I'm curious that there isn't a single FF for sale privately in the UK. Do people think this is due to the price bracket? I am looking for a second hand car at the moment and it looks like I have no choice to but to go to a main dealer.... While I would normally head to a dealer for a car of this value, with these cars are still in warranty / servicing period, they should be a safe private buy? Please tell me I'm mad and should go straight to the dealer without passing 'Go'?
Ditto, much can be gained from paying the premium and having that warm glow of support. For me Meridien are my knights in shining armour.
I think at this level most folks want to buy from a dealer or are trading up against another F car. What spec / colour are you looking for?
What kind of percentage would you expect to save cutting out the dealer? When I have sold high value cars I don't really want to be bothered with dealing with timewasters etc or having people who I don't know coming to my house! I know that Dick Lovett in Swindon had a couple in recently that only lasted a couple of days before selling. I think nicely/sensibly specced examples don't last long even through a dealer. Whilst a relatively new one is covered by warranty/servicing agreements I suspect that a car bought privately would not be at the top of a dealers list to sort out if there were any issues. Personally ,I would rather pay the premium on a high end car and buy through a ferrari approved dealer. Cheers,Bob
Yeah I guess the sensible thing is to head to a dealer. I missed out on one car offered privately and have been kicking myself ever since as it was perfect but I wasn't quite ready to buy. I agree there's a risk the seller would have to entertain timewasters but if you can prequalify them by speaking to them before then there's potential to get a decent amount of cash over what a dealer might offer? Perhaps it's just not worth the hassle / risk for what might only be an extra £5k? The truth is I don't know what margin a dealer would be putting on a 2nd hand FF... £10k perhaps?
10k would seem about typical for a late in warranty model but 2011s with 20k+ miles would be a different story. Having said that the comeback on a private purchase is always going to be a challenge plus to sell privately smacks of desperation at this level when the purchaser knows you are not happy with the dealer offer. This then implies bargaining power to the purchaser who has to either be able to write a draft or arrange finance.
Selling privately should theoretically be win-win with a relatively new car where there is warranty / inspection and trust between buyer and seller. However it is the risk of managing the risk / trust relationship with an unknown buyer for a 6 figure transaction that would worry many. Plus the hassle, test drives etc etc. Having said that I sold a 100k plus car last year privately with no issues. However it was a rare car and the only one of its kind available so I could effectively name my price and sell into a known enthusiast network with confidence. When the time comes to shift my FF I'll consider selling privately if I can generate more for the sake than a dealer trade in. Only to a buyer who is a known quantity though..
Personally I wouldn't even try and sell a car of this value privately....it's way too much money to have involved in an unregulated transaction...would you really want someone coming round to your house to look at a £200k car that you have no idea about apart from a mobile phone number ?!?! I'd approach the obvious dealers in the UK....Hartley, DK, Romans etc and tell them what kind of car you are looking for. They might be able to source it or something similar. As well as of course the franchise dealers though I think they'll be less proactive. I know recently the owner of Romans sold his personal F12 to someone looking for one. And good one sell quickly as someone mentioned above...the superb BRG one Lovett's had sold very quickly to an Fchater.
Meridien will sell your car on a sale or return basis and offer a very good guaranteed price. They obviously take their margin but also absorb all the hassle. Good cars are sought after by dealers whereas white ones with all chocolate interiors get gradually reduced for obvious reasons.
I agree with you mr_tony, its about the risk. I guess it could be mitigated by completing the transaction through a third party for a small fee. But it all adds to hassle which a lot of people may feel is too much effort for what might only be a £5k premium over the dealer offer. I'm interested to hear people saying that good cars move very quickly. You're right in that the BRG car did sell very fast but it is a very rare colour for an FF. I have been keeping an eye on the Pistonheads classifieds and generally speaking I don't think cars are moving that quick. There's been a few sales, sure, but even some good spec cars (in my eyes) are not moving that fast. HR Owen have got a couple of good looking Grigio cars with beige / tan interiors I would happily buy.
I have a 2012 ff in the classifieds. Balance of factory warranty. The car is like new. I am a car dealer in Pompano Beach Florida. Mercedeshowroom -.
I've gone for a car with a main dealer and hope to get it agreed shortly. I'm wondering if any of you have paint protection film on your cars? I am thinking about having it put on the car.
Congrats, you'll love it! Hope you get it sorted soon. I've never bothered with protective film for any of my cars ever. Never had a problem. Get the odd chip now and again, but a good touch up and they disappear! I'm sure there are others out there that will disagree. Do what makes you happy Post pics when it arrives and have fun! Mac.
When I bought mine it had 4000 miles on the clock. The front end was fairly well peppered with stone chips.These were all sorted and the front end was protected with a film - I was told the clear wrap was £2300 worth of work , it includes the bonnet and wheel arches as well.The dealer did it for 'free' as part of the price negotiation. May be worth asking if a similar opportunity is viable!
