Would you buy a wrecked Ferrari?

-shrug-

My only question would be are you planning on keeping it for a while (long while) or selling it in a relatively short period of time.

If you're keeping it, as long as the PPI checks out, should be good-to-go. If you plan on selling it, you're going to have to explain the discrepancy to any potential buyers, that may be a problem for buyers (i.e. you may have to drop your price, unless, of course, you're getting it at a good price).

James in Denver

 

I would say that if it's a nice car and everything checks out and you feel you are making a fair deal, get comfortable with it.

If you later sell it and have a good experience with it, disclose the prior stated damage to the prospective buyer and tell him of your success with the car.

If the damage is hard to find, I would not worry about it.

 

I would buy it if it was hit lightly in the front. I wouldn't buy anything with rear end damage for odvious reasons.

Like tey said, if you plan to keep it for a while then enjoy it. Sell it to a young Jr. stock broker when your done for a good price and call it a day.


Ron

 

Schizophrenic response...

355s aren't rare, unless this one is a hard to find color combination/body style/gearbox configuration. I'd wait for the next one, if you can. For semi-modern cars like this, I think I would have stricter standards than if I were looking at something classic where the history isn't as knowable.

But:

I've seen a lot of 'accident-free', clean carfax Ferraris that have had panels repainted. If an expert can't tell - as in a Ferrari restorer/appraiser/bodyman - then the other post'ers have a point. Ferraris get hit and fixed more than people think, and if they're repaired properly it's not an issue in terms of looks, safety or performance.

If it was my wallet, I'd shop a bit more. But I wouldn't call you an idiot for going with this one if you're confident in the PPI guy and pay a price that reflects the blemish on the carfax (which will be there when you sell).

 

How many of the original Tessa Rossas and GTOs had crash damage and know one seems to be concerned, its considered patena. If its done correctly why should a make a difference. Regards, Vern

 

Agree, but:

(1) How many of those are bought on the basis of a carfax?
(2) How many choices do you have when buying an original GTO or Testa Rossa? Not as many as with 355s.

I see your point, just would back away if it was my checkbook on the table.

 

A wrecked car does not mean a totalled car. Sure, the older cars were wrecked and repaired. But in this modern era of DMV computers and documentation, any car that is a total loss will probably eventually have a title that is branded total loss or collision damage, etc. Unless the title is laundered somehow, somewhere, it will remain with the car's history like the asterix above Roger Maris's season home run total.

 

Condition, condition, condition. I have seen enough and learned enough to finally begin to know when to know I dont know something. Because we are human, we make mistakes. When we look at something like a Ferrari, our darn heart blinds us from its sins. Take the time to have someone who knows these cars give it a reall good look over. Specifically look for repaired frame damage, old body work, or anything misaligned. Only someone really familiar is going to know where to look. Whereas you could overlook something and make a $10K or more mistake.

While I would normally agree that all cars should get a fair shake, as was pointed out above these are by no means rare cars, but they are exceedingly expensive to repair. You are taking on enough risk just attempting to own a 355. Dont make it worse by buying one at top dollar with questionable history. If the car checks out fully, and no trouble can be found, I would still think $5-10K off its full price for reported damage. It wouldnt be listed on car fax unless it was a major hit I wouldnt think. Just so you know, this is exactly how everyone here or elsewhere will treat you when you go to sell it. And you can be darn sure your insurance company will see that report.

Which begs the question. If Carfax shows something like that, can they be forced to divulge the source? Can it be removed if they cant provide the source?

 

This is a key point. I assume you've already paid for a PPI but there are a lot of 355 to choose from. Why pick this one?

-F

 

I'd guess the seller knows about the carfax issue and the price is already discounted, right? If this is true it could work out for you if you're looking to buy and hold and enjoy. If you want a 'collectible' garage queen you should pass...

 

I walked from a 512tr that had about 11,000 in repair. That was practically nothing in terms of damage. I just didn't want to have to deal with it later and there are more cars to look at. The price was market so it was no steal but it was a very nice car.

 

There's body damage, and then there's frame damage. I bought a body-damaged 328 once, but had an intact frame. Once the bodywork was corrected, the car drove straight and true with no issues, rattles, or problems.

 

Price...

That's the deal. If it's priced at retail, or close to it anyway, the car isn't going anywhere soon because there are so many of these cars to choose from without damage history. so you still have time to look. 2 cars side by side, same price, one with carfax issues, one without, everyone will choose the one without.

To me, anyway, it all comes down to price. I would want something for the ""problem" with that car. Many guys don't want to have to accept that they're car isn't worth less if fixed right. (It may not be, but it cuts the mkt down).

Damage history, of it's own sake, no problem with me, generally speaking, if fixed right. But, again, you're on track with thinking price...that's a different issue.n just me.

 

355 is unit-body. 328 and earlier Ferrari are tubular frame design.

 

Interesting point. I knew that the 308/328 series are tubular frame. Are ALL of the post 328 Ferraris UNIbody design? If so, I doubt that I would ever buy one even if I could afford it. A car without a frame is like a house without a foundation. Repairing a damaged UNIbodied car is like trying to repair a crumpled tin can. You can't peel back the damaged parts until you reach the UNdamaged area. It's ALL damaged!!!