PPI - Whats the best way?

Frankly, you pay for your pleasure. Get a good PPI, even if it is three hours away. Be prepared to walk away. Rejecting a bad car is one heck of a lot better and cheaper than owning one. I learned this when I owned boats. Surveys are not as expensive as repairs.

 

...and yet there have been a few posts where buyers paid for a PPI, only to get stuck with repairing items missed by the PPI (at dealers nonetheless) one day after delivery.

So what good are they (PPI) if big issues can be missed? Perhaps if you have no idea what to look for, then it's better than a shot in the dark... but not a 100% guarantee.

 

The local dealer here won't do a PPI. Find a good independent and take it there. Where do you need the PPI? I'm sure if people knew the location they'd chime in with a great source.

 

Unless you are willing to write off the purchase price as one of those unfortunate mistakes, I would strongly suggest you get a PPI, even if it means flying in a specialist to do the inspection. With a valid PPI, you know what you are getting into, and if the inspection reveals something that needs attention, you are in a strong position to negotiate with the seller. Then again, some people like to roll the dice...

 

I charge for PPI plus any travel expense. It is difficult to do as thorough a job away from my own shop/equipment in my experience HTH

Brian

 

A PPI remains the smallest expenditure on any Ferrari.

 

I understand this dilemma. I probably should have bought within a market where a ppi was readily available but I did not.

The high dollar choice is fly in your "ferrari whisperer".

The alternative is... you. Unless you have stars in your eyes or really know nothing about cars, I think it is safe to trust your own judgment.

There are check lists. You can drive the car. What records come with the car?

After you look at it and drive it you probably know the right thing to do. If it runs reasonably well today chances are it won't explode tomorrow.

Seamus

 

First off, these guys are all pretty honest, no one would swoop in on the car on you as long as your interested in it. If you show us this car, there is even an outside chance someone knows its history. This is one of the greatest benifits of a site like this. A lot can be uncovered just looking at pictures and discussing the car before you ever start getting excited about it. I really think this is the first step.

As far as a PPI, there is a short list of things that need looking at, and once you know what they are, anybody with a set of tools should be able to make the inspections. In any given area there is almost always someone who is known to be a good mechanic. There may even be someone on this forum nearby you who would come with you to look at the car. The more eyeballs the better. Also helps you negotiate the price some if you drive up in a Ferrari with someone that knows the cars. I think someone else on here just did that for someone?

 

Recommend you send a PM to Mike Charness (Mike C on FChat) I think he's in that area and can recommend somebody local to do the PPI. Contacting the nearest dealer (FOA?) and arranging a PPI should be no problem, you'll be out the $300-500 for the PPI plus a flatbed to the dealership.

Again, beware because I know not all dealers will perform a PPI.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

Nice car. Looks like it has the CF package and Modular wheels. How about the stitched rear shelf? It looks a lot like Grigio Alloy, but a little greyer. Not a bad color at all. Never heard of one that doesn't have the paint code sticker. The feedback from the original dealer seems good. Did they perform all of the warranty updates? Early 550's, IIRC, had a few things that needed addressed. Does it have a Tubi? Stock exhausts on 550's make them sound pretty tame, but with an aftermarket they really roar.

$100-105K seems like a fair price. Any higher and you're looking at a newer model year, for sure.

 

If it's a well sorted car then that's a reasonable price- particularly if all of the records are actually available. You might find one a bit cheaper but probably not from a reputable dealer. That being said, even though it sounds as if it will be a major hassle, I'd still take the trouble to get a PPI if the dealer is willing. This would entail hiring an enclosed transport (I can't imagine a dealer is going to be willing to subject the car to potential road debris from a simple flatbad), making sure that all insurance is in order for REPLACEMENT, not book cost as the dealer will come after you for full retail if something happens, and finding someone who's experienced in these cars who can do the PPI.

I expect you might be out a couple of thousand after all this is said and done, but I still think it's worth the price and effort if the dealer in Alabama is willing to let you do this. If not, despite the fact that car looks very, very good, I'd still hesitate.

Of course, the wonderful thing about advice is that you can ignore it!

 

I am under the impression that Ferrari of Atlants no longer will do PPI's. You may want to make sure well before trying to ship it there.