[Mortonl]

Only took 20 hours, 5 sheets of plywood to make the rafters into storage, A run to goodwill and the dump, but I am ready to go...less than 24 hours until delivery!

[tazandjan]

Morton- Nobody here can check the service history on a car using the VIN. You need to go to a Ferrari dealer and have them see if there is anything in MODIS on the car. The dealer where the car was serviced may be willing to give you a redacted copy of the service history if one does not come with the car. Many service documents contain data that cannot be made public, like names, addresses and phone numbers, that only the owner can release by leaving the history with the car.

[IDriveM5]

Sorry I don't have much to add to the technical discussion, but a hearty CONGRATS to you sir! I may have missed it in your posts, but how many miles does this black beauty have? Since I'm in the market also, I feel the need to know that to determine the quality of the deal. If you posted it, sorry. Also, I found the charger discussion informative as I'm sure I'll need that too. Happy motoring!

[Mortonl]

Thanks Terry, hopefully the service records that are being delivered with the car will be extensive.

Rajeev, it has 7200 miles. Seems like the market for 2004's with this mileage is $105-115k.

[tazandjan]

Morton- Good news is you were bidding against dealers and no way they were going much above wholesale for a regular production Ferrari model.

[wetpet]

i'm a little late to the party, but i do believe euginio's is the place to go. congrats on the car and drive the shit out of it when you get it. it is what they were made for.

[Mortonl]

Terry, how do you know I was bidding against dealers?

[tazandjan]

Morton- Not many amateurs brave enough to take on a car like you did. Dealers have captive mechanics that work at cost to fix any problems and they get a break on parts costs, too.

[IDriveM5]

Originally Posted by Mortonl

Thanks Terry, hopefully the service records that are being delivered with the car will be extensive.

Rajeev, it has 7200 miles. Seems like the market for 2004's with this mileage is $105-115k.

Cool! Provided your PoPI "POst-Purchase Inspection" goes well, you got a great deal on an excellent car! I'm officially jealous, because I'll probably be in about $10-$15k more than you when I go to buy. That would buy me a halfway decent watch! Or a stack of burritos from Ohio to California. I like burritos.

Congrats again man, I'm really happy for you!

[Pooya]

Originally Posted by Mortonl

Yes, long 72 hours! Hey, anybody able to check my service history with the VIN provided?

Alex, thx...I will keep you posted.

I still want to know which movie was that?

[Mortonl]

So overall, everything looking pretty darn good (I am not one to be overly. Complimentary or glowing until I am sure).

Pro's: body, paint and interior pretty darn perfect, included factory subwoofer, which I was not expecting, and has a trickle charger (have not looked by batter box to see if Ferrari original. May have upgraded rear grill? (has lots of little holes over entire area)

Con's: only found 1 key and remote (not the red one) - supposedly 2 were shipped, so i am goind to have to work on this, sticky buttons and air vents, needs new tires and check engine light is on ( not sure if this came on after I was driving, or first thing?), AC needs charging, unless I don't know how to turn it on? I put on auto, and sounded like compressor went.

The BAD: less than one hour into owning the car, I was heading to Eugenio's and smacked the lower rocker panel (beneath the door) on the passenger side and cracked the fiberglass (about 2.5 inches). I am absolutely sick!!! I came in at an angle, but was apparently going a bit to fast and thud, crack. I am really heartbroken over this.

Help: if you don't mind saving me some research, I would appreciate your help:

1) check engine light - please give me a list of things to check or possible issues.
2) what does lost TP on Becker radio mean? How do I tell if it has Nav?
3) how do I clean sticky buttons?
4) how do I tell if I have upgraded rear grill?
5) considering Ferrari 3 piece wheels (the upgrade version with the Allen heads showing). Guy has a set with tires for $2k (not sure how much tread) and since I need tires! Input on those wheels?
6) AC issue normal? Est. cost to refill/repair

Thanks in advance for the collective sigh when reading about my horrific blunder.


Pic's to follow...

[Mortonl]

By the way, absolutely LOVE driving the car. With low tire tread, got it a LITTLE sideways on the freeway on ramp in the first 5 min of driving the car, which I was not expecting, but it was fun. Lots of great power! By the way, first time every driving (maybe why I banged the under carriage).

I was worried that stock exhaust would not have enough sound, but above 5k, not an issue, so I can consider that upgrade down the road.

Really looking forward to getting to know the car better and fixing the few items.

Another con, no service paperwork. Auction agent said there was, so need to follow up on that.

Ps. Oil was full and nice color, so not too dirty.

[Redneck Slim]

Morton,this is my understanding of CA law: To register a new car in CA,it has to have a factory sticker that states that it is a CA car. It doesn't matter if all those model cars are identical as to smog. If it has less than 7500 miles,regardless of age, it is a new car. So,drive it 300 miles before attempting to smog and register it.

[Andrew]

Mortonl,

Congrats and welcome to Ferrari Life

[up4speed]

Originally Posted by Mortonl

So overall, everything looking pretty darn good (I am not one to be overly. Complimentary or glowing until I am sure).

Pro's: body, paint and interior pretty darn perfect, included factory subwoofer, which I was not expecting, and has a trickle charger (have not looked by batter box to see if Ferrari original. May have upgraded rear grill? (has lots of little holes over entire area)

Con's: only found 1 key and remote (not the red one) - supposedly 2 were shipped, so i am goind to have to work on this, sticky buttons and air vents, needs new tires and check engine light is on ( not sure if this came on after I was driving, or first thing?), AC needs charging, unless I don't know how to turn it on? I put on auto, and sounded like compressor went.

The BAD: less than one hour into owning the car, I was heading to Eugenio's and smacked the lower rocker panel (beneath the door) on the passenger side and cracked the fiberglass (about 2.5 inches). I am absolutely sick!!! I came in at an angle, but was apparently going a bit to fast and thud, crack. I am really heartbroken over this.

Help: if you don't mind saving me some research, I would appreciate your help:

1) check engine light - please give me a list of things to check or possible issues.
2) what does lost TP on Becker radio mean? How do I tell if it has Nav?
3) how do I clean sticky buttons?
4) how do I tell if I have upgraded rear grill?
5) considering Ferrari 3 piece wheels (the upgrade version with the Allen heads showing). Guy has a set with tires for $2k (not sure how much tread) and since I need tires! Input on those wheels?
6) AC issue normal? Est. cost to refill/repair

Thanks in advance for the collective sigh when reading about my horrific blunder.


Pic's to follow...

Congrats on the new car, I know the feeling! I just got mine last week as well. I too, a
So excited and it's so much fun to drive!
I'm sorry to hear about the mishap you had. I felt sick to my stomach reading about it. That can really dampen the fun. How did it happen? We're you turning onto a driveway? I'm always afraid of hitting the bottom, and the spoiler in front. I don't know how to avoid it, other than approaching at an angle. I always wondered what I am going to do if I approach a steep driveway, or large speed bump, and I don't have a spotter to help me out. Or if I don't have an alternate entrance/exit I can use. What are you guys doing about situations like this? My car is stock height, I can't imagine it being lowered. I can't even pull it up onto my 4 post lift. I have to figure out a way to raise the front when approaching the lift. Maybe some pieces of plywood as I approach?
Good luck with your new ride! Get the side skirt fixed, you will forget about it shortly after its fixed.

[Mortonl]

A few updates:

I cannot sign on from my PC to upload pictures? Sent email to administrators but have not heard back yet?
Waiting on dealer to tell me about CEL issue (svc mgr said nice looking car based on first glance, so that was nice to hear)
AC started working, so seems fine
Needs 4 tires, but kind of expected that as appeared to have original tires
Having annual service done while in for CEL
Getting estimate on rocker panel damage (@ up4speed - yes, entering driveway that was sharper than I noticed)
Dealer got me alarm code which I did not even know I was missing, so I can get extra key and alarm - other set of keys were with owner in plane crash, so I guess it was only sent with one set. Where is the best place to get key and alarm? Dealer?

Did I mention I loved driving the car?

Btw raced an M5 for about 1/2 mile....ouch, those cars are fast! I think i need a 430!! LOL obviously no contest on looks, but now I am 0-1

[IDriveM5]

Originally Posted by Mortonl

A few updates:

I cannot sign on from my PC to upload pictures? Sent email to administrators but have not heard back yet?
Waiting on dealer to tell me about CEL issue (svc mgr said nice looking car based on first glance, so that was nice to hear)
AC started working, so seems fine
Needs 4 tires, but kind of expected that as appeared to have original tires
Having annual service done while in for CEL
Getting estimate on rocker panel damage (@ up4speed - yes, entering driveway that was sharper than I noticed)
Dealer got me alarm code which I did not even know I was missing, so I can get extra key and alarm - other set of keys were with owner in plane crash, so I guess it was only sent with one set. Where is the best place to get key and alarm? Dealer?

Did I mention I loved driving the car?

Btw raced an M5 for about 1/2 mile....ouch, those cars are fast! I think i need a 430!! LOL obviously no contest on looks, but now I am 0-1

HEY!!!! My sports car is an M5!!! Ok, fine, I guess it's like comparing a beautiful olive-skinned Italian chick with a brutal, German Helga-type. Whatever!

Happy motoring buddy! Sorry to hear about the other set of keys! I wouldn't want them, even if they were found.

When you say annual service, I assume that means fluids, right? Did they say anything about belts or clutch? Just curious. I love reading this thread - I assume I'll have one similar to this when I pick and take delivery of mine!

[up4speed]

Don't expect to win races with this car. It's definitely not slow, but in todays standards, it's not super quick either. It was definitely fast for it's time, but it was designed almost 13 years ago!
Not only are there much cheaper sports cars that can beat it nowadays, but there are a handful of sedans that can beat it as well!!
The Caddy CTS-V will walk all over our cars, as well as a new $60k Mustang GT 500. I can tell you for sure, that those cars DO NOT have the same feel though. The steering feel on the Ferrari is amazing. The only car that can come close is the Porsche. I always thought that Porsche had the best steering feel/communication in the business. Now that I have a Ferrari, I'm not so sure about that, I think ferrari is better!
Enjoy driving it in good health!

[Mortonl]

@ idrivem5 each woman has her own time and place, however for every day companionship, especially at the beach, or out to dinner, I will take the sexy Italian lady!! Waiting to see the remarks on the CEL and the annual service before authorizing the cam belts, but that is a possibility while it is in, might as well do it all at once if it needs it. Looks like it was done 1000 miles and 3 years ago so I understand that it is due.

@ up4speed apparently that is the case, just another learning experience...I just need to be more careful picking my fights and remember not to bring a knife to a gun fight!

Still looking for input on the sticky buttons when some one has a moment...thx

Ps. Determined I do have front and rear Challenge grills, so that was an extra bonus as well.

[Mortonl]

Is it me, or is that Becker radio confusing? I am a bit of a "stereo head" and I could not get the tuner to pick any local stations? After reading the manual twice I think I understand the multitude of selections better but still a little confused. Hopefully will get that figured out when sitting in the car...I miss may baby!

Btw my daughter says I should name the car " the Black Widow", I thought that was a great name...it may stick!