Interested In Testarossa, Newbie, Things To Look Out For

Jonathan, welcome to FChat and the passion for all things Ferrari! Thanks also for filling out your profile. It helps the members to form a picture, even if it is limited, of who you are.

I don't own a TR so I would let others fill you in on the details. But first I would encourage you to acquaint yourself with the excellent "Search" function in the blue bar across the top of the screen. This topic has been addressed in the recent past and you will find a wealth of basic information there that can answer a lot of your basic questions. You may get some answers in this thread, but the search function will allow you to get even more up the curve on these cars.

Also, spend time surfing through the "Classic" and "Technical" sections. There are a lot of TR owners here and they contribute a lot of knowledge.

Following that, asking the board to provide comments on specific cars that might be on the market or asking for experiences with particular dealers is right down the FChat alley.

Again, Welcome!

John

 

You will get a lot of 'use the search button' answers here. But the basic thing is look for a low mileage car with extensive service records, including having the engine-out timing belt replacement done recently (recommended about every 5 years). Most people like the post 88 TR with the 5 bolt wheel instead of the knock off hub, also the interior was updated in 88. You should expect to pay $60k or more for a nice car, but budget about $3k per year for maintenance. If you want an off color (i.e. non red or black) car, you can save a few $$$ on the purchase. You can also save alittle on the purchase price by getting a Euro car or a car with a salvage title. Don't consider a salvage title unless you are going to baby the car around, it may be unsafe on the track. You will also get less for the off color / salvage title / euro car when you go to sell them. It will also likely take longer to get less when you go to sell. Make sure you have a good reserve budget when buying the car for taxes / repairs / unknowns... Do research here for a while and there is much info available.
Good luck in the search!

BT

 

I love white on these cars, but then, I'm biased . The testarossa and countach look great in white. Viva la 80's!

 

On the V8 Ferraris the engine out service runs about $4k at an independant shop (versus about $7k at a dealer). The 12 cylinder is usually around $6-$8k at independant shops. If the car you are looking at is due for the service you can usually split the cost or take it as a credit and have it done yourself.
BT

 

Regarding the colors, I have seen a TR that looked awesome in yellow and one in titanium. Red is also great (but the most common) on a TR. Lots of people like the black, but it takes dedication to keep the paint looking great.

BT

 

My White TR is for sale. Details can be seen here:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=342&sort=1&cat=12&page=2

PM me if interested.

Alex

 

Testarossa message - Cyls 7-12 slow 1/26 was a thread I started.
If you aren't sure which Testarossa, you might go to RED HEAD website (not good at links) and look at an article detailing the differences.

I bought an 88 before the wheel change. Better vehicle is the TR512, or in a Testarossa, depending on which wheels you like 88.5 model year.

Engine out tune up with associated water pump rebuild is a $10,000 affair at the dealer, so worth having done or discounting. I ended up having to haggle after the fact to get the dealer to pick up mine above the first $6000 including my water pump rebuild, and a bad ECU suffered upon delivery, and a few little electrical gremlins. And my car is a local, 2 owner car in California with 17.8 K miles total. And that was only because I paid more than market, so they had the cushion to allow the assistance. These can be expensive to maintain by all accounts

There are also numerous books and magazines on EBay on the Ferrari Testarossa that you can buy, or you can private mail Rfledrver on this group, who is reputed to be one of the best Testarossa mechanics in Northern California, and seems to really know what he is doing. He also was less expensive than the shop without my negotiated deal, if you are in California. Haven't used him, just going by rep.

Hope that helps.

 

Good luck finding your tr. I am sure you will enjoy every mile you drive after you get it. Research and try to get the best one. Don't try to find the cheapest one out there but try to find the best condition tr. If you get the right one with owner who took care of it, the car won't give you too much trouble.
If you have any question you can always pm me too.

 

I guess you mean www.red-headed.com.

 

Why yes, yes I did. The one with the guy in the funny wooden shoes, but with the excellent TR buying guide that I completely ignored in buying mine.

 

I'd like to get a 12-cyl someday...

Edvar: Thanks for putting together a great site. Very interesting and helpful information.

Larry: Come join in some of the local get-togethers (refer to NorCal section).

 

I'll look at it this evening, and definitely plan on joining in some activities. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Hi.
There are a lot of things you should look for, below are some. But my best advice is to pay a few hundred dollars and have the prospective car looked over by a professional:

Anyway,
First and foremost, check if the car has been regularly serviced by a professional, as a lot of the problems with these cars are due to unskilled services and/or repairs.

Take a close look at the fusebox. Check wheather any of the pins in the large flat connectors are 'burnt', as this may indicate that there are dameages to the fusebox itself too.

Check if the car holds the line when breaking, or if it pulls to one side. If so you may need to change, or at least reface the brakediscs.

Look at the hoses and other rubber components. If they look old they must be replaced.


That was a few things, the list is long. But remember if you get a good specimen, the car will give you lots of fun. But make sure you treat it with regular service by a professional, which knows what he is doing. Service errors can be very expensive later.... And most important: drive it regularly
to make sure the fluids run through the engine avery now and then. It is the standing still that often causes the most wear on these cars.
Good luck!

 

I have just taken my Testarossa out for a fun top speed run on the elevated highway just now... Great car I tell you. I topped it all the way to 180 mph. I had a totally empty streight road in front of me so I floored the accelerater all the way and hold the top speed of a few seconds. I have done this top speed driving many times. Usually, I got about 170+mph then there will two cars or three in a way. But this time NICE.... Such great feeling. Clear my mind for the whole week to come. Great car. I'm sure the newer Ferrari is better but this one is sure a true supercar. I can feel I can do it all day if the traffic permit....

http://www.xok.com/sundaymorningdrive/thumbnails.php?album=29

 

180 mph!!! Wow. I don't know if you heard but one guy here n malibu tried to do the same the other day and the end result was little diff than yours

 

Sounds interesting. I think I can go take a look at it for you if you want me to. It sounds like the tr is located around where I live.
$75000 for 21k miles? Sounds too high. Well, I had a experience when I was searching for my car, the seller on the phone told me that it is in excellent condition and he wanted around $70k for 30k miles TR and when I got there after driving 60miles with excited heart, I see a piece of junk Seriously I've some 80's Toyotas in better condition than his TR. Although I saw one 91 TR Red/Tan with 48k miles and guy wanted $47k for it. Now that TR was in excellent condition with the exception of ding on the passenger side mirror. Great guy, and he took care of it mechanically also through a well know local ferrari shop. Only reason I didn't get it was because of the miles. I don't know if he sold it or not. Take your time and you'll find a great tr