Testarossa or 355?

Hi Guys,
I am still debating on getting a Ferrari. I have put my choices in for 2 cars. A testarossa or a 355. Last year I was looking at only 355's but then the 512tr was catching my eye to. Maybe because I have been watching Miami Vice and it brought back that childhood memory of that beautiful white Ferrari. I have been doing research on the 355 and looked through the internet and jotted down most of the issues with that model car. As for the testarossa I know that it does not have as much computer stuff in it ( good or bad) and it also does not have power steering. I guess my real question is which is a better car in the long run. I do plan on driving the car 8-10 thousand miles a year. So I know that I will be spending $$$$ on the engine out service every 3 years and tires etc.

I am looking at this one on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-FERRARI-512TR-920-MONTH-WITH-10K-DOWN_W0QQitemZ170145346810QQihZ007QQcategoryZ6212QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks guys for your input.
Ken

 

The best advice is to drive each one, taking notes of likes, dislikes, impressions. They are quite different. I just went through a similar choice. The 355 is a great car, but was just not my choice after some test drives.

 

that many miles a yr, the 355 is going to be much more comfortable for you. as long as you are prepared for the routine maintenance, you will absolutely love it. the 355 IMHO isoneof the best sounding Ferraris out there - especially once you throw a tubi on there or your exhaust of choice.

i too was considering a 355 vs a 512TR but decided on a TR as this car will only be used on weekend duties amongst my other "play cars".

however, be weary of that white 512TR that you are considering. another Fchat member (silver328gts?) did a PPI on that car and it turns out to have a bad tranny and atleast $20K worth of work. I happened to call about that car after that PPI and they told me that car was in 100% shape and that they've never seen a better kept TR. Turns out ExcellAuto Group is about as shady as they come and give credence to the typical used car salesman persona. They have a horrible reputation so be forewarned

GL with your search with either model

 

Be very careful of that car. The 512 TR that Excell Auto has was raced by an autocrosser president and will cost well over $20K to fix the transmission. If you are speaking with Anthony Cipriano, I do not consider him to be honest nor Scott the owner. They lied to me about the condition of the car. Just to let you know they were willing to let it go for $76K or so and I wouldn't pay $50K for itknowing the condition of it. No telling what other things could be wrong. Check with Tim Stanford in Ft. Lauderdale. I had a PPI done and had him stop at the tranny since I knew I was not going to buy it. BEWARE!

If you want a car that is sold by a reputible dealer...I would look at Martin over at Cavallino motors. He seems to be a stand up person.

 

Very true. I have owned both, a wonderful 6-speed 355 GTS and now an equally wonderful 512TR. You should drive both - they are so different that one will pull you. Here are my impressions:

Overall quality of construction: 512TR feels more solidly built.

General drive impressions: 355 is light and tossable, more modern feel. 512TR has more of a vintage feel, but they are really very similar in performance. Except that the 512 has a bunch more grunt. You have to rev the 355, but then that's what it loves!

Steering: 355 is very light, but still good. The 512 is heavy at a dead stop or 1 mph, but lightens up immediately and has better feel. I like the vintage feel of the 512, so here I am biased.

Shifter: 355 is modern-slick once warm. The 512 needs a committee decision before a gear is selected. Again, it adds to the vintage feel - you have to work with it, and be a little patient. But the 355 is so slick you can skip gears (5-2 instead of 5-4) if you are not careful. I do not have that problem in the 512.

Interior: 512 leather seems much higher quality. I will occasionally leave it in the sun (briefly). I was constantly worried about leaving the 355 out, the leather just seems to want to peel off. Sticky interior parts on the 355; and door sill that dent easily - these can all be replaced with carbon fiber stuff for a chunk of money. Carbon has no place on a 512 in my opinion!

Sound: My 355 had a tubi and hyperflows. The exhaust is unreal. But it does sound best from OUTSIDE the car, so you constantly want windows open or top down. I would hunt for walls and tunnels to bounce it off. Following the car in a convertible is mindblowing. The 512 is much quieter from the outside (I have a Capristo level 2, and it is not very loud). But INSIDE the car it sounds fantastic. No need to open the windows or find a tunnel, just hit it and enjoy the symphony! They are different, both the best at what they are (V12, flat crank V8).

Appearance: 355 looks more modern, most people think it is a new car. 512 is more flamboyant, but both have the best tail ends ever done. Make no mistake, unless you live in SoCal or Florida where everyone seems to have a 360, both cars are outrageous to the general public.

The one big kicker that I really miss: OPEN TOP. A 355 GTS is one of the most versatile sports cars on the planet. It's a hard top. It's an open top. Take it to the track. Take it out despite the threat of rain. No cloth top or wacky seats to worry about. And the classic lines of the berlinetta with the fun of the spider. The open top is the 355's trump card, and that is what I miss most.

Good luck in your search. And fill out some of your profile, especially location (at least region). It will help folks to point you to good dealers and/or cars.

Best regards,

-J.

 

TR is more grunt, much more torque and a beautiful to drive throughout the rev line on the highway.

The 355 really doesnt get going until 4,000 rpm, but very nimble for more city driving, easy to park.

Cost of ownership...both are a pain in the arse by ferrari standards when it comes to cost and service (Equally horrible)

Decide what your use of the car will be, if you plan on going clubbing downtown and track events go 355. If you plan to drive Sunday mornings on the highway, or take a lovely lady often for an overnight trip for longer drives then the TR is the way to go.

Good Luck !

 

I am in downtown Dallas and also wanted to know what you guys think of Norwood's Service and the Lamborghini Dealership as for the cars they sell and service. When I went to Lamborghini of Dallas they have a TR and a 355. Both which they have said they did a major service and that both cars are ready to be in a good home. The people there seem really nice and helpful at both places. Also what are some of the mileages put on these cars? The 355 seems like it has a very sophisticated engine ( not dogging the TR) so was wondering the longevity of the engine itself.
Thanks
Kenny

 

I have a 1986 Testarossa and use Norwoods exclusively for service. They have my highest rec.

I drove the 355 first, and I concur with the comments posted. For me, the whole feel & fit of the car was too cheap. The steering felt way too overboosted, and the engine sort of buzzes your behind with that flat crank. Do not be decieved into thinking that this engine is trouble free - just go read the 355 section on headers, valve guides, etc.

The Testarossa can also be a cruel mistress, indeed - but it is also the real deal. 12 cylinders, and made when Enzo was still with us. You will not see it in comparison tests with a Porsche 993 and an NSX Accura - it is a step and a half above all that.

James

 

I am in the market for a 355 and I have to tell you after spending some time reading posts on maintenance and potential problems, the 355 makes the Testarossa seem maintenance free. I would have thought downsizing to an 8 cylinder that is a newer model would have worked out some of the kinks and made the 355 an easier vehicle to maintain. If anyone is cosidering buying a 355, then spending some time in the 355 section is a must.

 

If it were my wallet, I'd go for a late 512TR that has had the differential casting update. The '80s styling doesn't bother me at all, but that potentially catastrophic design defect on the TRs and early 512TRs was a deterrent for me. Ultimately I think values will hold, as anyone who wants a TR is going to look for the best ones -- the later 512TRs and the scarcer F512M.

If you want a V8 for the tossability, and don't like the classic 308/328, which have proved themselves as good cars, then an early 360 Modena is in the same range as the 512TR, and they seem not to have as many potential looming disasters as the 355s.

 

Yup. The '94 and '95 TRs (and 512M's) are super cool. Earlier year models *will* break their differential casings by 85k miles, a $25k repair that kills the value of the '93 models on back, sadly.

No power steering, though, correct? Only aftermarket versions had the spider top, yes?

So for top-down, in-town street-fighting the 355 is the choice over the '94/'95TR's (and of the 355's, the '95 Motronic 2.7 models make the most sense to me).

 

hi,
i'm lucky enough to currently own both a testarossa and a 355 spider.

If it helps your decision, all i can say is that i rarely drive the testarossa now and always look to drive the 355 whenever i can. THe testarossa was probably good in its era, however, the 355 has moved things along so much that the driving experience is so much better. I'm now considering selling the testarossa, not because its a bad car, but just the fact that i always look to take out the 355, get the roof down (not that it happens very often here in Scotland!!), and listen to the glorious Stebro challenge exhaust sound (with roof down), as you accelerate through tunnels or past shops. This is what the ferrari experience is all about for me, and sadly the testarossa is now so much eclipsed by the 355.
However, in defence of the testa the power is smooth and seemless - it is much more of a relaxed drive compared with the 355, definitely the grand tourer.

Hope this helps and good luck.
Doug.

 

testarossa717, I did read the 355 section and your right, the maintenance issues discussed were sobering. Searching for my first Fcar, between the Testarossa, 308 or a 348. It's a scary thought of buying a maint nightmare.

 

Bullfighters right. 355s are money pits with more issues than Paris Hilton on a letterman show. Buy a 328 and get blown away buy small cars with turbos . . .

 

355 = hairdresser's girly car with power steering looks like a toyota MR2
512 = mans car with power and torque and looks like a ferrari

 

Steve can your beautiful F512M generate the lateral g forces those seats are capable of withstanding?

 

Yeah.

 

From what I can tell on the f355 maintenace if you buy a well sorted car that has had the required work performed then there isnt a lot to worry about.

Get your PPI done and follow the service book and you should avoid the largest pitfalls.

Well at least I am hoping this is the case because I have my heart set on buying an f355 and if it is a hairdressers car then I am iun the wrong profession...

 

http://www.sportauto.cc/inventory_ferrari/1992_512TR/index.htm

 

+1 on the 512.

 

I would say go with the 512 TR. I personally think it's much more of a looker than the 355's. But the 355's do have their place. They sound awesome with the right exhaust system in place.

 

hello,


any comment on the differential castings going out on early 512 TR's?

joe

 

Completely depends on what you want to do with the car.

City Driving? Twisty roads? 355

Long Trips? Highway Crusing? TR

I know that is pretty general, but after owning a TR and a 328, those are the main criteria I would consider. With the amount of miles you want to drive, I would lean towards a well sorted out 355 (valve guides, etc).

Peronally, I would go for a very nice 308.

 

I have never heard of early 512 TR's having diff problems. Early TR's, for certain, but all of the 512 TR's received a strengthened box. From thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106712&highlight=512+TR+differential

Gearbox and Differential
1. Limited slip differential (40%) with reduced axial thrust to increase reliability;
2. New transfer gear ratio;
3. Strengthened transfer gears;
4. New synchronizer pre-loading springs;
5. Gear shift lever housing with sliding ball bearings;
6. New selector and modified gear shift lever inclination;
7. New single plate clutch with reduced inertia and asbestos free clutch linings;
**** 8. Entire gearbox and transmission strengthened throughout.

Regards,

-J.

 

thanks.