| Author |
Message |
Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Member
Username: 91tr
Post Number: 834
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 3:47 pm: | |
Peter K. -- Do a search on "TR" and another on "testarossa" -- the results should give you a good impression of the typical fettling/care required.
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Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member
Username: Bubba
Post Number: 68
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 1:24 pm: | |
Many thanks for all your inputs. I will have my garage inspect it thoroughly. |
James Selevan (Jselevan)
New member
Username: Jselevan
Post Number: 29
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 12:57 pm: | |
Peter -
1) There are no inherent problems. The car is solid. Engine is bullet proof.
2) Creature comfort features typical of Ferrari. Air conditioning works great if properly charged. Dash material marginal - sun will shrink material, but no big deal. Seats great. Carpet marginal. Wind noise comparable to an F15 at speed with the canopy open. Don't spend money on a radio.
3) Annual maintenance is minimal. Drive the car 400 miles per month, and you will have virtually no costs per year. Once a year oil change (filter). Occasional coolant flush.
4) I contributed to a thread and suggested that the steering was heavy. However, I just got my car back from 30K maintenance, and while they did nothing to the front end, the steering seems to be much lighter and more responsive. Much easier to get around town now - parking not an issue.
The key issue is the 30K maintenance. If not done, anticipate that you will do it. If does offer the opportunity to replace 15-year old radiators, sparkplug wires, injectors, etc. I am thrilled will my 30K results. I replaced radiators, injectors, sparkplug wires, hoses, all hydraulic fluids, coolant, oil, etc. In addition, the engine bay and engine were detailed and look "out of the showroom." It is expensive, but once every 10 years or so is not too painful.
The power is exceptional. Handles like a very wide, low car should. Starts every time. Great car, great fun. This observer encourages your decision to purchase one.
My thoughts.
Jim Selevan |
Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member
Username: Miami348ts
Post Number: 2382
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 11:05 am: | |
Peter,
as always, have the car inspected by a pro. Make sure you get all documentation. The Timing belt has to be changed if not done. You basicaly need a full servcie on this car unless done recently. Drivng this thing with the old belts is suicide, that is what you will commit once you see the engine repair bill..
Have all rubber seals checked. If the service is required figure about $10,000 for that service. Possibly more for it being not driven and some things need to be exchanged. Make sure all lights in the dash come on. See if there had been any mods doe to the electric system. The TR is notorious for that.
As my wife says: If it is not nice kept, dont buy it, the mechanics are not nice done either.
I was just offered a TR and flat out declined. The car was beaten up. A condition I would not expect a Chevelle in.
Books and records on the car are good, tool roll important if the car is super nice.
Remember the miles may be incorrect. The TR is so easy to disconnect. Don't buy the miles, buy the car and its condition and service. Miles is secondary. I have a 348 Spider I just bought and the car is super clean, you would never imagine this car having 29,000 Miles. It looks like a 10,000 Miles car. If the odometer would have been disconnected I would have believed that as well.
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ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member
Username: Ross
Post Number: 184
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 10:14 am: | |
i can only adress #4. night and day. the mondial is more/less a normal sized car. the tr is a beast - nearly 7 feet wide in the back, smaller turning radius, less visibility, harder steering, trannie etc. pain in the ass to park or get in/out of tight undergound parking or traffic. so if you live in a city or plan to use the tr as a daily driver, it will be a lot more work than the mondial. that being said, it is twice the car the mondial ever was, and thats your upside. |
Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member
Username: Bubba
Post Number: 66
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 9:32 am: | |
Ooops, made a small mistake. Just saw the car this evening, it should be 19K miles. |
Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member
Username: Bubba
Post Number: 64
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 1:01 am: | |
I came across an 87 Testarossa with only 18K km and would like to know your thoughts on the following:
1. What problems should I look out for?
2. In general, what is the build quality and reliability like?
3. What is the annual maintanence cost like, assuming a usage of around 400 miles/month?
4. Is it difficult to drive vis-a-vis an 86 Mondial?
Thanks! |
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