That's why I bought it when I did ---- 2 years ago .....a $240K car for $75K after being only 8 years old ---- hell yes!! Let someone else eat the $165K loss.... TR owners should count their blessings ---- their $120K car has only depreciated down to say, $40K after 20+ years? That's about the same percentage of loss (but much less actual $$$) over a far longer time period.
I get it ---- you like the TR Name one major Ferrari collection that has a (modern) TR in it. Or, name one major collector that is scratching his head and saying, "Man, I really wish I could get my hands on a TR".
The prices have been dropping like a rock. I am considering a few options and the TR has ALWAYS been a car that I wanted to own but never have. Many of them have lower asking prices than many 308s (still can't figure out where some of these 308 owners asking prices are coming from) and they are lower than even more 308 prices. Not a good time if you are a 348 or TR owner and looking to sell. However, if you are looking to buy..... ;-)
Nothing looks like a TR. I say that all the time when there is neg. comments. I enjoy mine and love driving it. If you have never owned one you should. They make a lot of neat sounds.
250's and 275's were not considered collectable at 20 years old either. Nor did any major or minor collection give them a second thought. It is just the Ferrari cycle. TR's might be someday, especially with the attrition rate but who knows? Anyone buying cars as investments needs their head examined.
I'm not 100% sure on this but I believe Enzo said a proper Ferrari was a FRONT engined V-12. It's a moot point either way, as long as it's a V-12, who cares.
I plan to purchase a flying mirror by the end of 2011. At these prices I can't look the other way anymore. Such an iconic car.
Enzo married the 12 cylinder.. The TR will be collectible one day.. I really don't care either way.. I drive it and thoroughly enjoy the car.. No regrets or wishful thinking.. Enzo real wife was his mistress.. His first love was the cars he was building.. Especially the 12 cylinders.. R
Good day R, In late '82 I picked up a car magazine that featured a 250 GTO for about $300K... and I, too, asked (actually begged) my parents to get a loan for me... ah to be so wide-eyed ... I think maybe myself scarce that day after the look I got... Cheers, Sam
one day we will all look back and say "remember when you could get a TR for under 40 grand!!! should have bought two!"......guaranteed!
+10000 and let me add, TR gets the same look as any other Ferrari and you don't have to pay 300K for it. Usually when I drive her out, I become a celeb. She still gets ton of attention from grandpa to the little kid. First you buy this car becuase you love it, not becuase it will go up. 2nd reason, you have to drive it. Nothing like her long legs...
I love everything about my Testarossa. The looks are amazing, the sounds are deafening, the smells are intoxicating and the feeling I get from driving it are boarderline spiritual. I don't have any financial investments that I can say that about. These are a lot of car for the money when new and even now. I was talking to someone today that reminded me that these cars were selling for $40k over list price when new and had a 2 year waiting list back in the 80's. Too bad Testarossa repair and maintenance prices aren't sinking in relation to car values. Just wait until someone with a $40k TR finds out what a engine out belt service costs every few years.
Just got back from a TR drive (may be the last of the year) Stop at gas station. A 20 something year old cant get enough of the car, lots of questions, took pics, he is freaking out. Next stop grocery store. Came out and two cars (xmas trees tied to roofs) by mine with people out circling the car. More questions. Driving home three kids riding skateboards, they stop immediately. All I can see is ther expresions. They are all saying WOW. The TR is an iconic automobile and stops people in thier tracks. Current value ... priceless...Mine is NOT FOR SALE
At one time in the '70s Daytonas were quite cheap, so I read. Testarossas will bounce back. No doubt the horrendous costs of upkeep (high even by Ferrari standards) are a bit part of this, especially for the buyer that can't buy 10 Ferraris without batting an eye. Removing the engine to change the spark plugs, having 48 valves to adjust? Tranmission problems for cars that are driven hard? It's not a poor man's car to maintain.
Hypothetically speaking....if Ferrari suddenly reduce the cost of TR parts by 75% do you feel the price of the cars would increase dramatically?
I service Ferrari for a living. FYI 355's are more costly to operate. And since when do you pull a motor to change plugs? How often do you think I have adjusted 48 valves (Those are done in the car too) ? Never is the answer to the last. Trans problems when driven hard? You just described every Ferrari ever made and most American performance cars too. BTW I have rebuilt more blown up 911 transaxles than TR transaxles and I am not a Porsche mechanic. The real problem with these cars is people on the internet talking as though they had a clue.
You´re right, Enzo liked front engined V12. They started mid engined V12 because of the Lamborghini Miura...
Do it! Youn won´t regret that! It´s just a great car! I bought mine 2 years ago , did the cambelts at home with a friend!! Removing the engine is easy and it´s a joy to work on it!! I don´t care if the price goes up or down , it is my dream car!! Buy it , drive it , enjoy all the moments behind the wheel!!
That is an awesome story. Interestingly enough, I had a similar day in the car. I had been invited to go to some car show that benefitted Toys for Tots. It was put on the by the Chevrolet Performance Club, supported by the Mustang Club, etc etc, you get the picture. I'm in Alabama. Anyway, the Ford folk invited me to bring the Pantera. Since I'd been driving that this week, but hadn't had the TR out in a while, I took it. What the hey, are they gonna turn me away? Was greeted with open arms, they made a spot for me. The questions and interest were relentless. I took pictures of young, old, girls, boys in the car off and on for a few hours. They ate it up. "How fast?" "How many cylinders?", and even the occasional but rude, 'How much?" (which I never answer). Ended up 'winning' the show, whatever that means. But the point is that people LOVE this car. They can't believe the look, the design, and that that this is a competent people carrier of some interplanetary descent. Long live the TR. We ain't gonna see another one like it in our lifetime, if ever.
Add me to this list for today. Musta been a good karma day for Tr's. From the state trooper that pulled me over to a car load of 20 somethings to a couple of groups of kids and parents outside a strip mall, I got more compliments on the car than I typically do in a day. BTW the trooper let me off with a verbal 'slow down' warning and a 'nice car' compliment.
Cool stories guys. Today my sons friend (8) comes up the driveway with my TR outside and is like "wow, cool car!". Then he proceeds to tell me what would make it better...ready?.... Paint some flames over the hood and top of the car... Um....NO! But, I get it, I was 8 once.
