First Ferrari. Would you worry about not being close to a dealer?

You are nearer than many - last year's thread https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/how-far-is-your-nearest-autorized-dealer.579437/#post-146073923

 

Hi Jim. Good luck in your search for the right car, F12 and 812 are absolutely awesome.

in my experience, the dealer I chose has been awesome, they pick the car up for service in a covered truck, and deliver it back to me fully detailed, and sometimes I enjoy the drive down to drop her off, they give me a lift to the train, and I come home, then reverse the journey back, depends on available time. In our case, the truck is NOT charged for, but that may not be the norm.

im sure guys local to you will be able to guide on the better dealer to use, but as your car will have free servicing included until it’s seven years old, it’s not worth taking the chance on indy garages for servicing and warranty work, but again, locals will have some great options for the jobs that just can’t wait and are outside of the free package of Ferrari servicing.

the main thing is not to get too hung up on who services the car for one or two days a year, enjoy the other 363/364 and drive the wheels off the beastie!

 

My dealer always picks up and drops off no additional charge (notice how I don’t say “free” ). If your’s will do that then I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

 

I suggest joining your local chapter of the FCA and get in touch with local folks who have Ferrari's. That's a good way to find out what others in your area are doing. You might be surprised to find out there are service locations closer than you think. I live in Memphis, a black hole of service options yet there are several locations that will do annual service. For a major, cars are trucked to Nashville or Atlanta, a fair distance.

The important note would to find a well sorted car that's been driven regularly and has a history of reliability. You may pay a bit more for such a car but it will be well worth it.

 

i would say "don't sweat the small stuff" life is too short my friend, if you can afford an 812 i'm sure you can figure out how to get it to the dealer even if they are 200 miles away, get it as soon as possible to start enjoying it!

 

any dealership worth it’s position should be happy too, as they should be looking at your first purchase as the first of many, and maybe you will be buying a brand new car/cars in the future... if they aren’t viewing new customers positively, they need to close up shop now

 

I live 3.5 hours from Ferrari of Denver. They pick up my car and bring it back when the annual service is done. Covered transport.

The Audis have to take to Glenwood and wait around for them to do the service...usually a couple hours. Spend my time on the internet and FerrariChat. But the FOD is much much convenient.

 

I suggest the important thing is to dig down (via the relevant Fchat forum) into the best F dealer in your range. Better to take it to, or have it taken to, a great dealer further away than a poor one nearer you.

Those are great cars and a good dealer will love dealing with you and them.

 

I never go to a dealer. But being close to an Indy is important to me...I have 2 within 50kms or so, in opposite directions.

 

My nearest dealer is 200 miles away, I would never use them. The next nearest dealer is 350 miles away, I hear mixed reviews about them and they are reported to be very expensive even by Ferrari standards. I sent my car to an indy shop 450 miles away. Find a good shop you can trust, dealer or indy, and use them, don't worry about distance.

 

In a case like this, it comes down to the service manager and the mechanics. I would still be looking for an independent shop to see what you could find there. Just because they are a Ferrari dealer, doesn't mean they have the best mechanics. I had a bad experience with the closest Ferrari dealer to me, I will never return there. But I understand they have a new service manager and they are doing a much better job. You will need to visit the shops/dealerships, talk to the service manager and if you can, the mechanic that knows the model you are purchasing.

 

I've had a number of nuisance CEL's in the two months I've owned my 360. So, better to get a code reader, figure out how to use it, then when you get that first CEL, find the code, look it up and if it's something silly, like you've left your gas cap loose or the brake light switch is finicky, you can just reset the code and go about your life.

 

I worried about the same thing, in the end, there were more Ferrari mechanics around than the car I bought, relax there's more than one path,,

 

Same scenario as me. Closest Ferrari authorized dealer is in Atlanta and I live in Charlotte. I have a 812, and had a F12 previously. I just ship the car via single-car enclosed trailer each way. Costs $600, but I completely trust the carrier. He’s terrific. Plus, I love the ATL service team. That crew is top notch.

That said, Lamborghini of Charlotte is 10 miles from my primary residence and it makes life so much easier with my Performante.

 

That’s great service!!


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I drive from Santa Barbara county to Las Vegas to have my car serviced annually. I have been taking my 07 F430 there since 2008. It is there getting a new clutch after 43k miles. I also have them service my 2012 FF. It would much closer to go to LA but tge service manager Rich Kansky in Vegas is the most honest and trustworthy person I know. I know he would never do anything not needed

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If you're in Charlotte, Foreign Cars Italia is 90 min away in Greensboro. And they have a trailer.

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I live over 200 miles from a Ferrari DEALER .. and I have never worried about it . If you buy a new Ferrari they are great about transporting it . For out of warranty cars I would find an independent if possible near you but these guys are set up for long distance relationships.
when I first was planning to buy a DINO I was concerned about finding someone local to fix it. So I went by a local independent that works on many exotics and on my first day talking to them I saw they were rebuilding a Dino engine .. SO they maintain my Dino and keep it running fantastic ....
DO not worry ..
I sometimes drive the late model cars to the dealer in fact I will drive the Scuderia 200 miles to the dealer in the spring .. makes for a nice drive

 

they picked up one of my cars and transported it for free for service as long as I could wait as apparently they had weekly trips to my area..although they are not my dealer

 

Where is your car serviced in Nashville - I'm contemplating a 360 or 430 - thanks in advance - Robert


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