TR, what should one expect to pay for...

I've been searching through the forums for about a year and trying to get an understanding of what to look out for when purchasing a tr, and what costs one should expect for upkeep. I have been giving some serious thought to getting a tr. I can do all my own maintanance, and will have to as there aren't any mechanics up here I would trust.

I can appreciate how a cheap one will always cost you more than a clean one, but I'm a driver, not a collector. I guess my criteria is a tr that is in need of a major, but has a clean title, decent body, paint and interior. I figure spend the winter doing an engine out, put in new timing belts, go through the drive drain, put in a billet diff carrier, possible new clutch, fresh tires, then start putting miles on it the next year. I really don't care how many miles it has on it, so long as it's in reasonable shape and doesn't need body work, interior work, or an engine rebuild.

So, ballpark what should one expect to pay for a used but not abused tr? I'm partial to rossa with tan leather.

 

Given all your criteria, I would say 40 - 45K depending on condition. I think that is the right way of approaching it - to be able to perform all the maintenance upon receipt.

Good luck with your search.

 

You're in a great spot - relatively speaking - if you want one needing the major, since it'll be priced way less than accordingly.

That's because people are freakishly paranoid that if in 'need' of a major (please don't ask how often, I beg you) then that must also mean the cars guts are all about to all fall out in a very expensive way. (Wish there was a paranoid emoticon, but I digress.)

So, you'll find cars needing a major go begging in the market. Now,having said that...

There are cars that just had monster dough spent on them that STILL need a new loving owner. My personal 'hottie of the month' is the blue on at FoA looking oh-so-fine and I'm pretty sure its serviced too. Just ask. http://www.ferrarimaseratiofatlanta.com/1986-ferrari-testarossa--c-294.htm

Have fun. Do lots of searches. Don't become paranoid. If you do, these cars WILL eat you. It's how they 'play'.

 

here are pics of the $45,000 TR (and it has services records too) - if you think all this car needs is some belts, and odds an ends, good luck and let us know.

may i suggest you look into the $60,000+ range for a TR - as you will be further ahead in the short term and long term of qulity of car.
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larger too see -
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It looks like mine!

 

Is that really a white steering wheel????


Creama seats, tan trim, white steering wheel?
The guy who ordered that needs a lesson in how not to style

P

 

Dealers are buying TR's in need of service for $25k-ish, your on a Ferrari forum where everyone wants or thinks their car is worth more than it is. I have owned 7 of them over the years, don't want another one ever again.

 

The flash on my bb made it look like that, its the same color as the seats which is a very light tan.

the interior is new, all of it ... its horrid, because the quality of the material is the cheapest plastic im sure they found. The seats have the profrirated dots in it - you cant tell in the pics... from 10 feet away, the paint looks good too - as does the interior....its until you get up close and personal to the car you notice -

my point, a 45K TR you can almost never make look, or fix to the level of a 65K TR -

I saw the service records for this car too - it did a 8K service in 2009 in the US at a shop that many know on here- does that engine compartment look like a service ?

When you we see 45K TRs, this is what really walks through the door -

Suffice to say, the owner has it apart now as it doesnt run right here in toronto, awaiting a 25K bill -

you get what you pay for -

actually, sometimes, you get alot less than what you pay for

a decent TR you need at least 60K (to start)

 

correction - 20 yr old cars need maintence now - a service is for a car that is younger and treated well - 25K wholesale TRs are parts cars, thats the difference - everyone has the same sickness, maybe why you had a bad experience.

after 11 yrs of ownership in a TR - i have no such negative feelings, but then again, I spent large upfront and bought a near perfect car... i didnt buy the cheapest TR i could find in the market , which is what 85% of all buyers do today. Thanks Wall Mart

sorry for your bad experience - but my TR is still 100k someone doesnt want to pay it , no problem -GO FIND YOUR OWN

happy motoring !

 

Amen!

 

I am in the repair business, and three years ago when I was searching for a TR, I paid top dollar for a near perfect example. I learned a long time ago it is the cheapest way to go!! Since my purchase, outside of scheduled maintenance, I have had to do nothing but polish & enjoy! Plenty of cheap cars available. Finding a really nice car is the challenge. Pay the $$$ and you will save in the long run

 

Couldn't agree more. I paid a premium for mine but am secure in the knowledge it will cost me less in the long run.

You might get seriously lucky and find one for $50k that doesn't need "everything" - Scaledetails had his for sale at this pricepoint that fit this description. But those deals are few and far between. That said, some guys enjoy the bargain hunt...just be sure you know what you're doing and carefully evaluate the car.

Love the Walmart comment - so true.

 

These "prices / values" threads always ruffle some feathers! It's true that if you want a really nice car you WILL pay for it. One of the things that drives me nuts is the "bottom feeder" types that think a $35k car is nearly on the same level as a $65k car. Park them side by side and the difference in quality will be obvious. But some people will only see "red/tan and a Ferrari badge" and not the real picture. Unfortunately we will always have those people who look at the world through "Walmart" glasses.

Another related topic that has a direct bearing on this discussion is....what constitutes a "need" versus "what is normal wear". If you need to have a concours type car, then every little speck is a "need". If you want a nice driver car, you can overlook a few stone chips, a little seat bolster wear...and some honest patina. I'm sure there are some guys that would see my TR and say it has many "needs" and has one tire in the bone yeard already. Then there are others who would say my TR shows well, runs great, is very reliable, has a nice interior, a spotless engine bay (I'm working on this now)...and is obviously sensibly driven, caref for, and enjoyed.

Then you have the "Disco Lizards" who simply want an exotic car to show off in...to be seen in....no matter what it's condition is. These types drive the wheels off, then run it through Soapy Joe's. I looked at one of these "lizard" cars some years ago, drove all the way from Michigan to Missouri and back non-stop. The car looked like it was pulled out of a swamp! Dents, dings, scrapes, grime, leather worn and faded...yet the owner swore it had only 13k original miles. The guy wouldn't even start it up unless I put down a deposit first! I ran away as fast as I could! How these types ever live long enough to see adulthood - and stay out of prison - is beyond me!

For years the expense of parts and maintenance, and all the horror-storied cars left over by neglectful owners, have pushed TR values down. This really hits those people who have their cars professionally serviced. But for DIY'ers...getting a good solid car with some needs at a reasonable price is just the ticket.

So you need determine your wants and expectations, and decide what quality level of car is needed to meet them. Then do your research and plan accordingly.

 

This is turning into a great thread, IF I ever do pull the trigger again on a TR I'll follow the advice on this board, my TR 's were ok, not museum quality by any means but not junk like shown in the above pics.

There is such a fine line now between good and bad, - $25k difference In that fine line because these are now 25ish year old cars.

 

Thanks for the input so far. I understand it's a pay me now or pay me later situation, and I'd rather pay up front and get a relatively clean car. I just wanted to get some feedback on at what point one is looking at a clean car, and it looks like $60-70k is the threshold.

I'm looking for a car that needs maintenance, not restoration. I know a "fixer upper" is going to be a time and money pit, and I have no interest in going down that road.

 

Do you actually know the differences between a Testarossa and the F 512TR .... ?

And why the Ferrari factory made all the effort to upgrade the TR to the 512TR ........ ?

Hope so ..... but if not; do a search "diffrerences between ..."

 

Mel, those questions are superb.

If - like when I first started looking - the answer to the first answer is 'no', then it is worthwhile to find out the answer to the second question. Changed my entire course.

 

Inasmuch as my TR is currently on the market -- and listed on this forum in Ferrariads.com, I wanted to chime in. I think that TRs have reached the age where they can ONLY be evaluated on a car-by-car basis, not on a "numbher of miles and model year" formulaic basis. You can stand two 26,000 mile '87 TRs next to each other, and they can be worlds -- i.e., tens of thousands of dollars in value -- apart. Maintenance, repair, service records, appearance, modifications, etc., all go into the mix. I must say that the gamut of pricing for TRs is overwhelming. When we see a $39k TR or a $43k TR, some of us tend to jump to the conclusion that the $55k TR or the $70k TR of the same model year is overpriced. When I bought mine in early 2001, I used an exotic car broker to find me an excellent condition TR -- believe me, I kissed many frogs before finding my prince of a TR. I had an inspection done of each and every one I considered, and it took much looking and disappointment before finding my current car, which has been 100% reliable. I maintain it perfectly, and in return it runs perfectly. To put it in perspective, since someone included a photo of horrible looking TR engine, here is mine... a world of difference, and in my opinion, a different price class altogether. I strongly suggest that you buy one from someone who cared about their car, and did not treat it as a disposable Dixie cup. That is why I would always shy away from "celebrity owned cars....," especially the rock stars. Those guys don't have an appreciation for the car as a long-term investment, but rather as a short-term toy to thrash around. Just my two cents' worth.....
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You could eat F***ing dinner off that motor................Nice!

 

I agree Kenco - PGrenier's motor looks good! Was that picture taken just after a wash job or???? Many of the surfaces appear to be "wet".....

 

Thanks, guys. No, the photo was taken several days after I had a guy spend two full days detailing the car, and using lots of different brushes on the engine to hand clean it. It has no Armorall or any gunky stuff like that. It is literally just clean, hard though that may be to believe. Here is a pic taken probably some months after that detail. You guys be the judge -- but I would never put any of that crap on my engine.
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I know a bit about this car as I looked at it.

It was at Mercedes Benz Durham in Whitby. I spoke to the sales person who helped the owner import it. It came from Saudi Arabia. The steering wheel looked white to me when I saw it. Odd thing is he told me the odometer was broken on it, and it came with no service records. It was posted for sale for I think $55,000, sold for about $44,000 I was told.

It is a 1990 Testarossa.

 

You are correct Sir - it had records to it though with a service not too far back.

 

Well that is what the sales person told me. But pleased at least it has some records and had a service. Sorry to hear the new owner has some issues with it.

I almost bought it, but then the whole question of what gremlins needed to be fixed made me run. That and I would have to redo the entire interor as I could not stand the interior colour.

Hope it does not cost the new owner too much money to get it back on the road.