Captain Indecisive Here, Help!?

Guess this is a stupid question, but sitting here pondering...so figured I would share my thoughts with you guys.

The title says it all. I have been looking into buying an F355 for a couple of years now(!), ever since I dreamt that I could afford one. A Ferrari has been on my wish list ever since I can remember, Mom says my first painting at age 3 was a red blur!

So now I get to this point where I am not completely loaded, but I can afford to buy an F355 and write the capital off if neccesary (hopefully not the car, major mechanicals i'm thinking). The routine servicing I can also cope with, plus the odd exhaust manifold or two etc. I used to be a racing driver and instruct nowadays so the driving bit is cool and I could also work on it myself (would enjoy that).

Today I met the best candidate to date, 98 Berlinetta, Rosso Corsa with Nero hide, 30,000km on the clock, interior that suggests the trip meter isnt far off (best I have seen). Has all the keys, toolbox, no bad history. Single owner for last 4 years BUT 3 years since last service (low miles during period, I know it should have annuals). Dealer will include a full service inc belts at a reputable indi all in the price.

Car has new-ish tyres and looks absolutely perfect but for flaky lip to ash tray (sound familair ), good body gaps everything cool, aircon works but not much air from passenger dash vent.

Except for 'slight' bubbles in the usual place on rear fender/c pillar join and the passenger side foot plate has rusted which dealer says he will sort out in price. Then there is the 3 years with low miles / no service. Engine sounded OK but the passenger (right) side exhaust was a little white/smoky when started (was this just the cats heating up? - cleared up as warmed up)..price $63,000.

I know its my decision, looked at the car tonight and could have said yes but I would REALLY like an inspection doing to be doubly sure ... problem is its in the auction house right now and it may go if reserve reached at 1045 AM tomorrow morning (Tue).

The bank is primed so should I put my money where my mouth is and have the 355 join the Fireblade and integrale in the garage by bidding tomorrow, or risk it not hitting the reserve and get the inspection done regardless. Maybe if I have to think about it this much I should not bother, is this a stupid question. As the title says Capt.Indecisive..?

 

Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated. A friend of mine calls me Capt.Sensible but I cant be that bad or I wouldn't be considering a Ferrari . SrfCity thanks mate, you sound like me ...Its not really a rush, its just after 2 years of looking this is the best one yet, but you are right - I can wait.

Too late to dwell now, I'll go to the auction and see what happens. It was a very late entry (not listed in catologue) so there wont be anybody expecting it...I'll let you know what happens and thanks again.

 

Well, I checked the price of a full service with belts, got an insurance quote (which ended up cheaper than my Honda S2000 was!) and headed off to the auction house with my limit in mind.

Bidding started, I waited until a few had dropped out then came in throwing instant bids back at the other "competitor" until I hit my limit (pretended I was on the phone to the 'buyer' so the other bidder/s couldn't 'read me', old trick ) hit my limit and he didn't respond...so its now sitting in my garage Drives beautifully (I have driven a few) got toolkit all manuals, receipts etc shes a beauty. Service booked for 10 days time, guess thats when I discover just what I have done, but hey, its only money

Thanks guys...

 

OK, raining at the moment and getting dark - but will do...

 

Ended up at $59,300 and so far its a mint 98 example, service shop opinion will be interesting. Thanks for all your posts - the ferrarichat community is a great bunch of guys and the best bit is that we all come from different backgrounds with different income levels but all understand le passion...viva ferrari!

 

Ferrari...bargain...worrying combination, service on July 25th...fingers crossed!

 

And so it begins ... my gut did expect it, would like to know the $$$ though

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=135053531#post135053531