550 versus Testarossa

I have a 575 and I had a TR.

They are different cars. The Maranello is much more nimble. I did a track day in the TR, and it was tough. The 575 is a much easier car to drive. I find the 575 more civilized and modern. The AC actually cools the car and the seats are more comfy on long trips. The TR drew a lot more attention, hands down, 100x.

I never have issues going into 2nd gear in the 575

The 550 is considered one of the more reliable Ferrraris but maint is still costly, I would think it would be cheaper long term than a TR. Remember the Maranello is at least 10 years newer than the TR.

-dsd

 

I had an '86 Testarossa and a '97 550, both bought new, driven for about 43,000 miles each and serviced by the same shop (Bobileff, San Diego). Also both were driven on track occasionally (Laguna Seca and Willow Springs).

When I ordered the 550 and while waiting for a year for delivery I was fretting that it would be too easy and uninvolving to drive compared to the Testarossa. I was wrong. The Testarossa is more challenging to drive hard (it helps if you have experience driving older Porsche 911s - it's that rear-weight bias), but I found the 550 to be considerably more satisfying to drive. Yes, it's easier to drive, much easier at the limit, it has better balance, a great feeling of cohesiveness in handling that the Testarossa lacked. Also, the 550 brakes are much better, even though not quite up to par for the speed potential of the car. I had a few sweaty-palm moments in the Testarossa, but never in the 550.

The 550 cabin and seats were much more comfortable for my 6' 3' frame. I never had any aches or pains from sitting in the 550, even after 10-hour drives, while the Testarossa seat would hurt my bum after such a long drive. Nothing serious, but then I was a lot younger then. 550 has considerably more luggage space too, if you use the shelf behind the seats in addition to the trunk.

What I didn't expect at all and what was a very welcome surprise was how much less expensive it was to maintain the 550 - and I never scrimped on maintenance on either car. It was the least expensive of all Ferraris I've owned to maintain. My guess is that it cost about 1/3 to 1/4 of what the Testarossa cost me. The Testarossa required an expensive transmission rebuild after about three years because the factory had used a grinder in situ on grinding out a notch in the gear shift rod when assembling the transmission. One notch in the rod was machined incorrectly. Trouble was, they left the fine metal powder from the grinding operation in the transmission. It caused all gears and synchro-rings to get damaged over time. Cost me about $15,000 in '89! FNA refused to do anything (car was two years out of warranty). I had absolutely no expensive problems with the 550.

By the way, I had the cam belts (plus idler pulleys, water pump, etc.) changed at 28,000 miles; they looked like new. Based on my experience over 30 years of Ferrari V-12 ownership, I am convinced that these cars are much more reliable and cost less to maintain if you drive them regularly. The cost of regular maintenance is much less than replacement of components that have gone bad from lack of use.

Neither car ever left me stranded.

Also, the 550 is much more powerful than the Testarossa, even noticeably more than the 512M. 550 engine noise is not inspiring. Exhaust noise cam be improved with aftermarket exhaust. I picked a Fuchs system and liked it. Truth be told, the intake noise of a 512M at high revs is music that the 550 doesn't come close to making.

As for the 575, they have a much more sophisticated, networked electronic system. Great when everything works, can be expensive to fix. The 550 has a much simpler electronic architecture.

 

lencap if you are concerned about cost's forget the TR. Here is a conversation I had with a parts guy many years ago.

Me: I need a distributor cap for my 87 testarossa

Part's Guy: You want one or two ( there are two on the TR)

Me: Well I really need one but might as well get two.

Part's guy: Ok that will be $1100 ...... plus tax

Me: I don't need the hooker with that

Parts guy: Hooker? Sir there is no hooker with that

Me: There should be at that price

That was back in 2002. Last time I checked the dist caps are OVER $800 each, Are you kidding me. engine out service starts at $5000.

I sold it and bought a Lotus Esprit. I just did a full service( 30,000 mile) on it myself( no need to pull the motor) and it cost me well under $1,000

 

You ask which one made me laugh out loud while driving? Both cars did. The TR did because it is an exciting car to drive in its own way. Trouble is, once I drove the 550 the TR didn't hold that much appeal anymore. So, if you get the TR, you should be happy as long as you don't drive a 550 -- or 355, 360 or 575, for that matter. The 355 is a more enjoyable car to drive than the TR, in my opinion.

 

That would pretty much drive the nail into the coffin on a TR vs. 550 comparison, IMO.

Don't get me wrong, I "get" the attraction of the TR. Although, to be honest, the looks haven't aged as well as other F-car designs. The TR reeks of the '80s in ways the 328 and 512BBis just don't. (Again, this is just my opinion, and my advice is free for a reason.)

The killer (if you are concerned with service costs) is the engine-out mandate with TRs, Boxers, etc. As incautious points out, if you want anything done service-wise with a TR or Boxer, the engine MUST come out. Just to do that, you are looking at $5k -- and that only gets you a seat at the table to BEGIN to have a conversation with the mechanic about what you want done. If you want anything done, that's on top of the $5k.

ketel

 

i have had two 1990 testarossas (still own one) and a 1997 550. general agreement with others concerning refinement and power differences between the two cars. i personally prefer the testarossa. i find the looks more appealing and the sound much better. i also like the the old school feel of the car. being a child of the 70s and 80s, i have a soft spot for the cars of that era. these two cars have such large differences in driving feel that you are better off trying both out before deciding. it comes down to old school vs. new school.

john

 

Now that is really good! I have an 86 Esprit too and I also find the maintenance infinitely cheaper than on my Ferraris AND the driving thrill factor is nearly the same as my 328...but I wouldn't sell a Ferrari for one.

 

Just some amateur additions. 550 transaxle is way stronger, 575M stronger still and prices on 575Ms are coming down. Testarossa definitely flashier and attracts way more attention. Also slower and you better know what you are doing if the rear end starts coming around while driving hard, especially with any moisture on the road. We are not all Kimi or Schumi. 550/575 under-rated beauty, just like the 250 GT Lusso was when first introduced. 550/575M major service done with engine in vehicle and pros say Maranellos have very easy access for maintenance. TR engine out for major. HVAC much improved on Maranellos, depending on where you live. 512 TR recommends changing freon (a bit expensive now) and dryer/filter annually, Maranellos (575M at least) every other year. (overkill in both cases, but relative bargain on Maranello)

Testarossas are a huge bargain right now, but only the 512 TR and F512M have truly supercar acceleration. Expect every C5 and C6 Corvette, late 911s, plus a bunch of Mustangs, and even hotrod Hemi Jeeps to eat your lunch at speeds below 120 mph in acceleration in a TR, if you are so inclined.

All that said, I would love to have a 512 TR to accompany my 575M. Especially at current prices, and TRs are even cheaper.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I was left stranded by my TR in 2002 due to distributor cap and plug wires. $3500 later...

I enjoy the 575 more. I think it is a better car overall.

-dsd

 

You mean the 2000 Grigio Ingrid with Sabbia Leather?

 

lencap,

You are where I was back in 2001 the last time Ferrari resale prices took a dump, hence the reason I bought my TR. Just like you it's a matter of personal taste and I just had to have a 12 cylinder. When times get bad the TR's really fall hard in price because the cost of servicecan be crazy. I'm a little biased because I've been involved in the auto business on and off during my life (both on the dealer level and the warehouse distributor level) and I know what it costs to manufacture parts, what it cost the dealer to run his business ect. So I have a hard time when some tells me a dist cap cost's over $800 when I know that the cost of materials is a few bucks. ( I was to the point where I was going to manufacture my own and sell them for 1/3 the price)
The testarossa will give years of happy times if you are prepared for the fact that is is a 20 year old car. Many posters have already said the earlier TR shortcomming's in the fact that a new mustang will eat your lunch and handling is almost as spooky as my old 1979 911, but driven on the freeway as speeds of 70-85 is pure joy. Having said that if I had the choice between a $50 ish TR or a 70 ish 550 I'd take the 550 knowing I make up money in reduced service cost's. After all I could do the timing bellts for just a few hundred bucks in my garage and it would be no more difficult than my wifes toyota.