Feedback on Ferrari of Washington

If you see Welly (that's his nickname) in the service department, turn him into the cops or say HI with a baseball bat. He is a well known thug in the Supra community who has cheated over half-a-dozen members out of thousands of dollars.

Other than that, I apologetically have nothing to contribute to this thread.

Dusty

 

Duane,
i bought my 430 from them. sales guy's name is Bob McElwee. i'm very happy with them. i talked to Bob back in late 04 when i was about to buy the 360CS. they didn't have a brand new car & didn't have any coming in therefore i didn't buy from them at the end. but Bob was nice enough to call me back on few other cars & gave me updates that i didn't need to know. he gave me the impression that he wanted to work with the customer unlike other dealers/sales i called. the impression was good enough for me to remember him so when i was looking for the 430 sure i called him. everything went pretty smooth til i got the car.

 

I have dealt with Augie Borges and found him to be very well informed, customer-friendly and a good guy to work with all around. Good luck in your search. [p.s. they do not have many new F cars, but a reasonable selection of used ones. Check out their Maserati new car inventory while you are there.]

 

I shopped for a 360 with them. Though they ultimately didn't have the exact car I wanted, I was very happy with the way the salesperson treated me and was equally happy that he didn't put on any high pressure sales tactics (unlike a different location). Salesperson was Todd (office: 703-478-3606 cell: 703-868-6452). Since I didn't actually purchase their car, I can't tell you what the rest of the experience would have been like, but they are well worth a visit. I ultimately found the car with the color and ammenities I wanted at SportAuto in Summerville, NC.

Afterwards, I went back to FoW to service my 360. I was very happy with the service department as well. For items requiring use of the diagnostic computer I'll happily use them again. For other items I'll stick much closer to home as the transport distance is an issue.

Anyway, I think FoW is a class act. YMMV.

 

"If you see Welly (that's his nickname) in the service department, turn him into the cops or say HI with a baseball bat. He is a well known thug in the Supra community who has cheated over half-a-dozen members out of thousands of dollars."


Huh? Who are you talking about? I know the service guys personally.

As for FoW, search the mid-atlantic region section here and you'll find uniformly favorable reviews of FoW.

I've bought a number of cars from FoW - it's the most enthusiast oriented dealership I've ever patronized. From the owner throughout, many of the folks at FoW are themselves racers. How many dealerships sponsor multiple track days?

Anyway, my salesman is Ralph Cestero, hardcore car guy. Todd, mentioned by another poster, is no longer with FoW. Bob McElwee, also mentioned above, is another first class guy. Both Ralph and Bob regularly track their cars, and can be found from time to time at the local kart track. Good, honest people.

Good luck, Will

 

Did a quick search and found this thread about "welly":

http://supraforums.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=16880#post16880

I'm sorry folks were scammed (according to the thread), but I don't know what this has to do with FoW. I consider the FoW folks friends, and hate to see someone take shots at them.

How about some proof that this has anything at all to do with FoW?

 

The Supra thread describes a Washington Auto Collision somewhere in, Pennsylvania, Ferrari of Washington is in Sterling Virginia!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I also went to look at a car there---Told salesman I would be up on Sat. --the car sold the day before on Fri. Little upset no one called to tell me before I drove an hour out there. But it worked out got some awesome Fcar pictures while I was there. I dealt with Augie--very nice guy. In the end I also went to SportAuto in NC to get my car---Steve Jones down there is awesome guy to work with....

 

Yes, Augie is a good man, and their service/parts guys are very nice, enthusiastic, and helpful. I've been there to enquire about new cars, buy parts, sell parts, take pictures, and deal with customers' cars (simultaneously their customer and my customer - them for sales/service and us aftermarket modifications). I was treated with respect on all occasions, regardless of my reason for being there, state of attire, or purpose of business. They have a wonderful facility, and are clearly proud to show it to fellow enthusiasts.

 

I have dealt with them for some time. I have had very high performance cars and bikes for nearly 40 years and still regularly track my car so I get to know the people at a dealership really well. I have had some bad dealership experiences at other places, but mostly excellent ones. Even among the best places I have dealt with this is the best group I have ever seen. The dealership is owned and staffed by enthusiasts who really want you to have a good experience and who will treat you with the utmost integrity. There is just nothing bad to say about these guys. It really is more of a club than a "car dealer." Ralph is a great guy and Bob McElwee and I have been doing business for about 20 years. He sold me a couple of Porsches at his last gig where he was also a service manager for awhile. He is a great guy, a former pro racer and I'm happy to consider him a friend.
There service department is A-1 and thanks to them my 355 is as reliable as a VW (no, probably more.) Their prices are pretty honest as well. My annual service on a 1995 355 is cheaper than my annual service on my Cayenne at the local Porsche dealer.

 

Dusty:
You better have your facts and documentation before you start talking about someone in a public chat forum, that works at Ferrari of Washington. This is grounds for lawsuit, it's called defamation of character. I suggest you write back and apologize .

 

Please reread my statement as no where did I say it had anything to do with FoW. Let me make it clear: It has nothing at all to do with FoW. If somehow I inferred that then I apologize as that was never my intent, but I do not believe I did infer such a thing. I am sure FoW is great in every way.

Regards,

Dusty

 

Considering my company is one of the people / companies he ripped off, I do indeed have facts and documentation. Luckily we caught it and we lost only about $100, not enough worth pursuing. However many others were no where near as lucky.

Once again, this has nothing to do with FoW and no where did I say that it did.

Some of you are really reading way too much into what I said. I said he (Welly) ripped of Supra owners and that his job is (was) at FoW. No where did I say he did it with FoW's assistance or knowledge nor did I accuse FoW of anything.

Dusty

 

What is his real name?

 

I am not at the office but I am 99% sure his last name is Chao. Welly is the only name I know him by and he always did COD, so we did not need his name on the credit card. Thus I only know him by the name he told us.

Dusty

 

I am a past customer of Ferrari of Washington having owned two Ferraris (one a Challenge car). I can't speak for the other sales people, but Ralph Cestero is world class in customer service and a true Ferrari nut. In both instances I wanted specific cars ( specific colors etc...) and he never hurried me or pressured me into buying anything. My first car took over three months (mainly for me to make a decision). Ralph was very professional.

As for the service department, I had a few minor issues mainly because my second car was a Challenge car and the race shop was at another location. For the most part the service was excellent. I dealt mainly with Josh in service and had either Richard or Sean work on my cars. They know their stuff.

The main thing I came away with continually from FOW is that everyone there (owners, managers, staff) are die hard Ferrari race fans and don't just sell the product. They eat, sleep, ^%^ Ferrari.

Regards,

Jon P. Kofod
www.flatoutracing.net
88 Testarossa
95 F355 GTB
95 F355 Challenge