Which Car is Cheaper to Maintain 348-355-Testarossa? | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Which Car is Cheaper to Maintain 348-355-Testarossa?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Hawaii, Dec 2, 2009.

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  1. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
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    Wade O.
    #26 Wade, Dec 3, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Oh, are you reading from the Japanese Manual? ;)
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  2. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
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    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Besides the good humor and ribbing in this thread, there are good discussions about TR maintenance.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264125


    I will say, the TR has very few design flaws and only a few issues.

    It's just the amount of shop hours needed to do the majors to maintain the TR that makes the cost go up....and all the "while you're in there" stuff.


    Shamile

    Freeze....Miami Vice !
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    #28 Rifledriver, Dec 3, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2009
    The time required is less than a 355 or 348. The while you are there stuff is no different between the models. In fact the TR has one formed coolant hose that you need to buy, the rest are straight hose you get in bulk. A set of hoses is much more for the V8's. The other misc stuff is reall the same. If you do not get 75,000 or more miles from a TR clutch you need driving lessons. The TR has fuse board issues that many can fix at home and if not pay someone a couple of hundred to do it. TR has no interior issues.

    People may or may not like them and that is OK but they are a very solid car.
     
  4. oldcoin

    oldcoin Formula Junior

    May 1, 2006
    258
    Reno NV
    Full Name:
    Tony Mitchell
    Brian is right. I think the 92-94 TR is the best of breed
     
  5. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
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    Mr. Sideways
    The Testarossa has a V12. 48 valves. The 355 has 5 valves per cylinder: 40 valves. The 348 has 32 valves.

    Sheerly by the numbers, you've got fewer spark plugs and valves in the 348.

    You don't have to unbolt the 348 engine for upkeep, either. It's mounted in a removable sub-frame, so the sub-frame rolls out of the car with the engine always remaining bolted in.

    The 355 has power seats, airbags, airbag computers, power shocks, shock computer, power steering, etc...the 348 has none of that added complexity.

    Search for Napolis's thread on his long-term Testarossa maintenance expense thread. He posts detailed sheets for some 160,000 miles of TR driving/maintenance.

    In general, V12's are more expensive to maintain than V8's; and fewer valves are cheaper to maintain than more valves.

    Adding complexity rarely lowers maintenance expenses.
     
  6. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
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    john g
    good to see i'm not the only who feels the testarossa is not the maintenance nightmare most people make it out to be. :)
     
  7. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
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    Mr. Sideways
    Not a nightmare, just a fact of life or like adding pepper to flavor the beef to taste.

     
  8. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,742
    Many do not.
     
  9. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 29, 2007
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    Justin
    You can do a belt slap with a 355 motor in the car but otherwise you need or might as well pull it out.
     
  10. TomTerry

    TomTerry Karting

    Jan 20, 2008
    86

    TR dreaded differential is maintenance ?
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132047&page=7
     
  11. marioz

    marioz Formula 3

    Nov 21, 2003
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    Mario
    #36 marioz, Dec 5, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I had the choice & I dropped the engine. It's a lot of work but I'm glad I did it that way.

    see photo of in car change someone else was doing-- still a pain
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  12. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    ohhh I know it can be done... but I just think it becomes awkward and painful to do still in the car. To get to the water pump and rebuild and replace all the things that should be done... I just feel more comfortable with someone being comfortable while working on my 30k dollar engine. id have for them not to be able to see something, or reach something or tighten something, or skip something because they were cramped or there back was killing them etc etc etc...
     
  13. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    3,373
    i have never heard of a TR needing a valve job.

    48 valves that work are far cheaper to maintain than
    40 valves that burn

    TR ! all 12 - just as Enzo wanted...

    Rgds,
    Vincenzo
     
  14. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
    BANNED Professional Ferrari Technician

    Apr 26, 2006
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    David Feinberg
    None of the above...If you're looking for "cheap" maintenance, buy a Honda! But, if forced to make a choice, long-term, the TR would be the least expensive of the lot, with the F355 being the most expensive.

    David
     
  15. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    Apr 26, 2006
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    Really?
    The only thing that gets "slapped" doing this kind of service is the owner, or the tech who suggested such a half-assed idea!
     
  16. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    Justin
    lol... hey... I am just saying its possible to do a belt slap with the motor in the car. I wouldn't call it professional... Like I said... the motor should be taken out...
     
  17. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,742

    After wathcihg this thread develop over the last week:

    My answer to these questions is: "None of the Above".
     
  18. redline76

    redline76 Formula Junior

    Feb 26, 2008
    355
    Venice, CA
    Full Name:
    Warren V
    What hurts more, a punch in the nose, a swift kick to the nuts, or someone twisting your arm behind your back?

    Relativity becomes irrelevant when all the options are going to cause you pain.

    -w-
     
  19. MBFerrari

    MBFerrari F1 Veteran

    Jul 2, 2008
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    Matt B
    #44 MBFerrari, Dec 10, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2009
    LMAO!! Nice input! I have no idea about TR's but my 348 was well cared for and had zero issues, and the guys with the 355's I hang out with have had some issues, but it depends upon the condition of the car when purchased and maint. history.

    There isn't a "cheap" Ferrari, as I have now discovered with my 308QV and replacing the targa top latches to the tune of $550.

    If you want less expensive, try www.honda.com Not being an arse, just a somewhat learned Ferrari owner now. It takes a lot of money to maintain these cars regardless of the model chosen.

    MB
     

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