Buying from a decent specialist

[W12GT]

I’m seeking a little advice. Currently battling the black dog and feel I need a bit of a lift.

So I’m thinking of getting another Ferrari, not sure on what I’m after and it will probably be an impulsive buy, possibly of 599 / 430 vintage, although I also like the look of California 30 or Cali ‘T’. Going main dealer on this age significantly limits choice. I haven t had one for along time so I m a little in the dark with which Ferrari specialists are decent and well regarded, any recommendations for reputable dealers these days?

[TrevorHill]

The best advice that I can give you is to deal with the black dog before buying anything. Trust me I’ve been there. At best it’s a short term fix to a long term problem. Every noise, creak and warning light will raise your anxiety levels.
Driving was my drug of choice, the adrenaline rush from a proper drive is unequaled in my experience, but I was literally on the edge.

Maybe set yourself a target of being free from the black dog for x amount of time, but trust me a new car is only going to give you a short term fix.

[davek_964]

I had no idea what 'battling the black dog' meant until I googled it.
But anyway, Walkersport are superb for the older Ferrari's assuming they're still around

[supersport]

Never heard that phrase before either.

I would be amazed if that was a solution.

There’s not a lot around at the moment, so make list of cars and ask around, google the dealers.

[vaud]

supersport said:

Never heard that phrase before either.

"Winston Churchill famously used the term "Black Dog" as a metaphor to describe his recurring bouts of severe depression. He used the phrase to personify the dark moods, despondency, and periods of lethargy that would follow him throughout his life and career" - he didnt invent it but he arguably brought it to the mainstream.

OP - PM me if you wish. Been there, got the scars, always open to a chat by email or other.

Some of my story:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ex-devonpaul]

TrevorHill said:

The best advice that I can give you is to deal with the black dog before buying anything.
[..]
Maybe set yourself a target of being free from the black dog for x amount of time, but trust me a new car is only going to give you a short term fix.

If you really are suffering, then this is excellent advice.

My ability to cope with stress has got worse in the last few years. A month or 2 ago we were about to get a McLaren GT and my wife said "I don't want you to get a supercar. You'd spend all the time worrying about it".

In the past the worry would have been the cost, but that is certainly not the case these days, so I tried to convince her that it would "just be a car", that we could go to the shops in it and use it as much as possible. But rather annoyingly I've realised she is right.

[W12GT]

Thanks folks. Unfortunately he’s been following me around for about 13 years. He comes and goes but never strays far. It’s an odd thing because before my initial episode I was of the mindset of ‘just pull yourself together’ (my dad suffered from it and my sister still does).

What I have realised is that before I experienced it I felt untouchable, literally like all the good luck in the world was on my side, I felt invincible. But then after becoming rather broken by a situation that occurred, then recovering, only to experience it again with an unknown trigger (which is recurring) then I’ve realised that I now feel like a totally different person, one who isn’t as robust as I used to be, I genuinely miss the old me but know that he has now gone.

Anyway this was supposed to cheer me up!

[rix]

W12GT said:

Anyway this was supposed to cheer me up!

It's warming to see the support on here. Old money PH at its best.

Call it a distraction, whatever, but if you can afford it and there is no scope for adding to any anxieties etc, I can certainly see the attraction to going car hunting, even though the thrill of the hunt is possibly better than the conclusion!

Maybe at least you could spend a bit of time doing some man procrastination on obsessive levels of research (if that does it for you) and making the whole experience of car buying a bit of a project. Might well break the cycle for a bit and in the process you might decide there's something else out there that's even worthier of your obsession for a bit!

[TrevorHill]

W12GT said:

Thanks folks. Unfortunately he s been following me around for about 13 years. He comes and goes but never strays far. It s an odd thing because before my initial episode I was of the mindset of just pull yourself together (my dad suffered from it and my sister still does).

What I have realised is that before I experienced it I felt untouchable, literally like all the good luck in the world was on my side, I felt invincible. But then after becoming rather broken by a situation that occurred, then recovering, only to experience it again with an unknown trigger (which is recurring) then I ve realised that I now feel like a totally different person, one who isn t as robust as I used to be, I genuinely miss the old me but know that he has now gone.

Anyway this was supposed to cheer me up!

I could have written the above. I always believed depression was a form of laziness, for people who needed a good shake and a stern talking to. Then one event changed my life, the death of a close friend. I know all too well about the black dog.

If you feel that a new car will make your life better then go ahead, only you know what’s best for you. I didn’t mean to rain on your parade. I have a number of cars and I get great pleasure from them. From vintage to the latest Porsches. Some days/nights I get such a rush from driving them that it feels like the old me is back. Most people don’t know that there is or was anything wrong with me. Most people don’t care, they have their own issues.

I’m taking Mugsy, our brown dog for a walk on the beach this morning. She’ll chase the birds for an hour and I’ll walk for an hour and clear my mind. Hopefully have a nice spin out somewhere this afternoon. Enjoy your new purchase whatever it may be and keep us updated.