About 3 1/2 weeks ago, I posted a question about the desirability of GTS's vs a '91 S4, and got a lot of nice input. THANKS again to all who resonded.

The bottom line is that I bought the black/black '94 GTS (60K miles) that was in Houston. Had a lot of telephone conversations, e-mails, and received a lot of pictures from Joe Maniaci at Houston Ferrari about the car. We reached an agreement on price dependent on my inspection on Tuesday 1/3. On Wednesday, he told me the brake rotors were worse than he had thought, so he'd split the cost of all new brake rotors & pads with me! He also gave me the name of the only owner and the name and telephone number of the independent shop that had serviced the car for the past 8 years and 45K miles.

I called the shop immediately to see if I'd made the right decision!! After about 15 minutes of discussion with the owner of Houston German Autohaus, I knew I had!! He immediately knew the car, and indicated the PO was one of the wealthiest & most respected men in Houston (e.g. his family trust had given $40 M to MD Anderson hospital). He also stated that every service had been done on or before schedule. And that any time he'd called the PO indicating something the car needed it had been immediately agreed to by the owner. He also offered to print out the service records and give them to me when I came to Houston, pending the PO's approval.

So - flew to Houston on the 5th, saw the car that afternoon, drove it and consumated the purchase. Joe Maniaci could not have been more forthright in his description of the car - all the items that were less than perfect had been communicated in writing, orally, or in pictures. He felt the battery was a bit weak on Wednesday, so installed a new one before I arrived. After I had a ~1 hr tour of the Ferrari racing facilities and engine building operation there (he indicated they were the largest Ferrari dealer in the US, and have the largest Ferrari racing support operation as well), I drove over to Houston German Autohaus and got the records from Hans - shop owner. After a 10-15 minute discussion of the car - in which he said to his knowledge the car needed nothing mechanically, he said "I want to come out to say good bye to an old friend". (And, the service records do indicate the PO had spent a pile of bucks maintaining the car). Hans looked the car over and was complimentary of it. We then shook hands and I left for an uneventful 1425 mile drive home.

The car has a dozen or so minor cosmetic items that I will address over the next year. First one has been done - removing and discarding the $500+ option of an in car telephone system where the arm rest/cassette box between the seats normally is. I've also removed the OE black seats and replaced them with a set of 12 way power/heated silver grey seats witih black piping. Rear seat changeout will be done this spring, as the car is now in winter storage.

My drive home was most enjoyable, and made me appreciate the differences between the '94 GTS automatic and the previous automatics ('87 and '88) I've had and the '88 I currently have. The torque is really nice in the 65-90 mph range, but the 0.4 extra liters and the higher numberical axle ratio DO require more frequent usage of the credit card at gasoline stations!!!!

All in all, I'm very pleased with the transaction. I like the car a lot, and it is definitely a long term "keeper" for an old guy like me. I've named it Katrina - partially in respect for the storm that didn't get this car, but mostly for my wonderful wife Katherine (Kitty) who is also a KEEPER!!! However, if it requires as many service dollars as it did from the previous owner, it WILL be for sale!!!! - ha.

Thanks for your time.

Gary Knox
West Chester, PA

 

Congratulations!! It nice to hear that good purchase relationships still exist.

 

Sounds like your research was rewarded! Good luck with it!
Hammer

 

I've dealt with Joe for years and it has always been a pleasure.

 

Any photos of your baby before she was put away? Sounds like a great car. I'm not far from you, so I'll wave this spring when a black blur over takes me on Germantown Pike or 476!

 

Excellent. Glad to hear you were dealing with a dealer that is on the up-and-up.

 

Congrats! Sounds like a great Shark has found a good home with a very deserving owner!

 

Congratulations...Both on the car and the purchase experience!
Do you know if this car was ever at the "Keels and Wheels" Concours in Seabrook? IIRC, there was a blk / blk GTS there 2 or 3 years ago...

 

Congrats, Gary!

I was in Houston over New Years when this car was listed and went by to look. Unfortuately, I didn't make it during regular business hours and didn't get to see it up close. It looked pretty nice and straight. I'm envious of your car and the trip home; I'm sure it was fun! One of these days I plan on making a trip of that length, but it may be a while.

Post some pics!

Regards,
David

 

Gary... way to score; glad you're keeping another shark
for the shiver.

It's good to see that not all 'horse traders' in TX are less
than straight.

G'luck.

 

Well done Gary - a great purchase and welcome to the GTS club.
I may be interested in the car phone option console.
Best,
Roger

 

A great example of the proper process to go through when buying a 928 - congrats!

 

Pictures!!!

 

Way to go! That first long trip home is really special.

I wish my trip to Houston last year had been as fruitful. Let's just say that the dealer that I was dealing with didn't agree with my assessment of his car. I said no, and flew home.

 

Wow, Roger actually allowed a 928 to be exported from Texas?

Sounds like you're one of the lucky few to have had a good transaction with a dealer. Maybe you also named it Katrina for the damage it will do to other cars on track days?