Hello Ferrari Chat! I'm a new member here, and just signed up today, literally 10 minutes ago. Currently I own a 2009 Nissan GTR with an Alpha 7 package from AMS performance. I'm not new to "performance" cars, but I'm new to Ferraris, and anything Italian for the matter unless you count Italian designer brands. Anyways, I've always been a fan of the 430. I don't know why. I know some people hate the styling, but I love the styling. I know the 430 won't be near as fast as my GTR, but I'm not wanting a 430 to do stop light races and highway pulls. I'm wanting it for the pure driving feeling (even though I've never driven one, but it's what I imagine). I found a 430 that looks clean on eBay. I'm in talks with the lister right now. I know to ask for a SD3 inspection, but just wondering if anyone could give me anymore pointers to what I should look out for or what I should be hesitant about when I get the SD3? Here is the link to the Ferrari I want to see if any of you guys know it personally. I believe this car is in California also, just wondering if any Cali guys can recommend me the BEST mechanic, technician, shop, dealer to perform a PPI with leakdown and compression test. Ferrari 430 Adv 1 | eBay And here is a picture of my GTR, and I'm hoping a 430 will be sitting next to her sometime in the next week or two! Sorry for the crappy pics, just took these just now, and didn't want to move my car. Sorry guys, I don't know how to post an image on this site, I got the forum codes, but it keeps showing as a URL.
That car is sweet! You can get most of the info you seek via search or poke around in the Northern California section for mechanics and maybe even the previous owner! Good luck. Your GTR is going to get lonely!
Nevermind...ran a carfax on the car and it was involved in not onee, not two, but three collisions. I'm going to have to pass. I'm going to try and buy a F430 from a member here.
Seems like most of the cars that have custom ground effects kits on them were crashed at one time and is that a total respray and new color? ( I like the color ). Tasteful race accessories from Ferrari don't seem to hurt value but many other mods create negotiating room for a buyer. Fully documented repairs with before and after pictures and the name/phone number and address of the repair shop with a good long conversation with the repair team is the only way I would entertain a wreck repair.
Also make sure you arrange for a reputable body shop to check the car over for any body damage. They now use a paint thickness meter to check each panel for uniform thickness. And also check the underside during your PPI or at the body shop. We got stung on our purchase of our Maserati by not inspecting it personally. So this time on our F430, we flew down to Scottsdale Ferrari and checked it out in detail, including full visual of the interior and operation of all controls. The clutch wear will show up on the SD3 printout. Be aware that CCB's are more expensive to repair. Those green and red buttons on the console looks like it has the nose lift system? My humble suggestions. Good luck.
Thanks a lot conscom. I've decided to pass on this car. Even if everything is immaculate and checks out, I'm the type of OCD person who won't buy a car that's been in a accident. Maybe 1, but three?
I definitely wouldn't buy a car that was involved in an accident ever... And always inspect a car personally and thoroughly even if you are buying from an F dealer. At the end of the day they are still a car dealership.
