up to speed" independent the repair price should not hit that but so far we are dealing with a complicated, fairly recent model Ferrari.

 

I believe leaks are not covered with the power warranty

 

You'll quickly get bored with the R8.... That car used to have road presence.... that lasted for about a year then the car simply looks dated. Even the new version looks like a retro car done wrong.
It does have a tremendous V10 engine though.....
However the FF has a V12.....

 

FF is far more car for the money, and more fun. That's a half priced car with 8k miles. What's the link and we can comment further. The build effects the price, as does the seller.

I would look for a car with a great service history from someone you trust, no weird stories, and if it's a non Ferrari dealer be damn sure on the history. Florida and sometime Texas used car joints make me the most nervous. Ferrari people who care about the car are more common than not. Avoid the rest to save 10,000 just get another car.

A well maintained car will make sense on the service history and come with the books as new, and the cover as new, and the battery charger .... and sometimes even the new sticker.

New Power extended warranty covers 80% of the new car warranty for $6500 a year. It's a wager, maybe good, depends on the car. Maybe best to save your money. An expensive repair is unlikely, yet possible. Can be 10-20,000 if the transmission goes out. You can have peace of mind for 500 a month or self insure.

The FF is a modern F car, built well, and not a nightmare. Many people with 3 year old cars have gone 20-50k in those 3 years.

 

Looks like a nice one.

FF is right now a great deal, and that car looks clean and good to go in every way. Ask them for a service history, and if they sold it new. Talk to the service manager if so. Check on accidents, but I think you are good to go. 8000 miles means it was driven some but still low miles, and you should have no new car gremlins.

Take it for a drive. It should feel tight and new. Enjoy, there's nothing like it.

 

Diamond stitch, black "low-profile" tint etc.; it looks you do want an Audi. Save some cash and get one.

 

"This is actually cheaper than the R8 I was looking at, plus it has 2 extra seats and it is also a V12 Ferrari. "

 

Personally, I prefer high mileage but well maintained cars over ones that are low mileage. The hope is that high mileage will lead to major kinks to be uncovered ironed out. The best is to rack up the miles especially during the warranty period so whatever needs to be fixed will get fixed.

Wow, that was quite something. So what was the nature of the problems? I assume it would have to be way more than just the leak and the seepage.

I'm not a fan of nero based solely on the hassle of exterior maintenance. However, this one has an awesome color combo overall and looks really nice IMO. Look, it even comes with Sottozero already so you are ready to go for the remainder of this winter.

 

1. Do your due diligence... research what you are getting into. Purchasing the car is a small part of the overall experience and lifestyle you are buying into. You are in for a ride, and what a wonderful V12 ride it will be!
2. Expect to service the car on an annual basis or sooner, based upon actual miles driven per year. $2500 per year would be a good starting point IMO +/- based on driving style.
3. Yes. I have spent more than 10,000 miles in an FF , daily driving, spirited driving , on track, and more.. it's the whole package and balances performance and the GT experience well IMO.
4. The warranty ended on that car 12/26/15 , which means your only option via Ferrari is "New Power Warranty", which will run you $5,760 the first year and $5,010 every year after if you qualify for the renewal discounts. Would I , yes... I would get the New Power Warranty all day, every day, it's health insurance for your car. But you know your tolerance to the financial surprises that may pop up. Which, for the record, are not very often in my experience....

Looks like a great car, that gives you what you are looking for, welcome to the family, in advance!

Steve

 

Sorry, I ignored that sentence, since it contradicts itself.

It's cheaper than an R8! At that price the Audi must be under warranty (no?). The Ferrari has more complicated and exotic stuff!: cue handwringing about service plans etc.

 

That thing is gorgeous... cept for the diamond stiching...

 

actually i love the stitching - i was worried id get bored of it but 5 yrs later i still love it

those yellow calipers are too much. as are the black painted wheels. cheesy.

 

I personally like the diamond stitching. Ditto for the stitched cavallino on the headrest. I personally think the FF looks great all blacked out. Yellow calipers pop against all that black. I'd get max legal tint all around. You'll need it so that everyone doesn't think you're loco, what with all the ear to ear grinning you'll be doing! [emoji3] Good luck with the new purchase.

T

 

Agree with everything Copasetic said. This FF is not that extraordinary a deal. There are other 2012s with similar mileage in the same price range or lower. If you like the spec, go for it. I have personal experience buying a car (but not a Ferrari) from Algar. I dealt with their General Sales Mgr., Francis DeRuschi. Totally stand up guy. Here is a link to a discussion of Algar in the Mid-Atlantic regional section of FChat. Nothing but praise. <http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/mid-atlantic-region-usa-pa-de-md-dc-va-sponsored-competizione/538207-recommendations-algar.html>

 

Sounds spot on and makes sense to me given what ive seen

 

Agreed. Black with Yellow calipers is a classic combo on the FF. Offer 10 under the ask or get 2 years New Power.

There are normally 45 cars on the market and currently 70. A great time to buy.

 

Have an R8 V10 plus... tremendous car... the sound of the V10 at 7000rpm is amazing. Bulletproof quality as Supercars go. And very daily-driver-friendly.


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There is no such thing as classic on a 5 year old car