Horrible, Horrible Experience at Exotic Motors Midwest!

It is unfortunate you had such a bad experience at this dealership. I have heard nothing but great things with these these guys so I am suprised to hear that you were treated this way.

I have a question? If I were buying a scud and they mentioned $35,000 worth of warranty work I certainly would ask for records on the work done before I made the drive to them. Unless the car has high mileage I would say $35,000 worth of work to any Ferrari is suspect to a red flag? I'm sure you were excited about the car after the black one was not to your liking but you could have saved yourself a trip with more information.

As for the paintwork Ferraris are known for having poor quality finishes. I have seen brand new 458's at my local dealership with one having a paint drip in the rear fender vent area near the window, as well as another car with orange peel and overspray that is unacceptable if it were my new purchase... I was shocked a $300,000 car could have this type of imperfection but it is the nature of Ferrari paint. My point is the overspray on the rear may have been from the factory, dont assume it was definately repainted. A bumper respray if done properly should not effect the resale but I do think they should have told you upfront. Many guys get resprays every year. My local bodyshop has 360's and 430's in like clockwork doing bumper resprays.

In the end I understand your frustration and hope you find the right car. Sometimes its the comfort level of the car, dealer, and salesman that determine the "right" purchase, in your case it just did not work out. As a business owner myself I am shocked the Owner did not give you more comfort in your long drive to the delearship. Saying you are not allowed to go for another "joy ride" is unacceptable. I hope your find the right car, a better example will present itself, I promise

-Ryan

 

I wouldn't buy anything that had $35k worth of work on it. What the hell cost $35k on an almost new car?

 

Sounds like the OP was treated very poorly indeed. Shame on dealer unless there's two sides to the story.

€35k of warranty work? Pretty damn easy I would say. How about a replacement set of CCB brakes for starters? Would that cause one to walk away because the car has "history"?

 

I have CCB's and I know they're expensive to replace. But why would they need replacing in such a short time? Yes, it would make me suspect of the car. I wouldn't spend $180k on it that's for sure.

 

Do you know the VIN of the red Scuderia you saw? I'd like to update my information accordingly, as well as record it here for prosperity.

 

Sounds pretty bush league. Maybe the guy isn't doing very well financially is the only thing I can think of for treating a potential customer like that? Stay clear of them in future.

 

Wow, I'm sorry that you had to experience that...but, there are more out there and there's Devi tie tone out there just for you my friend

 

While reading your post, I did find it interesting the owner said you put 20 miles on his car during the test drive. If that's true, I'd say that's seems a bit much for a test drive, but that's just my 2 cents.

 

I dunno, warp, crack, manufacturing fault, whatever. It could just have easily have needed a replacement gearbox. The point I was making is that it would be pretty easy to clock 35k in warranty without turning the car into something only suitable for parts donation.

 

35k of warranty work doesn't surprise me a bit. Hell you could have 25k done on a service with a few things replaced. I would look at what was done before I panicked. In a way it might of been a really good thing. If they did an engine out service then all the fluids are new and maybe the brake fluid too. The main thing is that the problem was fixed.

 

+1. Easy to do (check the 458 threads and a few 430 threads where folks' had new engines or transmissions...well over $35k worth of warranty work. Not typical but far from impossible!)

 

I normally negotiate the use of a potential purchase for a weekend if possible, a full day if not. 20 miles? That's nothing IMO.

 

If this is your first Ferrari purchase (?) I might recommend buying from a factory authorized dealer or from a well-know, well-regarded F-chatter or similar "known" quantity...so much can go wrong and these are expensive used (mostly non-warrantied) toys!

It may cost a bit more, but the peace of mind might be well worth it. (heck, anything to avoid driving 12 hours to visit a car for sale!).

I buy long distance and just have a PPI done by an indy shop and call that "good", along with getting copies of carfax, title, all service records, built sheet, window sticker, etc.

 

That would be awesome, but I can't imagine that happending at the dealers I've been too. [Yes, for cali's I know they have some demo cars that they let certain buyers take home before deciding to buy a new one]...but I have never heard of a dealer letting you take a used car (even more so a "consigned" car) home. The longest test drive I've done in an exotic car is probably 5-10 miles.

 

Interesting insight provided above!

 

Just curious but why would a Scud need an engine out service?

20 miles is nothing for a test drive. I put about double that on mine before I bought it. I think it depends on who owns the car, i.e. the dealership or if the car is consigned.

35k could be possible but I would want to know why.

Sorry to hear about the problem with them. No one deserves that, especially after a 6 hour drive.

 

I am glad I have an extended Power Cube Warranty on my 08 f430 since $35,000 is no big surprise.

Seriously though, if a car a few years old with a few thousand miles on the clock needed $35,000 worth of repairs it certainly needs to be investigated..... makes me horrified to even think about owning mine without warranty.

 

+1. I also have the extension. When I pay for the warranty I sometimes wonder if its expensive, then I read stories about big repair bills. Makes it seem CHEAP.

 

I call those "insurance" policies...you hope you always "waste" your money on them and they are not needed...fwiw, Ferrari is about the only "thing" i buy extended warranties on anymore...that should tell you where I rate their quality vs. cost to repair curve...

 

When someone travels to look at vehicles, that is a positive sign to the dealer that they may have a sale today. They should of treated you with respect and bought you lunch.

I bet you may have bought that Ferrari even knowing about the prior work done if they would of treated you like a buyer and bend over backwards to make the sale happen, make you feel good and put you in your comfort zone, with a smile.

It is all in the customer service, becuase the Ferrari sells it self.

 

There's your "running out of gas" clue.

 

Assuming the car is the one on their website still:
http://www.exoticmotorsmidwest.com/exotic-motorcars/2008-ferrari-f430-scuderia-red-over-black-em-163500/

ZFFKW64A780163500

 

With 1500 miles on that listing I would love to hear about the so called $35,000 repairs? Are their two sides to this story?