Testarossa or 512TR

I think thwe newer the model the more refined it is.. I think just about all of the quirks were worked out in the 512's, If I were you I would look for A F512M... Also the TR's are faster.. I drove an early Testarossa and to be honest it was not that fast at all..I raced the owner when I had an M5 and it was not even close

 

512TRs are noticeably faster, better brakes, lower center of gravity, better suspension more reliable, have less chronic issues...

 

Without a doubt, get a 512TR or a F512M(if you can find one). The refinements and improvements of the 512TR over the series I TR makes for a completely different animal. Just compare the engine improvements with the two models.... the 512TR has increased compression ratio, revised cam profiles, larger intake and exhaust valves, significant air intake/manifold improvements and improved exhaust headers, all controlled by Motronic EFI. The steering rack is improved with the large 18" wheels and associated brake improvements. Aerodynamics were also significantly improved over the series I TR. The A/C system on the 512TR really works much better than the series I also, and not to mention the aural engine notes of the 512TR represent what a Ferrari should sound like in stock condition, and if desired, a Tubi, etc., just augments the whole package. Basically, the 512TR is 80% new/different when compared to the series I TR. Personally, the only thing I don't like about the 512TR, is it's "gay" seat belt mechanisms.

If you were to try to modify a series I TR to come up to the levels of the stock 512TR, it would probably cost most than just gettiing a 512TR initially, and you would still not have the handling aspects, nor the reliabity, nor the cockpit improvements, nor the aero characteristics of the 512TR. However, when the the TR first hit the market place in 1984, it was the MACHINE to lust over.

When I was ready to purchase, I had at first wanted a black/black example, but soon changed my mind for several reasons. All though a blk/blk TR is simply gorgeous, a Rossa Corsa Red really makes the car, and as a forgotten aspect of driving a blk/blk TR, the car is so low(stealthy) that with todays SUV's all over the place, they usually can't see a Red TR behind them, and black makes the visibilty issue even worse. Just watch out for those huge Suv's and pick-up's.

If you have the chance to drive both cars before deciding, try this simple test. While driving slowly/normally, place the gearbox in top(5th) gear, then give it WOT. The series I TR will not accelerate from around 35-40mph in top gear when floored, but the 512TR will pick up nicely, making the 512TR much more flexible for daily driving.

Keep the rubber side down.....

 

If you are looking for a black on black 512 I believe Newport Autosport has one you might want to check out there website. last time i was there it looked pretty nice. That was a while ago but they might still have it.

 

"Still no feedback from any site members that have done any serious naturally aspirated mods to the series I Testarossa???"

Personally, I like your proposal (but I'd prefer a NA pumped-up 512BB with no US mods) if going that direction (but that is verbotten to have here). It's just too many $ for not enough gain so I think no one ever goes that way (at least over the last ~7 years, I can't recall a single post at FList or FChat about such a project)...

 

FYI: Although it's not a 512, here are some pics of my '89 blk/blk.
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Never drove a 512, but I am very happy with the '89. I could not justify in my mind spending an extra $20,000 for a car that is basically a better track car....I will seldom take mine to the track.

 

Drive them both,before you get out of 2nd gear you will have made your choice! They are two very different cars within the same skin.

 

I totaly agree with you. The testarossa is an excellent car but the 512TR uses newer and better technology. and is substantially faster. but for the price of a testarossa you cant go wrong. good luck with your purchase.

 

I agree with tork. My 88TR is fast enough, for me, and I don't track the car. I agree that the 512 is a better car, however, I would not pay the extra $40K for it (I think tork's figure of $20K is too low).

It just seems that the TRs are at the bottom of their pricing, whereas, 512 can still come down.

Maybe I am wrong, but I don't see how 30 extra HP makes the car "substantially" faster.

Just my thoughts!!!!!!!!!!

 

I believe we are talking 41hp and several hundred lbs lighter,that equates to approx 70 hp per the weight difference that you feel, a faster reving power plant that has usable power through 7000 rpms.They are both fun cars to drive, having owned my 512TR and also haven driven several Trs, the performance is not even close.Weather or not the 512 is worth the extra bread is a personal preference.

As to mods, it has been my experience after having stroked, porting heads, more cam, and or adding boost to many cars etc..By the time you get her right and spent "Tons" of money and time, you could have as good or better car right out of the box with the money you have in any kind of mod that is seat of the pants.Not to mention you almost always loose your ass when you can't sell her.That has been my experience, that is why when I lusted for more seat of the pants performance from my 512 , instead of creating another money pit,I purchaced my 98 Diablo SV for way less then I would have spent to add 110 hp and less weight to my 512TR.Good luck,they are both awesome rides!

We all have are thing!

 

The TR can be upgraded to 512TR Hp & brakes but the handling of the TR will never compare to the 512TR bcus the TR is just too flexible. The 512TR cured the TRs flexing by modifying the frame from a 2 piece to a 1 piece frame. I would highly suggest you go with the 512TR + its a better place to park $ bcus Ferrari only built around 2500 512TRs vs well over 10,000 TRs

 

Not to belabor a point but the official production numbers from Ferrari are just over 7000 for the TR's.

In any event Will is right the 512 TR is a much superior car to the TR. I owned a 88 TR at about the same time my best friend had a 512TR and they were worlds apart.

Regards,

Jon P. Kofod
www.flatoutracing.net

 

512TR/M seems to be the better choice if you can. Prior posts already mentioned why. I was in shopping for TR/M to switch from 328 for 2-3 months before I ended up w/ 355. <http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16545> I just wasn't patient enough, but still intend to get TR/M in the future.

There are still some TR/M available in the market, well at least on their HP.

Happy hunting!

 

just over 7000 tr's
2200 512tr's
500 512m's

these production numbers, along with the increased performance of each model, easily explain the price diff. its there for a reason. if resale is of any concern to you, your heavily modded tr will not sell as well as a stock 512tr with similar performance.

 

Trust me, I have owned both, get the 512TR. It's really a better drive with the 10% improvement in the general performance. Make sure that you include on your shopping list a Tubi sports exhaust system and the modification kit for your ECU. From my own experience/research, it's necessary for you to note that the changes made to a Testarossa in order to get it to the performance standards of 512TR will be extensive. On the other hand there is not much of a difference in performance between the 512TR and the 512M, just make sure that you get the TR with the ABS.

 

See the following link

http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/223372.html?1048512553#POST169209

 

Just wondering, is chip modification reversable/clip in, or is it a sodered on type?

 

why do half a job do it right and go for the best a f512m on the previous post it is said they only made 500 as far as i know it was 481 made

 

With all due respect, I have often find the bashing of the Testarossa amusing. I have often wondered if I should write something about the Testarossa or not, and now here I am. For what it is worth, the following is my opinion:

When I first got the call from the local Ferrari dealership about my car, I was offered the choice of staying with the Testarossa or be one of the first people here in the city to own a 512TR. I chose to stay with the Testarossa and ended up with a 1991 Testarossa, one of the very last few that made it into the US. It is true that the 512TR out performs the Testarossa in every aspect, and as it should, it IS a newer car, and the same goes for the 512M vs 512TR. To me, the 512TRs and the 512Ms are better cars, but not necessary a better Ferrari. To me, there is something magical about the Testarossa, I like the look of the Testarossa better, both inside and outside. Everything about the car was more original and more unique to me. The 512TRs and the 512Ms will forever be a revision of an original design and as they should be. Much in the same way about the 59's TR vs the 58's TR, there is just something about those flared fenders on the 58's. Also, it was the Testarossa that Mr.Sergio Pininfarina chose as one of the most memorable Ferraris that ever came out of the Pininfarina studio (Rosso#19-Winter 2001), not the 512TRs or the 512Ms.
It is also true that the Testarossa uses Bosch KE-injection system which is only in place so they can pass EPA restrictions, and they are no where close to the sophistication of the Bosch Motronic systems. Then again, the Testarossa is one of the very last Ferrari that the person working on the car can still have a dialog with as the car is being tuned. And that brings us to the service point of view, the Testarossa has the engine mounted on a sub-frame that can be dropped out for service, which the trade off is a higher center of gravity than the later series. But then again, the later series are a PITA for the major service as the engine has to come out from the top. The brakes on the Testarossa are also terrible when compared with the 512TRs as well, as the technology for drilled brakes was not yet perfected in 84' when the car was first introduced (The Porsche 911 Turbos were famous for their cracked disc as they were among other things). And yes, the Testarossa is not as trackable as the 512TR or the 512M, do remember this, back in 1984 (Yes, the Testaross is now 20 years old !!), the demand of the market was very different back then compare to now. These days, a $30,000 everyday car can easily out run an exotic on and off the track with some modifications. The Testarossa was designed to be a GT, it was never intended to be a track car to begin with.
Anyway, not to make this into a huge debate over which car is better and what not. I think we can all agree on one thing, the world of exotic cars is a little different than the world of cars. Every exotic is special in its own right, and the bottom line is personal preference and personal taste. I have found it very unfair to compare cars of a different era to another. As I would not compare a 250GTO to the 250TR or the Daytonas to the 512BB to the Testarossa. I can only urge you to drive the cars, do a proper research on the cars and make your own decision on what is and is not important to you. And if I may, if you are thinking of buying a Ferrari as an investment (As reference to the numbers produced), any first year MBA student will be able to tell you "DON'T", those days are over a long time ago. Anyway, best of luck to you in your search.

 

I'd be proud to own any version - Testarossa, 512TR, or 512M. Of course, the model *should* improve over time, so the general rule of thumb is to get the latest model you can afford. With that said, you can't go wrong with any iteration. Different flavors of ice cream.

My .02,
Chris.