Joining the TR Club

This 91’ popped up near me and I couldn’t resist. The Testarossa has been on my list since I was a kid. I just love the lines and there’s nothing else like it. Hoping for a great ownership experience.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Welcome!

Looks like she needs a tint before the summer though.

 

There is a secret handshake of the testarossa club, Maybe someone down that way can show you
Nice car!

 

First impressions:

1. Chassis feels really solid and well built. No rattles or creeks at 34 years old.
2. Steering is magnificent and balanced. I love the steering wheel and how it feels. I don’t know why people say it’s like driving a bus, the wheel tilts and the driving position is good. Pedal box is shifted right, but you forget about that in about 2 minutes.
3. Gated shifter is good, but not as good as 355. Testarossa shifts smoother.
4. Engine is silky smooth. Next level
5. Stock exhaust is WAY too quiet. Will rectify that soon during the major.
6. GT car for sure, but a sporty and compliant GT car.
7. The styling is just incredible imo. It’s even better in person. Fit and finish is well executed.

Synopsis:
When you look at where Countach is at, I think everyone is sleeping on these.

 

they made 7177 of them (and 2261 512tr, and 501 M's)....vs 1999 Countachs. so we can bench race them all day, but that is the biggest encumbrance the TR faces.

 

I agree on all but your exhaust comment. I enjoy travelling in ours, or at least all day drives.
More exhaust noise to me just destroys that experience. I got over loud exhaust in my 20's.

 

No doubt they are less rare, but both poster cars with iconic styling and the Testarossa is more livable/drivable. It’s just an opinion, but I keep asking myself why aren’t these half the price of Countach.

 

I should have put “too quiet for me.” Definitely a personal taste item. I just want a little more of that beautiful sound.

 

No question. I know of several TRs that served as daily drivers/commuters. Never seen a Countach serving that duty.

 

Leno, according to him.

 

Because they repeat whatever the other guy said. And obviously wrong.

 

Won't be the same though. The stock system is quiet but more nuanced.

 

Despite the fact I never once saw a picture of him in it. There is a huge difference between "I have commuted in it" and "Its my daily driver". I had a friend who put over 200,000 miles on his TR commuting between Gilroy CA and Silicon Valley.

 

i have the stock euro exhaust and frankly i like the subtlety of it. and we have done long trips in it and its a lot easier to do if you can talk to your passenger

yes, sounds like somebody trying to quietly rip a dozen phone books

i commuted with the 512tr some, the only issue was parking - nearly 7 ft wide is not so easy in european sized spots !

 

Certainly one of the issues....

 

He said during one video that it was his only car at some point after he relocated to LA.

 

The Countach looks like a kit car up close. The interior is cramped, with more kit car stuff thrown all over the place.

And as much as people like to attribute logical reasons for something appreciating or not,
the main thing is "follow the the trend", demand creates more demand, FOMO.

The same experts will start peddling the very same reasons the TR didn't appreciate like a meme stock, if it did - "what's cooler
than driving your living room at 180mph !!"

Bunch of nonsense.

At current valuations only a sucker would pass on a TR. If you're not TRolling you're not rolling.

 

I don't even see me doing that then.

 

[QUOTE="lagunacc, post: 150134507, member: 148930"
At current valuations only a sucker would pass on a TR. [/QUOTE]

Opinions vary obviously...which is why valuation is what it is.

At least they aren't $50k any more

 

Great looking TR and congrats! I looked at that very car and it was exceptionally clean. It sold fairly quick so ended up buying an 87 that gets delivered this week! Similar mileage and needs the major but looking forward to the ride. Enjoy it!

 

You will receive plenty of good information on this forum!

 

and also some horrible stories with electric and diff problems

 

try getting parts for a countach........

 

I’ll have to spend some more time in it.

 

Like you, new to TR. My thoughts:

- Certainly has a solid, refined (for 80's) GT feel to the chassis and handling. With it's aluminum body I was expecting a more nimble feel, but you can certainly feel the weight in the corners. It's a great car for long trips on winding roads, will make you sweat on hairpins.

- I do find the steering to be like a bus, I'll try playing with the tilt angle and see. I'm guessing this has to do with body type as well, perhaps Italians had longer arm and shorter legs than me. I skip shoulders at the gym if I'm driving it around town, and only do right leg lunges that day

- For me the engine is certainly the highlight with this car, very well suited to the GT theme. Loads of usable torque, but was surprised that the flat-12 didn't pull from low rpms. You need to be in the proper gear. The dogleg gearbox is a treat once warmed up, it seems to like an unhurried shift. When cold, double clutching helps ease the stiffness. When the fans come on, it's like a spaceship is warming up its thrusters. I'm past the loud exhaust stage in life, but on THIS car, with it's 80's panache and flamboyance, the flat 12 deserves a Tubi or similar. I'm going to keep the Tubi.

- It's huge, fills up my garage in terms of width and length. Yet, the height is the same as the Exige when I eyeball it, and that's a tiny car. This combo of W-I-D-E, long and low, dressed in black, with cheese graters gives it a presence like few others!! Everybody is turning and looking at it, even non-car folks. Draws too much attention for my taste. Driving this is an event for me!