Common problems with the Garage Queen...

Congratulations!

Hopefully, you'll be one of the lucky ones and your car won't have significant issues.

Some GQ problems that I've heard about and seen when I've visited the nearby service centers are dried out gaskets and corroded cooling systems (thanks to the coolant separating and concentrating...).

Best wishes with your TR.

 

What services have been done in the past 20 years, and when were they done???

 

P'Patpong... you should check all the hoses (change all fluids at the same time), rubber or metal, for corrosion. I did change most of the hose in my old TR and found that some were near rupture/leaking.

The gaskets can be dried and leaking. The suspesion bushings can be harden and will crack soon if the car has been sitting so long and you now start driving it.

Check all the wiring if possible, all connectors are probably dry, and the moisture might get into it (we are in the rainy season, don't forget).

I think that's the best condition Testarossa in Thailand, I have not seen one better.

 

Patpong, congrats!

What can I say.... It's a beautiful car.

Don't worry too much about the colour. Black IMO is really quite nice.

Is the leather new? The seats appears too firm for a 10k miles car as well. Never seen black leather with red sewings before. Nonetheless, it looks like a really clean and well taken care of car.

btw, the sticker on the engine looks a bit out of place.

 

If it is leaking/seeping at any of the seals, don't immediately take it apart and replace them. Everything on my "Queen" sealed back up nicely after I gave it a reasonable ramp up in exercise.

 

Congrats Pat....nice looking TR. I think you made the right choice. Drive on.

 

I believe we all overlooked the most important item: the timing belts have a suggested time interval for change. If they are original, I would definitely change them.

A broken belt will really ruin your day.

You can spot a leak - in fact, if a hose lets go, you can shut down before any damage is done. If the belt breaks, it's instant $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Bob Z.

 

Congrats!!!! Black is a very hard color to keep clean but IMO it's the best color for a Testarossa. Just looks like a rolling black-hole.

Have fun!!!

 

A major service would likely replaces most of the hoses, not an issue. Some of my seals leaked too, as my car had 10,000 miles or so. Now, 2000 miles later, they stopped. I think using the car will do a world of good. Do a major, then just drive it...

Enjoy!

 

If you have a documented major service in 2004, its drive time. As for the color, just let it go. Its a freeking Ferrari, it really doesn't matter what color it is.

 

Have the brake fluid flushed out and changed and also the coolant(anti-freeze).Keep an eye open for any leaks.i.e. oil,coolant,brake fluid,etc.watch volt/amp meter for proper charging,verify radiator fan operation.check wheels for tightness(knockoff or stud)check tire pressure.change motor oil and check air filters.

 

So - - Pat - -,

This new color for your beautiful beast - - does it match the Miss. Lovely 308's color? I'm guessing, yes. The interior color would certainly work.

Cheers, Hank

 

With only 10K miles on the car, it may still have the original tires, and they may look fine. However tires can deteriorate with age, regardless of mileage, and 19 years is a long time. I'd put a new set on, unless you know for certain that it's been re-tired recently.

You might want to look around FerrariChat for ideas as to the best replacement tires - not necessarily the same that the Factory chose in 1986.

 

Good point.....my GQ had perfect looking original tires, but upon closer inspection they were cracking and hard as a rock: Pirelli's go 5 years and one day past they turn to stone!

Check the fluids, inspect the hoses & belts and you're likely done.

Many people (owners & experienced buyers) have expressed that the "Garage Queen" term and the "nightmare of problems associated with lack of regular use" is something of a bullcrap reason for sellers with higher mileage cars to disuade buyers from lower-mileage vehicles!!

If you sell apples, you might tell people that oranges are poisonous?...what can you expect high-mileage car owners to say about "Garage Queens"???

 

You cannot drive a garage queen from it's garage, driving the car is not what it was designed for.

 

Isn't your 308 yellow? I hope it's not going to be that color... it may look like the Ronald McDonnald Lambo with those red carpets. Then again, you could just change the carpets as well.

 

Well....white would go with your interior just fine krub...

 

The late Mrs. O.J. Simpson sure looked fine in her white TR!

 

Congrats on the TR. Just drive and enjoy. I would suggest a leather conditioner for the interior as it may not have been done in the years. Leatherique I have had great success with.