Hemmings says TR has nowhere to go but up!

Not saying it's right or wrong- It's the perception.

As a 355 owner I can tell you it's the same thing. My car has had a $6K major and it's had a $12K major. It's all about how perfect you want your car to be.

But certainly from my own experience TRs, Boxers, 355s... all will require slightly more expenditure over a long owner ship experience than SOME other Ferraris... Worth it no doubt, but when you talk to non owners their perception of Ferrari ownership and TR ownership bears little relation to the realty of ownership.

 

Never really got the preoccupation with "potential" value that some other specialty car owners have and why they opt not to drive their cars because of concerns with the future value increase - it's just crazy if you ask me. We just had the same discussion regarding the Vanquish values on the Aston forum.

I would hope most people buy things to enjoy them. I buy a house to live in, I buy art and trinkets because I like their looks, and more importantly I buy my cars because I like the way they look and the feeling I get driving them.

What other assets or liability (more appropriate) do people buy and feverishly speculate future value on? Hopefully you're not in your study of your home and constantly pondering the potential exponential value increase of your house on a routine basis. If you do...buy a lotto ticket, better use of your time.

In the case of cars if it's worth more down the road - that's great, if its worth half what I paid...well, I did use it (hopefully). Imagine if the same logic was applied to a polo shirt. Wear it once and maybe, just maybe it will be worth $10 more than you paid years from now, even more if you didn't wear it and left the tag on it, or you can just wear it once a week and be happy you have a cool shirt - all starts to sound silly right?

For every $1 someone gets selling a car that was basically undriven having only a few relative miles on it after 7-10years of ownership in the hopes of future value, I would argue they gave up $3 of unfulfilled driving enjoyment and real ownership experience happiness.

Buy it, take care of it, and most importantly enjoy driving it while it's part of your collection and if the time comes, pass it on to someone else to get the same experience.

 

just for grins...how much ya pay for a set of plug wires? what would you consider a lot for a distributor cap?

 

It's definitely unique, I'll grant you that. But unique is not necessarily beautiful. To me its the classic big assed big tits look, I know in the USA that is very appealing, but elsewhre a more refined look has more appeal.

Personally I go for difficult lithe redheads, so I guess a boxer is more my thing.

Interesting that on this thread people wonder why va boxer has such appeal. Whereas us boxer people wonder why the boxer is the forgotten Ferrari and can't great 125k.

I think all the flat 12s take a true enthusiast to drive so the casual poseur owner won't go for one. As times change and these cars age they become appreciated for their looks and drive experience more than use ability. The time of the tr will come but its a long way off. EvenTualy all mid 12s will be desirable, think about it the formula now is front engined if you want something different with go its either a boxer or a tr.

The tr look is one more of shock value like tatoos and piercings, this limits current appeal, no doubt the volume produced holds it back, but a lot of countavh were produced to. Plus as the car is inexpensive most are probably run down, so even for 40k it probably costs another 30-40 to put really right.

I paid 85 k for my boxer 20 years ago. I have easily put 120k if not more into maintaining and sorting the car over those years. These days I don't even count, nothing with 4 wheels comes close in terms of entertainment value. Tried the 458 and mp12, they were boring unless at berserk speeds and the driving was more akin to a video game that moved.

Cool cars these 12s, anyone know of a black or charcoal 512.

 

Just got back from driving my TR. Nothing like hearing that 12 behind your head. This thing sings!! Sounds better than my Countach (and that has a full header/exaust system) Buy an american muscle car and see yourself coming and going (nothing special). I had people pointing and giving me thumbs up all afternoon. Believe me, it will take alittle time but the values will slowly go up on these. Especially the nice examples. The car is just too good! Maintenance??? I did an engine out when I bought mine (only because I did not trust who did it before I purchased mine) The car has been trouble free PERIOD

 

how many miles or years is it ago you did the engine out?

a customer of mine with a TR 87 has now about 140.000 km with nearly no problems. he is not driving hard and so the first rotors still are in. I service this car since 1999 and only had the engine out twice for timing belts.

problems or failures have been until now since I service it:

fuel pump left ( not the relais )
electric mirror right
fuel gauge
iginiton problems ( only put in new ignition wires once and 1 coil the other time )
and often electrical ground problems

but for a more than 25 years old car very good I would say

 

Did the engine out four years ago. Now that I think about it. I have had to insulate a rear hatch strut (fuse blowing) , replace the fog lamp switch, replace the A/C drier.

 

Clive, that car, is MY car

video Fifth Gear top 10 Ferrari's part 3 of 3 - ferrari, porsche, vs - videos kewego

P

 

I have pointed out in previous thread that servicing a Testarossa is comparable to other Ferrari over here in the UK.

Example: QV London, 6000 mile service and cam belt change £1520. Its cheaper for you American chaps to ship your cars over here to have a service

P

 

Hey Phil

I knew that !! I was soooo pleased about that survey-I still have the programme on VHS!!

Tr boy

 

Hello All,

I really think that people are afraid to part with the money. No matter what it is. I know new cars are still being sold and houses are still selling and businesses are still doing business. For a lot of people, times are hard. Right now, Enzo-Era Ferraris are a safe investment compared to any stock market based asset because of the coming rise in inflation. If you had your money in a Ferrari in Cyprus, you didn't have your asset confiscated.

If our economy was gaining as it should have, I wonder how many more enthusiasts in their 40's would have bought their dream car. I felt economic concerns before I bought my 512TR last year, but I figured I should live life with something to lose instead of being afraid to live life.

 

Awhile back I was offered a very significant sum of money for my Testarossa. Even with all the money I put in, I would have walked away with almost 20K in profit. I turned it down because I couldn't think of anything I'd rather own and I didn't want to spend another few years trying to find another Testarossa I would like as much as mine.

However, the sting of the missed opportunity made it difficult for me to really enjoy the car as I kept second guessing my decision. Then a few months ago, I had a personal experience that shook me up quite a bit.

I've been driving the wheels off the thing ever since. As a result, I will never be able to collect the kind of money I could have then. At the same time, I can't take 20K ROI with me to the grave, but even when I am to old to drive, I will always remember the sound of that Flat 12, the indomitable thrust, the immense character, and the shine of that Rossa Corsa reflecting in that single mirror as I drove her to the beach.

I hope our cars enjoy an increase in value because they deserve that sort of recognition. However, regardless of what they cost to buy, maintain and repair...life is fleeting and unpredictable...and far too short...



not to own a testarossa

 

+1

 

Amen brother !!

 

***If you were lucky enough to have two mirrors you would enjoy it twice as much!

CC

 

I think we can give you a for that!!!

 

No, because the second mirror would always be a sad reminder that I compromised and got the generic version of the Testarossa

 

As most of you know I survived a major accident with only minor damage to the TR which will cost about 30K to repair. I could not imagine parting with my TR and sending her to be part house so I am happy she will be fixed.

For me, values being up or down makes no difference. I have no regrets of owning this sexy red head. And like Joe said, we are not taking her with us...

I have driven happy and trouble free 30,000 miles. I am keeping her forever.

 

Hi, I'm really glad you weren't injured, it all could have been much worse. Trucks and the re-tread tires they sometimes have, can blow out and leave the 60 pound tread laying in the road. The TR low profile front end won't clear that debris. That could also do plenty of damage. I'm always glad I'm not in the TR when I see that in the road. I always put the trucks either behind me or far enough out in front so I can see debris that trucks can obscure from view until it's too late to avoid it.

Also, in this tough economy, I bet that the instant jealousy and bitter envy a trucker may feel could entice a trucker to squeeze you on the roadway to get you into a situation. I'm not sure about that but you never know.

I expect that the insurance from the company will cover your loss, damage, injury and loss of use. Make sure you wring them dry, it could have been your tail end.

 

What scares me around here is the deer, I know people who won't ride there motorcycles at night because of unpredictable deer. When I was a youngster(50 years ago) you never saw them around here: PA., now they are like rabbits.



Ago

 

Funny... I felt the same way about the single mirror. I felt I would have gotten cheated by one mirror!!!

 

Dear Ferraristi,

I donno.....

I tried a single mirror for awhile.....It just didn't work for me.

Brandy didn't get it either lol



Shamile

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