| Author | Message | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1225 Registered: 2-2001 |
I'm going to 300 or 305 rears to keep the rear more planted & I'll be using a wing on the 512TR race car | ||
| Lou B (Toby91)
Junior Member Username: Toby91 Post Number: 71 Registered: 4-2001 |
William H. Your right about 512's getting loose without any warning. I spun mine big time at Roebling Road and it was "pucker time' with "both feet in". Fortunately, no ugly contact and I recovered and kept going. Its a great car and the TUBI really sings. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1223 Registered: 2-2001 |
Ive been tracking my 512TR for 2 seasons now and I feel like I am finally getting a good handle on the beast, and it really is a beast. I run on slicks now & have done a few minor mods to get an extra 35 hp out of the engine. The 512TR will spin in a heartbeat & when she spins it will be almost instant. I have only now come to the point where I can catch her spinning but u have to be REALLY fast to catch it. Also the brakes sukk for such a heavy car but Brembo has a good upgrade package now. u really cant compare it to a Mondial, might as well compare it to a Cadillac or an SUV, they r just too far apart in thier life missions. Not dissing Mondial owners, juts that Mondials r family cars , a 512TR is a missile  | ||
| Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 100 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks a lot guys for all your inputs! Very helpful. | ||
| Robert (Ferraribob)
New member Username: Ferraribob Post Number: 16 Registered: 6-2002 |
Peter: I ALWAYS warm my Ferraris for at least 5-10 minutes before driving them. I will drive them 'gently' with low RPM shifting until I see the OIL temperature gauge start to move. The 512 has a large oil capacity with a dry sump/oil reservoir. Thus it can take quite some time before the oil temperature rises enough to register on the oil temperature gauge. However, I feel oil is the "life blood" of the engine and I am maximizing its longevity by this 'ritual.' Again, hope you enjoy the toy and include some pictures on here soon! | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Junior Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 52 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'd always warm any engine/tranny/car I care about before driving it hard<or>. So, yes Having driven an older Testarosa, and a Mondial 3.2cab, I can offer this. Both feel like Ferraris, the 512 just feels like TWELVE TIMES the ferrar the Mondial is Mondial feels taught, responsive, sporty, compared to any 'other car' but the 512 will make it feel like a boat! The 512 CAN be a real handful at above 8/10ths (engine ontop of gearbox plus heavy car with lotsa grip makes a <rewarding!> challenge to drive.) but even 6/10ths in a 512TR is higher than I would ever be able to take a Mondial. In short, take it only a little more agressively than you do in the mondial, and she'll never let you down. Take it to atrack and learn how to drive it to the max in a safe condition before you even try on the street though. The 512 is a full-on racer for the street, and it CAN and WILL bite you in the ass if you're not giving the car all of you (you should not drive it in any other condition imho.) Best! Ben. | ||
| Lloyd Bemis (Lloyd)
New member Username: Lloyd Post Number: 24 Registered: 8-2001 |
I have a 1994 512TR. I have owned a Twin Turbo RX7, a Viper, and two NSXs. I love the TR. The torque is one of the major features that differentiates it from the RX7 and the NSX. I would assume that this torque should also differentiate the 512TR from your Mondial. Having a lot of torque in my mind makes every day driving easier as it will pull from every gear. I have not had any problem with the shifter as long as car is warmed up. The size of the car is not a problem for me in most situations as it has a good forward view and the rear view is tolerable. However, the only downside in this regard is that because this car is heavy and there is no assist in the steering it is difficult to manuever the car at slow speeds such as in tight parking situations. However, it is not a car that I want to parallel park or park in any tight situation. Once the car is moving over a few miles per hour the steering feels perfect. I find that the when one combines the power and torque with the superior handling of this car that the overall driving experience is far superior to the other cars I have owned. You should also note that at least in one publication I read they considered the 512TR to be much more driveable than the older Testarossa. I hope this helps. | ||
| Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 97 Registered: 5-2002 |
Sorry about asking so many dumb questions, but I want to make 100% sure that I am doing everything right when it comes to F-cars. | ||
| Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 96 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks, Robert! That helps to clear up a few things in my mind. BTW, given it's newer, is it still recommended to warm the 512TR's engine for 5 minutes or so before driving off? I do that with the Mondial. In fact, isn't this engine warming routine the rule of thumb for all Ferraris, no matter old or new? | ||
| Robert (Ferraribob)
New member Username: Ferraribob Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have both a 308 Quattrovalvole & a 1993 512TR. For what it's worth, I will offer my 2 cents since both the Mondial and 308 have very similar engines. The 512 in my opinion is 4 times that of my 308. The 512's torque from low end to high end is phenomenal over the 308. Steering is smoother. Braking is far superior. Shifting is very smooth once the gearbox warms up. My mechanic tells me that the 512's gears are very tough, but as with any transmission, the less shifting mistakes you make the better. The 512 sticks & corners really well but is a much heavier car (over 4,000lbs.) and as such has a 'heavier' feel than the 308. In other words, I feel my 308 is more nimble in some cornering situations. Hope this helps. Enjoy your new toy | ||
| Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 95 Registered: 5-2002 |
I know both are 2 different beasts, and I probably shouldn't compare them. But, what I am really after is the driveability factor. I just want to know how it feels compared with the Mondial when driving around town, with the occassional blast down the highway. I will not take the 512 to the track because there isn't one in Hong Kong. Just can't resist its looks. The 512TR and Testarossa styling has always been my favorite of all Ferraris. Is there something I should be careful about when driving the 512TR, given the 512 is that much more expensive to service? Can it take the occasional mistake (such as the occassional high revving before shifting, badly timed shifting, etc) better than the Mondial? Thanks! | ||
| S. P. (512tr1994)
New member Username: 512tr1994 Post Number: 18 Registered: 6-2002 |
The 512tr will blast the Mondial out of the water. Don't get me wrong, but the Mondial is a "wimp" compared to the 512tr....that said, I love all F-cars no matter what model... The 512tr beats the Mondial in all catergories....but get ready for a little more expense when it comes to up keep...everything for the 512tr is sky-high $$$... Just don't park the 512tr next to your Mondial b/c the Mondial will get bullied when you're not looking...hee,hee... Anyways, enjoy, no matter what F-car you have.... | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 694 Registered: 4-2002 |
peter again, i back up mikes remarks,,,not to be indifferent, but theres no comparison, 2 different animals, want to track it/torque/speed, go with the t.r, for family drives and parades, go with the mondial regrds, bruce | ||
| Michael N. (Man90tr)
Member Username: Man90tr Post Number: 621 Registered: 4-2001 |
Not be coy, but this is not a real comparision of any sort. The 512Tr is true racecar, the Monidal is a nice handling convertible with 300 hp. I really do not see what you are comparing, they are so so different. If you are just driving around town and going nowhere, then the Mondial, but if you are going to the track -- hell the 512TR for sure. The only comparision I think worth making is one has 4 seats and one has 2 seats. After that it depends on the mission of the car. | ||
| Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 93 Registered: 5-2002 |
I am scheduled to see a 512TR this weekend. If all goes well, it should be in my garage next week. Some of you may remember that I was also looking at an F355 just days ago. I didn't like what I saw in the 355's service records, so never mind. As I have an 86 Mondial coupe right now, I would like to know how difficult (or easy) is it to drive the 512TR. I know it has a much wider posterior and such. But, I would appreciate it greatly if you guys can rate the following between the 512TR and the Mondial. So, I know what to expect. Thanks! 1. Steering 2. Braking 3. Shifting 4. Cornering 5. Overall handling |