I need assistance with a 360 at Ferrari of Houston

I'm here in Houston, and might agree that if warranty is with selling dealer a PPI may not be required, I'll let others chime in on that because it IS a lot of money using my personal measuring scale. Ferrari of Houston is one of the better dealers IMO.

What else can I help with?

I'd say chips may or may not indicate track use. LOTs of gravel roads still in South Louisiana and East Texas as well. Although the FCA members I have met there are true enthusiasts!

If they were trying to mislead, they would have used their Factory Certified Repair Center (it's truely impressive) to respray it!

 

Houston does have a good reputation but I cannot believe any sales man would refuse a PPI on any legit, nothing to hide deal.

 

I can personally vouch for Joe Maniaci, who is the sales manager at FOH. Part of the problem may be a failure to communicate.

For example, one reason that Joe might be reluctant to fax service records is privacy reasons, i.e., the name(s) of the previous owner(s) are on those records. In addition, to be blunt, they deal with a lot of lookey loos, day in and day out. The bottom line is that if Joe says that the car has been serviced by the dealership, it has. If you are serious about the car, I'm sure that Joe will have no problem showing you these records.

Another point is that if Joe is correct when he says that a PPI is not warranted if the car has already been certified. What this means, I'm pretty sure, is that the car has already gone through the inspection necessary to qualify for Ferrari's extended warranty program. Having gone through this same thing on my Maranello, I can assure you that the certification is just as comprehensive as any PPI. (BTW, if you buy the car, be sure and get the warranty. I believe that it is a deal!)

The other problem is that Joe is not going to let someone take this car out of his store to another mechanic for a variety of reasons. The first is that there is no one in Houston who is really qualifed to do a PPI on a 360 other than FOH. The second is that the car is most likely on co-signment. Odds are that the current owner will not be very happy if Joe lets someone take his car who knows where. Ka Ka happens.

My suggestion is to call Joe tomorrow and tell him of your concerns. What I have found is that if you are straight forward in dealing with Joe, he will be straight with you. But, if he senses that you are playing games, he'll probably shut you down.

Good luck, Dale

ps BTW, if it were me, I'd be disappointed if the car hasn't been tracked! You gotta drive em like you stole em.

 

You've got to be kidding. Rock chips are a big problem on the 360, the ground effects seems to suck rocks to it like a big magnet. Track activity has nothing to do with it. I've seen many street-only 360's with significant chips. Which is why so many of us went the clear bra route.

Gary

 

Get a front bumper respray and the extended warranty thrown in and tell them they have a deal. Also, someone needs to eyeball this thing very closely. Make sure everything is complete i.e. cover, tool kit etc.(whatever the car came with)

If they balk at what you feel is reasonble, keep looking for a better deal.

 

My 360 is new I live in San diego and find rock chips impossible to avoid except if I get clearbra. I have a couple minor ones and I have only been to 125mph in the car no track. Freeways mostly.....
MM

 

Bumper only respray is under a grand. Someone with a good eye should go over this car with a fine tooth comb especially with the possible bumper damage. I'd press for the warranty. It's worth it to ensure the car is not going to be a problem. I'd be curious to know what the warranty costs the dealer? Are they including shipping to CA? How long have they been trying to sell it? If the car was purchased there you should be able to view all service records to see what's been done. Did they do the 15K service? Make sure you review these things now so that you can get a more complete picture. Looks nice, btw. Good luck!

 

PM Vincent about Ferrari of Houston. I wouldn't touch the car without a PPI, could have been wrecked, you name it, the warranty is only part of the potential problem. If they're refusing a PPI, there must be something wrong.

Art

 

We also bought our car from FoH and Joe was great as was everyone else at the dealership. They went above and beyond with our purchase. The car we purchased was sold new by them and we are the second owner ("Sophia" now has a definite permanent home with us). We received all paperwork, books, etc. associated with the car. We couldn't have asked for a better experience, service and professionalism with our Ferrari purchase.

Carol

 

I would expect less rock chips at a track then I would on the street. The tracks I drive on are usually very clean, but what is wrong with tracking the car anyway? Usually real enthusiaists take better care of their cars. I always change the oil early etc.

 

If the car was originally sold outside of Ca then the Federal laws apply.

I agree with Dale on the matters of communication errors, keeping an owners identity confidential and the tire kicker problems but not the issue of a PPI. In dealers I have been employed at as well as many PPI's I have done when there is an issue about taking the car off site a space is provided including a rack if desired to perform the PPI by a visiting mechanic, it's done all the time. There are MANY points of interest that should be inspected that are not included in the certification process of the factory warranty program. I realize there are situations that come along that make having a PPI seem like a waste but in my opinion a sales person that is reluctant to allow it is a red flag. He's in the Ferrari business, he knows the drill.

Also if no one really is available in the area Ferrari mechanics all over the country have spent a good deal of time sitting in airplanes going to an out of town inspection, consider sending your guy there.

When it comes to these cars, trust but verify. Get permission for a PPI or walk.

 

Yikes! I would not touch it without a PPI. For $116,000 expenditure, you would be a fool not to have that peace of mind. Move on and find another car. I have been watching this market for some time. There are plenty of equal or better opportunities. Good luck!

 

No PPI, inconsistent storyline on front bumper, 18K miles, interior wear that the dealer says is consistent with 18K miles (usually code for pretty well worn) all say to me either run like heck or at a minimum, do the following:

o Demand PPI

o Demand a minimum warranty of 90 days

o Demand that they spray the front bumper

o Make the purchase contingent upon you going to see the car yourself, and then fly out to physically inspect the car.

o Purchase Ferrari's extended warranty on the car.

There are tons of 360's out there and if you are in the least bit uncomfortable, best to move on to the next fair maiden.

 

Well that's to bad as I was looking for an exuse to go over and check it out for you.

If you change your mind, let me know. FOH is 10-minutes from my office and I could go one day over lunch and look it over. Just PM me and then call Joe and let him know I'm coming over.

 

I noticed in their description on Ebay, this particular sentence.

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At this exceptional price we are selling this car in "as is" condition but it does qualify for the Ferrari Certified Pre-Owned Program"

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This would suggest that there is some underlying problem with the car which is up to the buyer to spot prior to handing over the cash.

As for the service records? It would be so easy for them to photocopy them, blank out the previous owners details on the photocopy then fax that. I smell a rat with this car...