Newbie questions on Testarossa purchase. | FerrariChat
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Newbie questions on Testarossa purchase.

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by [email protected], May 18, 2005.

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  1. Brad6260@insightbb.com

    [email protected] Rookie

    May 12, 2005
    1
    #1 [email protected], May 18, 2005
    I'm thinking my Porsche needs a friend.
    To be honest I am just starting to research possible stable mates and certainly a Ferrari is high up on the list.
    The Testarossa has always been the F car that stirred me the most from a pure asthetic standpoint.
    I am interested in knowing if there were sweet spots to it's production years and if there were specific issues/concerns that they were prone to and if those issues were succesfully addressed during it's production.
    That's a round about way of asking what Testarossa an "expert" would look to purchase and how the Testarossa stacked up in general from a reliabilty and performance point of view in the Ferrari world.

    Thanks for opinions,
    Brad
     
  2. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
    Victory Circle
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    HUBBSTER
    #2 WILLIAM H, May 18, 2005
    Hi Brad & welcome, The TRs evolved from 1984 to 1996. The 1st year it had this huge mirror on the drivers side & no mirror on the passenger side. the next year it had 2 smaller mirrors. They imporved them over the years w newer electronics & different wheels but the car stayed pretty much the same until 1992

    In 1992 the 512TR was introduced which I think was the car they should have built from day 1. The 512TR looks almost exactly like an earlier TR but under the skin its a very different animal

    Biggest & most important difference is the fram. In earlier TRs there was a cradle that held the engine/trans/suspension This would unbolt & drop out of the car for easier service which was great for mechanics & may drop your maintenance bills but its not what you want on a race track. It left the early TRs too flexible

    The 512TR has a 1 piece frame so its much stiffer thus much better for the track. The engine/trans have to come out the top for service which is slightly more difficult

    The 512TR also weighed about 100# less & had an extra 40 hp & better electronics/trans/brakes. Ferrari built about 2500 of these from 92-94

    The last TR the 512M was an evolution of the 512TR w different wheels, more hp again w titanium connecting rods a beefier trans & a few other goodies. Ferrari only built 75 of these so they are the rarest & most expensive TRs, between $130 - 160k today

    Basically if you just want a TR that will never see the track you can find a nice car for around $60k +, a 512TR will cost $80k + and its an excellent track car altough it can be a bit expensive to pound on
     
  3. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
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    #3 GrigioGuy, May 18, 2005
    Here's a previous thread I found by searching on testarossa and newbie:D http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19762&highlight=testarossa+newbie

    Try these also:

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14109&highlight=testarossa+purchase+advice

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=384&highlight=testarossa+purchase+advice

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26723&highlight=testarossa+maintenance

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6943&highlight=testarossa+maintenance

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32069&highlight=testarossa
     
  4. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    #4 Texas Forever, May 18, 2005
    Tillman = God of searches :)

    Actually, there is a lot of stuff on this.

    A lot of it is moaning over TR prices falling. However, it looks like they may be hitting bottom.

    The number one thing to keep in mind when looking at an older Ferrari is Gerald Roush's (of the Ferrari Market Letter) rule: The only thing that counts is condition, condition, condition. It doesn't matter if it is low or high miles. It doesn't matter if it has been wreaked. It doesn't matter if Don Johnson sat in the car. All that matters is the condition the car is in right now!

    Good luck, Dale
     

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