| Author | Message | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 348 Registered: 3-2001 |
Like the 348 thread, this all centers around the cheese issue. Do you like the cheese look or not? :-) | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
Member Username: Richelson Post Number: 670 Registered: 12-2001 |
I would go with the Boxer. Is there a gear ratio change from the carb to the FI Boxers? Was it geared lower with FI? | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
New member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2002 |
ralph heres my 2 cents..i own a 88 tr and love it,if you have a little extra money, step it up to a 512tr, more hp (30-40) better brakes, 18 inch wheels, etc, a boxer is a little more primitive and i know to get parts for this is a pain in the arse,,,you are not going to find a better 12 cyl car as in a tr or a 512tr... | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
New member Username: Ross Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2002 |
if you can spare the extra cash, i would go for the 512tr. i did a lot of research before buying mine vs earlier tr, or a 512bb. the 512tr is an unbelievable car. everything works well; has great speed, sound, presence, ergonomics etc. it is quite simply the best 12 cylinder mid engine exotic alive (sorry lambo owners, but i also tested a few diablos and was extremely disappointed in everything but the attention they got; the mucielago is probably a lot better but haven't tried). | ||
| 1989 328 GTS (Vilamoura2002)
Member Username: Vilamoura2002 Post Number: 305 Registered: 9-2001 |
I would go for the 512 BB. The sound is wonderful.   | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 628 Registered: 6-2001 |
I heard that the boxer was a handful to drive. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Intermediate Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2216 Registered: 2-2001 |
Don't know how that happened but I think it loaded up again when I added my last comment. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Intermediate Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2215 Registered: 2-2001 |
If opinions are wanted, I like the TR. hands down over the Boxer. Also like Bret the rear of the car leaves me hanging and I can't warm up to it. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Intermediate Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2214 Registered: 2-2001 |
If opinions are wanted, I like the TR. hands down over the Boxer. | ||
| Marcus Adolfsson (Marcusadolfsson)
New member Username: Marcusadolfsson Post Number: 41 Registered: 10-2001 |
As TR owner I am somewhat biased, but I think the TR has a timeless design that just screams Ferrari (at least for us who where kids in the 80s). | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 2110 Registered: 2-2001 |
I'll agree that the boxer has a timeless design, although I like the more sleek look of the 308 which is very similar (I don't like how the boxer just slopes down and never comes to a flat spot in the back). I will say out of the two I think I would take a TR (or 512TR), just about the coolest Fcar to ride or drive IMO. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1717 Registered: 5-2001 |
I personally favor the TR over the Boxer. I am not a big Boxer fan though to be perfectly honest. Never liked them. | ||
| Dino Micalizio (Ingenere)
New member Username: Ingenere Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2001 |
I have had both cars....In my opinion the TR is the better all around car. Fast, sexy, great handling, better ergonomics. Boxers do have a timeless shape....but so do TR's, and nobody has ever confused for anything but a prancing horse!! | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Junior Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 198 Registered: 12-2001 |
Ralph, both of these cars are fantastic cars. Both are gorgeous and both represent the best of their time. I think the only logical option if you truly are interested in both is to purchase both of them. That way you can drive the car you are in the mood for at the time. | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Junior Member Username: Manu Post Number: 132 Registered: 2-2002 |
Fab pictures of both the TR and the BB. Apparently the most exciting of all the BB was the earliest: 365GT4BB - go for that - very rare. BTW - Mega running costs for BBs - routine service requires dropping the engine and hence mammoth labour/service bills.... | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 180 Registered: 12-2001 |
Willi: i have the contact info in an email.i'll forward it to you. Bret: different car altogether. The Norwood was a turbo'ized testarossa engine; this is a normally aspirated engine, akin to, if not the same as the ones installed in the BB/LM. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1151 Registered: 2-2001 |
Bill, that stealth BBLM might b interesting, do u know who has it ? | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 2096 Registered: 2-2001 |
It was in Forza if you want to check it out, good article. Norwood did it, something to the tune of a $75K job. I'm sure he took care of beefing up the trans. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 177 Registered: 12-2001 |
Willi: a recent post on ferrarilist brought to my attention a boxer up in conn. its first owner apparently didn't think the car had enough oomph, and had francois secord install an alleged LM type boxer engine; suspension, exhaust etc, all tricked out, but car looks stock. it is being offered with pretty low miles for little more than top dollar on a stock boxer. You might be interested... | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 619 Registered: 6-2001 |
William, you have definately proven that the tr tranny isnt the strongest thing out there. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1148 Registered: 2-2001 |
Bret the TR trans is marginal for 400hp, I hope this guy found a way to reinforce his trans. I met a guy with a BB who has a BBLM engine in it  I would LOVE to have a BBLM | ||
| DONALD GRIESDALE (Griesdale)
New member Username: Griesdale Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2001 |
I'm not sure how to start a new thread on FerrariChat but Lees's pic of his BB inspired me to post a pic of the finest 91 TR on the planet!!! (modest). Check out my profile. ( Rob helped me a lot by clarifying pixel size).  | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 2094 Registered: 2-2001 |
Or you could go the route of the Boxer in the last Forza (37). A boxer with a turboed testarossa engine and trans in it. 863HP on pump gas. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 173 Registered: 12-2001 |
I had a pristine BBi; it was one of my favorite F cars. Handling is not truck-like; steering is not power assisted, but since there is little weight up front, its not a big deal even at parking speeds; when driving, i prefer it, cause there is more road feel. The most desirable one is the earliest, but parts are a nightmare; the injected cars are probably the best as all around drivers, but lack the sound of the carb'ed cars, which alot of people think are faster. (That may be true for the 365; i'm not so sure about the 512 bb). Only downside as far as i'm concerned are the Michelin metrics; you will have to invest in new wheels to put decent tires on the car. (i don't know if you can get three eared knock-offs on aftermarket wheels). Otherwise, Lee Sanders nailed it, in my opinion. | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
New member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2002 |
Greetings: Thanks for all the comments and advice. Maybe my wife would let me purchase both! Such decisions. I assume that the Weber BB is considered more desirable; in the pecking order. ALSO: Are there any known major flaws in the BB or BBI to look for. I am considering to import one from Europe. I know that power is down on the BBI. I have heard that the sound of the Webers is worth the price of admission. Sincerely Ralph | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1145 Registered: 2-2001 |
Boxers r very sexy but very unknown in the US so a lot of people wont have a clue what u r driving. Ive also heard from an ex Boxer owner that they handle "like a truck" in his words. Also the AC & ergonomics r probably rather primitive. Parts may b hard to come by merely cus so few were imported to the US. Ive heard the 365BB may be the fastest cus it was the lightest. The 512BBi is very nice too though Now if u want the ultimate 12 cylinder mid engine Ferrari road car there is only 1, the 512TR | ||
| Lee Sanders (Lsand007)
New member Username: Lsand007 Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2002 |
I chose the 512BB for the following reasons: - Classic looks that still work, the TR looks dated - Power & speed; the Boxer is faster in every way - Boxer parts are only slightly more difficult to acquire/expensive - It was truly the Super Car of the Ferrari line at that time; breakthrough - mid-engine 12 - The sound of those Webers on that 12 is incredible - Boxers prices are at low point in long trend down. They will go up in value simply due to small numbers produced. - Never seen/heard of a rust issue - The Gray Market issue isn't, except in CA The Boxer was the last Ferrari designed not using a wind tunnnel, they are a handfull at top speed. Boxers are hot inside due to the crude plumbing and often weak a/c. You will find some people think they are 328's. It all depends what you want; exclusivity, power, speed and looks vs later technology. Lee Sanders  | ||
| Brian stewart (Eurocardoc)
Junior Member Username: Eurocardoc Post Number: 242 Registered: 11-2001 |
The Boxer is more difficult to drive at the limit, but is more fun than a TR. parts are rare in some areas, but mechanically are OK. Looks IMHO are much sexier, more classic, I don't understand why they do not carry a higher price tag, so they are in the long run probably a better "investment" due to small #s. Of course they are all grey market so depends on where you live if a BB is a good choice. | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
New member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2002 |
Greetings: I am currently looking for a very nice original low miles mid-engine V-12 weekend toy. I just wanted to know generally how reliable the Carb 512 Boxer is compared to the Testarossa. I do not worry about how practical the car is. storage space, legroom etc. I wanted to know how a low mile carb late 70's Boxer holds up mechanically to a low milage late 80's injected Testarossa. I have heard that the TR addressed most of the Boxer shortcomings. The TR took care of the ( Road Warrior ) image ? Also What about Boxer parts? Are they difficult to come by? Is rust a problem on some of the Boxers? Please kindly give me two cents worth of advice. Sincerely Ralph Koslin |