WHO On Earth Buys A Ferrari From A Corner Used Car Lot? And If You Do Is It A 100% Chance You'll Get Burned?

As I was on my way back from the Ford Explorer event in Venice Beach on Monday, I saw this Ferrari sitting on this nondescript used car lot with a price of $79,995.

And instantly two things came into my mind.

1. Seeing I'm always looking for cars, it seemed like a good deal because you don't normally think a Ferrari Spyder could be had at that kind of price.

and

2. WHO on earth would buy a Ferrari or high end exotic from a dealer that has a lot that looks like it could be gone next week?

So i thought I would float the question--Have you or a friend ever bought and exotic from a dealer like this and what was your/their experience?

Did you/they really save that much and did you/they have lots of service issues once you drove it off the lot and did they take care of you/they?

And while we're at it, how much does it really cost in a year to maintain one of these rides?

Auto Spies...discuss...







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WorldofLuxury - 7/29/2010 1:50:43 AM

-2 Boost

That doesn't look like a good deal. I'd rather spend a lot more for a new 458, but because there's a long waiting list, I'd go onto eBay Motors and find myself an exotic from a well-reputed retailer.

B7FAN - 7/29/2010 7:44:29 AM

+1 Boost

Unless the dealership was a reputable exotic car dealership then maybe yeah if he has a bunch of toyotas,hondas, hyundais, kias, and a ferrari then you might as well play russian roulette....but there are some (VERY FEW) exotic car dealerships out there where you can still get a quality car

Bmw8ter - 7/29/2010 6:57:02 AM

+6 Boost

Come to Atlanta. These "boutique" dealerships are all over the place. I'd imagine any major metropolitan area would have these.

uaw_lax - 7/29/2010 8:48:01 AM

+1 Boost

I live in Detroit and Indiana (my job requires me to travel)and have yet to see anything like this. As an ex car salesman it is possible that this Ferrari could be the owners old car that he was driving and wants to sale.

PlanB - 7/29/2010 9:24:08 AM

+2 Boost

My guess is it is the dealership owners Ferrari, he got in over his head with insurance and maintenance and is now trying to dump it?

AlleVier - 7/29/2010 2:16:24 PM

+1 Boost

My thought as well, if the car doesn't fit in with the rest of the inventory. The dealer's not likely to have gotten it as a trade-in nor bought it at auction with a lot full of Corollas. The only reason a dealer would keep it is if he's so screwed that he has to get retail price for the car. Seems like a hail-Mary pass.

Need4Speed - 7/29/2010 9:59:14 AM

+3 Boost

Come to the Bronx...drive down Boston Post Road...you may see a Bently or two or exotic at a dealership just like that.

I once asked a dealer about a Lamborghini Countach he had on the lot...said he got it at an auction. My guess is that Ferrari came from an auction as well...so buyer beware...you get what you pay for.

TauronB2G - 7/29/2010 11:08:07 AM

+1 Boost

Quite a few cars exotic or not do come from auctions. Salesman and dealers often do sell their own cars at their lots. As long as you get the car checked by a specialized mechanic it should be okay.
T

0to60 - 7/29/2010 11:30:55 AM

+3 Boost

I was eyeing a bentley cont GT back in the day when I actually had the funds to cover the cost and maintenence. It was at a lot like this. The sticker was also 35% lower than a similar car at the bentley dealership in NC. To add, they were putting an extended warranty on it.

thstone - 7/29/2010 2:40:40 PM

+5 Boost

I say that you can't trust ANY seller whether they are a new car dealer, a used car dealer, or a private seller.

Thus, any and all used cars should be formally inspected by a knowledgeable mechanic. If the car is in a different city (like when you're buying from eBay, Cars.com, or Autotrader), there are a number of companies who specialize in remote pre-purchase inspections for about $100-$250.

With inspection in hand, then negotiate your best deal. At this point, who cares who the seller is? You either get the price you like or walk away.

I live in LA and just bought a great car for my son that was in the San Francisco area (some random corner used car lot) without ever personally seeing the car and everything worked out great.

gkearns56 - 7/29/2010 3:55:02 PM

+3 Boost

I wouldn't have a problem purchasing the car, if the inspection I paid for came by clean and without problems. I would pay an independent mechanic or service to go over the car with a fine tooth comb. However, I wouldn't be so blind to accept the dealer's word that "this car was driven by some old lady".

oldthud - 7/30/2010 9:38:11 AM

0 Boost

Ferrari at a used car lot???............
* Run don't walk!
* Yea, and I got a bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell you!
* Well, if you got several billion to burn!
* etc., etc.!!!
* NO Way!

pennfootball - 8/2/2010 10:11:03 AM

0 Boost

If you take it to a Ferrari dealership for a few hundred dollars they will do a compression and leak-down test, check the condition of the clutch, (a Ferrari Achilles heal) and brakes...they will also inspect fluids for funny smells and see if they are fresh and the car has been properly maintained. So you can buy a car anywhere if you let the right people look at it and spend the money to have it checked correctly. Then you negotiate according to what is wrong with it in the price....if the dealer does not budge you walk away. Simple...it's not scary people! People have been buying Ferrari's through private parties a long time.