I do and I'd be keen to know whether its largely under appreciated or not? Did they only build 500 because it was ugly and not that popular?? How does it differ to the 512TR driving wise? Is it noisier?
I like the 512M's that were designated for the Japanese market. I think there were maybe 15 and all were a dark maroon color.
" Does anyone love the 512M? " Maybe ... but I am not sure Did you look and search for "512M" here before (or not) ? Look f.i. here !
yes, probably the 500 guys who own one !! for differences, use the search function since this topic has been beat to death. as to real world performance differences.....nearly non existent. they made these last 500 to get rid of the remaining parts, and create some kind of interest to get rid of them before the 550 came out - same thing they do every time with the last few bodies they have to move. they stopped making them because they got rid of the parts as intended.
Well, they still trade for two to three times what other Testarossas go for, so apparently some people like them!!!! Personally, I like them for what they are, but could do without the rear grill and wheel treatments However, I am admittedly horribly biased towards the early single mirror cars.
I do! Ok, the headlights would look beter if they had the same color as the car. But for the overall car I like it! Maybe someday I would try to own one.
I really like the 512M- pictures just don't do it justice in my opinion. In the flesh they are stunning (just like its 2 older brothers) I am thinking of fitting the wheels to mine at some point. Tr boy
Sorry, looks like some kid bought a TR and put lots of bling on it. I know under the skin it is a great car, but it has to roll around with tacky overdone looks
Some good pics of the 512M here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/detailing-showroom-sponsored-esoteric-auto-detail/174082-f512m-please-post-your-pics.html#post137214538 .
those looks are an acquired taste. i for one do not care for them one bit. good thing since i dont own one
I love the car, but if I had the chance to own a 1994 512 TR..... hmmmmm. I might have to buy them both!
Personally I don't like it. I hate the wheels, the rear is dull. Front his not bad. Interior is nice.
I think I just like it because its unusual and rare. The TR is jaw dropping though. Thanks for all your thoughts.
I always thought the somewhat awkward styling details of the 512M were designed to 'throw us off' the familiar and beloved Testarossa shape altogether to prepare us for the coming front engined V12 renaissance. The wheels of the 512M are the worst of any major Ferrari model since the early 80's! And with that being said I would do anything to own one!
They would have built/sold more 512Ms if Ferrari had re-bodied it as a new car. (They should have done it with the 512TR) As it was it was a VERY high priced car for 1995 (and crappy market) using warmed over styling from a 1984 TR. They are the fastest of the TR family by HP only. I HATE the wheels. They look like a child's pin-wheel. I could live with the back end if I had to. I prefer pop up headlights over the glassed in lights on the M. None of the above is worth the 100k premium over the 512TR BTW, there is no reason why it would be noisier, unless the exhaust was changed to after-market.
This. Even given the money I would not buy an M, but then again I would think twice about a 512TR as well. I absolutely appreciate both of their refinements, less their styling. For me it's the early Testarossa that moves me, maybe because my initial, and all other personal encounters prior to buying were with the Testarossa--they were significant emotional events that stayed embedded for 25 years until I was in a position to purchase. The reality is different things drive individual emotions--color, styling, performance etc. Unless investment/resale are a prime motivator that might influence you to purchase something beyond your emotions, you gotta go with what moves you the most. Agree with comments above that the M was too far a departure from the original and appeared (to me) like the designers had spent several drunken nights with a J.C. Witney catalog . Again, just me and I'm sure the M owners absolutely love an covet their cars--to each their own. The rarity certainly drives the value, sure wish there were only 500 Testarossa's (including mine )) made! It's interesting to see what a radical departure was made from the F512M to the 550Maranello--talk about a 180...
Agree. Hate the front grill, hate the headlights, hate the wheels and finally hate the rear treatment. The rest is okay though . Pete
I love it! It's also still above 100k at the end of it's depreciation curve. Which models today can say that?
"Does anyone love the 512M" the answer, in my opinion, is "Only Collectors love the 512M." I would never be a big enough collector to ever own one... ever! it is an in-bread, bastardized Ferrari.
Hello, Was in Northern California a few years back and visited Ferrari of San Fransisco in Mill Valley. They had a fly yellow/blue M. #75/75 with plates that read "FINAL TR" I was rather in awe. I never cared for the cosmetic updates to the TR. But somehow this car, #75/75 blew me away. Not pretty, but rather gawdy in a over the top way. I'd take it in a heart beat. IMHO Joe
