WOW -- I just drove a 512tr :D My review... | FerrariChat
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WOW -- I just drove a 512tr :D My review...

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by 348SStb, Oct 28, 2005.

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  1. 348SStb

    348SStb F1 Rookie
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    #1 348SStb, Oct 28, 2005
    Well, those of you who have read my comments in the past know that the 512tr is my dream car.

    I had the opportunity to drive one yesterday, on the highway and off. Wow...

    Although I had high expectations, I expected the 512tr to be somewhat difficult to drive. That expectation was simply based on all the things I've heard about the car driving "like a truck," being a "huge" car, etcetera.

    Nonsense. The car basically felt like a 348, but with much more power. Maybe the best way to describe it is a 348 on steroids. And it didn't feel heavy. After all, at 3354 lbs., it's only about 100 lbs. more than the 348 tb.

    I was so impressed with the car. The handling was unbelievable, and the power... oh, the power. The redline is somewhere around 7200 RPMs, but I couldn't even get above 6,000 in any gear because I would've been going too fast. And the sound of that flat 12-cylinder engine is unlike anything I've ever heard.

    The negatives? I will say that the cockpit is a little small. Interestingly enough, the cockpit is smaller and less comfortable than that in the 348. At 6'0" tall, I'm not the biggest guy in the world, but my right leg constantly was at odds with the low dashboard in the center of the cockpit.

    I also found the foot pedal arrangement to be a bit awkward. I didn't dare try any heel-and-toe shifting, but I suppose the pedal arrangement is something I could get used to.

    When I got back in my 348, I appreciated the 348 so much because it is really a little Testarossa. The 512 Testa is a tad bit more challenging to drive -- not quite as "get-in-and-go" as the 348. But as I said, just by a tad -- not a big deal.

    That's about it. Oh and I should say that the whole experience driving this car was exhilarating because for some reason, I actually felt like I was driving the flagship Ferrari, the king of its day. To quote the service advisor who went out with me on the ride, "this car is a beast."

    Anyone here an owner of a 1994 512tr?

    (Oh and I should say that as soon as my economic situation allows for it I will own one :D I don't think I could part with my 348, so the 512tr would just have to be an addition :))
     
  2. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #2 WILLIAM H, Oct 28, 2005
    92 & 93 512TR, 95 512M, No 94
     
  3. 348SStb

    348SStb F1 Rookie
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    #3 348SStb, Oct 28, 2005
    What do you mean no '94 512tr? There certainly are '94 models.
     
  4. Teenferrarifan

    Teenferrarifan F1 Rookie

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    #4 Teenferrarifan, Oct 28, 2005
    meaning he doesn't own a 94 :)
    Erik
     
  5. M512

    M512 Formula Junior

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    #5 M512, Oct 28, 2005
    Dave, have you driven an earlier model TR, after 88.5? If so, could you offer a comparison of what the differences felt like. Anyone can read them on paper, but how the car actually feels, responds, etc. is more intangible. Each time I ask the question I get a different response, so at this point the more responses I get the better off I am.

    Sounds like you had a great time! Did the 512TR have stock exhaust?
     
  6. 348SStb

    348SStb F1 Rookie
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    #6 348SStb, Oct 28, 2005
    Oh I see.

    Sorry WilliamH. I've seen your posts but I didn't realize you had 3 testarossas :D
     
  7. 348SStb

    348SStb F1 Rookie
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    #7 348SStb, Oct 28, 2005
    I wish I could help you. For me it would be interesting to drive an 88.5 or later TR, but I haven't up to this point.

    Rifledriver has a TR I believe and he has offered his opinion on the tr versus the 512tr in the past. Just search the archives.
     
  8. M512

    M512 Formula Junior

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    #8 M512, Oct 28, 2005
    Thanks. Yeah, I have done the searches. Everyone gives that has actually driven the two gives a different take. So I like to ask people with ore recent experiences that hadn't posted in those older threads.
     
  9. bretm

    bretm F1 Rookie

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    #9 bretm, Oct 28, 2005
    It's deceiving how effortlessly they accelerate compared to the V8s (although I'm not sure about the 430, haven't been in one yet). Just a different world though. You get back into the 308 (hey, mine's not quite as slow as stock) and are left like wtf did all the power go, strangling the cat to keep up.
     
  10. Sean F.

    Sean F. F1 Rookie

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    #10 Sean F., Oct 28, 2005
    I drove a 512TR a few weeks back. It was as much fun as Dave says and then some....the power..ohhhh the power..... My V8 is quick, but that thing just snaps you back into the seat. It had a tubi as well and the sound was incredible!
     
  11. Norm512TR

    Norm512TR Formula Junior

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    #11 Norm512TR, Oct 28, 2005
    I'm more than a little concerned about your first comment-

    "I had the opportunity to drive one yesterday, on the highway and off. Wow..."

    These cars are not your mothers SUV, try to keep 'em on the road and out of the weeds!
     
  12. kx5fast

    kx5fast Karting

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    #12 kx5fast, Oct 28, 2005
    I have no other exerience in Ferrari's, as the 512TR is all I have owned. I will say that I find the car extremely easy to drive. I am 6'1", and at first felt a little akward getting in and out. Now, I gracelessly fall in and then roll out when done. However, when inside, I like the way the car wraps around me, I feel very safe. And boy oh boy, does it get it on!!!! Just finished bolting on test pipes to couple up to the Tubi, and the sound is incredible.

    I have recently been driving some p-cars for track only purposes, and although they handle extremely nimbly, they feel a little go-kartish. Not so the 512TR. In the past I had a very quick Corvette, it required far more effort to control at speed than my 512. Hope the input helps.

    Rod
     
  13. ferrarigtofan

    ferrarigtofan Formula Junior
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    #13 ferrarigtofan, Oct 28, 2005
    I suspect you did not attempt to parallel park it in front of the post office on this ride. In a straight line they are awesome vehicles, anything in reverse is very difficult. I avoid doing any sort of errands in mine because of the footprint and poor rear view visibility, unless I know I can pull through parking spaces to be always be forward facing.
     
  14. Lloyd

    Lloyd F1 Rookie

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    #14 Lloyd, Oct 28, 2005
    My 512TR is a 94. I love the car. I don't know how much different it is from the earlier models other than it has ABS and God speaks through it. :)
     
  15. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #15 No Doubt, Oct 28, 2005
    Nice write-up! This forum rocks!
     
  16. 348SStb

    348SStb F1 Rookie
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    #16 348SStb, Oct 28, 2005
    Thanks Rod.

    Rod -- please, please: for the sake of humanity, post a video with sound of that Tubi and test pipe setup!

    :D
     
  17. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    #17 GTE, Oct 29, 2005
    :D :D
     
  18. kx5fast

    kx5fast Karting

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    #18 kx5fast, Oct 30, 2005
    For the sake of humanity and all that is good in the world, I will post the sound clip I just made of the Test pipe/Tubi combo if someone can give me a hand and tell me how to do it.

    Rod
     
  19. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 MS250, Oct 30, 2005
    As for the 512tr and tr comparison here are my .2cents.

    I have an 86 tr that I have had for almost 7 yrs now. Took me 3 yrs to find a good TR back in 99. The 512 is by far a great advancement. The only comparison I can make is like the 348 to a 355.

    It handles better, it feels lighter, drives more comfortable, but at the time and almost even today I could not justify double the price for a 512 over a 86/87 tr. There just was not double the performance difference to make the choice. Hence, i opted for the tr.

    Until you really drive both for awhile it will be hard to really notice the difference, unless you track the car often. But for nice driving time, they are not that far apart.

    Cheers!
     

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