Hi All! I'm guessing the 348 will be more modern, less painful maintenance, etc., but Testarossa's are in the same price range. Big differences in maintenance intervals, and $$$'s? What are the recommended? Water pump, belt, . . . Thanks! Dan (Profile-Nazi's: enjoyed daily driving a v12 xjs for 4 years == weekly odd repairs, some of them ow-ies! Also stabled/travelled/commuted/track day'd Ducati Paso + 916. This will be my first "cavallino rampante" )
Both engines have to be taken out for the major service, so you won't save any money there. Between a 348 and a Testarossa, I would get the 348. Now if its between a 348 and a 512TR, then I would get the 512TR. It really depends on what you want. Drive both and then decide. Keep this in mind, attaining a Ferrari is not the hard part. Maintaining a Ferrari is what can break the bank. It's like dating a super model, they love to spend your money, and lots of it. It's a sickness this thing we call Ferrari. Once you are infected with it you're ruined for life. LOL!
Its not even close...GET THE TR...! I have had both a 348 Spider and a TR. The TR was a much better car in every respect; performs better, looks better, sounds better, has a higher build quality and most importantly has 12 cylinders.
The TR is very exotic. Its just a very beautiful car and different than anything on the road. I also think the 348 looks great, especially the later SS cars and spiders but they are not in the sale league.
I would get a TR. If you have to pay for an engine out service, you should get a 12 cyl ferrari. These cars are much more reliable than a 12 cyl jag. I owned one too. Nothing like leather differential seals. The thing leaked everything.
Firstly, cut this 12cyl v 8cyl bull. There are many arguments for both cars, one could say the TR looks ungainly and bulky, yet to others - they're great cars. Anyone who seriously considers a TR is already 75% there....,
It's not that 8cyl are bad. But if your going to be spending the money, you may as well get a car with more power. Plus, 12cyl cars are fun to drive, no matter if they're Ferrari, Jag, or Aston, they're just a different breed of car.
...then decide. I am an open-car guy which is why I went for a 348 instead of a 328. I still love the looks of the 328 (the one I was gonna get is back up for sale) but I enjoyed the driving experience of the 348 better, plus I got a full spider instead of a GTS. So take all of the advice, etc, but you've just got to get behind the wheel to see what you like best. Now I just need to find a cut Testarossa...my license plate will transfer nicely. Cheers Kevin
What are the minor and major scheduled services? Oh, and as for the jag, bought an extra engine and tranny, so I could routinely have them freshened up, then swapped, to reduce downtime. Still, it spent about 70% of its first 18 months in the shop. The perfect complement to share the garage was a buick! Everything worked on the buick! A jag board has Sean Connery saying, "Enjoy life, drive a British sports car." Also a poster there is known for saying, "no man should die, without having owned a v12." But preaching to the choir; YOU GUYS ARE ON A HIGHER PLANE OF EXISTENCE! Thanks! Keep'em coming!
Testarossa's are very unique and enjoyable cars. I love mine. I even love the things that folks on this board will tell you are not good about the car like the signle high mounted mirror and the single spline wheels and the added expense of maintenance. OK, well I don't love the added expense for maintenance but it's not so bad that it is keeping me from enjoying the car. I can't imagine anyone hating this car or buying it and thinking it wasn't enough car for them. You can spend more and get something newer and nicer but for the money, early TR's are great cars. I drove mine this weekend and had a blast in it. I've never driven a 348 but for the same money why not get the car with the larger engine and put a Tubi on it and see if that get's your motor running.
Yep - It is back up for sale. He needs a TR. He came over to my house on Saturday to make sure he fits. I got to drive the 328 again - I miss it a bit. He put on a test pipe. It sounded incredible!
Yeah, it looked fantastic at CC a few weeks ago. Wish I had the scratch to pick it up but NJ would kill me... Cheers Kevin
I'm in the same boat.... Would love to have it back. Also wanted to save Aug's car for him a few weeks ago.
I went through a similiar decision - and am waiting on a 348 spider PPI. My mechanic estimates similiar maintenance costs for both 348 & TR, but for me - I'll be doing more city driving and less highway driving. I wouldn't want to take a TR into the city any more than necessary. 1. Decide what you want to use the car for. 2. Find the car that best fits that need. The TR is a great highway rocket - although I've only driven one, I was stunned at the amount of car, and the turbine like 12 cylinder. And yeah - I'm ok being less of a man with only an "8".
I have driven both and i think that they are both fun cars to drive. The 348 is easier to park but seems a little lower in front and i kept scraping the nose. And with the 348, you have the option of TB, TS or spyder. If parking is not an issue and you do not intend to zip around on congested roads, then the testa is worth considering. I chose the testa in the end because it looks stunning and intimidating all in the same breath (but that's personal). In terms of satisfaction you'll get from the engines, the testa will make you grin from ear to ear. I particularly like the rear of the testa as well, it's so wide and low i don't think there are any cars like it. But for a decision on which F-car to buy, you should always follow your heart. I did.
I just got my 1988 testarossa delivered today. I traded in my 1992 348 TB for it. Both cars are nice tp drive but personally, I think the tes looks and sounds better and had fewer potential mechaincal problems thn the 348.
