Early California without warranty?

[thenobbler]

Hi all, long term GT car fan here with an urge towards California (currently in a Maser GT S Auto), but not wanting to spend the £115 - 20 to get into a nice post 2012 car which will be more likely to still be riding the Ferrari warranty train. I'm guessing that independents will all offer renewable warranties, of varying cost and trustworthiness, and my first choice would always be to have a warranty (having witnessed entertaining acts of mechanical suicide such as the three year old 2005 Boxster engine that grenaded two weeks after my (very sedate driver) wife had sold it, and cost a fortune for the dealer to replace under warranty. I just don't know whether such a guarantee would be worth the paper it was written on.

So, three questions if you'll indulge me please:

- What's the consensus of opinion as to going warranty free (gulp) and replacing/rebuilding major parts if they fail? I'm not so much interested in the cost - it'll be astronomic, I know that) as the likelihood of a failure to the engine, gearbox or other major wallet emptier.

- Does anyone offer an effective inspection service for Ferrari - I'm not sure that getting the AA to rock up and have a look would be the most effective way to check a car out.

- Can anyone point me at a reputable warranty company for this sort of moderately exotic beast? I guess Ferrari themselves would come to play for the engine (and gearbox?) only until ten years old?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Nobbler.

Oh (I nearly forgot), shouldn't the car be serviced annually? There's a nice vehicle on PH right now, right colour and interior etc but a 2009 car with only five stamps in the book (even if they are all at Graypaul) doesn't sound like a *full* Ferrari history. Your views on this also appreciated. Nobody wants to spend the neck end of 95k and end up with a difficult to move car when the inevitable urge to flip descends in its usual red mist.

[Camlet]

I don't have warranties on several long term cars. Some are pointless trying (F50 for example), others where extended warranty isn't worth having given limitations vs cost. If you can secure a soup to nuts warranty for reasonable cost, great. But if not just make sure the car in question has an impeccable service history with a reptuable service centre. It's no guarantee items will not fail - it's a machine - but from my experience major items are robust if properly looked after. An inspection is helpful but again can be cosmetic if you're not connected. I wouldn't touch a previously owned Ferrari without a very full and detailed history regardless of its headline value. Happy hunting.

[thenobbler]

I think you have the nub of it (thank you). Service history is paramount.

[johnnyreggae]

In the States they are seeing issues with rooves and transmissions on early cars - the latter is a very expensive issue as it seems to be replace not repair - most warranties are worthless - even early Californias are eligible for a Ferrari warranty which seems a far better deal even for the several grand cost

[MDL111]

I would get the car you want to buy checked out at a Ferrari dealer and make sure that it is eligible for the Ferrari warranty (full ferrari service history required as far as i know) then I would get that for at least a year to be on the save side. Broken gearbox, roof mechanism or engine (very unlikely I guess) would be just too big a number for me to risk it

I think I missed something though - why third party warranty?

[TISPKJ]

Hi, give Rodger a call at The Ferrair Center, he is the owner and is on at least his third California and I am sure will be happy to talk to you.
The used sales side of the business have a reasonable turnover of California's again speak then to Dave or Matt to see what they have in the pipeline and discuss the in house warranty they offer.
By all means mention I suggested you contact them.

[thenobbler]

Great stuff - thanks all. Yes, I'd be terrified of a roof mechanism, never mind a transmission. Yes, I fully agree that a Ferrari warranty is the way to go. And yes, I'll talk to the guys at the Ferrari Centre. Contact suggestion much appreciated.

[andy355]

Try HR OWEN London ask for Garry. They sometimes stock the older Cali's 09s, 59s, 10s and they give a 2 year warranty on their used cars including these I think. Also their stock is well priced, they need to move cars quickly as their showroom is relatively small

I bought and sold my Cali t through them recently