| Author | Message | ||
| Morrie Richfield (Carnut)
New member Username: Carnut Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2002 |
Scotty: Give Francis a call at Algar, he is a great guy, calls me whenever a 360 comes in so I can see the different color combos in person. Those guys at Algar have been great to me. I'm sure they will let you take the 512M for a drive, what a monster. It took me a minute or two to get used to the car, but once I did, it was wonderful. Wish my wife had not talk me out of it. She is right though, I have to many cars, not enough time to drive them. I am going with a Black 360 with the dark brown interior, and roll bars, shields and yellow brake calibers. Since I still have a bit of time, I'll see if any new options come up before my time to place my order. Must admit I go over to Algar a few times a month, think it helps keep me patient. | ||
| Scotty (Pzerowaster)
New member Username: Pzerowaster Post Number: 40 Registered: 10-2002 |
Bruce, I live in Delaware. Hockessin is the town I live in. Morrie, You drove it? That's the one I was breathing on the other night. Sweet, huh? I love it. I have to get a test drive in it. I couldn't make it today, now the weather is turning to crap. Morrie, I'm sure you'll be amped with your new 360 spider! What color combo are you getting? | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 575 Registered: 3-2002 |
scotty, if you have the inclination, look up the other threads in the archives on the differences between the various iterations of the tr. well trodden ground....... (and just imho, the 512tr is the best bet of the run, but i am biased.) | ||
| Morrie Richfield (Carnut)
New member Username: Carnut Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2002 |
I was over at Algar Ferrari about ten days ago, they have a 512M on the floor. I had the chance to take out for a nice ride. Loved it, wanted it, but my wife used logic on me so I passed. What a car, and it felt very different from the other two TR I had drven. | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1158 Registered: 4-2002 |
scotty where do you live? bruce | ||
| Scotty (Pzerowaster)
New member Username: Pzerowaster Post Number: 39 Registered: 10-2002 |
Well I certainly appreciate all of your input my Ferrari brothers. It was quite unexpected. Thank you. It's a long shot (we are building a new house in the spring, so the timing is a bit off), but I'm gunnin' for it! My wife agreed to go look at it with me tomorrow. But she expects me to punt the 348 to get it. But the 348 is paid for, all mine, and I just took the cats off yesterday, and now it sounds freakin' awesome with the tubi. Oh damn. Decisions... Best to all, Scotty | ||
| Jonas Petersen (Karsten335)
Junior Member Username: Karsten335 Post Number: 116 Registered: 11-2002 |
I still don't like the tail lights. It looks ugly with the lights outside on the grill. But the rest of the car.. DAMN!!! | ||
| Kevin Horner (Boz)
New member Username: Boz Post Number: 41 Registered: 8-2002 |
I've seen a 512M at Cauley Ferrari on display. The owner lets them show it occassionally. The car is gorgeous. I wanna say I saw one on the road on M-14 just north of Plymouth, MI. I thought it had the flush lights, but I don't remember. I think there are 3 in the Detroit area. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Junior Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 52 Registered: 11-2002 |
Wow. There you go. 455lbs lighter! I also agree that the M is worth it. | ||
| David J. Smith (Darkhorse512)
Junior Member Username: Darkhorse512 Post Number: 51 Registered: 10-2002 |
I think it would be worth it. The most exclusive of all TR's (Aren't there 75 U.S. spec compared to the 7 thousand plus of the others) that is 455lbs. lighter with an extra 60bhp and is 6 tenths quicker to 60mph. I think these differences are enough to put F512M ownership on anyone's to do list.  | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Junior Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 51 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well, just about any Fcar is going to be plenty for street use. I was just mentioning the differences so people who are just stumbling into the thread and don't know much about the flat 12 cars don't confuse it as a simple cosmetic change. As someone who has driven both, albeit for a short (30 miles or so) stint. At the risk or getting roasted by owners...the differences were quite noticeable between the cars. The more marked difference obviously between the Testa and the M. There is over 100 lbs worth of weight savings and also a considerable amount of hp added. To say the drive isn't much different would be likening, say...a BMW 323 to a 330, in laymans terms. The acceleration is much improved from launch for starters. As for the big price jump. That is an issue of collectability I think, although some would easily justify the cost for the performance modifications (which were indeed quite pricey). | ||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
Junior Member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 53 Registered: 3-2002 |
Well, after searching and searching the archives, I finally just checked the "Showroom" section and found the thread just sitting there. Here's the link... http://server.ferrarichat.com/~ferrari/ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/18/4799.html?1020199855 It's not quite the 512M, but the upgrades look pretty clean and nice. The hood still looks the same, but it still has the M's more modern look, and it looks great. There's also some explanation on what it took to do this, so it should give an idea as to cost and difficulty (parts apparently used are M parts from the dealer). Though I'm guessing it was quite a chunk of change for the mods, so I'm not even sure if it would be worth it. (and from a purists standpoint, perhaps not even a consideration) Though I don't have driving or ownership experience to contribute, I agree with the others though in that both the Testarossa and the 512TR are awsome and beautiful cars. Good luck and I'm sure you'll be pleased however the story unfolds. Eric | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1146 Registered: 4-2002 |
henryk i agree with you 100% i love the 512tr and i own a 88 tr...i cant see spending the $45-50k more for a car(512TR) if im not going to track it...ILL KEEP MY TR , LOVE IT.. BRUCE | ||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
Junior Member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 52 Registered: 3-2002 |
Going off the "buy the normal TR" idea...I remember quite some time ago when another F-chatter had used some kind of kit (or maybe just normal 512M parts) to upgrade his 512TR (I think it was) to the F512M look. I must say the car did look pretty great. I understand that these M cars are quite different, and that upgrading the look only takes care of a small fraction of the difference, but if you're really into the look, and the 512M is not a reasonable option, then perhaps this might be a feasible choice. Or, perhaps you wanna go for the M, in which case good luck and tell us all about it when it happens. In the meantime, I'll try to look for the link and pics and post it. Eric | ||
| Henryk (Henryk)
Member Username: Henryk Post Number: 326 Registered: 8-2001 |
Taek and Mitchell: Yes, these are different cars....but. Unless one is tracking the cars, I really can't see how one can appreciate the difference, and , at the same time, justify the great increase in price of the M, over the TR. For me, driving on ordinary US roads, I feel my 88TR is more than adequate. | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
New member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2002 |
"It is far easier to explain the purchase than to get permission for it. Buy it and deal with the consequences. There are no regrets." I'm all for that philosophy. Life is way too short to think twice.  | ||
| Jonas Petersen (Karsten335)
Junior Member Username: Karsten335 Post Number: 115 Registered: 11-2002 |
I know how you feel Scotty, but not that it's the 512M I really dislike the back of it, the traditionally round tail lights, outside on the grill.. That ain't pretty. But the rest of it - Sweeeeeeet - For my self would I really like to have an 355 or an 550 | ||
| Ryanab (Ryanab)
Junior Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 161 Registered: 3-2002 |
Scotty I know what you mean. I was at Brian Jessel in Vancouver two weeks ago and instantly fell in love with one of their 575's....................... I was in LOVE and did not leave the garage for at least 45 mins (I think they wanted me the hell out) and every time I think about it I get teary-eyed!!  Nonetheless, everyone at BJF in Vancouver are great. Can't say enough about them.. Next time I make my way out there I will be driving away in THAT car.. I know how you feel!!!!!!!! RK | ||
| Chris Richardson (Boozy)
Junior Member Username: Boozy Post Number: 241 Registered: 11-2001 |
It is far easier to explain the purchase than to get permission for it. Buy it and deal with the consequences. There are no regrets. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
New member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 49 Registered: 11-2002 |
Quite different indeed! The F512M (M meaning Modificato) was a different animal. They were produced in limited numbers only in 1995-96 (less than 100 for US market I think). The engine output was claimed at a little over 430 hp, as opposed to the Testarossa's 390. The 512TR came closer in the hp race with a bit over 420. The 512TR was also considerably lighter. The 512M was even lighter than the TR. Those figures might be off by a little, so other 512 folks feel free to jump in with corrections. Nevertheless, there is a definitive jump between the model lines, and the 512M is, as Mitchell alluded, very different. | ||
| David J. Smith (Darkhorse512)
New member Username: Darkhorse512 Post Number: 49 Registered: 10-2002 |
Scotty If I could be a little voice inside your head I would say "...Do It, Do It. If my wife really loves she'll understand." | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
Member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 295 Registered: 4-2002 |
"basically the same car!!!!!!" Wow, that's far from true. They do "look" similar, however look is where the similarities end. | ||
| Henryk (Henryk)
Member Username: Henryk Post Number: 323 Registered: 8-2001 |
Get a late Testarossa and save a TON of money.......basically the same car!!!!!! | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
New member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 47 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ooooh Nice car. Definitely one of my favorites. Do what you gotta do, but try your damned hardest to get it. That was the first Fcar I had ever driven. I've been attatched to it in a way ever since. Want to try out the vintage stuff first though. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 3572 Registered: 2-2001 |
Yeah Scotty that "incredible woman' , especially since you are married, can get you in a lot of trouble. We have all been there. To bad the Ferrari Mags. aren't as good as the Playboy Mags. to get it off our minds...... | ||
| Todd Gieger (Todd328gts)
Member Username: Todd328gts Post Number: 256 Registered: 6-2002 |
Scotty, Do you write poetry? That was a sweet ensemble...it made me want to buy it. Since you fixed the leak, I think you earned your keep and should buy it. Just like the guy in the movie Risky Business said, "Joel...sometimes you just have to say, what the F*#k." Make it happen...captain! Let's see it! TTG | ||
| Scotty (Pzerowaster)
New member Username: Pzerowaster Post Number: 38 Registered: 10-2002 |
I was at the Ferrari dealer today picking up some doo dads at the parts dept, and walking thru the showroom I noticed the ass end of an F512M staring me in the face. It just really stood out, so I spent quite a long time looking it over. It's in spectacular showroom new condition. There it was, near an F360 spider, F355GTS, etc, etc... I've seen Testarossa's in person before, but never it's last iteration. And for some reason, it really put the zap on my head. It was so beautiful (red/tan, of course), and now I have this smitten feeling, Iike I just met this incredible woman or something. It just shouted out Ferrari. I suppose I can't explain it. Sorry folks, don't think I'm a kook, but I had to tell someone. I talked to my wife about it, and she was like "yeah, that's great Scotty... hey, how bout looking at the leak under the kitchen sink?" So I guess I had to tell someone. Oh man, those cars with the horsey's on them (as my 4 year old daughter calls them) are really something. Enzo said they have a soul. I'm not sure about that, maybe they do, but his cars have sure captured mine, as I am sure it has most of the people here. Thanks for listening. I feel better now. But I still want that F512M very badly. Since I just fixed the leak under the sink, I guess I'll bring it up to my wife again. Jeez, interest rates are pretty damn low, aren't they? Scotty out. |