Best car for Guam island with no dealer service? | FerrariChat

Best car for Guam island with no dealer service?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by mbaldyga, Sep 5, 2014.

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  1. mbaldyga

    mbaldyga Rookie

    Aug 31, 2014
    2
    Guam
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    Mark B
    #1 mbaldyga, Sep 5, 2014
    Hi folks

    Ok. So I know it's a bit silly. But I live on a small tropical island in the pacific and I'd like a Ferrari and need some advice! Have had 911S, Cayenne, Jags, etc. Currently have BMW 650Li, 750Li, Panamera, and Range Rover.

    The roads can be a bit spotty so ground clearance should be decent (5 in ideal) but generally roads are ok especially between my house and work. No highways here and no dealer so I will pay for service. There's one decent European auto mechanic (Porsche master mechanic). Says he can work on it (there is a 430 here) but he'd prefer to get the diagnostic computer on rent if needed. Like I said a little dumb but I've always wanted a ferrari.

    I drove the California. Not bad as a daily driver I guess but not my vision of a Ferrari. 430 is a bit spartan inside for me. Love the look of the 458 inside and out but haven't driven it. 612 is also beautiful and classy in and out but I want a spyder (tropics). Lambourghini Gallardo is another option?

    Budget pref is $175-275k but I'm more mindful of the net loss on resale than the upfront.
    Thought I'd look for low miles late model with service history. I'll use it as my main daily driver but add only 7k miles/year (small island!) and keep it probably 3 yrs.

    Anyone have any thoughts for me on what would be a sexy looking, classy, RELIABLE and serviceable model -- other than telling me it's silly :)

    Mark
     
  2. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    Nov 1, 2003
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    David S.
    #2 David_S, Sep 5, 2014
    Good luck with your search!

    Having spent a little time on Guam, I can't imagine how quickly you go through performance tires driving on those coral based roads! Our "duty van" must have chewed through a set of normal tires in just a couple of weeks...
     
  3. [gTr]

    [gTr] Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2008
    1,024
    Hamburg, Germany
    #3 [gTr], Sep 5, 2014
    I would say F430 spyder manaual or a Gallardo spyder manual. Both will have chains and not belts and none of the F1 or DSG related electronics.
     
  4. skierlawyer

    skierlawyer Formula Junior

    Sep 12, 2010
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    Golden, CO
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    Brian
    #4 skierlawyer, Sep 5, 2014
    +1 but good luck finding such a car. seems like most are paddle shift. What about a 328 GTS?
     
  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    #5 Rifledriver, Sep 5, 2014
  6. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
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    Dec 7, 2003
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    Winston Salem, NC
    #6 Ricambi America, Sep 5, 2014
    There is an F355 owner, who posts on this site, currently living on Guam. Hopefully he'll post here soon.
     
  7. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 4, 2004
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    #7 LightGuy, Sep 5, 2014


    I was thinking the same.
    Or with 275K to spend a Boxer.
    Won't lose a nickel.
     
  8. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran
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    Vince V
    #8 vvassallo, Sep 5, 2014
    Having visited Guam many times I cannot see why anyone would own a Ferrari on that rock. An offroad vehicle sure, but a high performance supercar? Where are you going to drive it? It's hot and muggy and the roads are paved with a weird coral sand concrete mixture. Can't be good for performance tires. And salt air, hurricanes and monsoons? I just don't see it, brother, but good luck to you.
     
  9. blackbolt22

    blackbolt22 F1 Veteran

    Sep 25, 2007
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    Mr. Anderson
    #9 blackbolt22, Sep 5, 2014
    I have to agree. I cannot imagine owning a high end sports car of any kind on a small island. Especially one with poor roads.

    I've visited Grand Cayman several times. It has great roads but your top speed is 45 mph. There is simply no place to drive. But again it's not me making the decision.
     
  10. Shaide

    Shaide Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2008
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    Jason
    #10 Shaide, Sep 5, 2014
    Hey, it worked for Magnum! 8P
     
  11. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,768
    #11 Shark01, Sep 5, 2014
    This guy has your answer.....Lamborghini LM002 SUV
     
  12. blackbolt22

    blackbolt22 F1 Veteran

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    Mr. Anderson
    #12 blackbolt22, Sep 6, 2014
    I did see quite a few exotics in Ibiza but there is a lot more open space there.

    God that place is a dust bowl though.
     
  13. raf456

    raf456 Karting

    Jan 27, 2013
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    Robert Freiburghouse
    #13 raf456, Sep 6, 2014
    I second the advise regarding tires. I also lived in the tropics and sold my Ferrari before moving. There I had a Mustang GT for a year but eventually just got a Jeep like everyone else. Back now in the real world and enjoying cars again. I cannot imagine having a new or nearly new Ferrari on an island like Guam. On St. Croix there was one Porsche Boxster and a Lotus (before its bottom was ripped open by the road).
     
  14. SoftwareDrone

    SoftwareDrone F1 Veteran
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    #14 SoftwareDrone, Sep 6, 2014
    Having spent 2 1/2 years on Guam, I would recommend buying the cheapest, most rusted out car you can find. If you don't, it will quickly turn into the cheapest, most rusted out car you can find.
     
  15. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,269
    #15 Mitch Alsup, Sep 6, 2014
    Here is the real problem--5" road surface irregularities interacts poorly with the 4.2" ground clearances in the typical modern Ferrari.
     
  16. Mozella

    Mozella Formula Junior

    Mar 24, 2013
    905
    Piemonte, Italia
    #16 Mozella, Sep 7, 2014
    I'm with everyone else; i.e. this is a poor idea. But if you must then I would suggest a manual 360 Modena coupe. Yes, you must service the belts, but this job is done engine in and can be done by any good mechanic; either the owner or a professional. Factory Diagnostic equipment would be nice, but unless you're really unlucky you can diagnose most problems the old-school way. Unlike the F-1 transmission, you can change clutches in the manual version just like any other car without the magic (expensive) diagnostic box.

    The 360 is definitely sexy and modern enough so that it's not quirky but the cost is low enough that you don't have an ultra huge stack of money invested in a car which you intend to operate WAY of it's intended environment.
     

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