Discussion
Dave - I have a 348 Spider and am looking to trade up to a series 2 Testarossa, the 512TR. This had several mechanical, handling and aesthetic improvements on the original Testarossa.
I have no experience of handling a TR yet, but, from the fair amount of research and opinions that I have seen and heard I have this opinion.
The TR is a big car, make no mistake, it is a grand tourer that looks like a race car. It has bags of torque and goes like stink. Surprisingly, by all accounts and reports it handles a lot better than expected, and the 512Tr and 512M even better.
The 348 is called the "baby Testarossa" for obvious reason. It is a smaller version in the same style. It has the V8 engine that howls like a good un and, no matter what various people might say to the contrary, handles superbly. Very flat, very neutral, very nimble.
Going on EuroHoon last September, the 348 was great for throwing around the Alpine hairpins. I think the Testarossa would have struggled with those sort of twisties... but I'm still hoping that I'll be in the TR for EuroHoon 07!
Then 348 is a big jump in performance and style from the 308/328 (no better or worse, just different). You will find the 348 a lot quicker and an absolute delight to drive.
If for any reason I could not find or afford the 512TR, I would stick with a 348. No other Ferrari made since has the same level of appeal.
To be honest you would be better off on Ferrarichat.com and posting on a forum called "classic thru to TRs and 348s".
Decide what you want - a small nimble race car, or a big thundering flat 12 that will make small boys and grandmothers stop and stare in equal amounts. Tough decision!
ps; 348 costs about £600-£800 every 6250 miles to service apart from the engine out cam belt change at every 20-30k miles depending on how nervous you are, or three years, whichever sooner. New clutch was £750.
I would imagine the Testarossa is a couple of hundred up on these servicing prices because it is a bigger engine, as far as I can gather though, they need no other special treatment over the 348s.
>> Edited by burriana on Thursday 7th July 13:37
I have no experience of handling a TR yet, but, from the fair amount of research and opinions that I have seen and heard I have this opinion.
The TR is a big car, make no mistake, it is a grand tourer that looks like a race car. It has bags of torque and goes like stink. Surprisingly, by all accounts and reports it handles a lot better than expected, and the 512Tr and 512M even better.
The 348 is called the "baby Testarossa" for obvious reason. It is a smaller version in the same style. It has the V8 engine that howls like a good un and, no matter what various people might say to the contrary, handles superbly. Very flat, very neutral, very nimble.
Going on EuroHoon last September, the 348 was great for throwing around the Alpine hairpins. I think the Testarossa would have struggled with those sort of twisties... but I'm still hoping that I'll be in the TR for EuroHoon 07!
Then 348 is a big jump in performance and style from the 308/328 (no better or worse, just different). You will find the 348 a lot quicker and an absolute delight to drive.
If for any reason I could not find or afford the 512TR, I would stick with a 348. No other Ferrari made since has the same level of appeal.
To be honest you would be better off on Ferrarichat.com and posting on a forum called "classic thru to TRs and 348s".
Decide what you want - a small nimble race car, or a big thundering flat 12 that will make small boys and grandmothers stop and stare in equal amounts. Tough decision!
ps; 348 costs about £600-£800 every 6250 miles to service apart from the engine out cam belt change at every 20-30k miles depending on how nervous you are, or three years, whichever sooner. New clutch was £750.
I would imagine the Testarossa is a couple of hundred up on these servicing prices because it is a bigger engine, as far as I can gather though, they need no other special treatment over the 348s.
>> Edited by burriana on Thursday 7th July 13:37
Thanks for that!
Only looking for a summer toy that won't depreciate over a year or two - and that I won't feel embarrassed about if I re-join the owners club.
Liked the 308GT4 but thought that it was very much a cheap Ferrari, unless it went badly worng of course!
The Testarossa that I'm due to look at is an '86, with single wing mirror, so one of the early ones.
>> Edited by Davel on Thursday 7th July 15:25
Only looking for a summer toy that won't depreciate over a year or two - and that I won't feel embarrassed about if I re-join the owners club.
Liked the 308GT4 but thought that it was very much a cheap Ferrari, unless it went badly worng of course!
The Testarossa that I'm due to look at is an '86, with single wing mirror, so one of the early ones.
>> Edited by Davel on Thursday 7th July 15:25
Am a lurker who is looking at acquiring first Ferrari next year and am doing my research early!
Questions for those in the know here (am aware of FChat forums but want a Brit view): I really want a 512TR but is it worth the £15k or so over a late Testarossa?
I know all about the major improvements made to the TR but is it a case of getting 90% of the bang for 65-70% of the bucks?
Also, would it be worth going for LHD (which are (looking at www.mobile.de) around £5k cheaper in Europe. I've heard LHD may be better to drive on the basis that they are not "converted" as the RHD ones are (albeit have lower resale in the UK)?
Questions for those in the know here (am aware of FChat forums but want a Brit view): I really want a 512TR but is it worth the £15k or so over a late Testarossa?
I know all about the major improvements made to the TR but is it a case of getting 90% of the bang for 65-70% of the bucks?
Also, would it be worth going for LHD (which are (looking at www.mobile.de) around £5k cheaper in Europe. I've heard LHD may be better to drive on the basis that they are not "converted" as the RHD ones are (albeit have lower resale in the UK)?
Im looking to buy my first Ferrari with a £50 k Budget.
Not sure which to go for .
e.g 355
or 512 Tr or 348 with change.
Maranello state that they will not sell the 348.
but they sell the 328 only with Abs (which is underpowered) in todays terms but a stunning car to look at !
Which Ferrari to go for for this budget ?
oh the agony !
Not sure which to go for .
e.g 355
or 512 Tr or 348 with change.
Maranello state that they will not sell the 348.
but they sell the 328 only with Abs (which is underpowered) in todays terms but a stunning car to look at !
Which Ferrari to go for for this budget ?
oh the agony !
Depends partly on what sort of use you're going to put it to, and what sort of look/experience you like.
To me, the 355 is one of the very best shapes ever to have come out of Maranello. With a Tubi exhaust (or Capristo - listen to both take your pick) they sound amazing (every bit as good as a Tubi'd 348 IMO). And they're nicely quick cars (no longer take your breath away quick these days, but when the gearbox is used they aren't a let down).
All of this is why I bought one.
On the down side, the steering's too light for my tastes, they do need to be revved hard to get decent performance out of them (hardly a downer really, when you hear them! And they do pull in top from low speeds, jus not that quickly) and you need to buy carefully.
Out of the whole modern Testarossa line up, the 512TR is the nicest for me. Decent improvements in the handling stakes and nice changes to the look that don't go too far (like the M). They can be made to sound excellent too. They're just not really my cup of tea - the rear styling doesn't quite do it for me, and they're big old beasts. Running costs are potentially (stress *potentially*) higher than for the 355 too.
Of the 3x8, I prefer the 308. The lines are a bit more pure and the interior is a bit more characterful. But both 308 and 328 are lovely cars. The downside for me on these is that the performance isn't that hot by modern standards (328s are at least 16yrs old, so why would it be - and performmance really isn't everything) and (the clincher) I didn't fit properly!
With a 50k budget, I'd definitely be looking for a 355. Good ones are cropping up well under this (GTB/GTS - the former is obviosuly my pick of the whole range
) to leave you some room for a Tubi, a servicing slush fund etc.
To me, the 355 is one of the very best shapes ever to have come out of Maranello. With a Tubi exhaust (or Capristo - listen to both take your pick) they sound amazing (every bit as good as a Tubi'd 348 IMO). And they're nicely quick cars (no longer take your breath away quick these days, but when the gearbox is used they aren't a let down).
All of this is why I bought one.
On the down side, the steering's too light for my tastes, they do need to be revved hard to get decent performance out of them (hardly a downer really, when you hear them! And they do pull in top from low speeds, jus not that quickly) and you need to buy carefully.
Out of the whole modern Testarossa line up, the 512TR is the nicest for me. Decent improvements in the handling stakes and nice changes to the look that don't go too far (like the M). They can be made to sound excellent too. They're just not really my cup of tea - the rear styling doesn't quite do it for me, and they're big old beasts. Running costs are potentially (stress *potentially*) higher than for the 355 too.
Of the 3x8, I prefer the 308. The lines are a bit more pure and the interior is a bit more characterful. But both 308 and 328 are lovely cars. The downside for me on these is that the performance isn't that hot by modern standards (328s are at least 16yrs old, so why would it be - and performmance really isn't everything) and (the clincher) I didn't fit properly!
With a 50k budget, I'd definitely be looking for a 355. Good ones are cropping up well under this (GTB/GTS - the former is obviosuly my pick of the whole range
) to leave you some room for a Tubi, a servicing slush fund etc.Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff