HELP!!! Question on purchase of a testarossa... | FerrariChat

HELP!!! Question on purchase of a testarossa...

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by silverf1modena, Apr 10, 2004.

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  1. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    Hi, my co-worker was in the market for a Testarossa and being that I own a Ferrari, he had asked me this question, but I am not that well rounded in the Testarossa department so please help me. The question was whether to purchase a 87 Testarossa with sub 4000 miles that has had the 5000 mile service done or a 90 Testarossa with about 20K miles on it that had the 30K service already done on it several months back. They are both in the same price range that is why he asks. Which model years to avoid, if at all. Is any one year better than the other? Is a 87 or 88 the same? How about a 89 or 90? He says he doesnt want to fork out the cash for a 512 TR so tryin to stay in the 86-90 years. Thanx alot guys.
    Oh and one more thing, and I know I'm gonna get shotdown for this question, but he really wanted to know if the TR's were more reliable than the earlier year Diablos like the 91's and how much the service costs compared. Sorry if I asked too many dumb questions or if I offended anyone. The things you do for a frienD...=)
     
  2. Wolfgang

    Wolfgang F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 8, 2003
    16,743
    Heidelberg, Germany
    Full Name:
    Wolfgang
    Hi,

    IMO go for the 1990 Testarossa with 20K miles!!!
    Its always better to buy a Ferrari which has been driven and not just stored in a garage.

    Good Luck!
     
  3. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    ThanX! How much do they differ in the model years from 86-91? In terms of mechanics, etc...Because there are some real clean ones out there that are the earlier years with very low miles, but then again, just because it had the 5K mile service doesn't mean that all the other parts have not dried up from less use, right? I know its always better to purchase the latest model possible in any car bcause of technological development and improvements, but still was curious. thanX! Nice car by the way!
     
  4. Wolfgang

    Wolfgang F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 8, 2003
    16,743
    Heidelberg, Germany
    Full Name:
    Wolfgang
    Its not a big difference.
    The mirrors:
    Early testa got only 1 mirror in higher position.
    Second serie with 2 mirrors in higher position
    Last series 2 mirrors...as shown in my profile.
    The wheels/rims:
    First series with TRX tyres (hard to get and very expensive!!) and only one center bolt.
    Later series with usual tyres and 5 bolts....its also easier to change them for the 18" wheels like 512TR or 512M wheels....see pic in my profile.
    And I don`t know about the US catalytic versions. In Europe the first series went out without a catalytics....anyway I changed it for a Tubi style with test pipes
     
  5. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    ThanX! How about mechanical wise? Any notable changes?
     
  6. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    also what would be a fair price to pay for a TR?
     
  7. Wolfgang

    Wolfgang F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 8, 2003
    16,743
    Heidelberg, Germany
    Full Name:
    Wolfgang
    Sorry I`m not used with the US market prices. I`m located in Germany.
    About technical & mechanical; please ask in the other forum (technical) there are the real experts. I`m just a driver & lover and don`t repair my testarossa myself - so I know too less to give you any advices on this.
     
  8. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    ThanX alot wolfgang! You have been very helpful! Oh and your car looks nice with those wheels!
    If anyone has anymore info please help me out! PLEEEASE!!! ThanX!!!
     
  9. evandaalen

    evandaalen Formula 3
    Consultant

    Feb 7, 2004
    2,394
    Deventer, NL
    Full Name:
    Edvar van Daalen
    Although I can't help you a lot, you might want to check my website for some additional info about the differences between model years and for a nice "Buyers Guide". You can find it at http://www.red-headed.com. Check the Articles section. Best regards, Edvar
     
  10. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    I'm not really up to date on the changes in the early TRs but my car buying advice is that Old stuff is old stuff so buy the newest nicest car you can find for less hassles.

    I cant imagine a TR in good condition being more costly in maintenance than a Lambo. Lambos are maintenance nightmares
     
  11. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    Thanx alot guys! So would there be a particular year TR you would either recommend or have stay away from in the 86-91 range? Because there are some really clean 87'5 and 88's out there.
     
  12. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    Thank you very much for this guide, it was very helpful in seeing the changes and what not. I guess there weren'y that many changes and the only changes occurred in the 87 models on up. HMMM... So I'm still sort of stuck on low mileage (4K) 87 with service or higher mileage (like 20K) 88/90 with service, because both are in the same price range. So I gueaa i can tell my friend to count the Diablo out for sure. Since he will be driving it almost daily.
     
  13. Tomf-1

    Tomf-1 F1 Rookie

    Jan 17, 2004
    4,528
    Leawood KS/ South FL
    Full Name:
    Thomas
    I second William's opinion.
    If I were to guess...the prx tag for a nice/clean, all serviced 90/91TR would rangebound b/w $62,500 to $6,7500
     
  14. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,806
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    One further point on the TR wheels besides single-nut vs 5-bolt is metric vs 16" diameter so I'd list a wheel comparison as:

    5-bolt 16" = least future hassle/$ = worth paying a few $K more

    5-bolt metric or single-nut 16" = about the same hassle/$

    single-nut metric = needs a few $K discount

    Also, a 5K service is nothing so the early car needs a $5~7K discount IMO (but the low mileage is a plus -- regardless of the reality ;)).

    Two other big factors you don't mention are:

    1. Exterior/Interior colors?

    2. Are both cars the correct "version" for the market/country your friend is in?

    My take is a perfect, low mileage, 5-bolt 16", good-colors, fresh major service, US version in the US is $65~$70K so deduct from there for differences.
     
  15. gabriel

    gabriel Formula 3

    Yeah, the five bolt is easier to work with in getting different wheels and such, but there were two things that I *had* to have in my TR:

    1) Wanted the model with the single drivers side mirror mounted halfway up the post.

    2) Wanted the single lug wheel.

    What I did NOT know (my bad) was that the metric tires would become quite hard to replace. - So I replaced the metric with single lug 16' wheels. Now, I have exactly what I wanted, with wheels that I can easily buy tires to fit.

    And there it is -Buy exactly what you really want!

    Everything else is 6 of this, a half dozen of that, except for the milage/maintainence factor.

    >has had the 5000 mile service done

    I believe that you mean the 7500k service.
    The 15k service intervals have the belt replacements included -IF they are properly done - BIG factor in service cost!

    See my profile for an 86 single mirror, single lug TR. Good luck.
     
  16. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    Oh man!!! Thank you guys sooo much! So the single lug wheels were discontinued after 86? It seems that that seems to be a big factor here, more than anything. So are the 5 lug units differentiated by 5 exposed lugs?
     
  17. carguy

    carguy F1 Rookie

    Oct 30, 2002
    3,424
    Alabama (was Mich.)
    Full Name:
    Jeff
    As a TR owner, I'd recommend the newer car like others have said. As far as mechanical parts there weren't many changes over the years. TRs occasionally have some electrical gremlins, but are really quite reliable, despite what others may say. My car is a U.S. version, 1987, with the 16" single lug wheels. At first I wasn't too crazy about them. But they have grown on me, and now I wouldn't want the 5 lug wheels. The single lugs look much cleaner and nicer. And they are easy and quick to take off and put on. About the '87 low mile car, just what was done in that service? Belts and all? It's really a very hard choice to make. If both cars are in perfect shape, I'd get the newer one. But if the '90 has any cosmetic issues, I'd get the older one. I guess I'm not much help here.....passion over-rides logic when it comes to TRs.
     
  18. khayes

    khayes Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2003
    591
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Kelly Hayes
    I have an 86 TR. I like the single mirror mounted high and the single lug wheels. It makes it more exotic looking to me. I've been toying with the idea of going to larger wheels and standard 18 inch tires with a knock off wheel that looks similiar to the GTO wheel.

    I drive my car several times a week but I don't use it as a daily driver. It is a very fun car to drive and if your friend is looking for something that will turn heads the TR is the way to go.

    1985 to 1988 TR's cost less to purchase than 1989 to 1991 TR's but the newer cars are possibly cheaper to run. The best advice is to tell your friend to decide what he wants from the car and go with that because in the end they are both pretty expensive.

    Unlike the TR's predecessor, the BB512, the TR was designed for the US and it's emissions should pass California testing. Given that the cats are still in good shape. A 4,000 mile car should be have good cats unless the owner removed them. Most TR owners seem to have upgraded to test pipes and a Tubi exhaust. That set up probably won't pass emission testing in some cities.

    The major service on a TR is every 30,000 miles or 3 years. This involves removing the engine and replacing belts, hoses, adjusting valves, water pump, ect. This service can run anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 depending on what all your mechanic finds once he gets in there. It's probably a good idea to discount any car by this amount and have this service performed yourself so that you know that it was done right and nothing was overlooked.

    I spent about 2 years shopping for a Ferrari and looked at several cars before landing on a Testarossa. I have had this car for about a year and have had the 30k mile service performed and a few other things that have totaled about $12 so far. When I think about my TR I don't think about the other cars that I looked at and I don't think about the service work I've had performed, all I think about is the fun of ownership that I experience right now and the pleasure of my next drive. These cars are exoctic which is what makes them both expensive and fun.
     
  19. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    The newer cars are cheaper to run? Can somebody explain this for me? Does that mean service is cheaper or does that mean simply that the newer ones might have fewer problems? And did the 87-91's all come with 5 lugs or was that an option? How can you differentiate the 5 lug to 1 lug by looking? Are the 5 lugs exposed?
     
  20. Jerrari

    Jerrari F1 Veteran

    Jul 24, 2001
    5,469
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Jerry Wiersma
    Newer will have fewer problems (statistically speaking). 5 lugs started in mid 1988 and are very apparent by looking at the car (exposed lugs).
     
  21. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    Ahh! ThanX! Then it appears that these 5 lugs are more rare, because, all the ones, i have seen for sale are the 1 lugs, even for the 88's and 90's. Was the 1 lug an option?
     
  22. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    By the way, I thank all you guys so much for all this info! I have learned so much!!!
     
  23. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,806
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    "Was the 1 lug an option?" -- No

    SN 75996 and before are the single-lug wheels.

    SN 75997 and after are the 5-lug wheels.

    It also involves a bunch of major suspension part changes so it's completely impractical to "convert" one to the other (so I'd be surprised if you truly saw a "1990" with the single-lug wheels) -- but my guess would be about a 50/50 population split, or maybe just a few more single-lug, since the change came in mid '88.

    "Are the 5 lugs exposed?" -- My 5-lug '91 (SN87406) is shown in my Profile.
     
  24. gabriel

    gabriel Formula 3

    >Are the 5 lugs exposed?

    Yep.
     
  25. silverf1modena

    silverf1modena Formula Junior

    Ahh! Man you guys are opening my eyes to new things! I klearn something everyday! Doin all this homework for my buddy is makin me want a Testarossa now!!! If there are anymore suggestions feel free to keep posting! I thank you guys sooo much and man, one can't learn enough!!!
     

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