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Car Forum / Ferrari Cars / March 2005Ferrari of choice
Took a 16 mile test ride in a 1987 328 GTS that was very well kept up by the owner, and my Ferrarri Mechanic friend. I have previously test driven a 308, drove a friends 512 Berlinetta Boxer, a 1990 Testarossa, and now a very nice 328 GTS. As I drove the GTS, after my Viper, and then C5 Vette, it took a while to get used to the smaller interior dimensions, and the appreviated view out the rear window. It took no time at all to get used to the easy view over the fenders, the smaller exterior dimensions, or the nice way the gear shift fell to hand. The wheel well was canted more than my former Viper, and the brakes seemed old technology. But it was a fun car to drive. Upon my return, my buddy suggested that I might like to try a 1992 512 TR that one of his clients is selling. It has a Tubi exhaust, but is otherwise basically stock. I took the same 16 mile route. The increase in horsepower and torque over the 1990 Testarossa that I drove is noticeable. The difference between the 92 TR 512 and the 328 GTS was night and day. The center of gravity is lower, and the interior of the 512 TR is gorgeous. It is comfortable, non-claustrophobic, and at 5000 rpms in second gear with the windows down, the sound and the "push" in the back is second to none. A bit scary on wet roads on the turns. A LOT of weight moving laterally. But FUN!! So I will be saving my nickels and dimes. I now know which Ferrari I will be saving for. Thank you all for answering my prior questions and giving me feedback on the different marques. If and when any of you see any "deals" come up on a 92 or 93 512 TR (not the 512M, or the earlier Testarossa) I would enjoy knowing about them, starting around June of this coming year. Regards, Larry > Took a 16 mile test ride in a 1987 328 GTS that was very well kept up by the > owner, and my Ferrarri Mechanic friend. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > Regards, > Larry Congrats on finally making your choice Larry! Despite many people (including several on here whom I am friends with) disliking Testarossas I have always liked the 512 TR. Naples Motorsports had a particularly stunning example in a gorgeous light blue that I fell in love with. A blue TR doesn't sound particularly appealing, I know, but this color combination was just beautiful. I still really like the TR's edgy lines, the only parts that bother me are the motorized belts and the slatted taillights. Those aside, I'm a huge fan. Good luck in your search. -Matt- "..." > > Took a 16 mile test ride in a 1987 328 GTS that was very well kept up by > the [quoted text clipped - 59 lines] > > -Matt- "..." Thank you, Matt. You were instrumental on refocusing me to my personal tastes, which clearly run toward horsepower and torque. Plus, truth be told, that was the direction I had been looking for the past year or two anyway. It is nice to have it narrowed down. Best regards and Happy New Year to You and Yours. Larry <<So I will be saving my nickels and dimes. I now know which Ferrari I will be saving for.>> Woo hoo! Good luck in your quest to find *your* Ferrari. C. > <<So I will be saving my nickels and dimes. I now know which Ferrari I will be > saving for.>> > > Woo hoo! Good luck in your quest to find *your* Ferrari. > > C. Thank you. I'm waiting to hear whether the current owner of the 92 512TR that I test drove is interested in hanging onto it until June or July at an agreed upon price. His price is high, but it does seem to be in excellent shape. The only down side to this car is that the original owner, Ronnie Lott put his football number in script on the left rear deck. It's fairly tasteful in very small script, and the current owner, a CEO of a major Silicon Valley company has seen fit to live with it for almost ten years. I'd still rather not have it on there, as the short term celebrity status doesn't matter to me. Any opinions on how much this painted addition lowers the value of a 92 512 TR, if it does? > > <<So I will be saving my nickels and dimes. I now know which Ferrari I > will be [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Any opinions on how much this painted addition lowers the value of a 92 512 > TR, if it does? I don't think it'd lower the value (sorry). Actually, to the right person it'd help the deal go through, as he was a good player back then. I'd leave it there as part of the car's history. Consider it part of the patina. I once had a 924S with a hideous, and enormous, graphic equalizer that was mounted on a hideaway stalk alongside the console. I had no idea it was there and then one day my friend mutters "what the hell is this?" and pulls up this EQ that, once unfolded, looked like the shifter in one of Ed Roth's "Rat Fink" illustrations. The thing swiveled up to eye level! I left it there, tucked away (it didn't work, just lit up) and after I'd sold it I told the next guy as he was getting ready to drive away that he should spend some time looking around the car, as there was a unique piece of audio equipment installed that was quite hilarious. He looked intrigued as he left, and I'm sure once he found it he got a good laugh. I figure half the joy of owning a used car is the little discoveries like that that tell you about the car's history. I've found some interesting little surprises in pretty much every car I've bought used, provided the car was 10 years old or more. My $.02.... -Matt- "..." <<I'd still rather not have it on there, as the short term celebrity status doesn't matter to me. Any opinions on how much this painted addition lowers the value of a 92 512 TR, if it does?>> Do you mean that the *status* of owning an ex-Lott car means nothing to you or that Lott's celebrity status is short-term? He's considered one of the greatest football players of all time and sounds like a decent guy. I wouldn't pay extra to own his car or have his signature added to mine, but I don't think it detracts from its value any and I'm sure that some football lover out there would pay extra for the provenance. My folks own one of Mario Andretti's old cars, a Dino. His name is on the driver's door. We don't know who put it there. I had Clay Regazzoni sign the dash in my Mondial when he came to our shop with the technicians to install hand controls in it and then taught me how to drive with them. I wish we had thought of having him sign the 355 F1 Challenge car when he drove that. Why? Because he's a great guy, the memory means a lot to me and the signature is just an extra something to remind me. C. > <<I'd still rather not have it on there, as the short term celebrity status > doesn't matter to me. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > C. I meant that Ronnie Lott only owned the car for a short period of time, and that it has primarily been owned over the years by the former head of Seibel systems. I should have said, the short period of time the vehicle was owned by a celebrity didn't matter to me. Ronnie was a starter at many runs favoring charities that I ran in over the years, and he was always approachable, helpful, and has been a great asset to the Bay area, as well as to the sport of football, and many local charities. But having his number on the car seems a bit phony, if I'm driving the car, as though I'm saying that there is some connection between Ronnie Lott and myself, when, in fact he wouldn't know me in a room of two. That having been said, I like Matt's comment that things like this add to the "patina" of the vehicle, and I'm satisfied with that. Now I need to find out if I'm going to become the vehicle's owner. I have a line on an 89 that I could afford now, but I like the TR better than the Testarossa. Not sure if I'm splitting hairs here for tens of thousands of dollars or not. Thanks for the input. <<I like Matt's comment that things like this add to the "patina" of the vehicle, and I'm satisfied with that.>> Cool. I agree with that as well, so we must be right. <g> <<I have a line on an 89 that I could afford now, but I like the TR better than the Testarossa. Not sure if I'm splitting hairs here for tens of thousands of dollars or not.>> If you can afford to have what you want, then get what you want. I would never advise anyone going into debt to own a dream car, but if you've worked hard to get there, then don't shortchange yourself. C. > Took a 16 mile test ride in a 1987 328 GTS that was very well kept up by the > owner, and my Ferrarri Mechanic friend. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > Regards, > Larry Congrats, Larry. That's one of my favorite Ferraris - although if you could up the ante and get the F512M I think you'd see an even greater level of refinement and performance. But the 512 TR is light years ahead of the previous TR models! I owe ya an "e" or two - still getting my sh.t back together after fleeing Cali. Will be in touch - vey interested in discussing that TW article with you. MC  SignatureI rode a tank Held a general’s rank When the blitzkrieg raged And the bodies stank Good choice on the 512. I favor the earlier red heads. The motorized sealt belts can be a pain. Even after the recall mine act up from time to time which is a small annoyance. I find the 512M an ugly car. But then again most people who claim to be Ferrari fans hate the Testarossa! I notice you mentioned Viper. I have a 2002 RT-10 that is more of my daily driver and love it, save the tight clutch. in traffic the stiff clutch makes ones leg pretty tired. I added the roe racing supercharger kit which makes the car amazing in regards to tourque, but contributes even more to the horrible fuel consumption of the Viper motor. I average only about 300 miles a year on my red heads, but I swear they use less fuel than my Viper... >Good choice on the 512. I favor the earlier red heads. The motorized >sealt belts can be a pain. Even after the recall mine act up from time >to time which is a small annoyance. I find the 512M an ugly car. But >then again most people who claim to be Ferrari fans hate the >Testarossa! ...Some certified Ferrari fans as well: An execrable design, pure filth, an abomination. *Mitsubishi* would have been ashamed of its vulgarity and ostentatiousness, even Mercedes appalled by its weight. >>Good choice on the 512. I favor the earlier red heads. The motorized >>sealt belts can be a pain. Even after the recall mine act up from time [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > *Mitsubishi* would have been ashamed of its vulgarity and > ostentatiousness, even Mercedes appalled by its weight. Stop it. For crissake, everybody is entitled to their opinion, but yours is over the top. I am against over the top, and personally I refrain from it. So let's not bring that in here. MC SignatureCall on God, but row away from the rocks. Hunter S. Thompson >>>Good choice on the 512. I favor the earlier red heads. The motorized >>>sealt belts can be a pain. Even after the recall mine act up from time [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >yours is over the top. I am against over the top, and personally I >refrain from it. LOFL >So let's not bring that in here. ...*Someone* has to tell the emperor his new (old) suit is transparent. When it comes to the nuevo-Testarosssa, with the obvious connotations of nuevo-riche, since it was released that someone is me. It's a cross I bear with honor. >>>>Good choice on the 512. I favor the earlier red heads. The motorized >>>>sealt belts can be a pain. Even after the recall mine act up from time [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > It's a cross I bear with honor. This emperor stopped wearing a suit a long time ago. I nakedly say to you that the happiest day in my future life will be the day I post pics of my 512 TR (not to come before a Maranello, of course, but still on the board). If that's the day you stop using the Internet, so be it. :-) SignatureCall on God, but row away from the rocks. Hunter S. Thompson >>>>>Good choice on the 512. I favor the earlier red heads. The motorized >>>>>sealt belts can be a pain. Even after the recall mine act up from time [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >> >This emperor stopped wearing a suit a long time ago. That's sweet... But I just may have been referring to Ferrari, S.p.A. >I nakedly say to >you that the happiest day in my future life will be the day I post pics >of my 512 TR (not to come before a Maranello, of course, but still on >the board). The Maranello wouldn't look so frigging 'Toyota Supra on steroids' were it not for the precedent set by the nuevo-Testarossa. > The Maranello wouldn't look so frigging 'Toyota Supra on steroids' The Maranello looks like a perfect evolution of the Daytona. How could you of all people could say it looks like a Toyota? > were it not for the precedent set by the nuevo-Testarossa. I'm with Mike. OTT and 80's it might be, but there is a brutal beauty in the TR (though the M is indeed a 'mixed bag') MCPD >> The Maranello wouldn't look so frigging 'Toyota Supra on steroids' >The Maranello looks like a perfect evolution of the Daytona. 456. >How could you of all people could say it looks like a Toyota? Parked next to a Daytona a Maranello looks like nothing more than a ricer's dream. The hood scoop, for one, is pure Supra aftermarket, all it needs to be complete is a big cheesy rear wing. >> were it not for the precedent set by the nuevo-Testarossa. > >I'm with Mike. OTT and 80's it might be, but there is a brutal >beauty in the TR (though the M is indeed a 'mixed bag') ...Bollocks. >F2004: 15 of 17* wrote: > > Parked next to a Daytona a Maranello looks like nothing more than a > ricer's dream. The hood scoop, for one, is pure Supra aftermarket, > all it needs to be complete is a big cheesy rear wing. I know you are the type who absolutely doesn't care what other people think about you or your opinions (and that's a good trait, one that I believe in strongly). At least, I think you are - but on this one I bet you are the only tifosi in the entire universe who shares your opinion. The above paragraph is pure heresy. They can't just keep turning out the same car models year after year, even if you want it that way. There has to be ... evoluzione. C'mon, man. Get out of the 60s. MC SignatureCall on God, but row away from the rocks. Hunter S. Thompson >>F2004: 15 of 17* wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >believe in strongly). At least, I think you are - but on this one I bet >you are the only tifosi in the entire universe who shares your opinion. Hardly. Noting the hood of the Maranello is a Toyota cast off is neither novel nor unique. > The above paragraph is pure heresy. They can't just keep turning >out the same car models year after year, even if you want it that way. >There has to be ... evoluzione. C'mon, man. Get out of the 60s. It has nothing to do with being mired in a past era, Mike: The car is incongruous with the tradition. Ferrari and Pininfarina have created some of the most influential and timeless designs in history of the automobile, a tradition which was renounced with the excresence that is the nuevo-Testarossa, a plagiarized turd wearing a prancing horse escutcheon is still a turd, and which continues through the Maranello, the best of which can be said is it is not quite universally offensive. And while the Maranello is certainly no turd, a timeless and classic beauty it is certainly not also. ...Nothing is affirmed by pretending otherwise. > It has nothing to do with being mired in a past era, It has everything to do with that. Ferrari have moved on. I saw two 360 spiders and a 550 in town today. I felt lucky. I felt the lucky the way I did when I first saw a Dino - when I was so young I didn't know what a Ferrari was. MCPD (...of course, back then I wouldn't have been a tiny bit hungover from a dinner with the one and only T308...) > (...of course, back then I wouldn't have been a tiny bit > hungover from a dinner with the one and only T308...) ...who apparently once ran into you, Mark. Do you remember? -Paul ('ran into' as in 'met' - no actual collision was involved) >> (...of course, back then I wouldn't have been a tiny bit >> hungover from a dinner with the one and only T308...) > >...who apparently once ran into you, Mark. > >Do you remember? ...Montreal GP Paddock Club, 2002? I didn't quite catch that guy's name, thought he was from CT. >> It has nothing to do with being mired in a past era, > >It has everything to do with that. Ferrari have moved on. Most don't consider Ferrari cribbing from Japanese appliance manufacturers as progress. > >> It has nothing to do with being mired in a past era, > > > >It has everything to do with that. Ferrari have moved on. > > Most don't consider Ferrari cribbing from Japanese appliance > manufacturers as progress. All right, I'm intrigued. What's the plagiarized portion(s) of the TR? I'm assuming the appliance manufacturer bit is about the Supra stuff again. I'm not doubting your beliefs about the 80's TRs, I just want to better understand your disgust with it beyond the obvious "it's heavy and overstyled". What does it steal from? I very well might say "oh, damn, you're right, I never thought of that", as I can't think of what the Testarossas look similar to. -Matt- :::still likes the 512TR::: >>It has nothing to do with being mired in a past era, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > (...of course, back then I wouldn't have been a tiny bit > hungover from a dinner with the one and only T308...) Hungover? Two bottles of Sassicaia, a few drinks before...yeah, I guess i was hungover. T blew a .308 (Who got two hours sleep after dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Duffin and then had to travel all day on the GWR to watch his beloved Liverpool lose to friggin' Chelski in AET... damn.) > Hungover? Two bottles of Sassicaia, a few drinks before...yeah, I > guess i was hungover. You forgot the hard-sought cognacs afterwards... ...always the killers (shut up, Iaiaiaiaiaiain!) -MCPD > >I'm with Mike. OTT and 80's it might be, but there is a brutal > >beauty in the TR (though the M is indeed a 'mixed bag') > > ...Bollocks. I agree with MCPD. Have you already seen a TR on a track or followed one on the road? It may not be 'beautiful', certainly not elegant, but it's impressive - a bit like an F40, except that the F40 is brutally impressive also when parked. SignatureJ.C. > I agree with MCPD. Salut, J.C! I could climb into a TR and *greatly* enjoy it, I'm sure... ...but an F40? That would have to be approached slowly and with respect. In fact I'd probably have to approach it on my knees, with my eyes averted. Damn, I'd *love* to drive one... -MCPD <<I could climb into a TR and *greatly* enjoy it, I'm sure...>> I generally despise the looks of the TR, but driving one was as great an honour as driving any of the others. And seeing one on the highway more recently, making its way home from the Concours in Monterey was a pleasure as well. They are aggressive in motion and look to grip the road like their rubber are steel claws. We had a giggle watching the TR toy with a modern, Japanese sportscar. <<...but an F40? That would have to be approached slowly and with respect. In fact I'd probably have to approach it on my knees, with my eyes averted. Damn, I'd *love* to drive one...>> I'll never get to drive one, but being flung about a track in one by a man who knows how to drive was a joy in its own right. Of course, that was when we got along with Risi. I never did get that ride in the F50. C. |
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