Pre purchase advice for 599 please

[msdes123]

Will hopefully be soon pulling trigger on first Ferrari purchase, have approx 50K deposit and hoping to stretch to a 599 around 80-100K mark with finance.

I've had BMW M5's as my daily drives up until now and will be keeping current F10 model for my daily drive/family so this is really a summer weekend purchase for my middle aged vanity. I've only ever bought new cars from franchised BMW dealers before and with main dealer finance if needed so would appreciate some advice, did look back on previous threads so sorry if this has come up before but didn't see anything.

(1) Would you generally recommend me making first purchase along the lines outlined above from main dealer stock even if price is at a premium compared to third party dealer?
(2) Am I likely to get better deal by waiting to purchase over winter months and any general advice on Ferrari dealer finance vs third party such as oracle. Am I in better position going into dealers with finance to cover total purchase price already basically tied up in principle or letting them know I will need to see if they can do me a finance deal to meet full purchase price.
(3) Any particular options list items you consider essential for a 2006-7 599 above and beyond usual mileage and service history points etc..
(4) I managed to get over 10K off my last M5 purchase, I know brand/car exclusivity is different but there do seem to be a fair few 599s around in my price range at the moment, am I likely to get any movement on advertised price because of this?

Thanks for anyone who can give some advice or experience on any of these points, much appreciated.

[TISPKJ]

Can't help on the finance stuff sorry, but you should not discount the independent dealers like Simon furlonger, the Ferrari Center, Rardley, etc etc for a 599 you maybe limited a little to the likes of furlonger and DK engineering.
Out of interest as its just a toy why the choice of 599 ? Would a 430 spider virtually paid for not be a better option ?

[lambo_xx]

msdes123 said:

Will hopefully be soon pulling trigger on first Ferrari purchase, have approx 50K deposit and hoping to stretch to a 599 around 80-100K mark with finance.

I've had BMW M5's as my daily drives up until now and will be keeping current F10 model for my daily drive/family so this is really a summer weekend purchase for my middle aged vanity. I've only ever bought new cars from franchised BMW dealers before and with main dealer finance if needed so would appreciate some advice, did look back on previous threads so sorry if this has come up before but didn't see anything.

(1) Would you generally recommend me making first purchase along the lines outlined above from main dealer stock even if price is at a premium compared to third party dealer?
(2) Am I likely to get better deal by waiting to purchase over winter months and any general advice on Ferrari dealer finance vs third party such as oracle. Am I in better position going into dealers with finance to cover total purchase price already basically tied up in principle or letting them know I will need to see if they can do me a finance deal to meet full purchase price.
(3) Any particular options list items you consider essential for a 2006-7 599 above and beyond usual mileage and service history points etc..
(4) I managed to get over 10K off my last M5 purchase, I know brand/car exclusivity is different but there do seem to be a fair few 599s around in my price range at the moment, am I likely to get any movement on advertised price because of this?

Thanks for anyone who can give some advice or experience on any of these points, much appreciated.

Great choice, the 599s are brilliant!

In answer to your questions

An inspection is always a good idea. Some people swear by them and others never bother with them. I've done both.

Buying main dealer vs specialist vs private is always an interested one. Again for me I've bought lots of cars over the years, from every type of dealer and some privately. The simple fact to try and remember is that a dealer is there to make money. Hence why for the most part their cars are much more expensive. What's the benefit of buying from them? Well there is a case of a perceived safety net in that if anything "terrible" happens you can go back to them which is true. Other than that you've also got the point where they will give you a very nice coffee from their expensive machine and let you walk across their exquisitely tiled floor. After this you will sign all the documents with a parker pen (ok that’s me going over the top but you hopefully get my drift...) & then you will then drive away with your new car.

Main dealers are, more often than not, more expensive than other dealers and to be honest the only real benefit is that you get a Ferrari warranty with the car. I certainly wouldn’t say that they only ever stock good cars because I’m afraid to say that’s not necessarily the case. Remember they buy their cars from exactly the same places other dealers buy them. Back to your original point is it worth it, well that’s a decision you have to weigh up in your own head. I would say a warranty is a must, not because 599s are unreliable (mine has been perfect since I bought it!) but more for peace of mind. I think considering it’s your first purchase you’ll enjoy it more if you know you’re covered should anything major go wrong.

I’m afraid now to confuse matters you can also buy add the (exact same) warranty on to any car. There are exceptions but in a nutshell as long as the car has a full main dealer history and has an inspection first the warranty can be added on for about £2K.

I also wouldn’t rule out buying a car privately, just get it inspected and if everything runs smoothly then you’re fine. I sold my 430 spider privately last year and it ended up being bought by a Ferrari dealer down south. He paid me what I wanted for it and then sold it on at a higher price. Thing is whoever bought that car from him could have saved themselves quite a bit of money by buying directly from me but as I said earlier I can understand for some people the perceived risk is too high.

I can’t help you concerning finance as I’ve never done it before. In regards to options, I would say there isn’t real any must haves. All the cars appear to be quite well spec’d. The HGTE pack which was offered later may potentially be of interest (although some argue it makes the care less comfortable). The only thing I really would recommend is Bluetooth & heated seats. I don’t think they’re must haves just two features I use on my 599 all the time. Scuderia shields are also pretty nice.

Best of luck with your search and let us know how you get on!

[London John]

You won't like me, but my advice is not to buy one. The chassis has real difficulty handling the power. You'll get no warning when it's about to go arse-out. Very much a handfull to progress quickly on anything other than a dry track.

[willy wombat]

Have to disagree with London John (assuming you don't switch the aids off). Keep it in "sport" or "wet" if its wet and you'll be just fine. You must have the carbon driving zone which gives you the lights on the steering wheel etc and also 20" alloys are a must.

[lambo_xx]

London John said:

You won't like me, but my advice is not to buy one. The chassis has real difficulty handling the power. You'll get no warning when it's about to go arse-out. Very much a handfull to progress quickly on anything other than a dry track.

Likewise I'm afraid I've got to disagree. I've never found it particularly twitchy especially given how much power the thing has. As long as you're sensible and make sure it's in "normal" or "sport" mode (I tend to just leave mine in normal) it's absolutely fine. I would even say I find it less twitchy than my old 430!

[fitzmoresco]

i bought mine from independent supercar dealer which knew little about the 599 other than how to price and sell it. It came with an RAC waranty which i claimed under for a trivial problem but it fixed by Roger and team at the Ferrari Centre. TFC also offered to do a pre-inspection for a nominal sum but being lazy and tight i decided not to do.

I probably paid £6-10k less than main dealer for a minter.

black with black. yellow stitiching and calipers, carbon finish and the sport pack so steering wheel lights up like a christmas tree at same time as wife next to me screams for me to slow down.

ive had 456s and traded 612 in to get 599. off the chart good

good luck

[rfoster]

Very happy to give you competitive finance figures for comparison if this is of interest - I do a lot of Ferrari and Aston Martin business - feel free to pm me and I'll respond with a variety of quotations.
Cheers, Richard.

[supercampeao]

TISPKJ said:

Can't help on the finance stuff sorry, but you should not discount the independent dealers like Simon furlonger, the Ferrari Center, Rardley, etc etc for a 599 you maybe limited a little to the likes of furlonger and DK engineering.
Out of interest as its just a toy why the choice of 599 ? Would a 430 spider virtually paid for not be a better option ?

I would doubt that he could buy a decent 430 spider for 50k on the open market

[Camlet]

London John said:

You won't like me, but my advice is not to buy one. The chassis has real difficulty handling the power. You'll get no warning when it's about to go arse-out. Very much a handfull to progress quickly on anything other than a dry track.

About the 599 GTB, Richard Meaden, EVO "Spirito di Enzo"".............

" On a challenging, twisty road it's an absolute riot, the car tiptoes through quick direction changes".

" Driven as fast as you dare, it devours the road and corrupts your soul".

" It is quite simply the most enthralling, concentrated, mind-altering supercar I've ever driven".

Granted, Richard wrote this a couple of years ago, but I'd go with Mr Meadon's assessment of the 599 GTB's dynamic capability.

[London John]

Fair one, we can't all agree.

I've had the last three V12's and the 599 is by far the worst handling of them all. Experiences may vary, but make sure you get a good test drive opportunity before you buy.

Best of luck with it.

[TISPKJ]

supercampeao said:

TISPKJ said:

Can't help on the finance stuff sorry, but you should not discount the independent dealers like Simon furlonger, the Ferrari Center, Rardley, etc etc for a 599 you maybe limited a little to the likes of furlonger and DK engineering.
Out of interest as its just a toy why the choice of 599 ? Would a 430 spider virtually paid for not be a better option ?

I would doubt that he could buy a decent 430 spider for 50k on the open market

Hence the word Virtually ...

[carpov]

Plus he did say 80-100k with finance.