Which Ferrari??

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Discussion

mdrc

Original Poster:

446 posts

272 months

Sunday 16th June 2002
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I'm currently a vary satisfied Tuscan owner looking at my next purchase and giving serious consideration to a Ferrari in the £50-70k range. Can anybody point me to an idiots guide to model,transmission, body style choice etc??

sb930turbo

3,315 posts

262 months

Monday 17th June 2002
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I would go for a 355B,manual in red/crema.

mafrost

9 posts

262 months

Monday 17th June 2002
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355 - body style up to you

Red/Nero interior - I think the black looks less dirty with age.

Gearbox is the big debate - most motoring journalists and dealers for that matter say manual is better unless you intend a lot of track use. I have a manual but don't think there is any difference from reliability perspective.

Make sure it does not have Michelin Tyres. The factory fitted various makes and unfortunately Michelin no longer make the tyre so a change means all four ! I just got caught by this one as the orginal owner just took what was supplied rather than specifying. Get one with P Zero's if you can.

Also make sure you check for paint bubbling where the roof meets rear wings. This happens on all 355's but if you get one without or insist its done on purchase it will save you a few pennies in future. Also if you can, get the Cam-Belts done as part of the deal.

Mark

>> Edited by mafrost on Monday 17th June 18:14

>> Edited by mafrost on Monday 17th June 18:15

456mgt

2,504 posts

265 months

Monday 17th June 2002
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Maranello Sales in Egham publish an A4 booklet (it costs about a fiver) that lists details of all the models, production volumes, year of introduction etc. This is a good 'rough guide'. They produce a free shortened version of it too. Both have a lurid yellow cover.

There is quite a lot of choice in your price range. As Steve already pointed out, if you are prepared to spend up to your limit you are into 355 territory as well as 456 GT. Ninja can give you the inside track on a 355, Bennno on the 456. You could also run to a restored 246 Dino. If you don't want to move from the lower limit, then a 328 seems to be a popular choice. Don't believe all that you read about 348s either; most of it is bollox.

Key questions are 2 or 4 seats, V8 or V12; classic or modern; how much hassle you will put up with (I'm not going to make any TVR cracks).

A poorly exploited resource is the service desk of major dealers. When I was doing my own research, I learnt more about Ferrari ownership here than anywhere else. Ring more than one to cross check. The authorised dealers are best for modern Ferrari, specialised independents for the older models. More insight can be gained from this American site, if you get past the Ferrari tatoos thread www.ferrarichat.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi

Have fun choosing, take your time and try to buy one in winter.

Cheers

Kevin

mdrc

Original Poster:

446 posts

272 months

Monday 17th June 2002
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Thanks guys - very helpful....obviously a private sale is cheapest and presumably with FFSH, recent service and maybe an expert inspection, makes it reasonably safe; Ferrari 'specialists' next cheapest and main dealers very much more expensive but probably safest of the lot. Is this the general rule, or do some dealers (specialist or main) stand out as being shining examples of good advice, value and reliability...or is this just too much to ask??

ninja_eli

1,525 posts

266 months

Monday 17th June 2002
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As the others have said and just to add that at your maximum budget you can even get a LHD 360 Modena!

However, IMO LHD is something that needs a lot of care and caution. The 360 and the 355 are very low, wide cars and driving on the left of the car is not always going to be easy. History is difficult to trace and the cars are often higher mileage. You can get the international Formula warranty if you buy from ANY official dealer, I was looking at German dealers so I have some web addresses if you want to have a look. Decided against it due to the LHD but if that doesnt bother you it may be worth a look.

I bought my 355 from an official dealer simply because you get the Formula warranty, and peace of mind. This was very important to me as I checked out private ads and the difference between a 70 odd grand car was something like 5 or 6 grand, and some of the private sellers seemed to be a bit over enthusiastic about how much their cars are worth. Unsurprisingly there aren't that many (private) around for sale. Buying RHD, esp from an official dealer, means that you can give them your car to sell, which should take the hassle out of it and as you achieve a better price, the cost of doing this pays for itself.(Costs approx £5,000)

Be VERY careful with some of the specialist dealers warranties as they can sometimes only offer upto £2,000 scope, which is jack shit for a Ferrari needing repairs. Take your time to decide on exactly what car you like, and see as many as you can to see which you'll fall in love with.

Maranello Sales are brilliant dealership, ditto Graypaul in Loughboro. I have heard good things about Foskers and Talacrest.

Regarding the gearbox, the F1 can go wrong, but more importantly it is supposed to eat clutches.


Got to go now as my girlfriend is starting to complain.

PS. How are you doing Kevin? How are your cars? Lovely weather today, and I had to drop off my car to Maranellos, I couldn't look as we drove off!! If only it was raining, that would have eased the pain.

>> Edited by ninja_eli on Tuesday 18th June 00:04

456mgt

2,504 posts

265 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
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Can't add much more to Ninja's post, other than to second his experience with Maranello Sales. Bought both my cars from them and they've looked after me since. To my mind, their prices are consistently a little higher than Graypaul or Evans Halshaw, but I like the people there, and rate them highly. In fact, as I have been typing this, Brian Kimber from their service department called me to give me a progress report on the 360, which is in for a major service. He was telling me no major problems but the tyres need replacing soon ie. putting my mind at rest about the mechanical stuff.

ps Ninja- Hi! The 360 went in yesterday too- if you went there after 11.30am you might have seen it. Going to call Manu this afternoon to check progress.

Kevin

ninja_eli

1,525 posts

266 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
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I took mine in at around 11 am but I didnt see your 360. I did see a 360 Spider there though, which I am sure was also in for some work.

Maranellos just called me about the wing mirror and seals. The mirror will cost well over £1,000 and the seals are not covered by the warranty. I think that the "Goodwill Charter" states that they should rectify that kind of problem, but Maranellos says the dealer might not agree to the cost (£528.00).

Although Maranello are most expensive than the rest, they are worth it IMO as you get a better standard from them. The cars are brought up to new condition.

PS when valeting your car they will repair where possible stonechips etc for nothing!

Give them a call and a visit, they are not pushy and will let you roam around at your own leisure. Very helpful and knowledgeable guys.

nevpugh308

4,398 posts

268 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
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I've had good dealings with Greypaul in Loughborough too.

mdrc

Original Poster:

446 posts

272 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
How about a dealer a bit further North? Although I spend much of my week in the South East I live in the M62 corridor area!

mattjbatch

1,502 posts

270 months

Wednesday 19th June 2002
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Try Stratstone in Wilmslow. A friend of mine has had a 456 and a 550 from them. He had a lot of problems with the 456 but he was impressed with the effort they made to sort them out.

manu

768 posts

262 months

Wednesday 19th June 2002
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You know that for 50K-70K you could pick up a 512TR from an authorised dealer with warranty.
Its a VERY serious car and I personally think it looks amazing - fast as F***, still a rare sight on British roads and makes all the right noises - actually reasonably comfortable too.

manu

768 posts

262 months

Wednesday 19th June 2002
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Oh - about Maranellos - They ARE (in my opinion) perhaps a little too expensive.
Some of the service bills stories you guys are telling me about coming out of there make me feel sick.

I've always loved the 512BBs but here's why I could never ewven dream about one- A regular service is an engine-out job. Apparently this can take 16 hours - so before any work starts (and any parts are found faulty and expensively replaced), you have to pay a 16 hour labour charge - BEFORE THE WORK STARTS!!!!!

BTW Ninja - £1000 for a wing mirror...... typical, expected and frankly devastating. I KNOW what you're going through mate - and I feel for you.

Roadrunner

2,690 posts

266 months

Wednesday 19th June 2002
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As a bystander I'm not too sure about the 512. It seems a little too 80's miami viceTestarossa for me. On the other hand, the 456 for the same money is understated, contempory class. But for sheer sex on wheels the 355 is the ultimate Ferrari IMO: so beautiful and still understated.

bennno

11,502 posts

268 months

Wednesday 19th June 2002
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eli, i thought you bullet holed your mirror with a stone, if so how can you claim on the warranty?

re car choice at 50-70k its up to you, its either a little red, sexy number (355), sophisticated GT (456) or perhaps a 512TR or a classic Daytona.

I would advise its best to stick with RHD (LHD cars are more plantiful and therefore prices are less stable). Always buy on condition, mileage, service history and colour combination.

When you look around you will realise that there are loads of 355's for sale. But given the used prices are all getting closer together be very careful about compromising on any of the above or you may have problems selling (particularly if mileage is above 30k)

For the 55k i spent i was able to buy a couple of fairly ropey 355's or a mint 456 with very low mileage. The 4 seats suited me as did the fact that it is less obvious than some other Ferraris - that said I would love a 355 spider and a 360 coupe to accompany it.

Bennno

ninja_eli

1,525 posts

266 months

Thursday 20th June 2002
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Hi Bennno,

The hole was done by a lump of wood. My luck eh?

The wing mirror is not being repaired under the warranty, only the seals are (under the Goodwill Charter to be precise). They want £609+£200+£200 PLUS VAT to repair the mirror!!

And I still haven't got it back! I am beginning to serious miss it now, especially as the weather has been good! Will probably rain the day I get it back.

BTW hows the 456? I have such a sincere respect for that car, which IMO can only be attained once one has seen it in the flesh. I love the sound it makes when you open the bonnet!

Have fun!

Regards