Ever since I can remember I have constantly had a enthusiasm for sports vehicles. When I was growing up I would see Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini conducting press releases for their new vehicles in the late 80’s. These vehicles had been frequently featured in movies and television programmes. The in style series Magnum P.I showcased Tom Selleck rushing round the Ferrari 308 GTS.

That set the scene for a passionate affair with Ferrari which would endure for a long time to follow. I was raised up in a middle class family and didn’t possess the greatest begining in life. Saying that it didn’t stop me from being ambitious and wanting to obtain my dreams. I came from a devoutly spiritual family so I always believed that if I attempted to be the very best man I could be afterwards one day God would allow me my wishes.

Anyhow moving swiftly on to 1999 right after the release of the 360 Modena, I was still in Uni and the fantasy of owning a Ferrari was slowly vanishing as I was occupied with other meaningless pursuits.

As soon as I graduated I got a excellent job and I began to restore determination and become more focused. I was 21 years old and set my sights on a Ferrari 355 Spider with a price range of around £60,000. It was not going to be a brand new automobile but was and even now is the ideal looking car Ferrari have at any time made in my humble view. Far more vitally it was all I could realistically afford to put aside.

I lived the next 3 years residing on ends meat and conserving just about every penny I had towards purchasing my dream car. I would commit hours searching through world-wide-web photos of the 355 Spider. I was by no means much of a socialite and highly believed that a vehicle of this magnitude would catapult me into the lime light. It was the answer to all my complications and quickly I may have a verdant new start and be a new man.

As I got into my 4th year of saving I suddenly realised that I had saved a substantial amount of money and if I saved for a wee bit more I might actually buy a Ferrari 360 Modena. I wasn’t certain whether or not to suddenly alter my fantasy car for this new launch.

The year was 2004 and I was in London’s Edgware Road, home of the affluent and elite Arab community. As I was driving down the road I saw a red Ferrari 360 Modena parked outdoors of the restaurants on the main road. There was a young male inside the automobile with the engine running. I witnessed individuals including myself with their jaw fallen open and not understanding whether to glare at the car or the mysterious proprietor.

That was it my head was decided and I was going to buy a Ferrari 360 Modena whatever it took. The sheer road presence of that vast 3.6 litre beast of a car was adequate to stun any individual fortunate enough to glimpse into it.

Finally immediately after approximately 4 and a half years of hard conserving I had gathered approximately £70,000 and was ready to choose my Ferrari. Now I couldn’t buy one brand new simply because I wasn’t a residence owner and the financial institutions wouldn’t lend me the extra £35K necessary to acquire a new model out right.

I afterwards sought about to looking the internet and magazines like Top Marques to uncover the car most suited to my price range. That was in all probability the happiest period of time from the 5 years of continual distress saving for it vehicle.

Along arrived an advert for a W registration year 2000 model car that was being sold at just shy of £67,000 by an independent seller in Park Royal London. I phoned them a number of occasions and once they realised my age was only 25 these folks lost interest even though I guaranteed them that I could manage insurance for the vehicle. These dealers are mindful of to time wasters looking for a quick joy ride with no intention to buy a vehicle. In any case after quite a few mobile phone calls and persuasion I was given a day to show up and examine the car.

I turned up to the dealership which wasn’t what one may say seemed like a common Ferrari show room. There was a small back office with a couple of overseas workers who were not specifically welcoming and appeared not to want to make eye contact.

The director of the company was an English man and asked one of his cronies to show me round the automobile. I was taken into the show room which was a lck up hanger kind place with about two million worth of super vehicles within. I was so shocked staring at these vehicles of every make and model I became in the traditional kid in a candy store mode.

I was taken to my car and had a cursory glimpse round. Yes it was a Ferrari and it seemed good. There was a few minor scratches to the exterior but the vendor promised it will be definetely sorted out earlier than the day of collection.

I was so thrilled I quickly agreed and a deposit was put down on the automobile pending collection. On the date prior to I showed up to pick up my car I wire transferred the outstanding money into the dealers nominated account.

On the day I turned up I was again greeted by workers with a similar miserable, cold looks. I then was advised that my car was undergoing a couple of final assessments and would be ready soon. I waited an hour or so and was after that instructed that the air conditioning canister was being replaced over and may take a few more hrs. I was truly annoyed but tried not to let my rage spoil the day I had been dreaming of for quite a few years.

I was accompanied by a friend who advised we go ove to the nearby restaurant and wait. Right after about 4 hrs we were finally advised my car was prepared. The car was driven from the garage and sounded good. It appeared great too. I then went to sign the paper work and finalise the sale. When I met the director who in hindsight was to be a well known crook on the world-wide-web forums, he stated that he didn’t have the log book for the vehicle and that it was on its way from the DVLA. He pulled out a photocopy of the original log book as if to legitimise the sale.

Both my pal and I were thoroughly disgusted and my pal recommended that we walk aside from the deal all together. My heart sank knowing that I had simply handed over £67K and almost certainly may never see it again. The director spoke some garbage concerning his brother being a top barrister in the city and that it was all kosher. I was left in such a tough place I felt ill and just wished to get my documents, car and run out and then consider it later.

I got into the Ferrari and suddenly started noticing issues that I had beforehand never spotted on my initial showing. The most note deserving matter was that the car was marketed as having only 19,000 miles but the digital display confirmed 22,000 miles. The inside of the automobile was a total mess. The carpets were torn the inside appeared as if it had not been tidied in many years. Other details I realised was things like one of the CD player buttons had fallen off. The trade mark Pininfarina metal emblem on the side skirt was half snapped off.

For whatever reason I just got in the car feeling both excited, nervous and sick at a similar time. The initial factor I had to do was go get some petrol at the nearby forecourt. I suddenly became aware that all eyes were on me. Park Royal is a toilet and I was so anxious that I was nearly shaking. I managed to get my fuel, with looks of smiles from both the staff and customers alike. The drive home was the solely pleasant portion of my journey. It was precisely as I had expected it with automobiles following me down the motor way and individuals staring into uncover who was at the driver’s seat.

Once I got home I got straight onto my solicitor who advised me to take the Log book issue up with the DVLA. As for the fact that the car was bought “not as described” the solicitor was of the view that the car being five years old meant that it would not be really worth proceeding to the civil courts for damages. I was bitterly disappointed but that was it I was now stuck with this car.

In the end after numerous cell phone calls and visits to the DVLA offices I managed to get the LOG book in my title so that was a little relief. In part 2 of this report I will include the next 12 months of my journey as a absolutely fledged Ferrari owner. The ups the downs and everything in between.

If you are silly enough to buy a second hand Ferrari from any private seller for God sake don’t let your lust blind you into the predicament which I found myself.

Right here is a list of checks that the DVLA themselves suggest just before acquiring any automobile but the guidance is no different once it comes to acquiring a Ferrari. Bear in mind that just because you are having to pay dream deserving sum of money does not necessarily mean you will be handed the keys to a fantasy deserving car.  

Step 1: Before seeing the vehicle 

• Here are some things to consider before you see the vehicle:
• be careful of mobile phone numbers – owners are hard to trace
• watch out for adverts giving a landline number and times to call – criminals often use phone boxes
• check the market value of the vehicle – if it’s offered much cheaper, ask yourself why
• check the Vehicle Identification number (VIN) and engine number against the registration certificate (V5C) – your main dealer can help you locate them
• arrange to see the vehicle in daylight at the seller’s home and not in a public car park; always consider your personal safety
• ask if the seller is the registered keeper, so you can view at the registered keeper’s address (shown on the V5C)
• be careful, some dishonest dealers pose as private sellers to offload unsafe and ‘clocked’ cars
• consider taking a qualified vehicle examiner with you – a number of companies provide this service if you don’t know anybody with sufficient knowledge of vehicles
• ask the seller for the registration number, make and model of the vehicle
• ask the seller for the expiry date of the tax disc, and the MOT test number
• check whether the vehicle has outstanding finance or has been stolen or written off
• You can check this information before you see the vehicle with a variety of companies. You’ll need to check with the companies what services they provide. 

Step 2: Checking the vehicle’s registration certificate (V5C)

• Thieves can change a stolen vehicle and its paperwork to make it look like a real one (this is known as ‘cloning’).
• Hold the V5C up to the light – there should be a ‘DVL’ watermark.Make sure the seller has the right to sell the vehicle. If the seller has had the vehicle for some time, they should have any of the following:
• a bill of sale (receipt)
• service records
• MOT certificate
• Remember, the V5C is not proof of ownership.
• Make sure the V5C matches the vehicle’s details and all other documentation provided.
• Look out for stolen V5Cs. If the seller has a blue V5C with a serial number in the following ranges don’t go ahead with the sale and contact the police when it’s safe to do so:
• BG8229501 to BG9999030
• BI2305501 to BI2800000
• The serial number is in a white circle in the top right hand corner of the V5C.
• Be careful, even if the serial number doesn’t fall within the above ranges. Don’t buy the vehicle if you think the serial number has been altered, or if part of the V5C is missing.
• There have been a number of changes to the V5C. These include a new colour and improved customer information.

 Step 3: Checking the vehicle

• Before buying a vehicle you should check:
• if the engine has been changed in any way
• that all locks open with the same key – thieves change locks that have been damaged
• if there are two keys available – clones are rarely sold with both
• that the VIN and engine number match those on the V5C and that the surrounding areas have not been altered or covered
• You should also check the condition of the vehicle.
• If you decide to buy the vehicle, avoid paying in cash. Pay by a banking system and get a receipt.
• You can print the checklist below and take it with you as a reminder of what to look for when buying a vehicle.

Step 4: Specific to the purchase a Ferrari or other super car 

• Make sure you get a full diagnostics check conducted and look over the report carefully
• The diagnostic check will reveal which grade individual parts and indicate which parts are perishing and need replacement.
• This will give you some idea of costs involved after you have purchased the vehicle. Beware parts and servicing alone can be a considerable expense if the vehicle has not been well maintained.
• Make sure that the service book shows stamps for each year since the vehicle hit the road.
• The stamps should from either Ferrari themselves or a Ferrari approved dealer.
• A break in service history will almost certainly affect the residual value of the vehicle.
• Inspect every inch of the exterior paint work especially the front bumper and side vents. If these areas have considerable scratches in indicates that the car has been driven pretty fast over a period of time.
• Check that the interior is in good order, carefully inspecting the upholstery, carpets and electrics.

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