Ferrari V12 - $35K

[Vince]

On Craigslist today:

1997 FERRARI 456 GTA- $35K - $35000 (danville / san ramon)
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Reply to: sale-514198257@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-12-19, 9:21AM PST

1997 Ferrari 456 GTA Dark, dark green with tan interior. 16k miles on super strong v12. This car is so fast and nice looking. Great driver. I need the cash so call it the xtmas special! Needs some minor non-mechanical work (as all ferrari's do). Call and I will explain the situation but do not waste my time and expect to take a test drive unless you have the money. Thanks.
Chris (925) 324-4226

Front-engine V12 Ferrari - won't this eventually be considered a classic?

[tyang]

As the adage goes, if it's too good to be true, it probably isn't! I'd be curious if this is a scam. He could get that much easily by offering it to a dealer.

Tom

[T308]

<<Needs>>

I wonder which corner is missing...

[jsa330]

I think this same car was advertised on ferrariads.com (fchat classifieds) a few months ago.

[lukek]

1. Minor issues will turn out to be: windows, major service, parking lot crasheroo, title in someone else's name....
2. Or You will get an e-mail back asking to use an escrow service and pre-wire the cost of shipping from Volgaria.

Merry XMas and Happy Holidays everyone.

[AndrewW-G]

At that money I'd be checking the hugely expensive bespoke Ricardo auto box very very very carefully!

[Vince]

This is a more recent "revised" ad:

1997 Ferrari 456 GTA with 16,300 original miles. Strong engine and transmission. New tires. Beautiful car and fun to drive.
The car does need some work none of which is mechanical. Some of the interior needs a little work and there is a scratch on the front spoiler. These cars always need a little work anyway.
It is a salvage title. It hit a curb several years ago which tore off the front wheel and did some suspension damage. It did not hit any other cars or do any body damage. Everything was repaired. This car is for someone who wants a driver and is not a collector. It is a lot of bang for the buck. Call me for the full story and more information. Chris (925) 324-4226

[365gtc/4]

Quote "which tore off the front wheel and did some suspension damage."
I think that when you tear off a wheel you do more than "some" suspension damage. I would be very careful with a very thorough PPI before I would touch such a "bargain". Proceed with haste and repent at leisure!!
John

[David Booth]

"..to get the full story.." is right. The most telling words in the ad are "salvage title", which in California means the vehicle suffered so much damage (collision. flood, vandalism, strip-out), that the cost to repair it was more than the car's fair market value if repaired. And in the case of a 456, that would seem to equate to an awful lot of damage. This is a real big "buyer beware" scenario - not that anyone here would be considering it.

[Rudy van Daalen Wetters]

David hit it right on. If you see "salvage" on a California title, run away.
I saw a newer salvage title Porsche where the front half of one was welded up to the back half of another. Very classy indeed, when you open up the doors and see the crude mess where nothing fits correctly.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

[afwrench]

Patina ?

[Rudy van Daalen Wetters]

My thought it that real patina is caused only by the natural elements with no outside influences by mankind.

Once mankind gets a hold of anything, the deterioration really begins.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

[open roads]

There was a green/tan 456 on E-Bay a couple years ago that was water damaged. I remember the rear diffuser being cracked from towing.