| Author |
Message |
William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member
Username: Countachxx
Post Number: 2248
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 1:49 pm: | |
records are worth around $5,000, tools must be worth at least $1,000 probably closer to $3,000.
Another good idea is to buy a fire extinguisher with a metal mounting braket & install it in you cockpit. I had to use mine at Sebring to put out the fire when the transmission oil started burning on my exhaust and I was really glad the extinguisher was there |
Patrick S. Perry (Psp1)
Junior Member
Username: Psp1
Post Number: 141
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 1:31 pm: | |
You didn't mention if you will be doing any of the work on your new car, but here's a nickel's worth of free advice - go to the Technical Forum and do a search for TR or Testarossa. You will find a ton of threads about all of the things that we owners have run into and what's required to diagnose / fix it. |
Patrick S. Perry (Psp1)
Junior Member
Username: Psp1
Post Number: 140
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 1:27 pm: | |
I assume that you've looked and don't see gas pooling or dripping - if so, make sure it is fixed BEFORE you buy it, otherwise it may turn into a very expensive BBQ. The FI return line with the external fiber braiding are notorious for cracking but not having a visible problem.
Like everyone has said, have it checked out by a competent mechanic - then lowball the seller to account for all of the stuff you didn't see but will require replacement. It doesn't take too many distributor caps (2@$600 ea), ignition coils (2@$350 ea), plug wire sets, fuse panels / connectors etc. to eat up a big chunk of change.
BTW, I haven't seen a TR with the "mouse" seatbelts that hasn't required a ton of work - they are VERY expensive to replace, but useable manually (bargaining chip). |
Jeff Green (Carguy)
Junior Member
Username: Carguy
Post Number: 231
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 11:02 am: | |
Bud...great advice from everyone! I know cuz I bought a "cheap" TR and have been working on it ever since. My car's mechanicals are great...it's just that it's been rode hard and put away wet. I've worked my rear off for 8 months and still have many things to do to get the car to my desired standards. I've done all the work myself....so far that is. Even small repairs add up VERY fast as parts are pricey. In my situation I'm just a factory worker and to get the car of my dreams I had to buy "in my price range". But I still had the car inspected first...this step MUST be done. Remember once you buy it...it's yours hook line and sinker. What one persons thinks is "real nice" may not be your perception of "real nice". That gas smell could be bad charcoal cannisters, a fuel line or pump leak, running very rich, or intermittent ignition failure. Who knows...but you get my point. So hire an expert and get that thing checked out. Keep us posted....Good Luck! |
Bart McMurry (Mcmurb)
New member
Username: Mcmurb
Post Number: 35
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 10:44 am: | |
follow the advice on the pre purchase inspection by someone who knows fcars. As a fellow TR owner, there is alot to love about the car, especially the price. |
JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jrvall
Post Number: 1255
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 10:39 am: | |
>>advice that I learned the hard way, you would be very wise to take it & save yourself Big $ later on. Find a mechanic you trust and pay him $300 or $500 to look at this TR or any other car for you. This could Easily save you from buying a mess that looks nice on the outside. You dont want to restore 1 of these cars, Trust me <<
Very solid advice...
there's more than a few Pigs with Lipstick On looking for a date out there. |
William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member
Username: Countachxx
Post Number: 2238
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 10:32 am: | |
Bud, heres some advice that I learned the hard way, you would be very wise to take it & save yourself Big $ later on. Find a mechanic you trust and pay him $300 or $500 to look at this TR or any other car for you. This could Easily save you from buying a mess that looks nice on the outside. You dont want to restore 1 of these cars, Trust me |
Bud C harbarneau (Housemover)
New member
Username: Housemover
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 10:24 am: | |
Doody,
He's asking $60,000 for the car.
|
Omar (Auraraptor)
Member
Username: Auraraptor
Post Number: 444
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 9:42 am: | |
All I have to say is do NOT buy the first TR you drive look at, first look at the other, compare the 2 objectively and then decide. It takes a bit longer, but you won't end up with buyer's remorse. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 975
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 9:25 am: | |
for $1, yes. for $1,000,000, no.
to be helpful, we definitely need more data, dude :-)
doody. |
Bud C harbarneau (Housemover)
New member
Username: Housemover
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 8:35 am: | |
I posted before about buying a 88.5 or 90 Testarossa.I went and drove the 88.5 because it's closer.What an amazing car,I just wanted to take it home.The dealer said it had records but it needn't.The only thing the owner did was to change oil.The dealer put in a new clutch,timing belts,filters.He went to change plugs and saw that the injectors were dirty and changed them also.When driving the car you could smell gas after going from high rpms to low rpms.Now for the big question.Does this 88.5 with 17,000 miles,no previous history,with a gas smell which they are fixing,worth buying? Thanks again for your help. |