how do you buy a second hand ferrari
Discussion
I'm pondering buying a second hand 430 spyder to treat myself on a significant birthday. Now I'm not a mechanical numptie - I've stripped and re-built cars and bikes in the past. But not such expensive ones so whilst I am perfectly happy to go and buy a 20k car at auction, I'm not happy to do the same with an 80k or so Ferrari
I guess it will have to be some sort of trusty specialist dealer. Are there such people? What should I look out for?
I guess it will have to be some sort of trusty specialist dealer. Are there such people? What should I look out for?
Hi Bordseye,
Firstly good luck with your search, exciting times ahead.
Depending on the area you are looking there will almost certainly be specialists in the area who can carry out a comprehensive inspection and condition report.
Any seller whether private or trade should be open and willing to have an inspection carried out.
Things to look for with a 430 are the manifolds which are prone to cracking (due to being made from old toilet rolls wrapped in tin foil) and may need replacement or rework if not already done.
The clutch wear is also a factor and a specialist or dealer can plug into the diagnostics to give an accurate % age of wear.
The ball joints and suspension arms seem to be a common problem and a popular and sucessful upgrade is to replace with Hills Engineering components.
The service history should be pretty comprehensive as for any Ferrari and supported with Main Dealer or reputable specialists stamps in the service book and supporting invoices to detail the work carried out.
Past MOT certs go a way to support the mileage shown on service stamps and all together build up a picture of whether the car your viewing is genuine or sets alarm bells ringing.
I have just gone through the above process and having a specialist, in my case PK Supercars close to Edinburgh check the car over has proved invaluable, highlighting clutch at 70% wear, cracked manifolds and some other minor faults which I used to negotiate the price accordingly from the seller. I am sure the clutch would have been fine for a further year or more but took the opportunity to have it changed prior to taking delivery, which I hope will be in the coming week.
Good luck in your search and I am sure lots more advise will be along soon.
Regards
Charlie
Firstly good luck with your search, exciting times ahead.
Depending on the area you are looking there will almost certainly be specialists in the area who can carry out a comprehensive inspection and condition report.
Any seller whether private or trade should be open and willing to have an inspection carried out.
Things to look for with a 430 are the manifolds which are prone to cracking (due to being made from old toilet rolls wrapped in tin foil) and may need replacement or rework if not already done.
The clutch wear is also a factor and a specialist or dealer can plug into the diagnostics to give an accurate % age of wear.
The ball joints and suspension arms seem to be a common problem and a popular and sucessful upgrade is to replace with Hills Engineering components.
The service history should be pretty comprehensive as for any Ferrari and supported with Main Dealer or reputable specialists stamps in the service book and supporting invoices to detail the work carried out.
Past MOT certs go a way to support the mileage shown on service stamps and all together build up a picture of whether the car your viewing is genuine or sets alarm bells ringing.
I have just gone through the above process and having a specialist, in my case PK Supercars close to Edinburgh check the car over has proved invaluable, highlighting clutch at 70% wear, cracked manifolds and some other minor faults which I used to negotiate the price accordingly from the seller. I am sure the clutch would have been fine for a further year or more but took the opportunity to have it changed prior to taking delivery, which I hope will be in the coming week.
Good luck in your search and I am sure lots more advise will be along soon.
Regards
Charlie
mwstewart said:
Why not work on it? They are a piece of cake to service and not particularly complicated either.
Wow, then who needs trained technicians? A fluid change is one thing, but you'll also need a Ferrari diagnostic computer and the training to use it.....Regarding the original question; give Tim Walker (Walkersport) a call.
ThreesixtyM said:
Wow, then who needs trained technicians? A fluid change is one thing, but you'll also need a Ferrari diagnostic computer and the training to use it.....
Only for electronic issues and only when autodata or similar can't read a proprietry code - the rest is nothing out of the ordinary in terms of complexity. 'Trained' technicians don't know anything that can't be figured out by a reasonably intelligent person with practical ability; my F430 has full Ferrari history and the quality of work perfomed could nearly be described as below par. Well below my standards anyway.
If you read around you'll learn this is par for the course.
mwstewart said:
Only for electronic issues and only when autodata or similar can't read a proprietry code - the rest is nothing out of the ordinary in terms of complexity.
'Trained' technicians don't know anything that can't be figured out by a reasonably intelligent person with practical ability; my F430 has full Ferrari history and the quality of work perfomed could nearly be described as below par. Well below my standards anyway.
If you read around you'll learn this is par for the course.
There are many excellent independent Ferrari technicians out there. I've no complaints about my Stradale servicing. Perhaps a move away from the dealership is called for? You're obviously highly competent but self servicing will cause a significant problem come resale. But it's your car, do what you want. 'Trained' technicians don't know anything that can't be figured out by a reasonably intelligent person with practical ability; my F430 has full Ferrari history and the quality of work perfomed could nearly be described as below par. Well below my standards anyway.
If you read around you'll learn this is par for the course.
ThreesixtyM said:
There are many excellent independent Ferrari technicians out there. I've no complaints about my Stradale servicing. Perhaps a move away from the dealership is called for? You're obviously highly competent but self servicing will cause a significant problem come resale. But it's your car, do what you want.
I think perhaps it is. I have the car servied at a dealer but I do everything else myself. I shall give Ferrari another opprtunity - I hear good things about Meridian Moderna - but if they continue to overlook things I will use an independant. I'm not overly concerend about how my DIY may affect resale. Totally agree that 430 and 360 are not difficult to work, I have done suspension, fluids etc, main dealer has serviced it this year to keep my service records up to date ,
I do not think main dealers are perhaps as good as a known trusted indie, I think the younger technicians. Are just that , technicians, I might be old fashioned but I do prefer a good old old fashioned motor engineer , Mike
I do not think main dealers are perhaps as good as a known trusted indie, I think the younger technicians. Are just that , technicians, I might be old fashioned but I do prefer a good old old fashioned motor engineer , Mike
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