On the road
Phenomenal performance and a completely untemperamental, hugely flexible engine characterise the Testarossa; any car that does not exude that character needs work. Used parts can be found – Testarossas have been broken after crash damage – and many ancillaries are shared with other marques, which helps keep costs down. Infrequent use can lead to dried-out fuel residue fouling the K-jetronic (or later Motronic) injection systems, but any Bosch specialist should be able to sort it out.
Engines are described as bombproof by specialists, but if the worst was to happen, secondhand units can be found for less than £20k. Annual servicing, even if minimal miles are covered, is advisable and every three years the engine has to come out for drive belt replacement. Up to 1991 it drops out below, complete with the suspension, but from the 512TR on it has to come out of the top, which is more costly. Check the service history to see if it really is what it’s claimed to be, with no gaps, and ideally looked after by a reputable specialist.
Published servicing costs are less than £1000 for the basic service and under £2000 for the cambelt service, but you need to budget £3500+ a year to keep a Testarossa in tip-top condition; for example, last year’s service on the car in our photos included cambelts, re-crackled cam covers, cleaned/painted suspension, a brake fluid change, an air-con recharge and a full clean and polish inside and out, totalling £15,500.