Went to my first Fezza dealer today!

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 07/22/2015 at 17:55 • Filed to: Ferrari

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Was not disappointed and was very much surprised by my experience.

You see, my mother has a friend that works at this dealer, Cauley Ferrari, the only Ferrari dealer in the state, and because of her, I would be given the opportunity to be given a tour of the dealer and see how it works; that is to say, how different it is from the dealers I’m use to. That would be Dodge, Ford, and Porsche dealers.

Fun-Fact: For any Michigan Oppos, naturally, this is where Lingenfelter and Calvin Johnson got their LaFerrari and FF from respectively.

I had to prepare for this visit. I couldn’t walk in wearing my regular tennis attire. So I put on my nicest polo, jeans, and Converse, and took the “nicest”(read as wealthiest) car I could, and went on my way.

Of course, that means I took the 911. The ST is Ford(which I thought would be too plebian, more on that later), and the 944 still needs it’s door handles put on, more on that eventually.

Walking in the doors, I was greeted by a very friendly service-lady, who kindly called my mother’s friend to let him know I was here, I thought that was fancy!

I was also greeted by this awesome Rosso Dino 458 Spider! I learned some colors today too!

Tom, my mother’s friend, soon greeted me and gave me a tour of the dealership and showed me what goes on at an exotic dealer, of which this was my first. He showed me the current selection of vehicles they have, new and pre-owned. Now, Tom is a real car guy, as he shares many not so fortunate car enthusiasts disappointment that cars like these have so few miles and are hardly driven.

He also showed me how they configure cars for clients on this massive widescreen interactive configurator. It’s far more interactive and in depth than what’s on their website. For one, it’s in 3d with animation and views and the lot, you truly can configure your perfect Ferrari there, best configurator I’ve ever seen.

(The owner of the dealer owns that 911SC, didn’t have time for a photo-op, but I will on my next visit)

Funny enough, when I showed him the 911, he recognized the car immediately! He had seen the car at Pasteiner’s this past weekend, but we didn’t see each other until today. Small car world huh. I’ve also been invited to an Italian concourse event this Saturday.

Now, I wasn’t allowed to go into the service area, where they work on cars and such, but I was able to watch and observe professional mechanics do their work on a 512, Testarossa, and what I think was either a 308 or 328? Either way, I could watch them work all day and not get bored, I love watching people and myself work on cars!

Truthfully, I kinda feel bad for the nice folks at this dealer, should they ever, or if they already have dealt with stereotypical Fezza owners, because this dealer, and presumably many others, have very nice people and employees that don’t fit that stereotype at all.

I was also given the opportunity to sit in a Ferrari for the first time here, I chose the F12. It’s much roomier on the inside than most cars I’ve driven. It’s definitely a comfy GT car for sure.

I honestly have to say, this was by far the nicest dealer I’ve ever been to; even beating the one Porsche dealer I went to. This dealer was just so welcoming and friendly, I’m gonna go back and buy a pair of driving gloves on my next trip!

Hell yeah! Driving a Porsche with Fezza gloves! :D

TheOnelectronic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:00

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In STL we have a combination Ferrari/Lamborghini/Bugatti/Bentley/Rolls/Maserati/Lotus/Alfa dealer. I’ve arrived there in an F-250 wearing a grimy T-shirt and gotten a very pleasant reception.

But I’ve also been to plenty of exotic dealerships where “You can’t afford to talk to us.”

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > TheOnelectronic 07/22/2015 at 18:06

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That last bit was exactly the reason I took every precaution to look “wealthier” than I actually am. I dressed casually and took a drove a Porsche by day, I’m a “poor” college student by night. :p

Because of the very pleasant reception I got today, I was shocked honestly. At least compared to that one time I went to a Porsche dealer and wasn’t noticed by anyone because I just walked off a tennis court and was not looking like anyone they’d take seriously; I digress.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:07

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I’ve had plenty of people say that if you walk in to an exotic dealer as an obvious gawker and not a customer (or even if you try to pretend) you will get the snobby cold shoulder. I have never found this to be true. Every exotic dealers I’ve ever showed up at it my t-shirt and shorts with camera in hand has welcomed me in and graciously answered all of my questions. They tend to be car people, as you just said. Sounds like you had an awesome experience.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > TheOnelectronic 07/22/2015 at 18:07

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The one in Chesterfield Valley?

TheOnelectronic > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 07/22/2015 at 18:07

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Yep.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/22/2015 at 18:09

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It happened to me at the Porsche dealer I use to frequent. I walked in once wearing tennis clothes and was kinda sweaty. I drove the 944, and got the cold shoulder from everyone but the one salesperson who I first met years ago. He was with a client, but did acknowledge my presence. But I haven’t been back since. I imagine had I taken the 911 which wasn’t running yet, it could have been different.

TheOnelectronic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:11

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That’s a terrible Porsche dealer. “Just walked off the tennis court” is like 80% of Porsche’s clientele.

I actually went to that dealer when I was a wee lad many years ago. They let me sit in and start up a Murcielago. I’ll never forget that little bit of kindness.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > TheOnelectronic 07/22/2015 at 18:11

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Sometimes I’ve walked around outside, I’ve never gone in though. I’ve seen a later Esprit sitting there occasionally.

TheOnelectronic > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 07/22/2015 at 18:12

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I haven’t been in a few years, but I’d encourage you to check it out! The people inside are pretty friendly, and there’s lots of eye candy. They even had an 8C Comp. for a while.

EL_ULY > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:15

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lol kids come into my job all the time and take pictures and selfies with the cars. I let them, I don’t care but the manager usually tell then no. More so my Aston side than anything

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > TheOnelectronic 07/22/2015 at 18:15

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I had just assumed they wouldn’t respond well to a 22yr old in a Trans Am. I might try some time.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:17

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That’s sounds similar to my experience at local Ferrari dealer in Indonesia. Except two things:

1. You can’t enter the 3D room if you’re not really planning to buy a car, and

2. You can’t test drive a car before you buy a car.

Other than that, they’re awesome.

Textured Soy Protein > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:18

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That’s only because you showed up in a 944. ¯\_()_/¯

twinturbobmw > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:18

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Same goes for our local Ferrari dealer. A good friend of mine works there, and you could show up in $500 car and they’ll still treat you extremely nicely and let you take a look at all the cars. And if you know or chat with the employees they’ll even let you into the service department.

LongbowMkII > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:22

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The best dealership I’ve been to was an exotic (Ferrari/AM/Lotus). Parked my ratty mk2 along the side and was still treated with a ton of respect. It was obvious that I wasn’t in the market for the F430 16M, but they encouraged me to take a close look at everything on the floor (included a DB9 volante and a modified and liveried C6)

Shame it folded in 2008 assuming due to the collapse.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 18:44

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Of course. I simply do not fit within the Porsche hierarchy.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > TheOnelectronic 07/22/2015 at 18:45

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I KNOW!!

In any case, you lucky SOB. They did let me sit in cars though, I’ll give them that. And they offered me a job as a porter as well. Not sure if that counts for something.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 07/22/2015 at 18:47

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The 3D room was totes amazeballs!

And I can’t test drive anything anyways, I’m a poor SOB haha! ;)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > EL_ULY 07/22/2015 at 18:49

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Fair I suppose. My mother’s friend is very high in the management there I think, so I think I got lucky perhaps. But I was lightly warned to be mindful of the bolster on the F12 when getting in and out of the car.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > LongbowMkII 07/22/2015 at 18:50

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That sounds like my experience, a good one for sure. :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > twinturbobmw 07/22/2015 at 18:51

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One day, I would like to take a look inside the service department, that would be the best!

EL_ULY > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:52

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We’ve had people scratch he leather and paint on cars because of their phones, shoes, belt buckles, their keys, or those little rivets on jeans by the pockets

twinturbobmw > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:53

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Seeing a 512 with the engine completely out and 458s, 599s taken apart was pretty cool.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > EL_ULY 07/22/2015 at 18:54

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I’d be very afraid as well if I were in your shoes. I always have my hand to the side or behind my back when I get up close to cars; that way, I let people no I’m not touching any cars unless given permission.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > twinturbobmw 07/22/2015 at 18:56

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You lucky SOB haha! :D

LongbowMkII > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:59

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It’s smart business, you never know what the future holds. You win over a potential future millionaire and serving such a limited market, investing that couple of minutes being nice isn’t really costing anything. Makes sense to me.

CaptDale - is secretly British > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 18:59

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That is awesome. I can’t wait to see the dual 911 photo op

LongbowMkII > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 19:01

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At least it wasn't a 924.

Sixtimestodaysofar > TheOnelectronic 07/22/2015 at 19:02

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...like British Motorcars’ new car showroom in SF. Went to look at a used Bentley Arnage Turbo there...wrong showroom. Salesman would not shake my hand when I introduced myself; directed me across the street to the used car bunch, who were terrific.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > LongbowMkII 07/22/2015 at 19:05

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CaptDale - is secretly British > CaptDale - is secretly British 07/22/2015 at 19:19

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Fuck I want some air cooled!

Sam > LongbowMkII 07/22/2015 at 19:32

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Not only that, they also know that you might have friends who ARE in the market for the F430 16m who will hear how nice the people at the dealership are.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 19:39

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This is the sexiest modern Ferrari so far in my opinion. I would do NAUGHTY NAUGHTY things with one.

Axial > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 20:11

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Could be a step toward sales associate if you think you want to do that.

RustedSprinter > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/22/2015 at 22:06

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I’m more interested in the 911 lol.