Ferrari F430 F1 Spider....finally about to take the plunge..
Discussion
OK,
So this Saturday is d-day (or should that be f-day) and I'm (almost certainly) going to finally take the plunge into Ferrari ownership for the first time....
After far too much research, reading threads, scaring myself thinking about clutches, manifolds and engine failures, I'm about to buy privately, an F430 F1 spider, from a friend of a friend....
He has reported the car has been jumping into neutral when 'slowing down' and I'm going to assume its due a clutch... Car is a 2005 (55) with 18,500 miles. Last clutch change was in December 2009 at 10k miles so I'm guessing its about due. Also had a major service last year, MOT due August so I guess nothing to do (other than clutch) until August 2014.
Car was retailed by Autoficcinia about 2 years ago, and I've been speaking to them. I'm not intending to pay retail price, so factoring in a clutch I should be OK....
Anything I need to know guys, before I finally stop thinking and actually buy the thing...!!!
Thanks
David
Edited by DavidCBevan on Tuesday 2nd July 14:12
Great car and well worth the effort to buy. The car does sound like it needs a new clutch, however, very very rarely there can be other reasons why the car jumps out of gear, mostly to do with the transmission which is not much fun (ie read expensive).
Usually everyone recommends a PPI but I have bought four without doing that. I probably would have saved myself a few quid in negotiations but on the other hand I bought from reputable dealers.
Might be worth thinking about unless he is a very good friend of a very good friend...
Usually everyone recommends a PPI but I have bought four without doing that. I probably would have saved myself a few quid in negotiations but on the other hand I bought from reputable dealers.
Might be worth thinking about unless he is a very good friend of a very good friend...
On second thoughts, I would insist that your nearest Ferrari dealer inspects it before purchase. There will no doubt be work to do, such as clutch and possibly suspension arms etc. At least that way you know the score, and those sort of things you might reasonably expect since they are effectively maintenance items. Whether you use that to get a lower price or not is up to you.
If something more serious is discovered you'll be glad you did it though, because then a more difficult discussion on price is required (you can get a £10k+ bill quite easily if serious work is required - even though that is rare).
If something more serious is discovered you'll be glad you did it though, because then a more difficult discussion on price is required (you can get a £10k+ bill quite easily if serious work is required - even though that is rare).
Get it checked, numerous things could cause it to jump out of gear, clutch yes but 2 clutches by 18500 doesnt sound right to me, i'm at 30000 miles on my 430 on original clutch at just over 50% worn but i don't do a lot of stop/start driving which can eat them, It could be air in the F1 system, might simply require a bleed or could be an actuator issue which is a £5K part. You said you did a lot of research, don't stop now 
John.
John.
DavidCBevan said:
Thanks guys, good advice. I'll sleep on it.
I am aiming to pay significantly below retail, like more than £10k under retail, but a plug-in is probably a good idea....
Don't forget that the dealer would put a warranty on the car and prep it which should mean no major outlay in the short term.I am aiming to pay significantly below retail, like more than £10k under retail, but a plug-in is probably a good idea....
I would definitely get a PPI. It could be the best £250 you will spend. Where abouts are you so we can recommend a specialist?
I bought an F430 F1 Spider privately in February. The PPI is absolutely vital and showed up a fair number of issues that needed to be put right. I ended up spending about £1500-2000 to put these things right - the seller wouldnt reduce the price, but I was ok with that as the car was underpriced to begin with.
Good luck, I love my car - hope you end up satisfied too.
Good luck, I love my car - hope you end up satisfied too.
Without meaning to sound harsh, you would be foolish to buy a car with a known issue and not have it checked out. Get it into a specialist to look over and have the piece of mind (unless you are mechanically capable, have a good understanding of Ferrari's and have the SD2/SD3 diagnostics of course).
Buying a car with a known issue is questionable anyway, let alone on something like a Ferrari where the issue doesn't 100% point to one exact thing and could potentially end up costing a lot of cash.
Regardless of the seller's intentions towards the price, it is better you know from day 1 what the situation is and then you can either budget the repairs, negotiate it with the seller or walk away.
I appreciate you are paying under retail value, but if it's got £10k's worth of problems, you're then paying retail price but no prep work or warranty.
Buying a car with a known issue is questionable anyway, let alone on something like a Ferrari where the issue doesn't 100% point to one exact thing and could potentially end up costing a lot of cash.
Regardless of the seller's intentions towards the price, it is better you know from day 1 what the situation is and then you can either budget the repairs, negotiate it with the seller or walk away.
I appreciate you are paying under retail value, but if it's got £10k's worth of problems, you're then paying retail price but no prep work or warranty.
OP...... don't understand your logic......
you've done loads of reading and scared yourself s
tless, but you are comfortable to assume it's a clutch problem....... even if it is way cheaper than a retail car, a PPI can only make sense, in that it will at best confirm your assumption, at worse make you decide to walk away.
maybe its just me but finances permitting i'd rather spend the extra money and get the best car than save a few quid initially and pay for it later....
you've done loads of reading and scared yourself s
tless, but you are comfortable to assume it's a clutch problem....... even if it is way cheaper than a retail car, a PPI can only make sense, in that it will at best confirm your assumption, at worse make you decide to walk away.maybe its just me but finances permitting i'd rather spend the extra money and get the best car than save a few quid initially and pay for it later....
Edited by 70proof on Thursday 27th June 16:48
70proof said:
OP...... don't understand your logic......
you've done loads of reading and scared yourself stless, but you are comfortable to assume it's a clutch problem....... even if it is way cheaper than a retail car, a PPI can only make sense, in that it will at best confirm your assumption, at worse make you decide to walk away.
maybe its just me but finances permitting i'd rather spend the extra money and get the best car than save a few quid initially and pay for it later....
no, three !you've done loads of reading and scared yourself s
tless, but you are comfortable to assume it's a clutch problem....... even if it is way cheaper than a retail car, a PPI can only make sense, in that it will at best confirm your assumption, at worse make you decide to walk away.maybe its just me but finances permitting i'd rather spend the extra money and get the best car than save a few quid initially and pay for it later....
Edited by 70proof on Thursday 27th June 16:48
, this is serious mouse exercise...DavidCBevan said:
Thanks MarlonM. Out of interest what had to be put right, for £2-3k.
Don't think my seller is interested in going any lower either, he's dropped £20k in 2 years ownership...
20K in 2 years - so what? Don't think my seller is interested in going any lower either, he's dropped £20k in 2 years ownership...
It costs very little time and money to check the clutch at a dealer or better still get him to fix it (whatever it is) as a condition of sale before you hand over the cash.
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