Your Thoughts & Advice on Purchasing This '86 TR

Hi, I recently bought a 512tr after having my heart set on a monospeccio.
I flew around the country test driving cars over the summer, very few were what I would call well maintained. I also noticed this theme : The fun was had, the service came due and now it's time to sell...
I wouldn't be put off buying a car that is just due for a service - at least you can choose who does the service and inspect everything for yourself. Some dealers perform the service "in house" which can be very good or shall we say not up to snuff....
I was advised not to buy a car that needed repainting due to the high cost but do allow for some mechanical issues. I thought that was good advice because there are common issues these cars have that need to be rectified..
I wish you all the best, some very helpful threads and experienced/knowlegable folks here...

 

The leather on this car has been re-dyed or sprayed. While the leather may look nice right now, I would be concerned about the longevity of the coloring spray. Anyone have good long term durability results with re-dyed/sprayed leather?

 

Depends who does it and the products they use. Very high quality is possible.

 

From what I can tell my car was the last batch that came Into Canada In 1986 at the end of November, I have the standard 16 non TRX single bolt. Of the 1497 single mirror, single bolts produced, I wonder how many are really left in the world. I suspect many led a hard life just like the bb boxer , Dino, 308s before it. Much easier to find a cherry regular Testarossa, 512Tr and 512m.

 

I agree that these first cars are 30 years old and will need some restoration. I would buy it and expect to get a lot completed. If you have the money, then you won't regret it. Buy it and make it yours.

 

I did my seats myself and they came out perfect so, it can be done and it will last. I took pics when I was doing it and now can't find them....bummed. Seats look like new. Longevity will not be a problem if you do it properly.

First, you take the seats completely apart...8 peices. Like any great paint job, PREP,PREP, PREP. Then, the key is VERY light mist sprays and use a hair dryer on low after each mist. This embeds the dye into the leather and NOT paint it on. If you put on gobs, it will look like crap and it will crack. Repeat misting it as necessary.

Personally, I love the flying mirror which is what I set out to find. Like Big red says, they stand out even with other TRs around. I have been asked a few times where I bought the cool mirror.

 

Rick, were the early TR like the single Mirror imported to Canada as gray market? My understanding is that the first Canadian production cars were 1990 with VIN starting with ZFFSM.

????

 

I would buy this car even if it has a deferred maintenance problem as it can negotiated in price and you can have work done yourself to your liking

 

I believe that most people would agree. However, if the dealership is NOT interested in negotiating the price, would you still buy it?

The real question about these rough TRs in the market is whether the rising water (price increase) has lifted all the boats, or whether there are still some that are at low tide. Judging by dealerships, they seem to be optimistic in their view (and why wouldn't they be?).

 

Exactly, I am finding people unwilling to negotiate despite the fact they have deferred maintenance for over a decade.

 

That is not the way it works on a Testarossa.

 

Early TRs were not gray market here. I was told wait times were over 2 hrs back then.

If you are 50 , or 55 and a point in your life where the car you wanted is now within reach you have a limited window to pull the trigger. If a 50 yr old wanted a single mirror because he was 20 and in college and that car was the super car to have, guess what .... He is buying.
There are more factors than just price for the many on fchat that only peddle price on a car.

 

Looks to be a euro by the VIN , and no 3rd break light.

Therefore, the ODO has been converted, and the US side markers added, wonder when it got here in NA.

 

I remember investigating this car before I bought mine and believe this car also spent some time in Mexico before coming back to the states

 

I hope it works out well, but I also think there may be better cars out there.

Seems to me that dealers have the price point of around $85k for a testarossa, and thus this one is listed at a discounted price of $65k. While both Haggerty and myself feel this is rather optimistic, dealerships have been known to see a rainbow around every corner when it comes to pricing their cars.

Perhaps cold weather will tone down their pricing, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Th

 

Well, despite all the negative comments about it, I went ahead and bought it

 

Shouldn't of sold that nice single mirror car cover Stephane! Nice purchase!
Jeff

 

LOL! I need another one now. Good luck finding one.

 

Stephan, do you know what happened to your Miami Vice TR? I did a quick 'in person' inspection at the Copart facility in Van Nuys....it was 'totaled' for some reason.

Im sure you whip this one into shape in no time.

 

Correct. Seems like a candidate for a substantially lower offer.

 

That's what I also found out, it had a salvaged title. Quite sad. That was one nice Miami Vice car......