I've placed an ad in our FerrariAds, so if you are interested, please check it out, and contact me.
I don't have the right temperment to own a Testarossa. Bought this beautiful car in January. Immediately learned that at 17,500 miles it just HAD to have the cam belts changed which was an engine out deal. The house charged me the first $5,000 and picked up the rest..... except that while the engine was out they thought it would be good to replace the water pump, just in case, since if it failed later, the engine had to come out. $1,200. The 7-12 ECU was on..... they replaced that. Now the 1-6 ECU for cats is bad... they're quoting $1500 for the part, and telling me that Dan at Ricambi's $550 won't fit. Plus I had to replace an ignition coil, $750 for the part, plus $600 in labor. Once again I have the "perfect" Testarossa. I'm sure that since I drive the car (900 miles since I got it back in February after the major) and the people before me didn't, I'm paying to sort everything out. But I just am not willing to take those kinds of hits when things need fixing. Plus, this is the first non-convertible sports car I've owned, and I prefer open air motoring. So, someone should be getting an absolutely terrific vehicle, but it isn't for me any longer.
Sorry to hear of your bad experience. We all know going into the TR maintenance can be a nightmare, but when reality hits - it really puts a bad taste in our mouth. But having sorted the car out - why don't you just keep it for another month to see if you feelings change, unless you really want a convertible. What was it that drew you to the TR to begin with? And does it still holds true minus the maintenance? Best.
Now that you have had the major done, keep it 4-5 years and then sell it and let the new owner pay for the next major...
They are definately not for the "faint of wallet" but these flat 12 owners are giving good advice.....go hustle some babes (or your significant other) along the coast to a resort weekend and then decide...
Buying a used Ferrari is no different than buying any other used car. It is often difficult to know how well the car had been cared for before you. It is unfortunate that you got stuck with the repairs and the bill. Ironically, you are now ready to depart with it as you had finally sorted the car out.
There is no "final sortiing out" to those cars, bro...... It's more accurately called "continuous high dollar service" IMO.. I was just urging him to at least enjoy a long weekend!
I disagree. I drove my 86 TR over 50k miles in 3 1/2 years and only had one major-engine out service done. The only problem I ever had during the time I owned it was a clutch slave cylinder went bad while I was over 150 miles from home...I was still able to drive it home by shifting from 1st to 5th by matching engine rpm and justing turning it off when I stopped and then starting it back up in 1st gear letting the starter power the car forward as the engine started...Of couse I did have to replace the tires twice...but I never had to replace the clutch...
Without going into details or starting a useless arguement over the net, I respectfully disagree with your assessment on these cars or any other Flat-12 engined Ferraris. Again, a used car is only as good as how well it was cared for by the previous owner or owners.
At the end of the day guys there is a cost to maintaining or improving any car I have a 355 and its not any cheaper than my TR I guess its all part of owning a Ferrari get used to it or as you are doing sell it.
i can definetly appreciate what he is going thru (My TR thankfully hasnt required any repairs in 6 mos.). However to think the grass is greener on the other side is a mistake. The 360's with all the electronic gizmos, are just as costly and tempromental. Just look at the cost of an F-1 Hydraulic pump assembly. Also, the longevity of an F-1 clutch. All things considered, its a matter of choice...You can either pay now or pay later, but in either case YOU WILL PAY!!! thats just the price of admission into the club, and most of us accept it.
So, after a lifetime of wanting a Ferrari, and six months of owning a cherry TR with expensive sorting costs, I decided to sell it and get something else I've owned Vettes, Vipers, 911s, and dozens of marques over the past 40 years, but I have never owned a Lotus. Tried one a few days ago, and loved driving it, but figured it was too impractical, so I was going to go back to a 911, or a Z06 Vette, or a Viper as a fast, but livable car. Didn't Got the Lotus Elise instead. 190 horsepower in 1975 pound car. PING!! Just got back from about an hour ride, and I realize that for all the years of big, high horsepower sports cars that I've owned and loved, that THIS is where I belong. This is a motorcycle on four wheels. Look for a Black Lotus Elise in Los Gatos, and waive when you come by in your Ferrari!! I'll be the only Lotus driver wearing a Ferrari polo shirt!! See you guys out there.
Dear Ferraristi, This is just the nature of the beast of Ferraris in general....the TR especially. Do I think I'm being ripped off on these high costs especially when compared to a Porsche....absolutely. But then again, I don't want to drive a Porsche. These cars are low volume and the parts and service reflect that fact. I drive a 91 TR and it's very expensive to service and maintain. I look at it like this....My TR is also my hobby and social scene (concours, F clubs etc). I have a home in Reynolds Landing in Lake Oconee GA. It sits on the 9th hole on the golf course. OK, I don't play or like golf. The golf membership is $65.000 (silver) and about 200.00 a month fees and extra T fees,Tips, cart etc...if you actually want to play. If you take that monthly cost out about 5 years it comes to the major on my TR. It just depends what one justifies as a "must-have" pleasure in life. Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice !
I can relate Chiaro! First week I had my 88.5 Testarossa I broke a mirror off the drivers side due to a tarp on the road that got arborne. Snapped it right off with the wires dangling. FoD quote 1000 bucks to replace and that didn't include the paint. Then I broke a windshield. That hit me at 3000.00 bucks and a 6 month wait to have it shipped in from Italy. Then the major service at 30k went in around 9000.00 including doing some preventive maintenance on questionable items. Then I sent the car in a few months agao to completely go over the whole thing. Dressing up the interior to bring it back to new condition, taking every little ding or scratch out. Mechanically bringing everything back to specs, etc. Another 8400.00 bucks out of the pocket. Then couple that with $ 400.00 oil changes and misc expenses. The cost to own a ferrari goes far beyond just being able to make payments on the thing or being able to afford insurance. I think alot of folks forget about the exorbant amount it takes to keep this marque maintained. But hey, if it were cheap, everyone would have one or two in their garage. I collect cars, so I am prepared to keep all of my vehicles in top notch condition. Expensive yes, but to me it is well worth the cost. 1988.5 Ferrari Testarossa 2003 Ferrari 360 Spider 2004 Jaguar XJR 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT8 1997 Viper RT/10 1999 Plymouth Prowler 1958 Chevrolet Corvette 1997 Harley Davidson FXSTC 1947 Willys Jeep 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually 1995 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually
