Northwest Investment Cars? feedback | FerrariChat
Buy

Northwest Investment Cars? feedback

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by Bullfighter, Mar 16, 2005.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #1 Bullfighter, Mar 16, 2005
    I'm hunting for my first F-car - 308 or 328 - and have noticed a few interesting ones at Northwest Investment Cars. As a relative newbie, I'm reluctant to buy a Ferrari from a dealer that doesn't specialize in them, but I'm also finding that my local dealers (Ferrari-Maserati of San Diego/Orange County) don't stock 3x8's...

    So, anyone bought from these guys? Good experience? Problems? Car as advertised?

    Any input would very appreciated. I'd probably have a prospective purchase looked at by Tonkin anyway.

    Jon
     
  2. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2002
    26,107
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    #2 donv, Mar 16, 2005
    I'd do a search on them-- they've been discussed on this forum before.

    I've never bought a car from them, but have occasionally wandered through their showroom and had a bit of a creepy feeling. However, they've been in business for a long time, and I would think that if the price is right and the car checks out they would be OK.
     
  3. Air_Cooled_Nut

    Air_Cooled_Nut Formula Junior

    Nov 25, 2004
    952
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Toby Erkson
    #3 Air_Cooled_Nut, Mar 16, 2005
    I know the Porsche 914 they used to have for sale was priced kinda high but it did sell. I looked at the various Ferrari's there, mostly showing my girlfriend where my future car intrests now lay (and she approved once she saw them in the flesh), and they were nice looking*. I didn't give them a deep, thorough inspection as I'm very new to Ferrari but at first blush they looked good.

    If you have a particular one in mind I could take pictures of it and email them to you as I have a decent digital camera. Just lemme know which one and of anything in particular you want photographed: [email protected]. I would defer an actual FerrariChat member inspection to someone more knowledgeable about Ferrari's than I. I can find rust on a 914 or air-cooled VW but could only give educated guesses for the Italian steed.

    * A Ferrari, like most sports cars, is far more breath-taking in person (i.e. "in metal") than in a photograph!
     
  4. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #4 Bullfighter, Mar 17, 2005
    Air-cooled: You're right, the cars look better in person. And thanks for the offer.

    DonV: Maybe I need to search the old forum - didn't find anything here using 'Northwest'. I'll poke around some more.

    I was really more interested in whether someone who had bought at NWI had had a good experience. I'd like to know the dealership's track record when it comes to inspecting the cars they sell, etc., and how they handle any issues that come up right after a sale.

    Jon
     
  5. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2002
    26,107
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    #5 donv, Mar 17, 2005
  6. dinogt4guy

    dinogt4guy F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2004
    3,411
    Hewitt, Tx.
    Full Name:
    Kurtis Fordice
    #6 dinogt4guy, Mar 17, 2005
    Very careful with these guys. Seems to me that there was someone else looking at buying a car from them and had nothing but trouble. They would'nt let them take the car someplace else to have a PM done. They gave some lame excuse or something like that. This dos'nt mean they may not have a decent car. I'd just be very careful indeed. I'd go thru Ron Tonkin GT if at all possible. Good luck on your quest.

    Kurt


    There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!
     
  7. Scotty

    Scotty F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    10,491
    Oregon
    Full Name:
    Scotty Ferrari
    #7 Scotty, Mar 17, 2005
    I second what Kurtis said. I have another friend who looked for a car there, and they would not allow an independent inspection. The guys there in general seem nice, and they do turn over stock, but beware of any uninspected car, esp. a Ferrari.

    However, if something really catches your eye, I can probably swing by as well.

    For another source, consider calling Greg Theis at Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo here in Portland. Great guy, owns a 308, and has the line on many, many cars that are for sale. Pricing tends to be quite good, unlike certain other official Ferrari dealerships. His number is 503-255-7560.
     
  8. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #8 Bullfighter, Mar 17, 2005
    I've called and told them I'm on the hunt for a great 308qv or early 328. You're right, Greg was very helpful and a nice guy to talk cars with.

    Jon
     
  9. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #9 Bullfighter, Mar 17, 2005
    Thanks Don - well, this is exactly what I was hoping NOT to hear, but it does say a lot. There's no way I'm going to Ferrari-shop long distance from a non-Ferrari dealer that won't take the PPI seriously or would sell a car with potentially dangerous (old fuel lines on a carb'ed 308...) and expensive flaws.

    If Tonkin comes through and finds me something, I'll let you know. Thanks again for saving me some potential grief and $.

    Jon
     

Share This Page