| Author |
Message |
Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
New member
Username: Mitch_alsup
Post Number: 25
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 2:09 pm: | |
1) the most important thing is to get a car in good-great shape and one that the previous owner has already performed a major service (Big $). One thing a new owner does not need is a big repair bill to ruin the romance.
2) I don't know what your performance requirements are. A Viper is a low 4 second car (4.0 to 4.2), brutle, ponderous, raw and etherial. The testerossa's are low 5 second cars (early years) to high 4 second cars (later years) with mid to high 180 top ends. It may take some effort to drive one fluidly, but the rewards are worth the cost of admission. But Ferraris are not 0-60 ro 1/4 mile vehicles. They are tamed road race vehicles.
3) 348s are low to mid 5 second cars (5.2-5.5) 170+/- MPH top end.
4) maintenance--When you consider that the engine technology is (basically) a formula 1 engine from the late 1970s and goes 15,000 (30K more modern ones) miles between tune ups--maintenacne is NOT excessive {nor is it inexpensive}. But if you want to play, you'll have to pay.
You should stop to consider what the maintenance on a Viper engine would be if you were running 860 HP from the 8 litres (same state of tune as a F355 or F360).
You should also consider that you start off with a car already modified from the factory to put up with abuse that most cars would suffer greatly under--brakes that don't need upgrading, oiling system that doesn't need upgrading, cooling systems that doesn't need upgrading, and engine willing to run at red line for hours on end--even when flogged to death on a road racing circuit.
Chassis, suspension, and aerodynamics. These cars are designed to go fast--real fast (not like Vipers aren't). They were developed to be (ahem) safe at Autostrada and Autobhaun speeds. IT not just a fast vehicle, its the entire package.
The chassis are stiff, the suspension components first rate, the attachment points are positioned exactly right, and there is virtually no compliance in the bushings. Standard springs and shock allow for corner weighting, ride height adjustments and any alignment spec you are to try. This is the stuff that makes of brakes chassis dynamics. My Vette didn't have it--My F355 has it in spades. Where the Vette was ponderous, the ferrari is willing. Where the Vette had massive grip without feel, the Ferrari is a communicative fluid dance partner. Where the Vette would snap-spin, the Ferrari leans its tail out. Where the Vette would come back into alignment with a judder, the Ferrari comes back (as if) to pappas embrase.
If you want to prance around the neighborhood, and rip up the street--get/stick-with a Viper or a Vette. If you want to dance down the backroads get a Ferrari. |
Tim N (Timn88)
Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 756
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 7:37 pm: | |
Nothing short of a F40, 550 or 360 will come close to your viper. The testarossa wont come near it in 0-60 but will make up for it above that. It doesnt have the low end torque of a pushrod v10. What are vipers like to drive> i heard they are beasts with all that power. |
z. b. (Cheeseman)
New member
Username: Cheeseman
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 7:24 pm: | |
for 70 to 80 thousand dollars you could find a really nice berlinetta boxer. with carbs they sound like early seventies formula 1 ferraris at 7000 rpm and are absolutly beautiful. |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 794
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 5:50 pm: | |
Ferraris are difference animals. I had a 1998 Viper GTS and it was a beast ! Faster than almost any car out there with the low maintenance cost of a Dodge. You can drive a Viper for 30,000 miles and spend a few hundred dollars on oil changes etc.. The largest expense will be the many sets of new rear tires you will need. A Ferrari on the other hand will cost you at least $6000.00 every 30,000 miles. Maybe more ! But, as fast as the Viper is , it is no Ferrari. All Ferraris, from the V8 Dinos(246,308,328,348,355&360) to the flat 12s and V12s offer an experience no other car can match. The look, the sound , the mystic all produce a package that puts a smile on your face just to look at it sitting in your garage. Keep the Viper and buy you any Ferrari. they're all great and capable of producing the mystic they are known for! |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 94
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 5:02 pm: | |
Jason,
If you are horsepower nut (or do you really mean torque nut?) then the TR is probably for you, but none of these will match the Viper for putting in you in your seat. Ferraris re different animals. Try 'em all, see what you like.
Dave |
Andrew (Mrrou)
Junior Member
Username: Mrrou
Post Number: 149
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 4:48 pm: | |
toby how could he try a 308 just for the summer? would he rent one? buy then sell it? j\w |
Toby T (Tobyt)
New member
Username: Tobyt
Post Number: 18
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 3:30 pm: | |
My only suggestion is do some research..then..do some more. The Ferrari Market letter is a nice choice, Forza magazine is nice. The newer 348's are better than the older ones and a TR is nice but make sure it is in good shape. Maybe try a 308 or 328 first for a summer or two and see how you like Ferrari ownership then move up into a higher dollar car?
Good luck! |
bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Junior Member
Username: Bws88tr
Post Number: 87
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 2:28 pm: | |
jason
i own a 88 tr with tubi exhausts that give it about 400 hp more or less, for tops $80k you can buy the best 91 tr there is, if you want to step it up to about 105-115k, i would suggest a 512 tr 92 or 93
512tr has about 40 more horse,18 in wheels,better braking, and styled a little different...my 2 cents..good luck..maintenance is ok, watch all fluids, belts, and i believe in preventive maintance..when the engine is out either 15k or 30k servicing or whatever, do everything and anything you van afford to do, because if something goes wrong inside the engine, the engine has to come out and so does all your bank accounts... |
Jason Lu (Smokinv10)
New member
Username: Smokinv10
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 2:13 pm: | |
Ok guys, Im a die hard horsepower nut. Currently, I own a Dodge Viper with a decent amount of modifications. I have always been intruiged by Ferrari's. I believe it is most "car guy's" aspiration to park the prancing horse in their garage. My question is:
1) For about $50-$80K which ferrari and which year should I get?
2) Do you think a testarossa has the performance I would need?
3) What kind of performance does a 348 offer?
4) I have heard horror stories on maintenance for Testarossa's and 348's. How true are these? How bad is it after if I buy it with the major service done?
Any input would be really appreciated |
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