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Testarossa fact finding - considering a purchase

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by pp000830, Oct 15, 2010.

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  1. pp000830

    pp000830 Rookie

    Oct 12, 2010
    1
    #1 pp000830, Oct 15, 2010
    Dear Ferrari Chat members,
    I am considering purchasing a Testarossa and want to have realistic expectations here is what I have found. Any comments on these items are greatly appreciated!
    Sincerely,
    Andy


    • They are drop dead gorgeous!
    • A reasonably good example of an early car can be has in the $45K range;
    • The major cost of service is due to the engine out nature of regular maintenance and extremely high dealer and aftermarket labor rates - $120+/hr.
    • To mitigate cost the early cars can be serviced with shade tree mechanic skills at home without an engine lift due to the out-the-bottom engine removal procedure.
    • The early cars have electro-mechanical Bosch fuel injection that is not as reliable as the Motronic system, is sensitive to moisture in the fuel, does not like 10% alcohol gas, can be harder to diagnose and has lots of components. Not unlike a Porsche 911SC from the early 80s.
    • The fuel distributor is problematic for cars that have not seen much use, basically all of them. But they can be cleaned out of fuel jell and rebuilt at home, much like rebuilding a carburetor.
    • The cars are quick but not fast much like a comparable vintage mid-tier Porsche.
    • Internal engine problems are rare.
    • The needs for transmission rebuilds are not so rare and extremely expensive.
    • Engine shaft oil seals tend to leak and are generally not a functional problem, just messy on the garage floor.
    • The early cars become unsettled at over 130 mph and are not safe to drive at these speeds.
    • The engine sounds great.
    • Not the easiest to drive in town due to non-power steering and wide stance.
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,406
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #2 BigTex, Oct 15, 2010
    Welcome...

    Not much on the TR will be 'shade tree', you need someone that knows the quirks..

    It's not the transmission the breaks, but the rear differential spider gear carrier....or the quill shaft snaps first.

    Spend a little m ore for the best you can find!

    A bargain isn't really a bargain...

    A 550 Maranello for a little more money will be easier to maintain, IMO.
    The TR IS wide to drive around town.....
     
  3. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    3,373
    #3 vincenzo, Oct 15, 2010
     
  4. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 27, 2006
    32,319
    In the flight path to Offutt
    Full Name:
    The original Fernando
    #4 Whisky, Oct 16, 2010
    You may find one for 45K, but you better have at least 20K in reserve for it, because you will need it.

    Most everything you cite makes me think that you think you can find a good one for 45K and do all the repair work yourself. NOT gonna happen. Some you can, some you cannot unless you are skilled in what you are doing OR have a few very good friends already knowledgeable about the particular model, AND you have all the tools you need.

    If you have done much 'fact finding' here, you already know finding a GOOD one for 45K is not going to happen, I am much like you and I know I cannot even begin to think about a GOOD one for much less than 80K. You get what you pay for.
     
  5. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

    Feb 16, 2003
    14,656
    The fabulous PNW
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    Han Solo
    #5 Spasso, Oct 16, 2010
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2010
    -The need for transmission rebuilds is proportional to the abuse they receive, like most cars.
    -A 45k TR will cost you extra after you get it home. It's advertised at 45k for a reason. Start at 65k and you might get lucky.
    - The Bosch CIS is no less dependable than Motronic.The Bosch injection is VERY reliable as long as you don't pump a bunch of crap through it.
    -The shaft seals leak when they are worn or dried out from sitting and NOT replaced during the 30k service.
    -The early TR becoming unsettled over 130? Maybe a Boxer or Countach. Not a TR.
    The TR was the FIRST Ferrari road car to be designed in a wind tunnel and will stay firmly planted at the speeds it is capable of doing, 150+. The early TR has the same body as the later ones, up to 1991
    - The lack of power steering is a non-issue around town unless you have the arms of a 5 year old girl.

    Remember, The most expensive Ferrari you can buy is a cheap one.
     
  6. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,709
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    Jimmie
    #6 greyboxer, Oct 16, 2010
    That you posted here (rather than the tr area) suggests you could usefully find and spend some time looking in the testarossa specific section
     
  7. Jeff Pintler

    Jeff Pintler Formula Junior

    Jul 20, 2005
    537
    Richland
    Full Name:
    Jeff Pintler
    #7 Jeff Pintler, Oct 16, 2010
    Another thing to check is the fuse panel/harness connectors (everyone with a TR should check theirs). A friend of mine lifted at 170 and said the car had more. Try to upgrade an early car to 18" rubber. Maybe budget 30k to fix alot of small things and a major service and diff replacement and syncro replacement was 15k(not including pulling the motor). Remember these are 20-30 year old cars. But they have more character than anything else on four wheels, the start-up sounds like a warbirdat lightoff. Something I read on FerrariList said that when you are laying in the hospital bed listening to the beeping heart monitor, you're probably not thinking about having more money in your 401K! FWIW.

    Jeff Pintler
    89 348tb, 86tr, 99 360 3pedal
     

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