Has anyone ever owned a Ferrari Testarossa?

[ab]

What did you like about it and what did you not like about it. I see one in my future maybe in two years.

[Neil - UK]

I haven't but my next door neigbours boyfriend did, when he'd
reverse up the drive all the windows on the front of my house would vibrate, a big cool car seemed really wide

[Toby]

With any Ferrari..make sure you have an example with a complete service history. The early TR's are nice but can cost an arm and a leg to keep up. The 512TR's are the best examples and very well balanced compared to the early ones. Finding a good 512TR will set you back at least 100K. An early TR in good working order...60K+ Find a TR with recent service. 30K service on a TR from what I remember calls for removal of the engine and then the fun really starts. Nothing like the sound of a Ferrari V12 at full song.

[Mike Brunton]

for a brief moment, I considered one as an alternative to the Viper... discovered the cost and upkeep (and insurance!) and decided against it.

I will still get a 512TR some day, but only when I can afford to really buy a fine example with a documented history, and spend the money required to keep it in top running shape all the time.

[Mike Brunton]

Good thing too... I'm in a horrible mood today and I'm likely to bite your head off and stick a cork in your SO's blowhole... now that UberTroll, err, I mean Smokin has departed us, I'm gonna have to keep you in check, foolie.

[GASDOC]

I sold my 86 testarossa which I had for 3 years to buy my 2001 GTS last year.I was a beautiful car,lots of snob appeal,I even looked down at Vipers as just a "Dodge".But like the previous owner told me when I purchased it with 6k miles on it,"anyone can buy a used Ferrari,but few can afford to maintain it".I saw the receit for the 10k service(done due to age of car),from Ferrari for Dallas,$8K !!And it sat there for 2 months!I drove it around for 3 years,loved the looks and sound,but didn't enjoy driving it.Anyone in a newer Vette could smoke me,so I never raced,parts were either just not available or ultra expensive,so I was afraid to take it to the track or put lots of miles on it,so I decided to get a car that I can really enjoy driving,can modify easily,take it to the track,blow away Vettes,get fixed down the street at the Dodge dealer under warrenty,and still get as much (or more )looks than the Ferrari.
I sold it for 5k more than I bought it,so they do hold their value well,but I will always miss the sweet sound of the flat 12,hated the gated shifter,what a pain ,so I'm glad I sold it.I love my Viper.

[ab]

Hmm..GasDoc..thanks for the information. I think it I end up getting one down the road..it will have to be the 512 TR. Newer version. I just love the Ferrari Testarossa...maybe because I grew up in the 80's.

[ACELLR8]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GASDOC:
I sold my 86 testarossa which I had for 3 years to buy my 2001 GTS last year.I was a beautiful car,lots of snob appeal,I even looked down at Vipers as just a "Dodge".But like the previous owner told me when I purchased it with 6k miles on it,"anyone can buy a used Ferrari,but few can afford to maintain it".I saw the receit for the 10k service(done due to age of car),from Ferrari for Dallas,$8K !!And it sat there for 2 months!I drove it around for 3 years,loved the looks and sound,but didn't enjoy driving it.Anyone in a newer Vette could smoke me,so I never raced,parts were either just not available or ultra expensive,so I was afraid to take it to the track or put lots of miles on it,so I decided to get a car that I can really enjoy driving,can modify easily,take it to the track,blow away Vettes,get fixed down the street at the Dodge dealer under warrenty,and still get as much (or more )looks than the Ferrari.
I sold it for 5k more than I bought it,so they do hold their value well,but I will always miss the sweet sound of the flat 12,hated the gated shifter,what a pain ,so I'm glad I sold it.I love my Viper.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Very Nice Avatar GASDOC. Like the wheels and the wing on that car, no wonder it gets so many looks!

[SmokinV10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mike Brunton:
Good thing too... I'm in a horrible mood today and I'm likely to bite your head off and stick a cork in your SO's blowhole... now that UberTroll, err, I mean Smokin has departed us, I'm gonna have to keep you in check, foolie.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

UUUUUUBERTROLL? Is this name calling? Impossible. We want all know we want a "disney" atmosphere in here! This coming from the king-mac-daddy-allmighty-VCA-brown-noser of the new Millenium! Do I sense some hypocracy? Nah, not from PG MIKE! BTW you are talking to the new G-rated Smokin! They ask for PG and I go the extra distance for "G".........spot

Anyways, my compulsive tendencies has made my self-inflicted absense short. Im back! I know you are feeling all warm and fuzzy inside now! If not have a couple dozen of those twinkies that fooley offered ya!

[ab]

Micheal...very good information!

Thanks for taking the time to write it.

[allanlambo]

i had a testarossa for a very short period of time. i was very unimpressed by the car. it was ok to drive but anywhere under 100mph, and it was a dog. ferrari maintenence is very high due to the fact that they use timing belts, not chains, and i believe they recommend changing them every 15,ooo miles. this is an engine out job. i ended up with a countach instead, and was much happier. since then i have driven a 512tr, and thats a whole new ball game. i love the restyle, and i believe the only parts a 512 shares with a testarossa are a few of the body pieces. otherwise everything was changed or upgraded. there was a very nice, low mileage, all service records 93 512 out in scottsdale for sale for about 100,000. my advice to you, find a independent mechanic with a good rep, who dosnt try to bend you over, otherwise bring a jar of vaseline with you to the ferrari dealer.

[brianflynn]

It was my dream car, Right up until I drove one, it's harder to get in than a waterbed and your left foot for the clutch sits about where the brake pedal on your car sits (Italian style of driving). And it takes two men and a boy to push the clutch down. The new Ferrari's are a lot more refined and fun to drive. But why not have a new Viper, Prowler and a Porsche instead of one car.

[RonC]

Adam,

I have a good friend with both an 89 Testarossa and a 355 spyder. In my opinion the Testarossa is way overrated. Last service cost 6k, and it is a money pit. The 355 on the other hand is much funner to drive, and looks great in yellow. My opinion FWIW!

Ron

[bad viper]

When I used to have more Dollars than
sense I had a 87 TR that I paid Strahman
45,000 to remove the top.Drop dead gorgeous in
the eyes of most ladies!!! Clutches are weak on the TR's
I had to replace at 6000 miles.

[Vancouver Viper]

Thats one good looking testarossa,,,,,,,,so how did it handle after you choped the roof off?

[CitySnake]

Dang....
I'm not sure if I can even afford reading this thread! God Bless capitalism!

[Y2K5SRT]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by allanlambo:
my friend just purchased a twin turbocharged koenig testarossa off ebay with 3,000 miles. its supposedly 900hp. that would be fun.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is that car, by chance, white? If so, I just may know a LOT about it's history. It was built by my former boss in Las Vegas. I will see if I can't find it on eBay!

Chris

<FONT COLOR="red">Edit: Nope, not the same car. The one I know of was also built up by Koenig in Germany. It included Kevlar side panels with giant intakes that could suck in a deer. He took the head of the Nevada Highway Patrol (where he donated heavily before going to prison for wire fraud) and was clocked at something like 204 mph. Heard the HP guy was turning green. Fun!</FONT c>

[allanlambo]

no this car is black, with gold bbs wheels and a weird rear wing.

[allanlambo]

my friend just purchased a twin turbocharged koenig testarossa off ebay with 3,000 miles. its supposedly 900hp. that would be fun.

[bad viper]

Actually car handled the same after conversion.
Major stregthening of frame required.