Testarossa v. 512TR Driving Experience

I know there are significant funtional improvements/refinements (e.g., power, trans, brakes, interior) incorporated in the 512TR over the Testarossa, but as far as routine street/highway use (i.e., no track time involved) how would one differentiate the driving experience between an 89/90/91 Testarossa and a 92/93 512TR?

Put differently, is the 512TR worth a 50-100% premium over a Testarossa?

Thanks.....

 

From what I have read, the improvements of the 512 TR over the Testarossa aren't realized until the car is taken close to it's limits performance wise.

If the car is driven casually I would think a 1988.5 and up Testarossa would be sufficient, that is, unless you must have the redesigned front end and extended buttresses on the rear hatch.

 

Difficult question, if you track it thenit certainly is worth the $. If you plan to buy & hold the 512TR will always be worth more than an earlier TR.

If its just for crusing then maybe its not worth the extra $ since it looks 98% identical

 

I find the differance to be quite large. The 512TR just feels like its screwed together tighter then earlier cars. The brakes are far better, and the interior is a much needed improvment. The elimination of the drop out engine section really tightened the car up and the use of EFI is a wonderful change. Larger wheels, and better tires, make all the differance in the handling department, and the car just feels much lighter and more tossable. Ferrari did a great job with the very slight but noticable design changes..the car just seems to have more grace to its lines then the early cars.

Over all I think the 512TR is worth the jump in price. You do get so much more car overall then the earlier TR. I love the early TRs as well..but Ferrari did a great job with the 512.

 

Tossing a 512TR is something to be approached very seriously

It took me several years of driving her on tracks until I felt so comfortable that I could toss her around

She's definately a Broad Sword though, no little cut & thrust rocket, like an Elise

 

I think it's worth while as made that decision 6 months ago.
IMO, it looks meaner, well balanced, maintenance wise more reliable, plus the performance and brake upgrades.

 

I havent' driven both, but so I really can't say, but here is a thread that might help.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46314&highlight=512tr

 

Very helpful. Thanks for all the responses and the thread pointer (shoulda done a search first!)...

 

I bought a 512TR just about a year ago after having driven and compared the two. Sure it would have been nice to save about 25 large if they were the same car, but they aren't. The interior is nicer, the handling better and the power is greater, which considerably improves the 512TR driving experience (IMHO). But you're the one who matters here. Why not set up a couple of test drives with dealers/sellers in your area so you can experience the differences for yourself. Maybe you won't care about the differences, or even notice them for that matter. Look at the technical and financial specs on paper, but don't rely on the opinions of others for what is going to ignite the fire in your soul...

 

The different is 30 hp. Driving impression...worth paying 50-100% more for 512TR?....NO.

 

There are pages and pages of the differences between these 2 models though they look similar from the outside.
All round performance is better and man the look of TR is so much meaner which parking side by side would make Testarossa looks very outdated!