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Help me buy my husband a Ferrari

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by MaryLane, Jan 19, 2007.

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  1. MaryLane

    MaryLane Rookie

    Jan 19, 2007
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    #1 MaryLane, Jan 19, 2007
    I am either going to buy him a F430 or a 2002 or newer F360. The problem is I don't want him to know until he comes home and finds a big box in the driveway concealing his new car. I've never bought anything this expensive on my own (everything we own is joint, and he handles most of the details since he is an accountant), but I think I've got the credit and money to do this. We aren't rich, per se, but we have been very smart about our spending and investments. I think I can get this for him on my own, so that he doesn't have to know until he gets it. I've got quite a bit of my own money I can use for a downpayment, and my credit is good.

    So, what do I need to know about buying a Ferrari? Do people haggle about the price on Ferraris? Do I need to seek special financing options or will my primary bank be alright (my banker is very good friends with my husband, but I think [hope] he can keep a secret)? What kind of financing options exist for a $200,000.00+ automobile? What is different from buying any other vehicle?
    I'd prefer not to lease, as I'm sure he will want to keep the car. I am going to go to The Collection in Florida, but I want to go in with at least some idea of what to expect. I'm going to guess this isn't like walking into a Lexus or Mercedes dealership, and regardless of the marque being sold, I distrust salespeople intensely.

    Thank you!
     
  2. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    #2 GTE, Jan 19, 2007
    a wife actually buying the husband a Ferrari?

    What did you do?
     
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 BigTex, Jan 19, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Whoa, there!


    HOLD the HORSES! Young lady!

    While I salute your intent, (and no one will see us talking on the Internet) we gotta talk!

    This site has VAST resources, so FIRST do a search on the Collection....then be advised that while some haggle room exists on used 360, demand for a new F430 is such that you'll have to pay market for a new or even slightly used one.........

    But you came to the right spot others will chime in with advice on the Florida scene...I'd recommend calling Joe Maniaci at Ferrari of Houston to see what he knows as well!

    Welcome,you crazy woman!
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  4. 430 Boy

    430 Boy Rookie

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    #4 430 Boy, Jan 19, 2007
    Luckiest man alive.
     
  5. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    #5 GTE, Jan 19, 2007
    oh, btw, I haven't got a clue about buying Ferrari's (except laying some serious amounts of money on the table), but your choice (F430 or very recent 360) is very nice indeed.

    Do you and/or your husband have Ferrari ownership experience?
     
  6. WCH

    WCH F1 Veteran
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    #6 WCH, Jan 19, 2007
    You may want to post your question in the Florida section, if that's where you're located. The members here collectively probably know every Ferrari salesman, and exotic car leasing and financing rep, in the country, and can save you a great deal of time and stress.

    Good luck.
     
  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 BigTex, Jan 19, 2007
    It's good to stick to Ferrari dealers on a F430 purchase...that would be Shelton in south Florida, guys?

    .and Ferrari of Central Florida in Orlando if I'm not mistaken......

    And if course THE MAIN QUESTION? OK 2 questions really...

    Hardtop Coupe or Spider?

    F1 paddle shift on the colmun or traditional six speed manual ??

    The entire inventory of these cars is sold years in advance so understand you are facing a hard search here........I know of ONE red/tan F430 6 speed here that's in the hands of an Owner that may want to trade up.......I dunno.
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 BigTex, Jan 19, 2007
    PMs will appear in the blue box to the top right there.....click on the underlined "Private Messages" text to see them and read them...

    Just a long shot but I'm guessing you'll receive a few..

    Many members here ARE dealers....410SA for one...others are VERY well connected and can be of assistance in your search.....

    Let's roll!

    This is fun, eh?
     
  9. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

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    #9 FasterIsBetter, Jan 19, 2007
    Good luck on getting an F430. I know several long-time Ferrari owners with multiple Ferraris who have been on waiting lists for a new 430. Your best chance, not having an established relationship with a dealership is to look for a good 360. FOCF is a good place to start. In fact, I believe that Cavallino is coming up this week or next (large Ferrari show/event in Florida). You should tell your husband you want to go to it and look at the cars and the people and the glitz, and see how he reacts to the cars when you are there. It is also an opportunity for you to see the cars, get familiar with them, and see some of the dealers (they should all be there).

    Have fun but don't expect this to be like going to a local Lexus dealer and buying a cookie-cutter car off the lot.
     
  10. MaryLane

    MaryLane Rookie

    Jan 19, 2007
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    #10 MaryLane, Jan 19, 2007
    I'm not young (43), but thank you!

    What did he do? He put me through my undergraduate courses, then he put me through a tier 1 law school (financial as well as emotional support). During all of this he also took care of our son since I was so busy with my law classes. After I graduated with my JD he put up with my 70 hour a week job so that I could have a good career with a good law firm (which I eventually left anyway for private practice). He's been by my side for 21 years, and has given up everything for our son and me. In fact, the money he paid for my law education with was money he had saved to put toward a Testarossa (I think that's what it was - late 80's). He more than deserves this.

    Anyway, I'm not in Florida, but The Collection is the closest Ferrari dealer.

    So I take it on new Ferraris you either pay sticker or don't get one?

    I think my husband would prefer the Spider. That is the hardtop convertible, yes?
     
  11. MaryLane

    MaryLane Rookie

    Jan 19, 2007
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    #11 MaryLane, Jan 19, 2007
    Oh, forgot to answer a question:

    We've never owned a Ferrari. Pretty much just "cookie-cutter" cars like Lexus and Mercedes. He drives a 1999 BMW M3 that has probably got $30k worth of go-fast parts. It's his toy. He has to work on it so much I'm surprised he can rely on it to get to his office. hah!
     
  12. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 BigTex, Jan 19, 2007
    ..read again he asked what did YOU do??? LOL!


    ..as in...backed the car over his favorite 'coon hound or something..!
     
  13. MaryLane

    MaryLane Rookie

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    #13 MaryLane, Jan 19, 2007
    Ahh, you asked what did *I* do... I didn't do anything! Not this time anyway!
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 BigTex, Jan 19, 2007
    ...sadly you pay sticker..."plus".......

    the $300k 599 sells for $500k, for example.....:rolleyes:
     
  15. MaryLane

    MaryLane Rookie

    Jan 19, 2007
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    #15 MaryLane, Jan 19, 2007
    I don't think he'll care if it has a manual or manumatic. I think he'd be happy either way.

    I do know he prefers black, then red, then yellow.
     
  16. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 BigTex, Jan 19, 2007
    LOL! you are ok then.......
     
  17. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 BigTex, Jan 19, 2007
    Ferrari of Houston has a lot of spyders,.....call Joe tomorrow...

    The F1 shifts fastest if racing...the 6 speed is for traditionalists.....
     
  18. MaryLane

    MaryLane Rookie

    Jan 19, 2007
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    #18 MaryLane, Jan 19, 2007
    Sticker +? Is this sort of like a market adjustment you see at "normal" car dealerships?

    He's not getting a 599. I couldn't go much more than $200k. Even if we were buying this together I don't think we could go much more than that. Definitely not $300k or more. My friends think I'm out of my mind to even consider that much money on a car. They keep telling me to buy a second house instead. Very tempting I admit!
     
  19. ZR1

    ZR1 Karting

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    #19 ZR1, Jan 19, 2007
    Mary, if you want this gift to work tell him about it first. Don't buy him a $200,000 mistake. Everyone has preferences. What color does he want? What model does he want? These are important choices. You might find out he does not want the $200,000 Ferrari, that all he really wants is the $80,000 Testarossa he fell in love with 20 years ago.

    Find out if there is a restaurant near a Ferrari dealership. Take him out for lunch on the weekend. Then tell him "It might be fun to walk around the dealership". Pay attention if he points out anything he likes.

    I am all for gifts. God bless you. But don't buy something he might not like, and he will feel uncomfortable selling or trading. Communication is key here. Also, some men love the art of negotiating. If that is your husband, then part of the fun of buying a Ferrari will be the negotiations with the sales person.
     
  20. fiorano94

    fiorano94 F1 Veteran

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    #20 fiorano94, Jan 19, 2007
    You can sleep in a car but you cant drive a house;)
     
  21. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 BigTex, Jan 19, 2007
    not sticker + rebate......sticker plus a pile of cash......


    hmmmm, that may get you last year's 430...let's look around...

    Armen?? Napolis????
     
  22. otaku

    otaku Formula 3

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    #22 otaku, Jan 19, 2007
    You should be able to get a 430 for under 300k but it might not be a spider as I've seen many of them going for 300-320k. Your husband is definetly a luck man. Ferrari of houston are great guys
     
  23. Demigod555

    Demigod555 Formula Junior

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    #23 Demigod555, Jan 19, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The 360 Spider is a soft top, like this
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  24. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    #24 LetsJet, Jan 19, 2007
    While this is a nice gesture, I would not make a purchase unless you are 110% sure that you know exactly what he would want. Your comment that you don't know if he would prefer "auto" or stick, tells me you are way off. Do you want to get him a huge gift he will be obligated to say how wonderful it is even if he didn't get what he really wanted.

    You could mke a huge mistake......

    I suggest you either talk to him first or , at the very least, have a friend (poss. Ferrari guy) pick his brain.
     
  25. MaryLane

    MaryLane Rookie

    Jan 19, 2007
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    #25 MaryLane, Jan 19, 2007
    I found the quote button. :)

    We spent the first 5 months of 2005 in London. Near the Earl's Court tube station is a Maserati and Ferrari dealership (I think Maserati). They had a 360 in the showroom. He almost cried when he saw it. Right now he's got a F430 as the background on the computer in his office, and I swear he says a prayer to it every morning before he starts working! I'm not so worried about getting him either car, but I do think maybe I should find out more about the options and whatnot. I thought you bought a Ferrari and got a Ferrari, and the only real choices were colors and whether or not you want the luggage package.

    My husband is a genius with money but lousy at negotiating. That's why he's a bean counter. I'm the negotiator (I knew my JD was worth something!) and I don't think he'd have a problem with letting me do all the paperwork if we were doing this jointly.

    Thank you for your concern. It is most welcome! However, I think that, aside from finding out available options and whatnot, I won't go wrong with either a 360 or 430. Personally I think he'd prefer the 430 just because it's a bit faster. I like the 360, but I would never spend this much on a car for myself, so it doesn't matter. Most likely I won't be in the driver's seat again once I get it home.
     
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