What to have F355 or 512TR ?

When I was looking for a Ferrari, I was torn between the 355 and 512TR. The prices were very near equal. Eventually the 512TR won because of the brute power and size of the car. I live in the wide open spaces with no city driving. The maintenance cost has already been much more for the 512TR but I don't regret my decision. You only live to do these things once!

Ron

 

Once you learn how to toss & catch the big girl the 512TR is surprisingly agile. I did a 1:01 at Lime Rock in my 512TR w slicks & stock brakes. a well driven F40 could do 0:59 or so there. 1:01 would have put me in the top 1/4 of a 355 Challenge field & they have quite an advantage in brakes & weight

 

FWIW, the 512tr does not have a v12. It has a flat 12(ie boxer type).
No flames, just clarification.

 

TWS == Teaxs World Speedway which is near College Station, Texas

 

In the recent Ferrari Market Letter there are 75 355's including spiders and 8 512TR's listed for sale. My point is that the 355's are much more of mass produced car that will never have the style of a super car. There is nothing quite like the sound of those 12 cyclinders thru the tubi exhaust at 7000rpm. Apologies to all the 355 members in advance.

 

355, don't ask me why. =)

JIMMY
www.Jimmy540i.com

 

I'm confused by the opinion that the 355 could not keep up with the TR. I think there is no arguement that the 355 handles better, so lets focus on acceleration.

I have never driven a TR, but all the published acceration figures I have seen have the 355 and TR 0-60mph and 1/4 mile times nearly identical. According to the Standard Catalog of Ferrari, I think both cars were listed at 4.7sec 0-60 and roughly 12.9 in the 1/4 mile. The 355B may even have had an advatage in the 1/4 mile (I am going off memory right now). Where is this acceration advantage that everone speaks off?

Just trying to understand what I am missing.

 

Jake I'm refering o the 512TR which has 40 more hp & 150 # less weight than the earlier TR.

Edward, the Ferrari Boxer engine is known both as a flat 12 & as a 180 degree V12

 

I've owned both models and they are both great cars.

The 512TR has so much more to give, however... 12cyl., timeless beauty, more exotic styling, longer legs. Overall, I have found it a more enjoyable car. Oh, and many more thumbs up if that matters.

 

The 512 is a heck of a car but I think the 355 scream to my soul, BUY ME!!!!

 

I am referring to the 512TR also. Here are the specs:

http://www.rapidcars.com/512trspecs.html

And here are the specs on a 355 Spyder:

http://www.maximum-cars.com/Cars/Car.php?carnumber=343


These are the same figures I have seen in multiple sources. So tell me again why there is the perception that the 512TR accelerates more quickly than the F355?

 

Jake I can tell you from first hand experience that a stock 355 doesnt have a chance against a stock 512TR in a straight line. I know plenty of 355 drivers who see nothing but my tail lights on the straights at the track in the northeast. Wherever you got those stats from its evidently wrong

 

EVERY source I have looked at, both printed and on-line, have been within .1 or .2 of those numbers. Can you point me to a more accurate source? I think the specs quoted in the Standard Catalog of Ferrari were from the factory. Is the factory wrong also?

Your experieince, while interesting, isn't what I'd call a controlled environment. The factory and the various publications that tested the two cars are generally better at carrying out these tests.

 

512TR, better yet the 512M.

 

I'll do a write in candidate 512M