Hello, I'm brand new to the Ferrari chat and hopefully soon to be new to Ferrari ownership. I'm very seriously eyeballing the F12 Berlinetta in about a month or so when I close a big deal at work and have the means to get into one of these amazing cars. I've been trolling the certified pre-owned inventory around the US and as I get closer to the potential for purchase I want to start compiling a short list of necessary questions so I can enter negotiations from an informed position. Background, I've only owned one exotic before, a Lotus Esprit, and it's a been a good decade or so since I sold that. As I'm likely going to be dealing from afar and purchasing a F12 sight unseen, what would you say are the most important things to A) know and B) ask the dealer when I find really ring them up? Thanks for any buying tips you might have.
Welcome One question. Why would you buy sight unseen? Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Not my ideal scenario of course, but I'm not located near any dealerships with F12s on site and flying to look one over may not be in the cards as far as my schedule goes. Which is also why I'm more or less sticking to the certified pre-owned market, hoping that reduces my odds of buying one with excessive issues. Tell me if that's crazy. Sent from my SM-N960U using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Buying sight unseen is not crazy at all, BUT you have to have a PPI done by an expert. I would not rely only on the fact that it is certified CPO. Another thing you can do when you've zero'd in on a car, is ask members here if they know about it.
Good advice on both counts. When I get a little closer to go-time I will certainly ask here. With a good 5 weeks or so ahead, I figure inventory availability can still swing so no need yet. Thanks!
Have you ever driven an F12 or ther Ferrari? If not, I think what strikes me as "crazy" is more the fact that you don't know what you are buying. What kind of seats do you want? Are you going to roadtrip the car for 10k miles per year? Have you seen the colours in person? So many variables that can have a major impact as a first time buyer. Have you had prior expedience with any of the other modern Ferraris, then purchasing sight unseen is a bit less risky. But for your first exotic, I really don't think it's a good course of action. How far from home are you looking and where are you located? Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Have driven and been a passenger in multiple Ferraris. Just not owned one myself. Asking for advice on questions to ask is part and parcel of helping to somewhat reduce my risk of troubles. If I were buying a Lotus for example, I would feel pretty comfortable working a deal sight unseen because I know exactly what to ask there...an F12 not so much. I'm located near Memphis TN. And I have no max distance because I will most likely have it trailered and delivered, save maybe a handful of dealerships which would make sense for me to road trip the car myself.
I'm jealous of the supply. Here in Canada we have ten F12s for sale in the whole country. And the race seats seem to be rare (10%?).
Well a few known things to look out for. Paint bubbling. Water in the boot lid. Noises from gearbox and diff. I have driven two with broken diffs. Makes a hell of a racket. State of interior as seat bolsters can be quite worn. Ask for a new battery of your choice. Ferrari OE batteries are junk. Ask for age of tyres. Especially if it has Pirellis. They are mediocre at best when new, and useless after 4-5 years. Get new Michelins as part of a deal. Get warranty. Service history. Ask for paint wear behind wheel arches. I have seen some F12's fairly sandblasted along the sills and behind wheels. Ask for confirmation that buttons have not gone sticky and leather has not shrunk. Get a PPI as mentioned. That's what I can think of off the top of my head Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
race seats don't have height adjustments so if you're particularly short you will be sitting on a cushion
How many owners, spec and miles, was it leased, driven in snow/rain, lived in FLA or other salty beachy, tracked, paint condition, accidents, grills fixed, talk to previous owner(s), stored outside, climate controlled garage, no ceramic coat on paint, PPF age and condition, dealer only service with full history, 2-keys, code card, window sticker, tire age/condition/miles/TPMS, charger+bags, tools, covers (4x), gloves, airbag replaced, CPO, 2-year warranty, must-have options, triple paint, leather upgrade, any modifications and who did the work, recent service -all fluids and belts, new AGM battery, stickies, name of detailer, suspension and alignment, to name a few. Recommend personally examine and drive then PPI. Fall in love, enjoy.
Maybe more important than seeing the F12 would be driving one. The F12 is not for everybody, and certainly not for the unskilled or feint of heart. Know what you are getting into.
Of co Ideally I would but it isn't likely in the cards, again, availability and such being issues. I've driven cars slightly sportier than my pickup truck, so I'm not completely uninitiated to driving but nonetheless I intend to respect the hell out of the car lest it disrespect me and I'll try not to kill myself in it so I can keep posting here for years to come
