RE: Ferrari Fever
Discussion
I've had similar experiences to all of the above.
Couple of years back when I was looking round for a car, went to a Lotus dealer near Derby .... arrogant sales person, and wouldn't take me on a test drive of an Elise for love nor money. So that put me off Lotus.
Then I went to the TVR dealer in Birmingham who are now bust ... got similar lousy sales person who couldn't be bothered, apathetic (went to look specifically at an early Cerbie that they were advertising, rang a few days earlier to say I would be calling, when I got there I was escorted to a shed right at the back of the substantial plot, where this car was - covered in dust and semi dismantled .... er, no thanks !) So that put me off TVR.
In the end I bought a Ferrari 308GTS, have spent less than 1k on it in 18 months (including servicing), have never looked back, and have a huge grin on my face to this day.
Agree about Greypaul ... they're top notch, and very friendly.
And 355's are notoriously expensive, worse than a lot of Ferrari's.
Couple of years back when I was looking round for a car, went to a Lotus dealer near Derby .... arrogant sales person, and wouldn't take me on a test drive of an Elise for love nor money. So that put me off Lotus.
Then I went to the TVR dealer in Birmingham who are now bust ... got similar lousy sales person who couldn't be bothered, apathetic (went to look specifically at an early Cerbie that they were advertising, rang a few days earlier to say I would be calling, when I got there I was escorted to a shed right at the back of the substantial plot, where this car was - covered in dust and semi dismantled .... er, no thanks !) So that put me off TVR.
In the end I bought a Ferrari 308GTS, have spent less than 1k on it in 18 months (including servicing), have never looked back, and have a huge grin on my face to this day.
Agree about Greypaul ... they're top notch, and very friendly.
And 355's are notoriously expensive, worse than a lot of Ferrari's.
Thought so - in general the Ferrari main dealers are a pretty good bunch (as are the Porsche dealers if I am honest). It seems that the TVR world get the shitty end of the stick though.....
Thought I would ask anyway. Having been without my TVR for 8 weeks now I am considering changing to something were you can get some service (not expecting the red carpet treatment - but something might help).
Cheers,
Paul
Thought I would ask anyway. Having been without my TVR for 8 weeks now I am considering changing to something were you can get some service (not expecting the red carpet treatment - but something might help).
Cheers,
Paul
In my opinion people who dirve TVR's should be the first to understand that when you want to have a real deep satisfaction in the way you enjoy a car that it shows a stunning similarity in having an affair with a gorgeous wife. You develop a love/hate relationship shifting from the one to the 180 degrees opposite side in nanoseconds. Other guys staring at them is part of the joy. Of cours running a thoroughbred in both situations costs a hell of a lot of money. (The reason why most poor people drive ugly cars and have similar wives? Try this at the next birthdayparty to have some fun)
If you buy a TVR, you do this because you love the sound, the looks and the go (in this order) and you hopefully only buy it when you can offord the running costs. Even with TVR's there are people who buy them when they actually can not afford them. It is obvious and understandable to me that to dealers this people are a pain in the ass.
The reason why I have been driving a TVR (Griffith 500) and a Donkervoort D8 (Dutch brand, see www.donkervoort.nl) to race her in the Donkervoort Cup is because I don't have the money yet to drive a 360 Spider F1 for the street and to race her Challenge sister. The point I am trying to make is: Of course we all want a Ferrari, but the matter is : Do we want it bad enough to spend the running and depreciation-costs on it and: CAN we spend this? If you can answer both questions with YES, contact your Ferrari dealer.
It is the same situation with the frustrated people who at birthday-parties keep saying that they don't give shit about cars and that they drive there Nissan because it makes sense. Do you think they will have that same lousy car in their garage after they won the jackpot in the lotteries?? OK, so please tell them next birthday.
Here in Holland the cars are much more expensive than in the UK, but the bonus you get is that it makes it extra pollitically incorrect.
A guy who drives an old 308 GTB, saving his last penny to be able to do this, once explained me: I don't understand me doing this either, she breaks down all the time, at high repair costs, the breaks are lousy and so is the gearshifting, you can not sit proper in it and he continued with the troubles for a while. But then he said; "Every time i have to grab some beers from the garage-fridge I am astonihed by her looks and proud to have her standing there, not to mention the sound of only starting her, not to speak of hearing her scream when you push her to her limits (remember the similarities with the other thoroughbreds)and the most beatyfull thing is whem you are standing at an ample, you look in your rearview mirror and trough the waving heat of the engine you can hardly recognize that silver jewelry-like badge stating what we all jerk off on: Ferrari.
So now please cut the crap.
If you buy a TVR, you do this because you love the sound, the looks and the go (in this order) and you hopefully only buy it when you can offord the running costs. Even with TVR's there are people who buy them when they actually can not afford them. It is obvious and understandable to me that to dealers this people are a pain in the ass.
The reason why I have been driving a TVR (Griffith 500) and a Donkervoort D8 (Dutch brand, see www.donkervoort.nl) to race her in the Donkervoort Cup is because I don't have the money yet to drive a 360 Spider F1 for the street and to race her Challenge sister. The point I am trying to make is: Of course we all want a Ferrari, but the matter is : Do we want it bad enough to spend the running and depreciation-costs on it and: CAN we spend this? If you can answer both questions with YES, contact your Ferrari dealer.
It is the same situation with the frustrated people who at birthday-parties keep saying that they don't give shit about cars and that they drive there Nissan because it makes sense. Do you think they will have that same lousy car in their garage after they won the jackpot in the lotteries?? OK, so please tell them next birthday.
Here in Holland the cars are much more expensive than in the UK, but the bonus you get is that it makes it extra pollitically incorrect.
A guy who drives an old 308 GTB, saving his last penny to be able to do this, once explained me: I don't understand me doing this either, she breaks down all the time, at high repair costs, the breaks are lousy and so is the gearshifting, you can not sit proper in it and he continued with the troubles for a while. But then he said; "Every time i have to grab some beers from the garage-fridge I am astonihed by her looks and proud to have her standing there, not to mention the sound of only starting her, not to speak of hearing her scream when you push her to her limits (remember the similarities with the other thoroughbreds)and the most beatyfull thing is whem you are standing at an ample, you look in your rearview mirror and trough the waving heat of the engine you can hardly recognize that silver jewelry-like badge stating what we all jerk off on: Ferrari.
So now please cut the crap.
Have to say, from experience, there's a lot of truth, both in infinity's post, and in the original thread starter. And if I'm honest, looks and the sound are the reasons I've spent a fortune on the buggers.
I bought my 456 in the 5 seconds that the dealer took to park it in my drive. I'd located the car on the internet, and Maranello's brought it around my house on a Saturday morning (this is a great tactic BTW). I heard it arrive and watched it being parked, the first time I had set eyes on this car. I just turned to my wife and said "you've got to save me". And she said "it is beautiful isn't it? I don't think I can". I did the test drive, and negotiated for a couple of days, but in reality I was going to buy that car come what may. I'd actually bought it the moment I laid eyes on it.
The 360 I 'bought' at the 2001 FOC ball near Silverstone last year. I already loved the looks of the car, and there were a couple at the ball. I was standing outside the hotel, looking at the cars going down the 5mph access road to the car park. One guy in a 360 Modena stopped in front of me and waited for the other cars to park up. Then he floored it; I was dreaming about that sound for days afterwards. Took me another 6 months to find my car, but I'd already bought it in my head.
Perhaps I should have started this post 'My name is Kevin and I'm an addict".
I'm out in the 456 today and it just does not get better than this.
I bought my 456 in the 5 seconds that the dealer took to park it in my drive. I'd located the car on the internet, and Maranello's brought it around my house on a Saturday morning (this is a great tactic BTW). I heard it arrive and watched it being parked, the first time I had set eyes on this car. I just turned to my wife and said "you've got to save me". And she said "it is beautiful isn't it? I don't think I can". I did the test drive, and negotiated for a couple of days, but in reality I was going to buy that car come what may. I'd actually bought it the moment I laid eyes on it.
The 360 I 'bought' at the 2001 FOC ball near Silverstone last year. I already loved the looks of the car, and there were a couple at the ball. I was standing outside the hotel, looking at the cars going down the 5mph access road to the car park. One guy in a 360 Modena stopped in front of me and waited for the other cars to park up. Then he floored it; I was dreaming about that sound for days afterwards. Took me another 6 months to find my car, but I'd already bought it in my head.
Perhaps I should have started this post 'My name is Kevin and I'm an addict".
I'm out in the 456 today and it just does not get better than this.
So true! I really and truly bought the car because of the sound. I am so addicted to that engine and exhaust note it is unreal. Its also why I got the Spider as you really don't get enough of it in the GTB. I'd have to get a mate to drive it so I could listen from the outside.
I actually wanted a yellow one as red was second choice, but the cream interior makes up for it and yes I do love the looks too (not as much as the sound though).
There must be a cure for this addiction, and it better be a pill or a patch as I can't rely on my self control!
Its seems bennno has caught the bug too, as I have read he's added a sports exhaust already!
The 355 is the only car I am going to use all today and the long weekend.
Bloody Ferraris!
I actually wanted a yellow one as red was second choice, but the cream interior makes up for it and yes I do love the looks too (not as much as the sound though).
There must be a cure for this addiction, and it better be a pill or a patch as I can't rely on my self control!
Its seems bennno has caught the bug too, as I have read he's added a sports exhaust already!
The 355 is the only car I am going to use all today and the long weekend.
Bloody Ferraris!
I've just read this thread from beginning to end - there are some fantastic posts, so cheers for entertaining me guys. Made a Friday afternoon more interesting, and some great points.
I've been lucky enough to drive a 355 F1 (courtesy of Maranello, so I third what has been said about their customer service - the salesguy did the testdrive as a favour, he knew I wasn't even in the market for one!) and the sound was amazing. Driving a 355 was a schoolboy dream, so please don't get blase about your cars. Some people will never even sit in one, let alone own one. Enjoy everyday they run right, and even some of the ones they don't ;-)
I also know about love/hate relationships with cars, after driving a charismatic, explosively quick, but ultimately unreliable Lotus Carlton for the last 2 years.
The reliability issue pointed me towards a Porsche, but I have gone for the most characterful one that I could find so as not to 'sell out' completely - the 964RS.
I've been lucky enough to drive a 355 F1 (courtesy of Maranello, so I third what has been said about their customer service - the salesguy did the testdrive as a favour, he knew I wasn't even in the market for one!) and the sound was amazing. Driving a 355 was a schoolboy dream, so please don't get blase about your cars. Some people will never even sit in one, let alone own one. Enjoy everyday they run right, and even some of the ones they don't ;-)
I also know about love/hate relationships with cars, after driving a charismatic, explosively quick, but ultimately unreliable Lotus Carlton for the last 2 years.
The reliability issue pointed me towards a Porsche, but I have gone for the most characterful one that I could find so as not to 'sell out' completely - the 964RS.
Its a shame that Mr. Farage had such a bad experience with his dealer/car. I own a 1995 355 Berlinetta, and my only gripe is the closest dealership is 2 hours away. My neighbor deals with Ferrari and Lamborghini, so most of the small stuff he takes care of for a reasonable price. I have had no major problems, and have racked up a decent amount of miles on the car. Its a joy to drive, turns heads everywhere and is one of the best purchases I've ever made.
David D.
David D.
If you think about it, the other Ferrari thread "I think I'm ready..." www.pistonheads.net/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=63&t=10569 illustrates the general point perfectly.
Look, I have to admit I know f
all about owning or driving a Ferrari. I did have the opportunity to ride in one back in high school, and have wanted one ever since. Someday...
I have finally obtained my other dream car, an Esprit. I bought it from another individual, so didn't have to experience any negativity at the dealership.
Would I be ped off if I got the cold shoulder from a dealer because I'm young and don't fling cash around like tissue paper? Sure I would. I do however, understand to an extent their reasonings.
If they do it just because they are popmous asses, then screw em. But I can see one very tangible reason to size up a buyer and be wary to sell. Bad owners and owners who can't afford running costs harm the marquee. My mechanic relayed the story of a fellow who bought a 308, and drove it an hour to get it serviced right away. This numbskull drove it hard right out of the shute, and never glanced at the gauges. Once the lights came on, he figured he was on the way to the mechanic so he just kept right on going. That is, until the engine seized up. He spent more on the repairs than he did on the car's purchase. To this day, he badmouths Ferraris whenever he can.
He's not an anomoly. Too often rubes with tons of cash, or dreamers with just enough to buy, waltz into showrooms and drive these exotics off the lot. If they can't afford the running costs and repairs, or have the jack but don't know squat about cars and were buying a toy, they almost all become naysayers down the road. I have to think the salesmen know this, and would rather sell to someone who will be a loyal customer and will praise the marquee.
That's just my two cents.
>> Edited by madmike on Tuesday 4th June 12:20
all about owning or driving a Ferrari. I did have the opportunity to ride in one back in high school, and have wanted one ever since. Someday... I have finally obtained my other dream car, an Esprit. I bought it from another individual, so didn't have to experience any negativity at the dealership.
Would I be p
ed off if I got the cold shoulder from a dealer because I'm young and don't fling cash around like tissue paper? Sure I would. I do however, understand to an extent their reasonings. If they do it just because they are popmous asses, then screw em. But I can see one very tangible reason to size up a buyer and be wary to sell. Bad owners and owners who can't afford running costs harm the marquee. My mechanic relayed the story of a fellow who bought a 308, and drove it an hour to get it serviced right away. This numbskull drove it hard right out of the shute, and never glanced at the gauges. Once the lights came on, he figured he was on the way to the mechanic so he just kept right on going. That is, until the engine seized up. He spent more on the repairs than he did on the car's purchase. To this day, he badmouths Ferraris whenever he can.
He's not an anomoly. Too often rubes with tons of cash, or dreamers with just enough to buy, waltz into showrooms and drive these exotics off the lot. If they can't afford the running costs and repairs, or have the jack but don't know squat about cars and were buying a toy, they almost all become naysayers down the road. I have to think the salesmen know this, and would rather sell to someone who will be a loyal customer and will praise the marquee.
That's just my two cents.
>> Edited by madmike on Tuesday 4th June 12:20
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff