Why are Testarossas so cheap?

Was the third brake light standard on all US models or just 86 up (and none on a Euro of course)? The reason I ask is 86 was the first year Ford started using them.

 

Yes. 1986 was the first year for the third brake light in the US. So 1985 should be the only U.S. TR that doesn't have the third brake light.

 

I don't know if it's been done. But if not we should kick start a fund to translate Miami Vice in Chinese so they can view it over there. That could give a boost for the TR market. 😄

 

Be careful what you wish for

 

COrrecT! I forgot to elaborate on that when I stated it was an 1985 model.

 

Just to let you know I have some Testarossa stuff available:
Monodado
- spare wheel (space saver)
- jack kit
- service book #63293

After Monodado
- spare wheel (space saver)
- jack kit

For both models
- toolkit

Needless to say these are all original. And way cheaper than what is on Ebay....

 

Please can you send me prices and photos of your: Jack kit & toolkit? Thanks

[email protected]

 

Does anyone have access to this site:

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/113380115/

"Buyer goes for Juiced-up Ferrari It's red. It's a Ferrari. But it was OJ. Simpson's personal license plate JUICES that convinced a man to buy the car at auction for $127,500. "I wouldn't <GARBLED> strictly inter ested in the celebrity car status of this car." SIMPSON The Ferrari Testarossa, which Spadrafori plans to display in a museum, was purchased at another auction in Palm Springs last February for $108,000 by auction promoter Steve Davis. He wanted to make it the centerpiece of his Independence Day weekend auction here. Spadrafori said he was willing to bid even higher than he did, but wouldn't say how high. "I was going to stay in the game and play the poker hand out," he said."

EDIT: Oh wait, here is the blurb from another site:

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-07-09/news/9607080316_1_weekend-auction-ferrari-personal-touch

It's red. It's a Ferrari. But it was O.J. Simpson's personal license plate "JUICES" that convinced a man that he should buy the car at auction for $127,500 in Visalia, Calif."I wouldn't have bought it without this plate," said Bud Spadrafori of San Jose. "I'm strictly interested in the celebrity car status of this car." The Ferrari Testarossa, which Spadrafori plans to display in a museum, was purchased at another auction in Palm Springs last February for $108,000 by auction promoter Steve Davis. He wanted to make it the centerpiece of his Independence Day weekend auction. Spadrafori said he was willing to bid even higher than he did, but wouldn't say how high. "I was going to stay in the game and play the poker hand out," he said.

Anyone know Bud Spadrafori???

 

Testarossa's are cheap, because they are expensive.

 

The article is from 1996. I wonder if the car is still under the same ownership.

 

See my ad in the past thread...

 

Yes !

And it is not getting any better imo ...

 

I would think its mainly the maintenance cost. If they run well they're lovely to drive. But once you have a slightly big problem, it costs a lot of time and money to fix.

 

Nature of the beast.

 

Just like a smoking hot redhead female. High maintenance, but worth it.

 

Looks will only go so far. If she has a bad attitude, sometimes it's best to kick the ***** to the curb.

 

The original poster asked why this TR sold for the same price as the 328.

Some people said its because of the TR maintenance...but there are several cars worth waay more with similar costs.

Some people said its because they made too many TRs...but they made many more 328s.

Some people said its because they don't fit in a TR...but a 328 is no roomier.

Without knowing these cars in this auction specifically, I can see only one reason:
Testarossa's are undervalued.

There are several cars that are tougher to fit in and worth way more. There are several cars with high maintenance costs...and worth more.

BUT there are few cars as iconic. There are few 12 cylinder cars at this price (and none that I want at this price).

Don't forget why they sold so many of these...because so many wanted one so badly that they would open their checkbook and even pay a 50% premium to get one.

 

A huge issue at the moment is that cars from the early 90's are future classics - they aren't classics yet. Some people with plenty of cash are taking advantage of this and are buying them before the value increases. Because they lack what the new cars have, specs, speed, power etc, people aren't interested as much, and because they aren't classics yet, people aren't investing in them, they are in a niche bracket at the moment and I'm sure the value will increase in the foreseeable future when cars from the late 80's early 90's become classics in their own right.

Take a look at the interior of a 250 GT Lusso, a classic, and compare it to a Testarossa.
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Lol. They both have a steering wheel?

While I agree with the rest of your post, you lost me at the comp to the Lusso.

 

I tend to believe those guys are idiots ... speculators ... but ... are they ?

 

Testarossa used to be cheap, but they are not that cheap anymore. 10 years ago (and then prices were stable until about 4 years ago) they were selling for less than half of what is asked today.
While it is logical that cars initially devaluate (when they are viewed as used cars), then stabilise and eventually go up again (as they become classic cars), doubling the price is already significant and there might be room for some temporary corrections (actually, prices have been softening after a rapid increase).

 

With due respect to all, this particular segment of the TR forum never ceases to amuse me.

Ive owned a low mile RHD '86 for 17 years. 66821.

For the entire time this forum has talked values down. Because because because. I've heard them all, yet strangely experienced none of the purported downsides personally whatsoever. Cam-belts, none of it.

Talking TR values down perplexes me - given that each member on here is purportedly an owner. why?

When values eventually rose discussion talked all about downside??

Fact is the TR us an iconic 80's classic. It polarises all - love the shape or hate it - or is it your own image in the 80's you love/hate?.

Want a 50's or 60's classic? - buy that instead - or as well. I did both.

The TR values have and WILL continue to escalate because of its very relevant place in history. It MOVES people. It always will. Simple as that.

Apologies to the offended - over and out.

 

Well said, I have had my 86 17 years as well, done the majors myself. If I had followed this forum I would have been afraid to buy it, glad I did. People flip over it every time I drive it and so do I.

 

Agreed! I bought mine hoping never to sell it!!


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You make very good points, Unfortunately, some of the people who consistently talk prices down on this forum are not owners.

I also own a 575, a 550 and a couple of 430s, and there isn't the same consistent talking-down on those forums. More balanced and grown up observations. An algorithm could write the doom-mongering responses that pop up frequently here...probably more insightfully.

A shame, because it means this forum is skewed, but people who do own these cars plainly have better things to do than to ride the cavallino of doom every night.