CAT D would you ?

[alpina]

I am currently looking at a very nice 1996 F355 spider, 18,000miles.
the only trouble is, when it was 6 months old it had light frontal damage.
repaired by Maranello, but is a CAT D car. it has also had 8 owners.
what do you guys think? how much should this affect the value etc...
I Would very much like your opinions.

[therossatron]

Are there pictures of the damage or are you taking someones word for it? when it was 6 months old it would have been worth a lot more than it is now and would take a lot for it to be written off by an insurance company.

In saying that, take each car for what they are, does it drive straight? Can you see any signs of the previous damage?

Could be a bargain, could be a banger. Just be careful.

[ade355]

I wouldnt worry to much about the number of owners, as long as plenty of cash has been spent on it by the last couple of owners and its had a recent engine out service.

However DO worry if it had 2 or 3 recent short term owners that have not spent a penny. Thats a big indicator that its got problems in the pipeline and people are finding problems, dumping the car quickly and running away.

[ade355]

If that car was NOT Cat D, it would be up for sale around 50K.

Value-wise, considering Cat D, hummmmm, tough one. With a recent service and plenty of cash spent on the car recently, I would pay 35Kish.

If the car has had no money spent on it in the last 2 years and it hasnt had an engine out within that time, I would say less than 30K just to be on safe side.

If it was wildly off that, I would walk away.

[pdavison]

I enquired about his car because it looked like a great price but as soon as I found it was damaged and recorded I walked away. That is not to say it's not a good car because I didn't even go so far as looking at it.

My concern is that the market for Ferrari's is relatively small and people spend a long time looking for the right one. Any blemish the cars history will further reduce the market the car will appeal to.

However, if the reduced cost means you end up driving something you otherwise wouldn't then it could be a good choice for you.

[gt2man-2]

If you don't plan on selling it, certainly consider it.. but be prepared to practically give it away otherwise.

[AlastairM]

This car was advetised on autotrader privatly before xmas for around 34k. i then spotted it at a dealer on autotrader who had it up for 42/43k!! I guess he bought it thinking he'd make a quick buck-must have one hell of a margin in it as i'd imagine he negotiated a bit off the original asking price!

[Jonny5]

In general (according to a friend in the trade) Cat-C&D cars should be valued at 25% less than standard car retail

If the figure add up and it's been a pro repair job - why not.

[alpina]

Thanks for all your thoughts. I went to look at the car this afternoon,
and on reflection I will continue to wait for the right car.
8 pervious owners, and not having had a service since 11,000 miles. you
would need to budget for a major service & Belt change.
and at £39,995 may be a bargain for someone, but not for me. The CAT D thing is
Always going to be there, and will just add another obstacle when coming to sell.

[Jonny5]

I guess you're talking about the car at Sovereign cars ....

How about the blue spider currently on ebay being sold by Alan Powley

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ferrari-355-Spider-1996-P-Blue

[tony h]

alpina said:

Thanks for all your thoughts. I went to look at the car this afternoon, and on reflection I will continue to wait for the right car. 8 pervious owners, and not having had a service since 11,000 miles. you would need to budget for a major service & Belt change. and at £39,995 may be a bargain for someone, but not for me. The CAT D thing is Always going to be there, and will just add another obstacle when coming to sell.

I agree. It's not resale red and allowing for Jon's 25% Cat D and major service due , this car is not cheap.