512TR or 550 Maranello ?

Guys,

As my search for a nice 512TR continues I have been seeing a convergence of pricing for 1999-2000 550's and
nice 512's, with the (apparent) trend towards the 550's going lower than 512's.

There are obvious differences in the two platforms from a driving / handeling / styling perspective.

I'd like some thoughts on the long term maintance of these two cars, and any general pros / cons
when considering a 512 vs 550.

Thanks in advance.

:harry

 

The 550 is an advance in technology and if I'm not mistaken, more horsepower.
It all depends on what you plan to use the car for.
The 550 is more tractable around town as a daily driver but still hauls ass when required.

The 512TR, though more advanced than a regular TR, is still older technology. Thankfully it has the electronic fuel injection. The style is dated but if you like that style, it's a non-issue. Not so much fun around town but do-able.

Image is another issue. The TR can't be mistaken for anything else but what it is, where as the 550 can be and has been mistaken for non-Ferraris.

Personally, if I had a 100k to spend I would take the 550.

 

Nothing looks like a TR and a 512 drives like a modern car. It is tons better than a regular TR. I like the look of the 512 and they were made in much lower quantities than the 550. I do like the looks of the 550 as well but it is not as sporty to look at if you like the cheese grater look. For me it was the 512.

 

Nothing like hearing an engine singing behind you. Although dated, a 512TR can't be mistaken for anything else. A 512TR would be my choice.

 

Make mine yellow

 

As the prices converge it is only natural to look at both of them.

The TR has the look and is nice in yellow. The 550 has a trunk and appears more gentlemenly.


A tough call, but I'll take the trunk and really more userability IMO.

 

My impression (after owning a 512TR and seriously considering a 550 to replace it):
The 550 is a better car, but driving a 512TR is much more of an occasion.

 

I recently sold my 512BBi and was torn between buying a newer (2000) 550 or go with a 512TR.

It didn't take me very long to decide on the more modern car, this time around.

It was hard to resist the 485 HP, 6-spd trans, larger wheels/tires, huge brakes, traction control, active suspension, etc..

I'm very happy with my decision. The 550 is fantastic!

 

the 512TR hands down.

 

Tough call. As an '80s guy, I still like the drama and excess of the TR.

But the 550 is the best-looking post-'80s Pininfarina design.

I think I'd go for the 512TR if it was my only Ferrari, and the 550 if I already had a hardcore Ferrari sports car (308/328/TR) in the garage.
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I like the 512TR much better. I have spent alot of seat time in a 550 and do like it for long trips, easy entry and exit etc.. Just not exciting enough for me though. Speed wise they are in the same ballpark. The 550 is a good car for the money and now they seem cheaper than 512TR's.

Do not confuse the Testarossa for the 512TR. The 512TR is leaps and bounds better than the previous car.

 

the 550 is a better car overall. but nothing like a 512tr to wake you up, and it drives pretty well all things considered (i am always amazed that my 512bbi and the 512tr are only 9 years apart - feels like 30 years).
it really depends on what the useage will be. the 512tr is hell to park, or manoever, and it is not subtle - no escape from onlookers or cops. i call mine the martian spaceship coz wherever i go with it people act like i just landed from outer space. the only ferraris that get more looks cost a helluva lot more money - if thats of any interest.

 

I'm interested in the OP's question too. Good answer here. Does anyone have an 'ownership costs' to make a comparison on? The newness of the 550 is probably gonna skew that one pretty good, but someone's probably had decent experience with each.

 

i have owned my 512tr for 8 years. i bought it from the main dealer in rome, i am the second owner. it had 16,000 km on it, and now has more than 40k. i have driven it a fair amount and in all kinds of places and situations. it does better on the highway than the twisties, but not bad there either. i have replaced the belts and clutch 2 years ago at about 36km, the belts were perfect and the clutch was down 2/3rds, but thats more to do with a lot of city driving than the car. it drives easily despite no power anything. i have replaced one set of tires, but that was after track time. it dropped all its water once, but that was an easy fix. i have recharged the aircon. otherwise just regular oil and filter changes. it gets good mileage and has never let me down. it is easily the best car i have ever owned, and thats saying something. BUT these cars are handmade - meaning that they all vary tremendously in build quality depending on how attentive guido and luigi were that day...so my testimonial may not apply to all the cars you will see.

 

The 512tr must be seen to be fully appreciated especially from the ass end.

The 550 is beautiful but it just isn't as sexy.

 

Huh?

 

There is no finer rear! (ignoring your avatar, Gershwin!)
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IMHO, due to the heavy use of electronics, today's modern cars are made to be disposable. Unfortunately, modern Ferraris are not immune to this very same trend either. Keep in mind, when you buy a 10 y/o Ferrari today, you are also buying a series of 10 y/o electronic systems with it, and that's not just the electronic hardwares but also the softwares that runs and tunes these cars. Do you think you will ever go out and shop for a first generation PalmPilot to use instead of buying an iPhone ? What about trying to run Windows Vista on a 486 ? The problem with technology is that they are worthless as soon as they became yesterday's technology. My buddy just recently sold his 15 y/o MB 500E for ~$7K, it was the original AMG Mercedes. The parts for that car are now simply too rare and way too expensive to replace. The newer, more modern Ferraris will soon be facing the very same problem if you plan on keeping the car long term. In other words, IMHO, if you are only looking for an one night stand, then the 550 may be more ideal for you. But if you are looking for a love affair, then you may want to look closely at the Testarossa.

PS: The 512tr and the 550 are suppose to be faster than the Testarossa, that's what technology does. Today's F430 is just as quick as the famed F40, does that mean the F430 is the better Ferrari out of the two ? not in my opinion.

 

Personally I find a 550 a darn side sexier than a 512TR, but I just might be the odd one out.

This question is a little bit like asking "Miura or Countach?" - they are, in every respect, very different cars. The 550 is a fairly 'under cover' Ferrari, especially in a dark colour you don't attract that much attention on the road and it tends only to get spotted by enthousiasts. I personally like this trait a lot. As for the performance - it is truly awe inspiring and you never grow tired of it. Maintenance for the 550's is a bit more manageable than the TRs, from what I've heard. In my experience (1 year now), the 550 is not an expensive Ferrari to run, as long as things don't break.

If you like the 'look-at-me' styling of the TR, they are great cars. They are definitely more fragile than 550's and much less practical. But they sound awesome and once on the road they certainly don't leave you wanting for performance. The 550 might be quicker but that's hardly relevant, the TR is more than quick enough.

I bought my 550 because I wasn't looking for a car for a short drive on Sundays, I was looking for a continent-crusher. For this, the 550 is much more suitable than the TR. For pulling chicks at the local pub, the TR wins hands down!


Onno

 

I agree with all of these points.

 

weekend toy: 512TR, everyday driver : 550. simple. The most difficult part is what do YOU want. That was a question that was easliy answered by the TR guys here.

 

the 550 is probably a much better daily driver

but the 512TR will always be more exotic and since F has decided that front engine is the way to go w a V12, the 512TR may hold its price better as the last of its line

I hear that 550 prices are very soft now while 512TRs are increasing

Also 512TRs are a lot more rare than 550s, thus again, more exotic

 

I, for one, am not a believer in the disposable 550 concept.

Not to hijach the thread but old technology is everywhere. Witness carbs and electric overdrives. Look at the bright side. The cottage industries that support Ferraris have a future.


Now, back on topic, the 550 easily. But I'm 50. I might think 512 if I were 30.

 

QUOTE= I'm 50. I might think 512 if I were 30

Stan, I'm 60 and would'nt change my 512 for anything. Think of it as a roomy GT, and it becomes do-able!

 

Most of you know by now that I have had a single mirror Testarossa for over a year now.

I find myself also having more and more interest in the 550 (and make it a gated six speed gearbox, thanks).

No, I would not give up the Testarossa, but I think if I add another Ferrari to the garage, that the 550 gets the spot - rather than a 512TR. 512TR would seem to be so similar to the single mirror that it would not offer an interesting contrast.

It probably would be the replacement for my 1995 ZR-1 Corvette; and in that regard it has some similarity...the front engine, the rather conservative (but still good looking) style, high performance, and the daily driveability.

Let's look at it this way - us normal working people may never have another chance to own a mid-engined 12 cylinder Ferrari (other than one of the Testarossa variants), and we may also be seeing our last good chance at having a real front-engine V12 Ferrari GT.

Both are well worth the experience...and both are more classic and better looking than anything Ferrari has made in the last five years, IMHO.