Hello Everyone, I am considering buying my first Ferrari and I have some questions that I know this forum can help answer? I have been reading some of the posts here doing research for my potential purchase and am a little confused. First let me say that when and if I buy a classic Ferrari, I will keep it forever as part of a collection. That being said, I will drive it very infrequently (once a month) and I am not so interested in resale. My question is, if I am not interested in resale and I don't intend to drive it much, how often will I need to bring the car in for "preventive" service. I am concerned about this b/c I live in an area where I'd bet there has never been and will never be an authorized Ferrari technician. So, if this vehicle will need frequent service whether I drive it or not then perhaps a Ferrari should not be part of my collection. I sincerely hope this is not the case b/c I would love to own a vintage Ferrari. Any advice or input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Well, perhaps you can tell us what Ferrari you would consider, and where you live. You might be surprised at where Ferrari technicians live...but without some basic information, it's hard to offer you advice.
You would be surprised what the dealers will do to get your $$. Lake Forest Sports Cars and Continental Autosports (both authorized and in Chicago) will come and get your car in very nice trailers and do it for very little $$. Its a nice service for sure and makes life easy for those who are several hours away. There are no authorized dealers in Indianapolis, however there are several great Ferrari techs in the general area. Just a couple data points... JIM
You may want to post in the Louisiana section too, to ask for who can service Ferraris in your area: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18
I give the same advise to people who can't decide if they want to get married. Don't do it! If you have to ask is not for you. However, If you drive it once a month (really drive it for at least an hour) you should be fine after you sort the initial problems that always crop up with a new used car. If you just take it around the block you will have problems. Every two years you change fluids like any other car and every 3/5 years you change the timing belts like no other car. Get one, you'll love it dave
Unfortunately, not driving a Ferrari V8 doesn't reduce the maintenance all that much. You'll still need to do a timing belt service every 3-5 years (opinions vary; Ferrari says 3 years), and a fluid service annually. These cars have rubber timing belts and interference engines: if the belt or anything along the belt path fails, you could be looking at a five-figure bill. They can also develop leaks, and hydraulic issues, from sitting around. I also recently looked at a very low mileage 308 (14K miles) that had a stuck valve from being essentially a piece of garage furniture. Nice car, but the owners really didn't do it any favors. When people ask, I tell them my 328 is a high maintenance, highly dependable car. As David suggests, just starting it up once a month isn't enough. You'll want to drive it to operating temperature (oil and coolant temp gauges in the normal zone). As far as where you live, there are some top Ferrari techs in Dallas, but you'd have to transport the car. As others have suggested, post in the Louisiana section - there might be a great independent tech closer.
Good advise, the Mondial V8 is pretty robust and heaps of cars do little millage and get along just fine with regular basic servicing and the Cam Belt/Tensioner change every 3 to 5 years. Had my Mondi 9 years and just about to do third belt change, if you are reasonably competent with the spanner do it yourself, there are lots of helpful hints on here, thats how I found out. Buy, enjoy and never look back!
Jim Lindsey In New Orleans is a great Ferrari mechanic. He services both my 328 and 360. I'm in Hammond/Ponchatoula.
