Proper way to request PPI?

Call them up tell them you want a PPI. There is a bunch of info on a PPI in Chat. Look up a search. Also make sure whom ever is very familiar with Ferrari's. They need to know the "issues" with the California

 

Negotiate the price you are willing to pay for the car, if they agree, ask to make it contingent upon the results of a PPI, at your expense, of course. And be prepared to hold the car with a deposit. Do not necessarily expect them to deliver the car for the PPI, or arrange it for you. With a Ferrari they may be reluctant to allow you to drive it somewhere for one, and may only be willing to allow a Ferrari dealer to perform it. (Some dealers and independents will not even do one because they don’t want the liability if something goes wrong after the fact or they miss something.)

Sometimes you can find someone to look the car over at the seller’s location. It really varies. But above all, be ready to buy the car assuming a good result, especially from a private seller. It’s aggravating on a private sale to go through the process arranging and accommodating the PPI, get a perfect result and then have the buyer back out. I even had a Porsche buyer refuse to pay the shop after they had performed it because he got into a shouting match with the mechanic on the merits of a leakdown vs a compression test. (I paid them anyway as it was not the shop’s fault that the buyer was an argumentative jerk.)

As a courtesy, if you pass on the car, give the seller a copy of the report as well. Try to be reasonable negotiating addressing what the PPI finds — some shops or dealers will list everything imaginable and quote a staggering total for things that don’t require immediate attention or that the seller may have disclosed and priced into the car. You are usually better off getting any work done locally anyway to make sure it’s done right, and dealer prices can be much higher than respected independent shops. But don’t hesitate to walk away if the car has issues, that’s the whole point of it.

 

That IS a great write up. The Ferrari dealer I talked with to have a PPI done on a 355 was quite familiar with the process. She gave me a list of all the things they check. Which included a compression and leak down test. Perhaps the dealer you are considering could provide the same. At $1500.00 I thought it was quite reasonable. Good luck with your purchase.

 

I would pick the one you like better, negotiate your best deal contingent on PPI and then proceed from there. It's a tough call as both cars look very nice. I would go with the white/tan one due to the much lower mileage and much cooler seats with the top down, you can upgrade those wheels for a few thousand.

 

One thing to note, don’t ever take the dealerships own mechanics ppi as a good ppi and always have an independent ppi done weather it’s a Ferrari dealer or reputable independent shop. Personally I declined to even discuss cars with dealerships that refused ppi inspections and even had one that said what’s a ppi. Most dealers who have knowledge of exotic cars will be receptive to ppi request though may specify needs to be Ferrari dealer that does ppi.

 

A few days late, but the attached New Power Warranty Inspection form is a good base line for a Pre Purchase Inspection.

If a Ferrari Dealership is the one performing the PPI, the attached form would count towards a New Power Warranty if you chose to go that route.

Steve