Hello, I am looking to purchase 512TR and before I do a PPI I wanted to know your views on this car. This 1993 car has the all important upgraded diff and shaft from factory and has synchros in updated in 2003. It has had 3 engine out services so - far the last one 5 years back at 35K miles. It currently has a bit over 40K miles. Has all maintenance records since new. First owner had the car for 14 years was very meticulous. 2 owners in the last 3 years who have maintained car for things like AC module, oil service, hood shocks etc Car is in excellent cosmetic condition inside out, new tires, 3M shield and apparently needs nothing. Outside of the upcoming major. What do you think is a fair price for this 40K mile car? Will this be comparable to a 15K car without much records? Is a clutch service due at these miles? I dont mind the miles as I would prefer one that is driven and cared for over a garage queen. If anyone has any leads on to other 512TR please PM me. Your opinions will be much appreciated. TIA
"This 1993 car has the all important upgraded diff and shaft from factory and has synchros in updated in 2003." How can you be sure; especially the diff upgrade...? Mine heas not had these updates (cannot find it in the records....) ! Show us some pictures please.... front (foglights and spoiler) and back.... and find the gearbox serialnumber...
Didn't mention colors, paintwork history. I'd dig deeper that they'd do synchros but no clutch. Mine had a clutch at 29k. (1994 model.) It would've been the ideal 'while you're in there'. There've been some deals floating around of late. Like you, I'd accept miles over atrophy, long as they were maintained. A steal - given the $ of the diff upgrade - would be upper 60's. A good buy in low-mid 70's. The 'wild card' is the service due. I'd negotiate for that. My thinking is you can search high and low for a TR and not find another with the diff upgrade, then always wondering about the upgrade and associated costs. These cars are flat-out buys to me. Every time I'm in mine, same silly grin comes over me, and with most the people who see it. It's just a crazy, fun, entertaining car. When I see what else is out there for the same money, they hardly catch my attention.
Thanks *Mel and AHudson Since i am still in discussions with the seller, I am not comfortable putting his car info online here. The car is rosso corsa with tan interior. It probably has a paint respray in the front bumper after which the 3M bra was installed. Paint and interior is 9 of 10. No wear and tear on the side bolsters of drivers seat. It was touched up and conditioned a few years back. * Based on the research on this 512TR section (thanks Fchat) i am confident that this car has the correct gear and trans update from the factory. * This car is a late model US spec 512TR and the motor number is 336xx and the gear number is 151x. First owner also did a synchros and bearing update during an engine out service at a Ferrari dealer. So what are the thoughts on this 41K mile TR? Worth it due to the upgrades and records or too many miles? * These cars seem to continue to fall in value suprisingly. But i feel they are a great value based on what one gets. Maybe an emotional buy due to having a TR poster on my wall in High School I am budgeting 5k per year on maintenance. And plan on keeping the car for a while. ** Thanks.
Good to budget 5k on maintenance, but unless you're putting big miles on it, not gonna need it. In 2 years, I've done tires (about half voluntary) oil/trans/filter services, and Dave's Gold kit (voluntary). When the next belt service rolls my way, it'll be a stinger but probably closer to 2k/year figure. I know, I know, this comes under the 'you never know' category, so maybe I'm a bit optimistic. So, 'budget' as you wisely choose, be delighted at the surplus. Enjoy that car. Keep us posted. PPi will be your guide on specifics from here.
There is one for sale on Mike Shehan's site. But in need of a major IMO. Asking 70k$ down from 75K$. Just for the sake of comparing. http://www.ferraris-online.com/pages/carintro.php?reqcardir=FE-512TR-92579
I have seen that the listing for a while now. But Black as good as it looks when clean and polished is not my first choice. I have dealt with Michael Sheehan a few months back for another 512TR which had some cosmetic upgrades that I liked - clear glass on engine cover and a 512M taillights and new major service. But the PPI unfortunately showed that it was heavily and poorly re-sprayed, possible indication of an accident. But it did sell quickly after that. I am sure there some premium on the upgraded tranny and diff. Though dont know how much. And from what i read unless if one drives very hard the old diff and quill shaft should be OK. So what is the extra price one pays for peace of mind with the internal upgrades and documentation as opposed to high miles.
Sounds like you have found a solid car, that's not "high miles" to anyone but Ferrari crowd, I wouldn't let the $$$ discussion cost you driving away in it.. With these cars it's condition, conditon, condition and interior will sure show, it if abused..... Jump on it there!!!
Hi Sol, I have a 512TR in which I ususally drive obedient according our law. So on motorways in NL no more than 145 km/hr (120 allowed) but sometimes on GE Autobahn to the full speed (GPS 310 km/hr) for some kilometers. Never spin the car (donuts) and no stupid accelerations. Never had diff problems yet.... is that just luck ? Don't think so.... IMHO if your driving behaviour is not too extreem; the 512TR will not disapoint you I think ! Good hunting ! Gr from Mel in NL(Europe). Image Unavailable, Please Login
It's not a question IF, but WHEN with the differential carrier. Do search in this forum and you will see many pictures of cracked and broken carrier welds, many from "normal" use. If the repairs are not documented and the part numbers are not listed then consider that the work was not done. This brings me to another question. I had a friend that was looking at one that had had the synchros and some gears replaced at just over 11k miles. This is NOT normal and raises BIG RED FLAGS. He passed on the car. WHY were the synchros replaced in the car you are looking at and how many miles were on the car when it was done? (Mine has over 26k miles and shifts like new)
If your car is a late '93 it may have the forged differential carrier from the factory. Look for the gearbox serial number stamped on the back of the casting. If it is Serial Number 1513 or higher it has it. If a lower number it left the factory with the welded carrier but it may have been upgraded. I'd want to see paperwork showing that it was done. You are safer with the smaller diameter quill shaft as it forms a "fuse" in the system where it will fail before something more expensive breaks. My '92 has the larger diameter shaft which probably means it failed for some prior owner. I'm told by a major Ferrari independent shop to not worry about the diff. unless I abuse it. But how did former owners drive? It is a concern. Hope you find a 512TR. It's a delight to drive and makes me feel much younger every time I get behind the wheel. IMHO it's the most striking styling of any Ferrari. Ron
a friend of mine had a yellow/black 512TR for sale in the $70s Not sure if he still has it Was very pretty but I'm not wild about yellow PM me if you want the contact the seller
Thank your folks for your inputs. I am always intrigued by why an 'exotic' has a higher premium for low miles over one that has been driven and enjoyed on regular basis. Regular miles i.e. 2-4K miles per year would indicate drivability and even reliability of the car as opposed to one that is just a garage queen. This car being a late model 93 does have the tranny and diff upgrade and all other SB's were addressed like fuel lines, seat belts etc were addressed by the first owner. Spasso - The synchros and bearings were replaced during an engine out belt service at around 30K (2003) as he was having problems with the synchros. I am pretty much trying to close this deal out and hopefully posting a pic soon similar to Mels Btw William thanks for the head up on the Yellow 512TR. As much as I like to see a Yellow TR , I am not sure I can carry it off driving/owning one. BR.
go for it. all of the advice here is good. but you are talking about a 20 year old car basically, so many things will wear and tear and thats just the nature of the beast. so the research you have done seems thorough and the seller is compliant and giving you all info he has, so cant be a bad thing. btw, you will love the 512tr. of all my cars, THAT one is still my favorite. i bought it with 10k miles on it in rome, and have driven it another 20k over the last 10 years. it is the car i choose for the trips to the riviera with the wife. the 456mgt is more comfortable for her, but not as much fun for me. and the others are less comfortable for both of us. the 512tr is the right balance between fun and comfort, never mind looks, presence, sound, performance etc. great cars!
