i swear i'm gonna get a maranello this time!

Great choice !

Enjoy the car and post pics as soon as you'll have it !

 

Auto Palace in Pittsburgh has a '97 advertised on their site.

Best of luck with your search - hope xmas comes early for you!

 

Algar Ferrari and Maserati of Philadelphia:
1998 550 Rosso Barchetta over beige 6180 miles, recent major service done including timing belt: 134k
2000 Ferrari 550 Maranelo. 3257 miles. One owner car- Algar sold and serviced. Options include: racing seats, full carbon fibre trim package, modular wheels, red brake calipers, 250GT-style leather rear shelf and headliner, dash and steering wheel in charcoal leather. Absolutely perfect condition! $159,500.

 

My advice: buy one from the local dealer so that u can have "good status" for a F430 or something else highly desireable....if u ever do want to switch, ur in good shape, and they will probably make up the pricing difference vs a private party by giving u initial service discounts, something....Or just buy that F430 I mentioned and flip it lol.

 

I purchased my 355 GTS F1 at Auto Palace last May and have been very pleased with the way I've been treated. Call them at 1-800-520-5756 and ask for Steve.

 

I would suggest you start subscribing to the Ferrari Market letter to see what the current market is for the cars you are considering. Then see who is listing them in there. Most of the time 90% of the cars in there are being sold by dealers. Then start calling the dealers with the ones you are considering and start narrowing down the field to the few you would consider. Then get on the phone and start negotiating with the contingency that the car must meet your final approval based on your inspection.
The other option you have is to ask your local dealer to find the car for you. You will most likely pay more this way but at least you will have someone to go back to if any problems and you will have started your relationship for future dealings.
Personally, I think the best way is to find the car you want, then pick it up wherever it may be. After you get the car home, then you can start using your local dealer for support and service and start your relationship.
There are always good cars out there and if you are willing to be patient, you will even find one at a good price.
550's and 575's are a great value now. Good luck.

 

i would second bostonmini's comment and respectfully disagree with garysp7.

IF (and it's a key IF) you want to get in the game and cycle through new Ferraris over time, then you should seriously consider cozying up to MWAG or Algar. tell them what you want and let them to the legwork and service work and all that jazz. it'll cost you a bit more (not a ton more) and you can get yourself into the queue.

if you don't care, then figure out the details of what you want and keep doin' what you're doin.

FML is a useful resource, but don't rely on it too much for pricing.

the Maranello is a really stellar car. stop putzing about and "just do it" so you can enjoy the bejeezus out of it!

doody.

 

I saw your other posting about pricing, and would encourage you to shop the car, not shop the price. Mechanical repairs on these cars can be heart-stopping, so you'll be waaaaaaaay ahead of the game to find one preferably from a Ferrari dealer who has done a recent major timing belt service and is offering a warranty. I've had mine (a 2000 red/tan 550) for about 3 weeks and it is breathtaking in every regard. I sold my perfect 89 328 GTB to 'upgrade' to the 550, as frankly, the 328 had become dated for me in terms of performance, comfort, etc., and I've always loved the 550 styling. I can't afford to have a garage full of Ferraris, so the 550 delivers the whole package in my opinion - bringing brutal acceleration, superb seating, handling, climate control, a real trunk for the weekend concours trips my wife and I enjoy, and a radio you can hear until you want to 'wake up' the 12 cylinders. I've been fortunate to have had an array of wonderful cars in the past, but the 550 is in a class all its own. If you plan on driving the wheels off your 550, then buying a car with higher mileage is unimportant, otherwise, I'd concentrate on the best car, with the lowest miles. Remember, the best car now will be the least expensive car in the end.

 

everything he said......

james
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