Looking at a 91 Testarossa

Not a TR owner myself, but admire the car. Since you've done your reseach you know what I am about to say.

If it were me I'd do the engine out including belts, idlers, hoses and seals. The rubber drys out over the years and the idler bearings wear out as well. If you cook the motor you're looking at a major rebuild. 7 years worries me far longer than 1500 miles.

With a TR I'd also be concerned about the transmission. Do a search on Testarob's name, he got into his TR for $20K + sourcing a new tranny from a 512 TR when he blew his out. Commom problem on a TR.

Pay $500 and have an independent do a PPI so you know what else you need to worry about.

 

Not a common problem, one that does happen but not common. I would get the car and get the full major done, also a full PPI is a must. Good luck.

Andrew

 

I highly recommend having an independent Ferrari tech inspect the car prior to purchase. You won't regreat it.

The last major service was 7 years ago. It should of been done 2 yrs ago. It doesn't matter that it's been driven for only 1500 miles. It must be done after 5 yrs due to the belts, hoses etc. You don't want to gamble with that.

Good luck.

 

If it was me I would do the belts, tensioners, water pump, clutch, hoses, misc rubbers and seals, all fluids and new tires at a minimum, before I started using it. Zero time the car basically.

The fact that it is a garage queen scares me more than you know. Ever heard the term "lot rot" ?

Spend $15K today..........or risk $50K tomorrow. And it happens. It is an easy calculation for me.

 

Whats the price ?
Garage queens are OK if you have a full major performed.
A 512TR will be equal in maint costs and can be had at 100k.
Todays Performance Ferrari bargain ?

 

Actually it was a 512M tranny/diff, but it's not that common. Just a known weakness of the early TR. If you are inclined to do smoke billowing burnouts then be prepared. I inherited my TR so don't know how much the previous owner abused it, but apparently they did as mine gave out (without ME doing the 1st burnout).

Despite that major expense, I absolutely LOVE the TR. Go for it !

 

I just got an 89 TR and I went about it in this way:

1. I looked at about 8 cars – I would highly suggest as many as you can see in my case the best one was the last I looked at.

2. Found the one with the right miles on it that was cosmetically near perfect, there are so many ratty TR’s in the mkt place; i.e. find one that is cosmetically beautiful they are out there, this is also an indication of how someone took care of it.

3. Next step, get a full PPI done by an independent shop that has no affiliation with the TR, my mechanic said this is an absolute MUST with a TR. Have them look at all the connections in the fuse box for any burns on the connectors in addition to thier normal list.

4. If all looks good with the PPI get the car.

5. Then in your case get the full major done on the car.

6. Last step enjoy/ if it’s the wrong car keep looking – hunting for them is half the fun.

Andrew

 

I think that price is fair for a black black 91 16K mile car. I was looking for a black car and could not find one, I did get a red with black however & I love the black leather. Offer 65k due to the major and see what he says, pending a PPI of course. and Yeah the stronger trani option is the 512 M, 15K min and in the end of the day the bill is usally 20k. I think that price is more then fair and would get it @ 69K also.

Andrew

 

I would say to try for about 60K to 62K, leaving a little room for a service. And, I would not worry over the transmission unless an actual problem comes up. I know of a car that had a rebuild/diff upgrade done but not the whole 512M route. It still cost about 20K. Your black/black may be a factor, but I don't see several thousand dollars difference over it. I like it, but many others may want to know why it isn't red.

I just got an 86 at 21K miles with a similar major history - year 2000 at about 17000 miles. We ended up in the low half of the fifties.

 

A 91 TR will bring a 10k minimum premium over an 86. I also think black is worth more currently in the market as I have not seen any nice ones in the 88.5- 91 range hit the market in a while, and I was diligently looking. 65K – 69k is the money on this car all day, especially if it’s mint as described. Don’t let a couple grand get in the way if you find a great car, just get it.

Andrew

 

Andrew is right on - (about not letting 2K mess it up) - maybe not even 5K! I too thought I wanted a black/black and they really are few and far between; & worth way more than white/tan, I would suppose.

As an aside - Are we seeing the market kind of firm up - at least on nice later model Testarossa's?

 

I agree that the market is firming up, I think that the nice TR’s are on the way up – I have read this in a few UK magazines and the Ferrari Market letter as well as the Forza 12 cylinder article written by Michael Sheehan acknowledges a rise in the TR market. He also stated the car has no investment potential, I don’t know what that means? Does it mean nice cars will not be worth 1 million in 10 years? Or not 200K? I have no idea, if the economy continues to do well the car is going up every year. I know people love the car on the road and has tremendous appeal to many people; I say the car will continue to rise and is a great place to park some cash.

Again I think the right number on the car is in the 65K – 70K range, I think many dealers including Motorcars would get in the high 80’s for that car all day.


Andrew

 

I've got a 1991 Testarossa available with 27k miles (red/tan) and freshly serviced in Feb 2007. It has Tubi, all tools, manuals, and brand new tires. Super condition. Please click below and take a look:

http://www.ronsusser.com/vehicles.asp?c=df&id=798

It is scheduled for Ebay today but I would be happy to discuss it with you.
Ron
630 567-0066
www.ronsusser.com

 

Just an idea - I reread your original and you did not say if you have driven any example of the TR yet. IIRC. I think it might be a great idea to talk some kind owner into letting you go around the block once or twice in one of ther perfect examples before you evaluate your 91 - I know that the ones I drove prior to purchase were in some cases like night and day. There is also the factor that you need to know if a TR in general is really right for you - driving position, the unassisted steering, that shifter, etc...

 

Same with me on height and opinions. But, I can kind of bend my knees, sweat out low-speed steering, and remember to skip second until the gears warm up with the best of them.

Good luck on the black/black - did a picture get posted yet?

 

Tend to agree, more of these cars are finally making it to owners that appreicate them, weeding out rough cars (but those eventually get fixed or parted out)....I for one still think you cant get a good strong car for 80...maybe becuase i know i would never sell mine for under 6 figures, and if nobody wants to pay for it...too bad for me, being stuck with a 86testa rossa that runs like it did back in 86. Dont you feel sorry for me ? lol !