Ferrari specialist in MN?

The answer is yes.

You will be surprised at the number of high quality cars that exist in the TC (MN) area.

What it takes to get into that "circle" is a combination of your williness to pay to play and your acceptance into the fold.

I tried to be as cryptic as I could

 

Well first you need a car. Rule 1 - hobby cars are expensive period. They rarely generate any income (profit on sale).

A number of owners including myself use Tim Keseluk (in Bloomington). Morries Maserati also services Ferrari. If you are looking at a late model car that has OBD they may be your only choice if you have specific OBD issues as they have an SD3 for diagnosis. I believe there are a few other mechanics. There was another shop at WOI with a booth but I can't remember the name right now. I believe they are in the Plymouth area. Otherwise the nearest Ferrari dealer is Chicago.

If you want to keep your costs down, probably stick with a 308/328. Also don't buy a fixer upper thinking that will save you money, it won't!

 

It's really quite simple------------- anyone can buy a F-car but maintaining it takes a heap of coins. Simply put,as in racing, it's easy to become a millionare in this business if you start out as a billionaire!! Yuk Yuk Yukk !! not so lost anymore,

 

It has been discussed here ad nauseum. There are many variables even among similar cars.

Something to keep in mind is that Ferraris are cars, like all others and require similar maintenance. The parts are typically more expensive and some of the service is more complex (some routine service is "engine out") but they are mostly similar to what you already drive.

It's not magic.

 

Petiks,
I neglected to mention that if you find a decent one and get it on the road you will need someone to slap you back into reality. They are so much fun to drive. If you ,like myself , have left the workforce and have limited income then I suggest a late model 308. They are considered dogs ,as far as performance, (although it will hit 145MPH without a huge effort)
but the engine management system is pretty much mechanical and therefore can be sorted by any decent mechanic. Another word of caution--------learn to change the fluids by yourself, stay away from quick change oil stops. Hope you find one. lostbowl

 

Petiks,
Most important-------------- if you have issues with an F-car this is the right place to be! Listen closely to Verrell, Dave Helms, Fastradio,Rifledriver and Birdman! (I'm sure I missed some unintentionally) You will have to decide who has an opinion and who has an answer. I have been wrenching most of my life ,as a hobbiest, mostly on English iron and our 308 is the first F-car (most likely not the last) and the mystique of working on Fcars was a fear I had to overcome with the advice of the afore mentioned guys. When you read their posts you will feel the knowledge and passion.
just do it, lostbowl

 

Guys, I've since moved away from the midwest but when I did there was a ferrari tech in the TC area....Jeff Flynn.....does he still live and wrench on ferrari's in or around the twin cities? Any other suggestion on someone for a pre-purchase inspection?

 

Depending on what you buy, you're going to be bringing it to Maserati of Minneapolis or you're going to truck the thing to Lake Forest Sports Cars in Lake Bluff, IL.

 

Guys, the car I'm thinking about is In-op. I need Jeff Flynn (if he still lives in the Minneapolis area) or another reccomendation of an independent that can drive to the vehicle. Thanks --

 

PM sent

 

I'm not a big fan of paddle shifters ("flappy paddles") and the early F1 in the 355 is a bit jerky in traffic (where you will be most of the time). More expensive to buy and fix.

The 355 is a fabulous car with a superb "Ferrari Sound" but quite a bit more expensive to fix than the 308/328. Timing belts, tensioners and a few other maintenance items require "engine out". Some of the earlier cars had valve guide issues and the headers are prone to fail. The rubbery coating on interior trim parts becomes sticky after a few years. These problems can and may have already been fixed on a car you purchase but you need to do "due diligence" to find out "if" and more importantly "how" and "by who" they were done.