I went to see a Man about a Horse

"SPAMBot - Horse Doctor" (spambot2002) 02/15/2018 at 12:48 • Filed to: Car Buying, More than you can afford pal, Embiggen this, Bigly, Ferrari, Spelling and grammar errors ahead

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You just can’t walk into a dealer and drive away with a Ferrari a few hours later. Well, I guess you could, but you really shouldn’t. Especially if you are just a normal dude on a budget. Here is my complete buying process: From inquiring on a car to driving away.

This is part 2 in my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Angels Crest

1 Month; 4 weeks; 28 days; 672 hours; or 40,320 minutes. That’s how long it took to purchase my car. Nothing about the process was easy. But then again, noting worth having comes easy.

October 4th, 2016 started like any other Tuesday before it. Work was busy, the phones were ringing, the production line was having issues, and the stress was noticeable but not overwhelming. I take a late lunch, like normal, and start browsing classifieds while eating my PB&J. Everything was business as usual. That is until I spotted a 348 at the local Ferrari dealer. The price was fair and the website said it was a one owner car with a recent service. I drove a 355 and 328 a few months prior and I was curious to check out the middle child. This car seemed like a perfect candidate.

I contacted the dealer, like I have many times in the past. Asked the typical, “is the car still available, does the car have service records, and can you send me the Carfax.” I excitedly/nervously waited for a response. The sales manager emailed me back shortly after. He included the Carfax and a PDF doc with all the records since new. Everything looked good so I scheduled an appointment to view the car that Friday.

Stolen from the dealer’s IG. My car can been seen thru the spoiler

Crunch time. Up until this point, I really didn’t know too much about the 348. I knew the specs, and other details, but had no idea of the pros/cons, common faults, must-do repairs, etc. I scoured the interwebs for every potential problem and other gotchas. From Tuesday to Friday, I did about 60 hours of research. I made a preliminary ppi checklist specific to the 348. I actually called in sick that Friday to leave extra time to complete research. This is the only time I’ve ever called in when I wasn’t actually sick. That is how serious I was about this car.

I complete the checklist around 4PM on Friday. I’m meeting at the dealer at 5. Perfect, 30 minutes to cruise in the Miata to get my mind straight before I head to the dealer. As I pull into the dealership, my mind is racing. What if they don’t take me seriously? After all, I am quite a bit younger than the average Ferrari owner. Plus I’m driving a 15 year old Mazda. I meet the salesman and we go upstairs to look at the car. A lot of Ferrari dealerships have an upstairs showroom with just 1-3 models in the lobby. I can tell he is felling me out a bit as he lists specifics about this particular 348. I can tell he is not discounting me as a potential customer but he is doing his job trying to determine if I am there wasting time. I entertain him for a minute before asking for a flashlight. He sees the huge checklist I made and rapidly comes to the conclusion that I am a very serious potential customer. He brings me a flashlight from the service department and leaves me with the car.

Upstairs of the Dealer

I inspect everything on my list that I can without putting the car on a lift. I find one or two minor things wrong. Not bad for a car that was built the year I was born. Hell, I wish I was in that good of shape. I go back down to his office and he casually asks what I looked at and what I found. I tell him it’s not bad for an old car but does have some issues. I play it cool and tell him I will call him early next week to schedule a test drive. He agrees this is a great idea as they are having an event on Saturday and will not have time over the weekend. (Side note, they had a La Ferrari and an F40 in the showroom. I should have taken pictures)

The event on Saturday keeping me from a test drive (Dealer’s IG)

Monday rolls around. I didn’t sleep all weekend I was so excited. Give him a call (or email, I don’t remember). I schedule the test drive for Wednesday after work. The car is ready to go as soon as I get to the dealership. My favorite local twisty road is nearby so I tell the sales guy that is where we are going. He said no problem. The Targa top is already removed which is not my preference. I generally like to test-drive convertibles and Targas with the tops up/installed. Oh well, it is 70 and sunny with a slight breeze. No complaints. We take her out and my life changes. That car, my favorite road, no traffic, and a perfect sunny evening was pure bliss. I am trying, unsuccessfully, to hold my poker face. The 348 perfectly bridged the gap between the 328 and 355. The 328 was too raw and a little sloppy. Somehow, this sucked the fun out of the drive. The 355’s power steering felt very over boosted and the car was just too high-strung for me. Sounded great, though. The 348 was still a lot of work to drive but the reward when you got everything right was so much greater than the 328. Also, the manual rack on the 348 was a far cry from the over boosted power steering system on the 355. Also absent was adjustable suspension and a few other complex systems just waiting to fail on the 355. I was in love.

After the test drive I told the sales guy I would think about it and schedule a PPI at a local Ferrari independent shop. We negotiated a few stipulations and I left. I call the mechanic the next day. He has a hole in his schedule on Friday, due to a car waiting for parts. I tell him to arrange it with the dealership. He calls me back and said we are on for Friday.

After the test drive

Friday. Wow, that was a lot quicker than I expected. All of this is getting serious. I decide I should look for insurance and evaluate the cost of ownership. When I was looking at the 355, I had 2 or 3 decent quotes. I assumed a collector policy would be even easier to find since the 348 was over 25 years old and therefore a “classic”. Boy was I wrong. I hit all the usually suspects, including a company that advertises during all the TV auctions. It wasn’t that the price was high, it was just no company wanted to insure me. Yes, I was only 26 and looking to insure an exotic, but I have a clean record and I had no difficulty getting quotes on a 355. At one point, I called state farm. The agent gave me a bit of run around but finally committed to emailing me a quote. Great, this was a start. About an hour later, she calls back with a no quote. Her reasoning? The wasn’t over 25 years old and therefore did not qualify for the state farm collector policy. “Wait, what?” “Ma’am, the car was built October, 1990, it is currently October 2016.” “2016 minus 1990 is 26 years”. “The car is 26 years old, which is more than 25.” She told me to hang on a sec so she could confirm this. about a min later, she told me I was right. *Facepalm* Needless to say, I am not insured with State Farm. In the end, I found a policy with the agreed value I wanted, great coverage, and a premium less than my VW.

After finding a decent insurance quote, I start really digging into my finances. I could just buy the car with a bit of negotiating, but it would take all of my savings. I would be left with very little emergency funds. Buying a 26 year old Italian car, it seemed like a well padded savings would be a good idea. Money was cheap at the time and the S&P 500 was killing it. I start wondering if there is financing available for something like this. Most banks and credit union loan stipulations require a car less than 7 years old. Everything I saw seemed like it was going to be impossible to find a loan. But, I persevered on. Finally, I found a few companies that specialize in classic and exotic car loans. Rates seemed decent, not a 0.9% you could get on a new car, but still less than what my investments were doing, and certainly less than having to use a credit card in case of an emergency. I decide if the ppi checks out, I’ll apply for a loan.

Down at the shop. Yes, That’s and F12 TDF on the right

I stop by the shop Friday after work. They did the entire inspection in the morning but still had the car on the lift when I stop in. The shop owner walks me through their findings and lets me poke around under the car. After I’m done looking around, we BS for a while and he casually tells me his first Ferrari was a 348 and if it was him, he would buy the car. That, mixed with the very detailed report and minor findings gave me all the confidence I needed. I had a good preliminary look-over, full service records, one owner, a great test drive, and now a good bill of health from one of the best shops in the US. A few hours later, the sales guy calls me. He asked how everything went and tells me the car is back at the dealer. I tell him they found some issues but I want to put in an offer. We set an appointment for the next week. I am overcome by emotions. lots of joy, but also stress and anxiety. I should mention I’m a pretty relaxed dude and handle stress pretty well. That is not the case this time around.

Another from the shop

Monday morning I fill out a loan application. The bank calls back an hour or two later telling me I was preapproved and that I will receive the loan documents the next day. This was actually happening.

Tuesday (week 2) I start on all the loan paperwork. Holy cannoli! There was sooo much to do! I need a copy of the current title (which is a light PITA because the dealer did not want to violate the privacy of the original owner); a copy of the purchase agreement (so I had to buy the car before getting the money to actually buy the car?); an insurance binder for an agreed value; and a few other things. All documents, plus the application needed to be notarized.

On top of that, in order to insure the car, the insurance company wanted pictures of all four sides, engine, trunk, and interior; my daily driver insurance docs; and pictures of my garage door. Then an insurance agent had to go physically inspect the car

These are probably common required documents, but it seemed like a lot to juggle and a lot of the documents needed to be done at the same time or in the wrong order. I should note: this is my first car I’ve ever taken a loan on, my first car ever bought at any dealer, my first car with collector insurance, and my first car that was more than 10k. There are a lot of lessons learned and this process should go slightly smoother next time. Hopefully.

By Friday, I finally have almost everything together. The last loan doc was the actual purchase agreement. That means I needed to buy the car, I guess. This was it. I call the dealer and make another appointment. I prepare a little ammo to negotiate and come up with a plan. I leave work early yet again and head to my appointment. I get the price down to the range I am comfortable with, we shake hands, and fill out the standard CA sales contract. This was the only normal part of this whole process. I write a check for the deposit and sign the contract. The deal was made, I just needed to bring in the rest of the balance. I take this picture on the way out.

I was freaking out that whole night. I just “bought” a Ferrari. I was very much in shock. But realistically, I didn’t actually buy the car, yet. I still had to complete the loan docs. That night, I double check everything, including a fresh copy of the purchase agreement, and drop my envelope at the FedEx Office. Now we just wait.

I hear back from the bank a day or two later. Everything looks good. I will have the check on Monday. I call the dealer for the last time, and say it’s on for Tuesday.

I got absolutely no work done on Monday. Tuesday, I probably seem like a nervous wreck. I had my roommate take me to work and pick me up. Someone at work asked me what was up, and I came up with a lame excuse. I don’t even remember what it was. Car in the shop maybe? Who cares. My roommate picked me up early and we go to the bank for a cashier’s check. This part is actually the most memorable part of this whole ordeal. The bank was decently busy but a teller opens up and calls me over. I say I need a cashier’s check and it is business as usual. She hands me the form, I fill it out, and hand it back. She reviews the form and asks if I was buying a car. I sleeplessly say yeah. The teller next to her looks over to me and asks what I am buying. Before I can even open my mouth, my teller semi yells, excitedly, “He’s buying a Ferrari!!!!” The bank stops. Everyone comes over to me. The lady next to me, who probably drove a 100K Range, excitedly asks me if I’m really getting a Ferrari. I say yeah, go through the spiel about wanting one since I was six, etc. She asks how old I was. I tell her and she genuinely seems excited that someone my age (a millennial) was able to plan, save, and accomplish a goal. A few other customers talk to me and then the manager comes over. We talk about the car a bit and he authorizes the check. Then, some random employee runs out from some room behind the teller and asks if I was really buying a Ferrari. I say yes, for about the 6th time LOL. He asks me what I do for a living, and says he went into the wrong field. The amount of excitement from everyone was really awesome. So much positivity and conversation with strangers. The same people who probably didn’t even notice me walk in. It really was amazing. Mega good vibes. When I finally get back out to my roommates truck, he asks me what the hell took so long. He got a major kick out of the story.

My roommate drops me off and I see the receptionist, a very attractive blonde. I’ve been in there a few times now, and she always remembered my name and knew who I was. She, like every other time I was there, offers to grab me a drink. Espresso, tea, soft drink, water, etc. I request a (Ferrari branded) water. She leads me to the waiting area while the manager finishes up his phone call and brings me the bottle of water. A very short time later, the entire sales staff greets me, shake my hand and tell me congrats on my first Ferrari. I meet with the manager, hand him the check, double check the paperwork, he hands me the keys and a bright red Ferrari folder with all my paperwork. He walks me out to my waiting stallion. They send me off and I head home.

Red, like my bank account

I live in the next town over from the dealer, only about 5 miles. The drive takes about 10 mins. This whole buying process was definitely stressful. Well, I thought I knew stress. I was wrong. That 10 min drive home might have given me a gray hair or two. Every bump, every noise, every inattentive driver. It all worried me. I pulled into my driveway, scraping the nose for the first time. That was painful. I park it in the garage, shut down the engine, and just sit in the driver’s seat, taking it all in. I snap a picture and send it to my two friends who have always supported me through my ups and downs. The past month, I did not mention anything to them, because I wanted it to be a surprise. It felt great to finally tell them, BC I’m terrible with secrets. I am smiling from cheek to cheek. I fucking did it. There is a Ferrari in my garage, and it’s MINE! (technically the bank’s). OPPO, this is honestly one of the happiest days of my life.

Happy days calls for celebration. A few friends stop by to see the car. On his way home, my roommate picked up a bottle of champagne. We pop the bottle and all toast. What a day to have a day.

Normally, when you buy a new car, you go drive it around, show it off, maybe even take a road trip. When the car is a 26 year old Italian, you take it to the shop. Nothing major or unexpected, I just wanted to take care of the little things that popped up on the PPI. I took delivery Tuesday evening and took the car in Wednesday morning. This actually worked out really well. I was leaving for a destination wedding on Thursday so I wouldn’t be home to drive the car anyways.

The day after I get back from the wedding, I grab the car. All the little things are fixed and she is perfect. Yet again taking advice from the shop owner, I skip the gym and go for my first pleasure drive in my childhood dream car. Life is good.

Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 12:58

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Very Nice, Congratulations

random001 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:02

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I’m not crying you’re crying...

My bird IS the word > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:03

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Congrats dude. Getting a ferrari at 26 is killing it. I’m 24 and just getting out of grad school, I probably won’t be able to get something this nice for another 6 years at least.

Arrivederci > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:06

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Congrats and great story. I was a little older than you when I had the opportunity to buy a six year old 911 for a great price. One owner, clean PPI, everything checked out just like your 348. I just couldn’t get myself to pull the trigger and have regretted it since. Good for you, man. Enjoy it!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:19

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Awesome man, congratulations. I’m happy for you :).

syaieya > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:28

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Man thats proper cool, at that point in my life i was busy buying derelict Mercedes and im sure youll get a fair more miles out of yours than I did my mid 20s autos.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > syaieya 02/15/2018 at 13:34

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Thank you! I DD a VW that is becoming more derelict by the day. I love beaters, but I also love this car haha

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 02/15/2018 at 13:35

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Thank you! I still catch myself smiling while I think about the car.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:36

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That’s a great story! Very cool to read what buying such a car is like! Also, the 348 seems like a good choice, probably one of the last ‘simple’ Ferraris.

B_dol > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:37

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Enjoyed the story and buildup! The car search and buying process is such a rush of emotions and stress for me as well - it’s a love/hate relationship. Props to you for keeping focused and not being distracted (ohh there are many distractions financially in your twenties...)

I have a certain type of car I have been ogling for a while, just not sure I am willing to give up a member of the current stable for it.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Arrivederci 02/15/2018 at 13:39

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Thank you! You’ll just have to get one for your midlife crisis! I’ve backed out of so many car deals before this. But, I just had a feeling and it felt right. My whole idea was to get something wildly impractical and financially irresponsible before life and responsibilities got in the way. I’m not sure if I made the right decision, but it sure feels good right now haha!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > My bird IS the word 02/15/2018 at 13:41

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Thanks! I feel like the car just gives the impression that I am killing it though. LOL. I bought it for less than a loaded 3 series, which seems to be the go-to “young professional” car around here haha

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No 02/15/2018 at 13:42

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Thank you! It was a long process but worth it so far!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > random001 02/15/2018 at 13:43

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My allergies are really getting to me (:

syaieya > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:48

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Hah, a buddy of mine is borrowing my first car for a good minute because his GTi is doing the VW gremlin thing.

At 26 i had bought an early 90s S320, 500E and 500SL in quick succession and had I bought a nicer one of any of them for the money i have into them, thered be so much more enjoying them by now.

Course I may not of owned any of them had i waited. I already missed my chance to get an FD RX7 and a Gelandewagen.

So major props for finding a dream car and finding one thats right

E90M3 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 13:56

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That was such a good read. It’s great to be in your 20s and own your dream car. I know my M3 still puts a massive smile on my face every time. One of the best parts about road tripping the IS-F home was I got to participate in someone getting their dream car.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > random001 02/15/2018 at 14:09

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I definitely read this with tears of joy in my eyes.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 14:11

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Best caption: “Red, like my bank account.”

Mechanically > random001 02/15/2018 at 14:24

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Stupid pollen this time of year...

*snuffle

GolfR Guy > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 14:32

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Such a cool story! Glad I got to see you and the 348 tear up the canyons a few weeks ago!

random001 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 14:33

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Can I get a ride?

Stephenson Valve Gear > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 14:41

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Great story, fantastic write-up. Thank you for letting me enjoy the experience with you vicariously.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 02/15/2018 at 14:43

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The more research I did, the more I discovered that owners work on them. There are a ton a resources online on pretty much every fix. It is very much so the last “simple” Ferrari. It was really the last sticking point for me to pull the trigger. Thanks for reading!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > B_dol 02/15/2018 at 14:46

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Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the read! So many distractions haha! I maintained most of my college spending habits for a few years after starting to work. That helped a lot.

You have a great stable right now. What are you ogling??

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > random001 02/15/2018 at 14:50

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Let me know if you come to LA!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/15/2018 at 14:50

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HAHAHAA thanks! I wrote that right before I hit publish and got a good kick. Glad someone noticed

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > E90M3 02/15/2018 at 14:53

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I read pretty much all of the ISF posts. I love it! It’s great to see (and your case help) someone get a dream car. We have similar stories to finding the right car. Mine still puts a huge smile on my face. Even after the early service ordeal haha

random001 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 14:53

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I actually will be there sometime this year!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > GolfR Guy 02/15/2018 at 15:03

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Seen in the rear-view hahaha

We need to make those Sunday drives a semi regular thing!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > syaieya 02/15/2018 at 15:04

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I missed out on a few cars from waiting. I tell myself it wasn’t meant to be. It’s crazy how fast certain cars seem to double in price overnight. a FD is still a dream car, but I doubt I’ll ever have one. Oh well, you gotta enjoy what you can!

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 15:04

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That’s quite the contrast to its big brother the Testarossa, which needs its massive engine removed for just about anything. (As I was told during a job interview to become a mop-boy at an independent Ferrari shop, sadly didn’t get the job)

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 15:06

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Definitely down for that being a regular thing! I don’t need much planning for it, just hit me up and I am down.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 15:10

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You made it sound like the story was building toward MUCH more problems in the process haha. I am glad it worked out relatively painless though, just lots of red tape and hoops to jump through. My STi was also the first car that I bought with a loan. Definitely not in the same ballpark of cost or age but being more than 7 years old as well, I was worried about how easy a loan would be. It was nice getting an easy 3% 2 year loan and not needing to empty my bank account. I am sure as well at some point I will need that money to deal with problems when they arise.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 15:37

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Great read. Having grown up in the 80s watching Magnum PI, I always had a soft spot for the 308/328. Until I drove one. They say “never meet your heros”, now I know why. The wheel well intrusion into the foot well made for a uncomfortable driving position; add in my 6' 250lb frame (never a prioritiy in the Maranello design studio apparently) and it was just not meant to be. I still think they’re beautiful cars though.

B_dol > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 15:38

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Yeah that is where I am at too, never turn down a free lunch and living well within my means (aside from cars!).

My wife is smitten with her Miata and now that I have a reliable DD there is an opportunity to let go of the Z4MC for something more extreme. I have been watching the market for low owner, well taken care of 06+ Lotus Elise (hardtop, british racing green, tan interior) or possibly a 987 Cayman R.

Driving a Lotus on the street is the most fun I have had in car aside from track days, could not wipe the grin from my face.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > B_dol 02/15/2018 at 16:07

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A lotus would be so fun! It is definitely on my list of potential next cars. The issue is I will need a DD next. I think DD’ing a lotus would be fun for about a month. haha

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 02/15/2018 at 16:10

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I felt the same way when I drove one. The seating position was all wrong, even being a skinny 5'9". The clutch was also super long throw so that made things worse. I needed to be further away for driving but closer for the clutch. They are absolutely beautiful though.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/15/2018 at 16:13

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Every step along the way felt like it was going to derail the purchase. But everything worked out, it was just more hassle than I expected. I was pretty sure everyone at work thought I was looking for a new job. I had the random phone calls, shutting my door a lot, leaving early, nervous demeanor, etc. lol

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/15/2018 at 16:13

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I have something going on this Sunday and a spare seat. I’ll send you guys an email.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 02/15/2018 at 16:16

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The engine still needs to come out for the belt job. My water pump failed late last year so I basically did the entire engine out service a year early. Everything else, maintenance or repairs, are pretty easy though. A lot of owners even do their own engine out. It’s designed to come out so it’s less scary than you would think. I might do it myself next time, but I wasn’t taking any chances this time around haha

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > random001 02/15/2018 at 16:16

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Awesome! Post about it or comment on something before you do!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Stephenson Valve Gear 02/15/2018 at 16:18

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I’m glad you enjoyed it! I want to document as many things as possible with the car so I can share that with anyone who is interested. The issue is I’m terrible about actually writing posts haha

HPoz - I like Honda Fits and I cannot lie > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 16:40

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Congrats on your 348! I love the baby ‘Rossas.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 16:44

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I am going to be in Dallas for ~15 weeks for work so my schedule is going to be hectic. I should be home in LA most weekends but my time is likely to be capitalized by my girlfriend. Hoping she is okay with going on some Sunday drives though since that is 100% the only thing I want to do while home since my cars will barely get driven these next few months.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 16:47

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Haha yeah I bet that seemed sketchy from their perspective. Makes sense though, it’s a huge purchase and something you had been looking forward to for a while. I think it would be hilarious to show up to work someday in the car and park without anyone seeing you. And see how many people in the office try to guess who’s car it is.

random001 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 16:56

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Oh, I will now!

E90M3 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 17:05

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I was glad I could help someone get a dream car, it really took me back to when I got mine.

Next time I visit Golf R guy, you’ll have to show me the Ferrari.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > E90M3 02/15/2018 at 18:05

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We’ll have to plan some type of meet next time you are around!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > HPoz - I like Honda Fits and I cannot lie 02/15/2018 at 18:06

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Thank you! They definitely complement each other well

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/15/2018 at 18:08

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That’s right! I remember you saying that. Time to convince her to buy a fun car and “practice” her driving skills :)

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/15/2018 at 18:10

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If we had more than 8 people in the office (17 total, including production) and our building wasn’t Compton adjacent, I totally would! haha

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 18:37

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Haha I would love to get her to learn to drive stick and then just drive my Miata. But I would imagine she would HATE the seat and no really be able to reach the pedals either since it doesn’t move lol

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 18:38

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 Congrats! That’s pretty awesome.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 19:32

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Congrats. The poster I had on the wall as a kid was the Countach. So ther’s no way that’s going to happen.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/15/2018 at 19:35

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Dallas? Yell if you want to grab some food while you are here

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > haveacarortwoorthree2 02/15/2018 at 19:54

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I’m here most weekdays for the foreseeable future. I would definitely enjoy that! I’m out in the Richardson area but would love to explore some new places eventually. At least I’m earning a crap ton of Hilton points!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > haveacarortwoorthree2 02/15/2018 at 19:55

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Thank you! I had an F50 on my wall but this seems like an OK sub, for now. I keep hoping Gallardos will keep dropping but not much luck yet.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/15/2018 at 19:56

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Teach her with the STi! Might be easier with the bit of extra torque!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! 02/15/2018 at 20:04

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Thank you!!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 20:36

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I’ve found the Miata to be much more forgiving and easier to drive. While the clutches are not all that different, 2nd and 3rd gear are stupid short in the STi which makes them annoying to use at pedestrian speeds. I learned to drive manual on the Miata and rarely stalled it, it wouldn’t be a bad candidate for that purpose really. She just doesn’t really have an interest in it. Her interest in cars is admiring the beauty of a well designed sports car and enjoying the sun with the top down. I still have to convince her that loud noises and burning rubber are good for her health lol

My bird IS the word > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 23:11

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That’s the fun car sweet spot for me anyway. Much more than that and you have issues with insurance, service ect. Although you did get a ferrari... haha

My goal (graduating this spring) is to get into a caterham 7 as fast as possible. I don’t think 60-70k is a huge stretch.

AestheticsInMotion > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/15/2018 at 23:26

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This was a great read. Maybe I missed it, but how long ago did you buy it? Still in love?

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/16/2018 at 08:14

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Awesome write up! Beautiful car.

I must say, the F355 is my dream car. Kind of disheartening to hear you didn’t like it. Then on the other hand we have Chan, who freaking loves his, so I guess it’s all personal taste.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > My bird IS the word 02/16/2018 at 11:15

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That would be a riot!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > AestheticsInMotion 02/16/2018 at 11:16

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Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the read. I bought it fall 2016. I’ve been slow to make posts haha!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > AestheticsInMotion 02/16/2018 at 11:16

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Still puts a smile on my face every time I’m in the garage or behind the wheel!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 02/16/2018 at 11:20

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Thank you! It all comes down to preference. I know a lot of people that love the 355. It’s a very easy car to drive fast, I just like more of a challenge. I still think they have the best sound of any V8 ever made though.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2018 at 11:21

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That is a start, at least!

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/20/2018 at 13:13

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That is a great story. I can’t wait to see her in the Canyons some time. That is probably the best looking of the side strake era cars.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/20/2018 at 16:44

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Thank you! The proportions are much better than the Testarossa, IMO. You’ll def have to come down for a drive sometime!

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/20/2018 at 16:49

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Yes! Maybe before I move down

Yeah I would have to get a F355 or newer or before the side strake era personally. Though I wouldn’t mind a Blown F355 to LS swap

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/21/2018 at 11:10

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The sound of the 355 is the best part of that car. Can’t be replicated with an LS haha

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/21/2018 at 11:48

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That is true, but I would do all the services myself, I don’t give a rats ass about resale packet of binder work, I’d own that car till the end. Especially if it was a challenge car... Ok I’ll keep the V12 for a Challenge car

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/21/2018 at 12:17

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Tons of people DIY the engine out. It isn’t as taboo as you would think. As long as you have pictures and well documented work, it might actually help resale. A lift helps a lot but is not required.

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/21/2018 at 12:34

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Really? I was pretty sure it killed all resale, well that’s nifty. Though if I got a F355 Challenge i would not be worrying about resale. That would be a lifelong car

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/21/2018 at 13:32

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The cars are old now and there are lots of after market upgrades that all DIY’ers use. It’s a crapshoot if a dealer or Indy shop would use them. It might scare off someone, but as long as the documentation is there, I would rather buy a car from an owner who knew enough to do all the maintenance themselves. I am not alone in this thinking haha

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/21/2018 at 15:36

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Oh, that is very interesting information.

Not to just come up with $160-190k

Yes !

Better, I prefer the real thing

So $185k

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/21/2018 at 16:04

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I think I know the owner of that black car haha. I know the owner of the car that popped up on BaT a few months ago. I think it’s still available

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/21/2018 at 16:18

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Yeah the reserve was not met on that one right? Straight trade for my GTO? XD

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/21/2018 at 16:56

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Hahaha I wish