| Author | Message | ||
| L. (Testaroja)
New member Username: Testaroja Post Number: 27 Registered: 5-2003 |
I have an '88 Testarossa and my major was over 12,000 in the Ferrari of Orlando, it was included 4 new tires and a brand new air compresor the same brand and model as the one the dealer will sell you for only $220!!! I also know of two other Testa's with majors of over $10,000 and those are very nice cars. DONT think that a major is $8,500 tops, that could be also because I bought my car with only 9,000 miles in 2000. A low mileage car is good for collectors or people who wont drive them, but if you plan on driving it around 10,000 miles a year then buy one that was driven on a regular basis, I know have 31,000 miles. | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 720 Registered: 4-2003 |
kelly, does your front grill have the little l-brackets for the cavalino to screw into. If not, super glue works very well. Vincent. | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 20 Registered: 4-2003 |
Does anyone know how to attach a front cavallino badge on the front grill? I need some kind of plastic piece that goes behind the grill that the two metal studs on the badge can go into. | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2003 |
I removed the vinyl sticker from the rear painted area without any problems. All I did was park the car in the sun while it was 101 degrees for a few minutes and it lifted right off. I cleaned up the glue residual with a drop of Goo B Gone. | ||
| Jeffrey Caspar (Jcaspar1)
Junior Member Username: Jcaspar1 Post Number: 109 Registered: 5-2002 |
"I want to remove the vinyl badge that the previous owner glued on the rear engine cover. Anyone know how to get one of those off without pulling the paint off with it? " I don't see where anyone answered this so I will give it a try. Use a hair dryer or heat gun set really low to soften the adhesive. After removal you can use alcohol or 3M Adhesive and Tar remover to clean up any residual. Great looking car! My favorite Ferrari series under $300,000! | ||
| Dino Micalizio (Ingenere)
Junior Member Username: Ingenere Post Number: 58 Registered: 12-2001 |
Wow! Congrats Kelly!! All this talk about getting new Ferrari's has made me remember when I bought my 87 TR. I picked it up in MI...and drove it home to AZ. What a great trip...I made more friends at met some of the nicest people alsong the way. They were all just soooo enthusiastic about the car and Ferrari. I saw 175 on that trip somewhere in S Dakota...oh what a feeling! Best of luck with your new TR and welcome!! | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2003 |
I put the Texas State of the Arts license plate on the car when I purchased it. I think some of the proceeds from the registration goes towards promoting the arts within the state. I changed out the flat black cavallino to a chrome plated one today. I have one for the front of the car but I can't figure out how to install it yet. | ||
| V.Z. (Ama328)
Junior Member Username: Ama328 Post Number: 162 Registered: 11-2002 |
Congrats on your new wheels, Kelly...and, i'll comment on sumpin' no else has touched, as only one who has one would notice, but that's a nice "State of the Arts" license plate you have there...did you put that on or did the previous owner have it? Btw, I support/participate in Fine Arts in Texas(believe it or not, 'Fine Arts' and 'Texas' in the same sentence don't have to be typos  ) | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2648 Registered: 2-2001 |
Very nice, enjoy it & take good care of her | ||
| adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member Username: Audionut Post Number: 202 Registered: 4-2003 |
GOOD for YOU Dr Petito. Who needs someone to TELL YOU how nice YOUR car is! | ||
| Dr. George D. Petito (Doc18015)
Junior Member Username: Doc18015 Post Number: 96 Registered: 12-2001 |
I read these posts with a grin on my Italian face! Having just left the "by invitation only" Concours de Elegance of Eastern U. S. at Stabler this past weekend....A LOSER.... Yes, they deducted points for the chrome Cavallino, the sweet custom exhaust with 4" pipes and the polished shift knob.........my head is still bobbing. To say I lost, SORRY....they are the losers!! POOR JUDGING RULES! Enjoy the additions to your car that make it unique and more lucrative than the stock F-cars. By the way , my TR is top dog! | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thanks for the invite. I will be in Louisiana this weekend and Houston Monday through Wednesday of next week. Looks like I will miss you this go round but maybe next? | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Junior Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 230 Registered: 3-2002 |
Kelly we are having a nice group of cars getting together this Saturday AM in Houston for a ride. I know you just got the car and it is a short notice for you. There are about 10-20 cars lined up with a few crotch rockets also. There will be all kinds of Italian metal and aluminum. Maybe some carbon fiber also ? Nice TR. Congrats that is a beautiful set of wheels. Enjoy it. | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2003 |
Before purchasing the car I had the previous owner send me receipts and records. The engine out 30,000 mile belt change service has been performed twice over the years on my car. I also stopped by Ferrari of Houston and met Guiseppe the Service Manager there. He looked in his archives and produced copies of receipts on the car since 1987 and they are the ones that performed the service work. I have to tell you, looking at the expense of these maintenance tasks you better have a little extra money set aside if you buy one of these cars. Or, buy a car that has recently had everything done to it so that you don't have to worry about anything for a few years. But, enough about the negative stuff, it sure is fun to drive and I could not be happier with my purchase. Jump in, the water's fine! | ||
| Yoshi Ace (Tiger_ace)
Junior Member Username: Tiger_ace Post Number: 61 Registered: 5-2003 |
Thanks Tony for info. It is almost $10K! I hope my heart will agree with my head in short time.... | ||
| Tony Roberts (Pantera)
Member Username: Pantera Post Number: 255 Registered: 6-2003 |
Yoshi, A major service on a 328 ranges from 3500.00 to 5000.00 depending where you take the car. A testarossa major service runs between 7000.00 and 8500.00. | ||
| Tony Roberts (Pantera)
Member Username: Pantera Post Number: 254 Registered: 6-2003 |
John, What don't I get? | ||
| Tony Roberts (Pantera)
Member Username: Pantera Post Number: 253 Registered: 6-2003 |
Ming, You missed my point. I am saying that if Yoshi is not comfortable with the repair bills of a Testarossa he would be better off with a 8 cylinder car! | ||
| Yoshi Ace (Tiger_ace)
Junior Member Username: Tiger_ace Post Number: 57 Registered: 5-2003 |
Tony, you are right, and I do used to think that. That is why I never owned Ferrari before. Few of my friends light up the fire, my desire for Ferrari grew, but old me wants to know as much as possible before dive in the water. MY HEAD UNDERSTAND BUT MY HEART DON'T. You know what I mean? Bought some Ferrari books & magazines, I went to Norwood to talk, became member here, and everyone has been helpful. I took your words as an advice to buy 8 cylinder. After reading Kelly's post, I realized missing out on 12 cylinder as I never give it a consideration, and the friend called me just 2 days ago that he knows a good T.R. on sale. what a coincidence, right? Since I don't know and don't want to assume based on my prior research, I asked. It is possible that 328 may cost $3-5,000 per major repair while T.R. may cost $10,000. I did take easy route asking by using Paul's post. If I searched more, I may find the info on this sight ! | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 735 Registered: 3-2002 |
Tony just doesn't get it yet. | ||
| Ming Cheng (Onlinesys)
Member Username: Onlinesys Post Number: 296 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Tony, What's wrong with Yoshi worry about the maintenance cost?! Don't you have any problem with your F-cars before? Or you just owned them without driving them? | ||
| Tony Roberts (Pantera)
Junior Member Username: Pantera Post Number: 205 Registered: 6-2003 |
Yoshi, I don't want to come off like a jerk, but if your worried about maintanence don't buy a Testarossa. Your better off with an 8 cylinder car! | ||
| J.W. A. (Boxer12)
New member Username: Boxer12 Post Number: 7 Registered: 6-2003 |
OK, when you are ready, check out Speed Lingerie bra, Tubi exhaust and HRE wheels.  (Don't even ask how much all this adds up to...satisfy yourself with a couple cavallino's for now!) | ||
| Yoshi Ace (Tiger_ace)
Junior Member Username: Tiger_ace Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2003 |
Kelly, thanks for your review on driving. After reading your post, I had goose bumps and decide to test drive T.R to consider. What part of Texas are you at? I'm in process of buying my first Ferrari, and I was hesitant after hearing high maintenance cost for T.R. However T.R price is very reasonable right now, which makes it attractive. Were you not scared of maintenance/repair cost? | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2003 |
Why just have Bling when you can have Bling Bling. Put the chrome badges on the front and the rear Steve. I will post pics when I get mine installed. | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 1886 Registered: 1-2001 |
Kelly -- I also bought the 75mm chrome one for the front, but have never mounted it. I'm still 50/50 about the visual benefit of adding it to the TR front... | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 438 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Kelly! The Mondial is leaving soon though...  Hmmmm....I wonder what made you think I was a Texan? The name Bubba? Incidentally, I did live in Texas (Fort Worth to be exact) for about 2 years back in the 80s, but ethnically I am Chinese. I came to Hong Kong for $$$, you know, gotta be where the action is. About the badge, I guess it's about 3 inches tall, though the rear one is probably a bit bigger. Never did measure them though. Here are 2 pics of the rear badge and wide-ass we TR owners love so much!   | ||
| adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member Username: Audionut Post Number: 196 Registered: 4-2003 |
GREAT LOOKING CAR Kelly! GLad it turns out for you. Have fun driving it! | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 632 Registered: 4-2003 |
triple black rules. Sorry, a little biased. V | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 631 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kelly, Honestly, I don't know quite yet. I haven't had it sitting in the sun for too long and have been driving it with the top off. Lots of fun! The chrome wheels came with the car, and as of yet I can't get anyone to tell me if they were an option, even though there are quite a few 348's with them. I'm not totally decided on them: sometimes I like them sometimes it's a bit much. But...I don't thing about it too much when I'm driving. Vincent. | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2003 |
Vincent - Triple black with Chrome wheels and emblems! Mighty nice. How is the black interior on your car? Is it hot? I have a black on black Benz as a daily driver and I love it but wow that thing can get hot in the summer. | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 630 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kelly, I just went to the garage and you are right on, mine is 3" and perfect. V | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 629 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kelly, You might be right...I just put a front badge on the 348 and I forget which size I got...I'll check tomorrow. I agree the badge vinyl bagde on the engine cover has got to go, and replacing the black with chrome: I'm all for it. thanks for the pics, your car is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! keep us posted on your driving experiences. V | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2003 |
Peter - Glad to see another Bubba. How did a Texan end up in Hong Kong? I sneeked a peak at your profile, nice looking cars! Your 512TR has a chrome front badge and it looks to be about 3 inches tall. Would you agree? | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2003 |
Vincent - The front grill is 5 inches high. I think the 3 inch badge with be the right size. The only other size available is 1.5 inches and I guess that would be for an ash tray or a horn button or something. The rear badge that came on the car is 4.75 inches high and it is a flat badge that is painted black. I like the chrome badges that have a 3-D or rounded effect to them. I want to remove the vinyl badge that the previous owner glued on the rear engine cover. Anyone know how to get one of those off without pulling the paint off with it? I like the ones that he put on the front fenders but the one on the rear is a little bit much for me. | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 437 Registered: 5-2002 |
Sharp looking thing, Kelly! | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 436 Registered: 5-2002 |
Damn, can't post pics for some reason. Will try later tonight. | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2003 |
Here are a few pics of my 1986 Testarossa:     | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 627 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kelly, 3" on the front seems a little tall? V | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 626 Registered: 4-2003 |
We want pics | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 435 Registered: 5-2002 |
While you guys wait for Kelly's pics, mind if I post a few of my own?  | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 623 Registered: 4-2003 |
kelly, Give it a little time...I'm glad to hear you are not afraid of your car. Vincent. BTW. still waiting for some more pics. | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2003 |
Steve - Thanks for the tip on the chrome badges. I am going to order the 4.5 incher for the rear and the 3 incher for the front. Have you considered putting one on the front of your car? These cars have a huge blank canvas of a front grill to have nothing on them. My yellow badge on the hood seemed a little loose and when I went to tighten it up I noticed that there are no nuts on it. It simply lifted right off in my hand. That was my first repair job. I figure that I saved myself $150 for the badge with shipping plus $90 per hour of labor at the shop so I am already ahead by $240 and it's only day 4 of ownership for me. :-) | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2003 |
Yoshi - I drove a 355 with a V8 and a Tubi exhaust a few weeks back and it was very high pitched loud and fast once you got the RPM's up over 3,000 RPM. The flat 12 in the Testarossa is just a whole lot more interesting to look at and it seems to have a deeper tone to it to me but the biggest difference seems to come from it generating more usable torque at lower RPM's. You should hear the sound these things make when you start one up. The starters have a strange slow whirr to them and when the engine fires up it idles at 1,000 RPM and spits and sputters for a few seconds and then everything settles down and it purs like some sort of hyped up wildcat on steroids waiting for you to goose it a couple of times before engaging 1st gear. I noticed tonight that I don't have to downshift to 4th or 3rd to climb a steep grade and maintain 65 mph with the A/C on. The V-8's are probably better suited for city driving while the 12's are probably better suited for highway driving. But, what do I know? I'm the newest Ferrari owner on this site right now. | ||
| Yoshi Ace (Tiger_ace)
Junior Member Username: Tiger_ace Post Number: 52 Registered: 5-2003 |
Kelly, have you ever driven any 8-cylinders? If so, how is it different from 12-cylinders? I want description on feelings & drving experience. Is sound of engine quite different? How much are you expecting to spend on regular maintenance cost annually? TR looks very Ferrari just like 328 in my eyes. Your car looks cool & sexy. (never thought a car can be sexy until I saw Ferrari) | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1006 Registered: 5-2001 |
Another source for replacement badges is a kit car supplier, and yes, his are factory original badges... www.kitcaraccessories.com/ferrari.html good prices, he sells them individually and as packages for one specific car 308,328 etc. | ||
| James Selevan (Jselevan)
Member Username: Jselevan Post Number: 594 Registered: 6-2002 |
Kelly - welcome to the club. The fog light switch in the overhead console is non-funtional. It was an option. You can use the switch and the power going to it for other things, like a radar detector hard-wired in. I enjoyed 19 mpg on a trip from Southern Cal to Las Vegas several years back. Never went below 3,500 rpm in 5th. The car is quite efficient when in 5th at speed. Jim S. | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 1885 Registered: 1-2001 |
Kelly -- this thread http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/21/271433.html?1055886436 shows three possible sources for the chrome cavallino -- I've got the 110mm chrome cavallino on the back of my TR:  | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2003 |
I guess I will have to stop driving the car and piddling with it long enough to take a picture of it and post it for you guys. I will do that this evening. Meanwhile, does anyone know what the button goes to that is in the overhead console that looks like fog lights? Do TR's have fog lights? I want to put chrome prancing horses on the front and rear. Anyone know where to get those from? I just found the radio and figured out how to turn it on. I filled up with gas today and got over 15 mpg since buying it. Amazing! | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 4678 Registered: 8-2002 |
i was wondering where the hell you were with that, Matt... | ||
| "The Don" (The_don)
Senior Member Username: The_don Post Number: 5261 Registered: 8-2002 |
 | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 4676 Registered: 8-2002 |
Kelly, that's awesome, congratulations...! Don't just stop there, tell us some more about the car...! Pictures, your opinion, your first ride in it, etc... | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 432 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks, Frank, for the clarification. Now I feel better. | ||
| Carmine Nicoletta (Ncarmine)
Junior Member Username: Ncarmine Post Number: 99 Registered: 6-2002 |
Kelly, look up maranelloman and ask him to add your name to his email list. David is the FCA Hill Country Chapter president and every 4th Saturday we have a breakfast social meet. Great looking read head! Carmine | ||
| Charles J. Ligon (Exoticbro)
New member Username: Exoticbro Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hey Kelly, Glad to her you really enjoy the TestaRossa. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2497 Registered: 9-2001 |
Peter, Ferrari refers to the Boxer and TR engines as 180 degree V12s. | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 431 Registered: 5-2002 |
errr....in this case, it should be flat 12...sorry! | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 430 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats! Welocme to the V-12 club, Kelly! You made a very wise decision in going with the TR as your first Ferrari. The experience is simply mind blowing to put it mildly! Post more pics! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4837 Registered: 5-2001 |
Congrats Kelly. I have to totally agree, the power on these cars is impressive. | ||
| Ronald C. Steinhoff (Buylowsellnever)
New member Username: Buylowsellnever Post Number: 33 Registered: 9-2002 |
Kelly, I hate to say this but the pic in your profile is of the infamous Butronolli "KO" Testarossa - KO for "Knock Off." Everything was reproduced down to the last detail using genuine Ferrari parts. I immediately noticed this because the Pininfarina badge is 3/4" too high above the bottom side slat. In fact, this is the only sign Butronolli left to distinguish his car from the real TRs. You probably paid $40,000 too much. Haha! Just joking...sorry I'm really bored right now. Congratulations on your new purchase & welcome to Ferrarichat! Keep the pics coming! | ||
| Marc Hartog (Hedge)
New member Username: Hedge Post Number: 8 Registered: 6-2003 |
Kelly, The car looks fantastic - I am looking at purchasing one myself and enjoyed your post describing the first drive! Congratulations. What's the mileage/history, and if you don't mind me asking, the value? | ||
| adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member Username: Audionut Post Number: 194 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kelly, congrats. The car looks beautiful and mint. Absolutely jealous...! | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 778 Registered: 10-2002 |
Kelly, Congratulations on the new purchase... enjoy every minute and every mile you spend with it!! | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 604 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kelly, Thanks. That's awesome. The attention is one thing I was not ready for at first. My first drive took me through Vegas and it was an experience to say the least. I love that you picked your records from Guiseppe, very fitting. Girls love fast cars, especially Ferraris, glad to hear she's behind you on this purchase. I hope she won the race. I saw the pic in your profile, but another one on the board would be welcomed. Vincent. | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2003 |
My first drive was a sensory overload. The sound of a flat 12 Boxer engine ringing in your head and the aroma of buttery soft leather and the sight of nothing but a bright red flash flying down the street is quite exhilarating to say the least. I drove the car 250 miles home the next day and it is amazing to watch people's reactions when they see one of these cars. It rained on me about an hour of the trip while I was in Houston and I was surprised at how well the car handles the weather. It died on me just as I exited on Westheimer from the 610 loop at the Galleria and a guy in a Expedition rolled down his window and told me that I should have boght a Ford. The next car stopped and helped me out. The battery cable just needed to be tighted up from being off while the car was in storage by the previous owner. I stopped by Ferrari of Houston to pick up service records from Guiseppi and he gave me the 50 cent tour of the place and I have to tell you that I was mighty impressed. I'm home in Austin now and it never rains here so I took it out for a ride today to the DMV and the Insurance Agent just to make everything legal. People swarm the car in parking lots everytime I get out of it. My wife raced another lady in a Ram pickup truck last night, she's a born again believer now and fully on board with my purchase. Check out my profile for my first picture. | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 598 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kelly, Congratulations!!!! and welcome! What was your first drive like? Post a few pics and help us enjoy it as well. Vincent. | ||
| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2003 |
I have been lurking on this site and others for the past two years and finally bought a Ferrari this weekend. And what a car it is! Wow, it's one thing to read about them but it is quite another thing to actually bite the bullet and buy a Testarossa and drive it home. Fun, fun, fun... |