Going to see my first Testarossa what should I look out for?

Strange that he has a picture of a later 5-lug TR (with the lower mounted LH mirror) in his ad? Why no engine photos? There are some fairly serious mechanical updates for the early TR (IIRC, oil pump drive chain link, etc.) so search for some threads by Rifledriver where he listed them...

 

if he's serious seller, then he should be open to meeting at a local for PPI, or better to cover that cost in agreement of the purchase price IMO

i did that once, and had, as per our agreement, a deposit in hand for the meeting, and showed him at the start of the PPI

if he balks at the idea of this, then i would suspect his claim of "needs nothing"

 

I agree. One of the photos is not a 85. test drive is a must. No drive no buy. Would also love to know what brand of tires h bought. Racing tire? Wtf does that mean. We are all having trouble finding tires. I hope they are not the toyo proxy race tires because you can forget about normal road use. I don't like the ad. Brand new like seems a bit over the top. Where is the service history.

R

 

You've asked about just about every Ferrari model but so far but of them all I suspect a Testarossa is the least ideal car for a 2 mile commute to work (bicycle comes to mind)

 

Yeah what's up with that. Having trouble making up your mind or are you jerking us off.

Just wanna know.

R

 

For mobility in the city the 308/348 will be a better bang for the buck, plus the shrill of the 8 on the higher rpm.
The Rossa is an excellent driver on the open road as a touring car, my Rossa is a little bit like driving a truck in bumper to bumper with the heavy clutch and no power steering it a bit of Armstrong steering to parallel park. But I chose the Rossa for myself because I like the long drives and the transmission has the right split for that duty. For in your face wow appeal it's the Testarossa for sure, even a person who doesn't know cars knows a Testarossa, it's stance and body lines commands attention no matter who parks near you.
For servicing each type has their challenges and strong points, they all will cost you a heavy dime to maintain, but if you are buying a Ferrari, you already know that, there is lots of knowledge on this site for the DIY crowd, remember that it is just a car and the parts from each have the same purpose from car to car. Plugs, clutch, fuel injection etc, once you pick your steed, roll up your sleeves and don't fear the maintenance, shop manual, tools and the forum will get you through most any challenge and sourcing out parts leads is very good here too.
Whatever your choice, enjoy the car to the fullest.
Good luck

 

The 308 and 348s are nice but there is nothing like a Testarossa. I fell in love with them when I first saw them in the mid 80s when they first came to the US. I finally got mine about three years ago. I do have to agree with parking without power steering is somewhat of a PITA, but... so what? To have that 12 sitting inches from your back is lovely.

 

I must be stronger than the typical Testarossa owner, I NEVER found parking that dificult....Mark

 

I am an old fart now. The arms are not what they used to be when I was in my 20s. It's not that bad but not like driving my wife's MB or my kids cars or my truck. You have to do a little cranking at very slow speeds, like when parallel parking.

 

Bob, I have the (electrical, fully variable) EZpowersteering installed in my 512TR for 3 years now; one word: FANTASTIC !

It is now available in USA I think ...

Do a search on that posting if you want more info.

It is the best investment/enhancemanet in my car !

 

Link to thread on the powersteering ...

A lot of owners would like one also .....please let us know how you got it and had it installed ! (pics..!!)

 

The power steering sucks on the 80s... I remember the ligh steering in all cars from that area...too light for sport car.
Ferrari did right when Tr came out... plus they are always old school about new stuff... remember the drum brakes ? I learn to drive without power steering...I see no problem parking... just keep the car rolling.

 

Well, if you really were right, these fine products would not sell ....

The little factory can not produce the amount wanted in the oldtimer world, I can tell you so.

My wife and I are very happy with it ...

 

I never understand the hostility to those seeking information and trying to get a foundation in what to look for. Isn't that the purpose of the forum?

 

@ and a contractor is expanding my driveway tomorrow morning ... @

Can you allready tell us more now ? Any pictures of the test drives ?

 

+1

I do understand guys adding new technology road tires instead of keeping the "concours" TRX rubbishers...BUT driving a TR is a sort of time-traveling for me...this means, NO power-steering and NO super-uprated brakes. Driving 90´s supercars means feeling this period and not "how to make a bargain Ferrari V12 look and feel the youngest age possible".

Just my 2 cents.

 

Anger is a component of egomania.

 

Sebastian, come visit me and have a look......

The powersteering is indeed useless when driving ! It is working until 60 km/h in town and VERY comfortabily !

Even the wife takes the 512Tr now sometimes ...

 

Hello Mel; You are a "Better Man than Myself"....I don't have power steering so the girlfriend CAN'T DRIVE my Testarossa....Mark

 

Thats exactly what I tell my wife despite insuring her to drive my Testarossa every year for the last six years


P

 

The secret is: she is paying for all the fuel
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Ahhhhhhh....so there is a method...."To Your Maddness"....I see you have some old cable spools in your yard, I remember people making tables out of those....How many acres does you property encompass?....any hunting/fishing nearby?....Mark