How to contact the previous owner of my 348 | FerrariChat
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How to contact the previous owner of my 348

Discussion in '348/355' started by Mera, Jan 26, 2007.

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  1. Mera

    Mera Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2005
    768
    Milwaukee, WI
    Full Name:
    Rodney Dickman
    #1 Mera, Jan 26, 2007
    The 348 TS I just bought from Continental in Chicago had no references or information on the previous owner. I am the 3rd owner and have the original owners information as it was in the owners manual. When I was looking to buy this 348 I tried to get the salesman to give me the previous owners name and phone number. He would not give it to me nor would he contact him and ask if he would like to talk to me. He told me he was in and out of the hospital. I thought this not a good answer and tend to feel Continental is hiding something from me. I was not happy with this as the car fax on this 348 seems to be blank the last 6 years this second owner owned it. So this worries me greatly. I can find no signs of any damage to the car and looking at this 348 it seems to be in the condition it should be for 17,000 miles. Still has (as far as I can see) the original paint on the front end and it has several small chips that were touched up. Although this worried me I bought this 348 anyway. How can one go about finding the previous owner? I would like to talk to the previous owner at least once just to ask about this 348.

    Rodney
    1990 348 TS
     
  2. WDR328

    WDR328 Formula 3

    Dec 11, 2003
    1,476
    The Bugscuffle Inn
    Full Name:
    D. Rose
    #2 WDR328, Jan 26, 2007
    You stated that you were the 3rd owner of the car. When you bought the car did it have the tags on it or in it? If so, and you have a friend in the police dept or DMV, you can have them run the tag and get the info.

    Ferrari, with their privacy inclination, will probably be of no use.

    Did the car come from that area? If so perhaps one of the independent garages or a club member might know of the car and owner.

    This procedure is always a great exercise in detective work.

    Good Luck
     
  3. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 9, 2003
    17,747
    wisconsin/chicago
    Full Name:
    bo
    #3 bpu699, Jan 26, 2007
    My testarossa was purchased from LFSC, but was maintained most of its life at Continental. They also declined to provide any previous info, even with multiple phone calls from LFSC. They fianally said that their computers only "go back 5 years..." Ah, yeah, right. I did get records for the last 5- 6 years from LFSC, no problems...

    I am not sure why Continental doesn't provide records...
     
  4. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 24, 2003
    52,374
    Goodyear, AZ
    Full Name:
    PeterS
    #4 PeterS, Jan 26, 2007
    I would NOT do business with a dealer that would not disclose who the last owner was. In N. CA., last April, I wanted to buy a 348 that was at a consignment showroom. The 'salesman' would not give me ANY information about the owner nor did he have any interest to ask the owner to call me. He blew the sale and I bought another 348 from a seller that was MORE than happy to put me in touch with the prior owner!

    I trust you are happy with your purchase though.
     
  5. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    #5 No Doubt, Jan 26, 2007
    Why would a prior owner want to talk to a new owner after a sale?

    That's the wrong time to establish a relationship. If something like that matters, then make it an issue before buying, either with the salesman or by conducting your search via car clubs and other private sellers.

    Most people would think that you'd be after a refund or setting up a lawsuit or stalking or some other wierdness if you instead tried to establish that relationship after the sale.

    Timing matters.
     

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