New guy from San Diego just saying hi

Hey guys, just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Raphael (obviously) & I signed up to the forum a couple months ago, but haden't posted yet. I've just been lurking around, reading, & learning about these beautiful machines. I am however quite active on 6SpeedOnline & Rennlist. I currently own a 996 C2 as my DD, but for my next birthday (January) I decided I'm buying myself an Italian gf for the weekends, lol. I'm still very indecise as to what I'll get. It's between a Gallardo or F360, but there's just so many options: E-Gear/F1 or manual, coupe or spider, & even the colors, lol. I already read the sticky titled "shopping for a used 360" which is quite helpful, but I know I'll still have many questions for all you guys in a couple months when I'm ready to buy...

On a side note, I took a visit to Ferrari & Maserati of La Jolla on Sunday & checked out this beautiful car: http://www.fmsandiego.com/details.html?VID=1-258l1241574484 Do you guys think $120,000 is a good price for that car considering it's from a Ferrari dealer? It has all books, tools, car cover, keys, etc. It's a 1 owner car, & has tasteful options such as the Daytona seats with contrasting black detail & piping, leather on the little rings behind the seats, rear challenge grill, SF shields, dealer installed Tubi exhaust, OZ wheels, plus it's had a clear bra it's entire life on the front bumper, headlights, hood, fenders, skirts, rear bumper, & even the humps that hide the soft top. Both the interior & exterior looked better than new, not to mention the perfect colors. You can tell it's been meticiulously cared for & it's received all routine service, recalls, & updates at FM of La Jolla. By the way, I'd just like to say that the salesman that attended me was a class act. As soon as he tried to help me I made it clear that I wasn't even going to purchase yet & that I was indecisive on the car I want, but he was very curteous & helped me out as if I was buying an Enzo cash, lol. After sitting in the beautiful spider with that rich Italian leather smell, hearing the symphonic F1 sound from the rear & feeling the quality & craftsmenship of the car, I'm leaning more & more towards the F-Car...

Anyway, so I have a question. I've recently noticed insane prices on 360s through AutoTrader & eBay, with coupes going as low as $60k, but it just seems too good to be true. Should I really be worried about those low priced cars? Is there something wrong with them, or are prices really that low? Is it worth it for me to just shell out more cash at the dealer to get a no stories, 1 owner, all records, books, keys, etc. perfect condition car? Not to mention I'd like to build a relationship with my local dealer for future purchases, invites, etc. Get on the "list," you know? Lol. Also, it seems like prices have hit rock bottom, should I buy now? Do you guys think by January prices will start to rise back again or will they keep tumbling, stay the same, etc? I just find it hard to believe that Ferraris can stay so depreciated. It actually saddens me. I have many more questions to come but don't want to smother you guys with so many all at once, lol.

Thanks in advance,
Raphael P.

 

Nice car, well very similiar to the one I saw. I'm not buying until a couple months from now, but actually I'm going to be looking for a car with MORE miles (& good service history of course). I don't want low miles since I plan on putting around 5,000 miles a year anyway.

Congratulations on your purchase. I'm glad to see you're REALLY driving it & still smiling... Did you get a chance to compare to Gallardos before buying? Also, did you get F1 or 6 Speed & what are your thoughts about whichever transmission style you got?? Whichever car I end up buying, I'm going the same route as you & getting something with "higher miles" like 15k or even 20k since I'm going to be driving it often anyway.

& $105k? Really? From the DEALER? Sounds good, lol.

Thanks for the tip, I've seen the place. Actually everytime I pass by there I notice even though their showroom is small, they always have quite a nice collection. I was going to give them a visit after leaving Symbolic but it looked like they were closed so I'll go another day. They had a beautiful yellow CS as I passed by. My question though is do you think it's worth it to buy directly from an F car dealer? To get the benefits, & on the "list," etc. for future purchases/service? ... By the way, you post over on 6Speed too, right? I recognize your avatar. Nice color on your 360.

As soon as I get a chance to drive both back to back, I'll post on here or send you a PM with my comparison. To be honest, I'm manual kind of guy. I like to shift & feel connected to my car. There's nothing like having 3 pedals. But I figure I'll give the F1 a try just for the benefit of the doubt. It does seem exciting to have Formula 1 style paddle shifters that shift quicker than I naturally ever could. I wanna see if I really feel like I'm racing in Monaco, lol... Plus I heard over 80% of 360s sold were F1, so they must've done SOMETHING right.

Thanks for the welcome. Ya, I think I'd rather wait until I can workout a good, fair deal at a trusted dealer instead of buying a super cheap car through auction or a shady unkown used car dealer that later turns out to be a nightmare. Do you recommend I get a PPI even if I'm buying directly at a Ferrari dealer?

... Lol, medication for my Porsche syndrome. That's one of the funniest comments I've heard in a while. Reminds me of a thread the other day on 6Speed where someone asked if a 3.6L 996 could run with an F355 & someone answered "355 will break down while running the 996... so yes." I love the car brand rivalrys. It's all in good fun, right?

 

Thanks for the welcome. I'm set on options & everything. If I get the F-Car instead of the Lambo, I want Rosso Corsa exterior with the tan interior, daytona seats with black or red contrasting detail &/or piping, stitching, etc. Challenge grill is a must, & fitted with a Tubi is preferred. Only thing I'm debating is wether to get F1 or Manual, but I have a feeling I'll end up choosing the 6speed... You're right about LA being worth the drive, I bought my 996 there actually. The thing is I kind of want to buy from a local dealer to have that relationship you know. For future service & purchases... By the way, kind of off topic, but clearly you're a Forex trader. How long have you been doing it? I opened up a mini account at FXCM with just $1,600 to test it out, was doing pretty good the first few days, then lost basically all of it, lol. I just put in another $900 to try it out again. Care to PM me some tips for success on Forex trading? It's something I'm serious about & would like to master. I make a decent living, but work about 365 days of the year & hardly have time for everything. Forex seems like a more flexible alternative. Not looking for anything easy, as nothing worth doing is ever easy, but something with more flexibility, no employees, etc. & Forex just seems like the way to go.

Actually I'm noticing on their site they have some pretty good deals. Well it looks like it'll be between F of La Jolla or Sports Car Co since I doubt I'll make my purchase at Symbolic, even if I do end up choosing to buy a Lambo. When I went in there it just seemed like you have to pull up in a chauffeur driven Maybach, wearing a Giorgio Armani suit & Rolex President, otherwise they won't give you the time of day. I'm not the kind to beg for service. But then again, it could just be my age, I got the same attitude at dealers when I was 15 looking for my first Mercedes & then when I was 17 looking at Porsches. I guess when the time comes, the sale will be made by whichever of the two has the car I want at the right price & can offer at least okay service.

Very, very good advice. Appreciate the write up. I'll keep everything you said in mind when buying. Higher miles will definetely be my route. I buy my cars to drive drive drive. As for the driving classes, I completely agree. Power is nothing without control. Signing up for a couple auto-x & driver's ed with my local PCA is something I've been meaning to do for the longest time but never get around to. Thanks for all the advice.

Ya, when I sat in the 360 spider I was shocked at how roomy & comfortable it felt. Plus all buttons, switches, etc. seem so conveniently places. Everything is right where you need it. I've heard that same complaint about the G being tight & uncomfortable by many people, I especially hear the footwell is very cramped. I'll have to try it out & see. The clear engine bonnet is also a must for me, in my opinion it truly adds to the nostalgia of italian exotics, & it is unfortunate that the G spyder doesn't have it, but it's because the top on the G stores above the engine unlike the 360 which folds up more conveniently. To tell the truth, I don't really like the look of the G spyder at all, it completely kills the Lambos agressive bull-like design. If I went the Lambo route it'd have to be a coupe... As for the horror stories, I understand, it happens with most high end car brands. Look on the Porsche forums & you'll hear all kinds of stuff about RMS & IMS failures, transmissions cracking, etc. That's the problem with the internet, when something bad happens people spread it all over the place. The people that are enjoying their cars are usually too busy having fun to post their positive experience. At first, I too was paranoid with the 996 though.

Sure will do. As I said previously in my first post, I won't be making a purchase until around January, so I don't want to waste your time yet. You'll definetely be getting a call or visit from me when I'm ready though, unless you don't mind a visit to get some of my questions answered as I'm still too unsure wether the 360 or G is the right one for me & I see you sell both... By the way, is the price on this car a typo?? http://www.sportscarcompany.com/detail-2005-ferrari-f430-spider-4063162.html ... Perfect color combo, daytona seats, ceramic brakes, 6speed, black stitching, & CF for that price?? That seems like a deal to me. Is there something wrong with the car or what?? If prices keep dropping the way they are, I might have to get a 430 instead, even though I actually like the way the 360 looks so much more.