Ferrari Center.
Discussion
Hi ,Just wondered if any body out there had dealt with th Ferrari Center in Kent.Just arranged to go over and have a look at a couple of cars,but was suprised they don't allow test drives.Something which I found a littel off putting as I've driven and owned several Ferrari's and Maseratri's all of which I've test driven before handing over any CASH.
I can understand that they don't want any body just turning up for a joy ride but must adnit I've never had this at any dealer in the past.
What are the company like to deal with ?
I can understand that they don't want any body just turning up for a joy ride but must adnit I've never had this at any dealer in the past.
What are the company like to deal with ?
Hi Mate, I used them for servicing my 355 and now 360, I doubht you will find many negative comments on them, I am a big fan and have got to know them over the years.
I can only assume they want to vet you first as I am sure you will appreciate if word was out to go test drive a ferrari the whole world would turn up.
Some of the cars are on SOR so again unless I knew you were serious you wouldnt be blasting my car up an down the road, no offence meant.
Speak to Dave in sales and tell him we spoke on the forum.
What are you looking at as being a bit sad I know most of the cars in there :-)
either way I can pretty much promise you your journey wont be wasted from the cars I have seen (obviously never checked the paperwork)
Paul
I can only assume they want to vet you first as I am sure you will appreciate if word was out to go test drive a ferrari the whole world would turn up.
Some of the cars are on SOR so again unless I knew you were serious you wouldnt be blasting my car up an down the road, no offence meant.
Speak to Dave in sales and tell him we spoke on the forum.
What are you looking at as being a bit sad I know most of the cars in there :-)
either way I can pretty much promise you your journey wont be wasted from the cars I have seen (obviously never checked the paperwork)
Paul
Picking my first Ferrari up in the morning from TFC. I dealt with Dave primarily but also so spoke to Matt several times during the sale. Both guys were a pleasure to deal with and a test drive was offered to me with no problems although I had travelled from Nottingham with a pre arranged appointment. Cars In the showroom are prepped to a high standard and I really couldn't recommend them enough.
450chim said:
Hi ,Just wondered if any body out there had dealt with th Ferrari Center in Kent.Just arranged to go over and have a look at a couple of cars,but was suprised they don't allow test drives.Something which I found a littel off putting as I've driven and owned several Ferrari's and Maseratri's all of which I've test driven before handing over any CASH.
I can understand that they don't want any body just turning up for a joy ride but must adnit I've never had this at any dealer in the past.
What are the company like to deal with ?
Great bunch. I bought a 328 from them 'sight unseen' recently. Crazy maybe, but I trusted the description they gave me based on all the dealings I have had with them over the last few years.I can understand that they don't want any body just turning up for a joy ride but must adnit I've never had this at any dealer in the past.
What are the company like to deal with ?
I must admit to having the same first impression regarding test drives, but once they talk to you face to face, you will find the test drive is 100% available prior to purchase.
I've just recently bought My first Ferrari from them (a 348 TS), and found them to be very good to deal with.
Communication wise you're better off ringing them than relying on emails (they do reply to emails but it can take a couple of days. The phone on the other hand is dealt with either immediately or if they're busy, they phone you back pretty quickly).
Dave at TFC is very good to deal with, when I inquired about the service history of the car I was buying he took the time to go through the entire (big) folder of information for Me over the phone.
As for Rodger, having spoken to him on a couple of occasions I straight away found out that he's a really down to Earth guy who enjoys discussing all of the technical/mechanical aspects concerning Ferrari's and has a real passion for them.
I had some concerns about the 348's single cambelt and had a chat with Rodger at TFC who put My mind at rest with his experience of servicing them (basically he pointed out that the 348's mechanically set cambelt tension is actually much more reliable than the 355's hydraulically set tension and that the 348's engine is pretty much bomb proof).
I was informed that they were replacing the cambelt prior to sale as a matter of course, and having committed to buying the car, was told that whilst the engine was out they'd check the condition of the water pump and cambelt tensioners (both weak points on the 348), and that if they needed replacing, would do them for the cost of the parts only as the engine was already out. Rodger himself checked out the parts and said he was more than happy to leave them until the next belt change but I had them done anyway - just for My own peace of mind (I had the upgraded Hill Engineering tensioners fitted for more added peace of mind).
Having bought the 348 from them, I had a follow up email a week later from Dave to find out how My journey home went and to ensure I was happy with the car.
By then I had found that a couple of jobs that had been agreed to be done as part of the sale conditions had not been carried out and so informed him about it in an email (to be fair, they were minor things that I can easily sort out Myself but it did niggle Me a bit). I didn't really expect to hear any more about it but Dave phoned Me up concerned that the work hadn't been carried out despite being on the job card. He said if I wanted to bring the car back they'd sort out the issues but TBH, it's a long way to go to sort out minor issues.
Overall though, My experience with TFC is very positive.
Be aware that at the moment they are incredibly busy and so it might take a bit longer for them to respond to communications but they will reply.
Also, take their word for it when they say not to trust Sat-Nav to find them! - It will try to take you down some ridiculously narrow C-roads (they're far too narrow to be classified as B-roads!).
Communication wise you're better off ringing them than relying on emails (they do reply to emails but it can take a couple of days. The phone on the other hand is dealt with either immediately or if they're busy, they phone you back pretty quickly).
Dave at TFC is very good to deal with, when I inquired about the service history of the car I was buying he took the time to go through the entire (big) folder of information for Me over the phone.
As for Rodger, having spoken to him on a couple of occasions I straight away found out that he's a really down to Earth guy who enjoys discussing all of the technical/mechanical aspects concerning Ferrari's and has a real passion for them.
I had some concerns about the 348's single cambelt and had a chat with Rodger at TFC who put My mind at rest with his experience of servicing them (basically he pointed out that the 348's mechanically set cambelt tension is actually much more reliable than the 355's hydraulically set tension and that the 348's engine is pretty much bomb proof).
I was informed that they were replacing the cambelt prior to sale as a matter of course, and having committed to buying the car, was told that whilst the engine was out they'd check the condition of the water pump and cambelt tensioners (both weak points on the 348), and that if they needed replacing, would do them for the cost of the parts only as the engine was already out. Rodger himself checked out the parts and said he was more than happy to leave them until the next belt change but I had them done anyway - just for My own peace of mind (I had the upgraded Hill Engineering tensioners fitted for more added peace of mind).
Having bought the 348 from them, I had a follow up email a week later from Dave to find out how My journey home went and to ensure I was happy with the car.
By then I had found that a couple of jobs that had been agreed to be done as part of the sale conditions had not been carried out and so informed him about it in an email (to be fair, they were minor things that I can easily sort out Myself but it did niggle Me a bit). I didn't really expect to hear any more about it but Dave phoned Me up concerned that the work hadn't been carried out despite being on the job card. He said if I wanted to bring the car back they'd sort out the issues but TBH, it's a long way to go to sort out minor issues.
Overall though, My experience with TFC is very positive.
Be aware that at the moment they are incredibly busy and so it might take a bit longer for them to respond to communications but they will reply.
Also, take their word for it when they say not to trust Sat-Nav to find them! - It will try to take you down some ridiculously narrow C-roads (they're far too narrow to be classified as B-roads!).
Bought my first Ferrari from them 15 years ago, a carb 308GTS. Roger listened to what I was looking for, then recommended a car that wasn't even for sale at the time, then he supplied, stored and serviced the car that was brilliant for me. Roger particularly really knows the cars inside out, and they are a fabulous set up.
for The Ferrari Centre.fitzmoresco said:
From the M20 coming out of London Ignore satnav taking you past the Marriott hotel. Instead go via Leeds Castle and avoid the C-Roads. I found this out the hard way!
It's not just Me then! 
To be totally honest, Dave at TFC did warn Me not to trust Sat-Nav directions but when I went to see My 348 the first time there were so many local diversions in place that I took the risk on Sat-Nav thinking: "How bad could it be?".
Wow they have some narrow roads round there!
Gassing Station | Ferrari V8 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff