[Mike430]

To all fellow members, when buying a Ferrari whether it is your first, second or third etc. where do you or have you done your purchase(s) from and what do you prefer :

1. Official Agent / Dealer
2. At auctions
3. 1 on 1 with a private seller
4. Using the services of the likes of Mike Sheehan (the service he offers is like no other I know of)

I remember reading an article in the one issue of FLQ about this topic and was just curious to see what option do owners feel more comfortable going for as there are pro's and con's for each of the options when purchasing a Ferrari.

 

[Granucci]

I only have experience with 1 & 3, but would not rull out 4.

Three would only be for something very special that I could not get elsewhere: personally do not think some auctions get it right, and some are too high in extra fees.

rik

 

[Tony K]

I would refer to number 4 as a "broker".

 

[Boxer]

Have have experience with 1,3, & 4. Have bought a non-Ferrari at 2. Not sure I would do it again.

 

[Gcalo]

I tend to purchase directly from prior owners as I find I get a truer picture of the vehicle's history by speaking with the owner.

From this I can tell if it's a true Ferrari person or just an owner.

That's important to me.

However if you don't have extensive purchase experience and mechanical auto experience then you need to rely upon credible professionals as as you mentioned.

Sheehan is a very good one as is Gary Bobilief in San Diego.

 

[archiegibbs]

Only have experience of buying and selling via an Independent specialist (that wasn't an option on your list). I used Nick Cartwright, he is a very well known and highly respected specialist not just in the UK but further afield too, I will very probably use him or at least ask him for advice when I buy my next Ferrari.

I've spoken to many of the UK specialists, most of whom I would be happy to recommend - Geoff @ Shiltec , Dave @ Forza 288, Mike Wheeler @ Rardley, Tim Walker @ walker Sport .....the list could go on for ever.

As for main agents, I've always found Graypaul to be superb. Whenever I go there I get VIP treatment and a 2 hour tour of the workshop or service yard.

 

[Schumacher]

Hi Mike

Have you seen that there is a 599 on auction this weekend at Aucor?

Mike

 

[Mike430]

Hi Mike

Have you seen that there is a 599 on auction this weekend at Aucor?

Mike

Hi Mike,

Yes I saw it advertised on the Ignition channel over the weekend. They recon you can pick it up at the auction for roughly R4million?

 

[JazzyO]

As per Archie's comments - both my Ferraris were bought at option 5: independent Ferrari specialist. It is important that you find a good specialist, but it then it can be an extremely pleasurable experience. The 550 purchasing I would not be able to better even if I could travel back in time. I would recommend that specialist to anyone (Forza Service in the Netherlands - also the people who restored that magnificent $1.3M Lusso auctioned in May last year).

The 365BB had some hiccups as described on this forum but now all is well and in retrospect I am still very happy.

As for the other options, I would rule none of them out. What will make a difference is whether you know the car, or the person selling the car. If I know the car personally, or someone I trust knows it, then why not buy at an auction or from a private person? Just make sure you know as much as possible about the car itself, and the model, and have a PPI done if possible. There are also situations where you may not be able to avoid these kinds of buying avenues, for instance if the car is very rare. I would not recommend buying from a private seller if you are new to Ferrari unless you have access to Ferrari expertise and can bring it along.


Onno



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[Mike430]

Thanks guys for your thoughts and experiences. Much appreciated