Cautious first time buyer questions
Discussion
Hey folks
I am looking at buying my first Ferrari at the moment and I’m looking at a few F430’s, the cars I like are all being sold by specialist sports car companies in England as I want some sort of warranty. There are two dealers that have cars I’d seriously consider buying but these dealers seem to have some bad press historically. So I’m thinking about getting an inspection done on the cars before viewing them. I have two questions…
- should I even consider these companies? I obviously don’t want to name names but if anyone knows of any garages selling Ferraris that I should steer away from I’d appreciate a heads up. I guess PM rather than in public would be best.
- can any one recommend some sort of Ferrari specialist who could inspect a couple cars in the south of England for me before I make a trip down from Scotland that would also be appreciated.
Thanks
I am looking at buying my first Ferrari at the moment and I’m looking at a few F430’s, the cars I like are all being sold by specialist sports car companies in England as I want some sort of warranty. There are two dealers that have cars I’d seriously consider buying but these dealers seem to have some bad press historically. So I’m thinking about getting an inspection done on the cars before viewing them. I have two questions…
- should I even consider these companies? I obviously don’t want to name names but if anyone knows of any garages selling Ferraris that I should steer away from I’d appreciate a heads up. I guess PM rather than in public would be best.
- can any one recommend some sort of Ferrari specialist who could inspect a couple cars in the south of England for me before I make a trip down from Scotland that would also be appreciated.
Thanks
johnnyreggae said:
To me it sounds like you are using inspection slightly differently to common use - generally PPI is done once the car is selected and involves a thorough mechanical check - your use is closer to a buying agent which is unusual - nonetheless a chat with someone like Tim at Walkersport or Mark at Morethanpolish (if either are still inspecting) might help - you could also talk to Aldous at AVEngineering who might know of a customer car
Thanks, yes being up in Aberdeen I don’t want to be spending a few days testing different cars, I hoped I could weed out any dodgy dealers here and use a specialist to pick the best car but maybe I’m over thinking it….Spleen said:
For what's it worth I bought my F430 privately and without an inspection but did a lot of reading prior as well as asking a main dealer about the car who serviced it regularly. It's true to say that people will have peace of mind buying from a dealer (I know this as I was selling mine earlier this year and a few conversations I had with dealers all said much the same thing) but don't discount buying privately as any warranty that you might hope to get probably won't be what you would want it to be. Mine did need some work but nothing out of the ordinary - balljoints and exhaust bracket/tips.
I would argue the world of buying quality 360s/F430s is relatively small, those that are truly cared for by their owners are likely to have them serviced or maintained by reputable indies such as AV, GTO, DK Engineering, etc. Might be worth asking those guys first if they know of a car for sale that they could recommend, you've nothing to lose. Likewise if you've found a car privately, ask one if them if they would be happy to do an inspection and also if the owner is happy to have it inspected. The response to the latter will probably tell you everything you need to know.
Yes I guess you are right, HPI check and asking some keys questions is probably all I’d really need but after being semi serious about buying a Ferrari a few times over the past 20 years now is the time it will happen so I probably am being over cautious. I appreciate the suggestions.I would argue the world of buying quality 360s/F430s is relatively small, those that are truly cared for by their owners are likely to have them serviced or maintained by reputable indies such as AV, GTO, DK Engineering, etc. Might be worth asking those guys first if they know of a car for sale that they could recommend, you've nothing to lose. Likewise if you've found a car privately, ask one if them if they would be happy to do an inspection and also if the owner is happy to have it inspected. The response to the latter will probably tell you everything you need to know.
corinthian said:
It’s worth a call to Stewart Roden in Edinburgh, I’ve used him to service my 430 for the past 12 years, what he doesn’t know about 430s isn’t worth knowing, (he used to race them). He’ll do a pre-purchase inspection if you want and will know of any Ferrari in the area which might come up for sale.
Thanks I will take a look…sardis said:
Another great resource is Jonathan Tremlett who keeps a really detailed database on Ferraris and was most helpful when I was looking for a 430 a while ago. Worth contacting him if you have narrowed it down to a specific car.
Good luck in your search, it is part of the pleasure, it took me a year to find my last car but was worth the wait.
Thanks for the info..Good luck in your search, it is part of the pleasure, it took me a year to find my last car but was worth the wait.
Rari said:
What’s your ideal spec/budget Bax?
Hello, budget depends n the car really, I have no set figure in mind although I told my wife it would be in the 70’s but you know how that goes 
As for spec, it’s open, Grigio Silverstone or Black car, Carbon bits, Nero Interior, preferably Daytona seats, parking sensors and iPhone connection. Would like a nice exhaust and quite like the Scuderia wheels but these could be added later. The newer the car the better but not fussed if it’s an early car that’s had the bugs irons out. . Although again it’s all open, it’s my first Ferrari so open minded really and willing to pay accordingly.
I forgot to come back and give you all an update, I spoke to Aldous from AV Engineering who put me in touch with Harvey Neale who used to work with him, Harvey helped me weed out some cars and left me with 3 to look at. My wife and I had a weekend down south and ended up buying a car from Richard Grace cars outside Liverpool, Richard had helped a friend buy the car then sold it on his behalf then took it back a couple years later. Got in in October and stuck it in the garage, took it for a service and MOT at Graypaul in Edinburgh couple weeks ago and I’m now looking forward to taking it out and playing with it. Thanks for the advice! 
Edited by Bax__ on Saturday 20th April 11:42
[quote]Looks lovely and in time for the better weather.
Would black be your favourite colour?
[/quote]
Possibly… my uncle had a Black 308GTB when I was a kid and I fell in love with Ferrari and black is by far the most common car colour I have owned. Probably 25 out of approximately 30 cars I’ve owned have been black.
Would black be your favourite colour?
[/quote]
Possibly… my uncle had a Black 308GTB when I was a kid and I fell in love with Ferrari and black is by far the most common car colour I have owned. Probably 25 out of approximately 30 cars I’ve owned have been black.
Edited by Bax__ on Saturday 20th April 11:33
cgt2 said:
I've always had a simple rule. If a car has been well maintained it should see a workshop once a year. Whether specialist or main dealer that's the sign of a fastidious owner. I haven't really bought any duds over three decades by sticking to this rule.
The problem is that probably 80% of people buy supercars then don't service them properly. I simply don't understand this. Supercars need more maintenance than regular motors not less. One service every three years is just a sign of an owner pinching pennies.
Just saw a 550 which belonged to a friend go through auction. Driven it many many times over the years and was a gorgeous car. Sold for a vastly inflated price in 2015 then appears to have never been serviced since. So is worth a huge chunk (£50k-ish) less in 2024 and is a car I wouldn't touch anyway on the basis of it having sat for so long as the vast cost of bringing it back up to standard isn't justified now by the reduced value when there are better examples out there.
Yeh this one has had a service every year at main dealers or reputable independents which was one of the main things I was looking for. I agree a car should be serviced properly every year as a minimum. Although I guess if you don’t plan selling a car then I guess it’s up to the owner how often you do it and take the risk of something going wrong. I suppose some people want the ownership experience but life maybe gets in the way and servicing becomes a lower priority.The problem is that probably 80% of people buy supercars then don't service them properly. I simply don't understand this. Supercars need more maintenance than regular motors not less. One service every three years is just a sign of an owner pinching pennies.
Just saw a 550 which belonged to a friend go through auction. Driven it many many times over the years and was a gorgeous car. Sold for a vastly inflated price in 2015 then appears to have never been serviced since. So is worth a huge chunk (£50k-ish) less in 2024 and is a car I wouldn't touch anyway on the basis of it having sat for so long as the vast cost of bringing it back up to standard isn't justified now by the reduced value when there are better examples out there.
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