1988 Ferrari Testarossa Review // Driving The Legend 

Thank you all so much for your comments and enthusiasm. As the owner of this car, I consider it my responsibility to share it with the world and not keep it hidden away. Thanks to Thomas, James, Greg (behind the scenes), and all of you watching for helping to keep the passion for these cars alive and making sure younger generations get exposed to them, too. Safe driving, everyone. See you out on the road! 🚗

I remember walking into a random dealership, really small, only had Performance cars for sale. Green Testarossa was sitting right there in the middle of this small showroom. All I could do was stare. These things have an incredible presence!

Even today this car is GORGEOUS

The subtle loud sniff when describing the car around its night time use. The dramatic pause for the lazy power window. Everything is so well done. Even when you wax lyrical, it's not over the top. Really really good production guys, TY.

"You've end up kicking a Snorlax in the face, it's woken up, and it's angry; that's a Ferrari." Thanks James, Ferrari needs you on there marketing team.

Such a pretty car. Not as out there as the Countach but it’s still a beautiful thing.

512TR is just a facelifted Testarossa. The name was updated to match other F cars: 512 TR (= 5 litre 12 cylinders TestaRossa). Both share the very same Ferrari model designation - Type F110 (Testarossa - F110AB/E, 512TR - F110HB) and both have Testarossa on the head covers. 512TR has just a few nice upgrades - 18 wheels, painted lowers, new front bumber, the engine sits a bit lower thanks to redesigned lower frame, the Bosch K-Jet injection system is gone replaced by a more modern Bosch Motronic 2.7, TR512 has different seats and steering wheel inside etc. But it is still a Testarossa! PS. Testarossa owner and aficionado here.

Everyone talks about having a Ferrari poster on their wall as a kid, this was mine. When I think of Ferrari, this is what pops into my head.

You guys are getting some crazy access to these legends, kudos to you! The 2+M subs are well deserved. This Ferrari for me was "the Ferrari." It's def hated by some, but for me that's beauty in its own way and one of the cars that fueled my passion for cars. (edit - I am now 30, so this car was already over a decade old by the time I really knew what cars were)

On new year's day 1999 I got a call from my friend saying I needed to go to his parents' house immediately but didn't tell me why. I was immediately on the road and upon arriving, I discovered a Testarossa in the driveway. What a glorious car.

I remember back in the 80s this was everybody’s dream car absolutely beautiful

My father had one in the classic red and tan when I was a kid, and I could never get over the coolness and beauty of it. The style still holds up today.

Thomas =a phenomenal actor

Growing up I kept seeing these for like 50-60k and that was my goal car to own. Boy did the market sky rocket by the time I got there.

To see you both acting like teenagers with excitement...I just love it when you guys have a great time with an automotive classic. I am sure on this day, your entire production team didn't know they were working as much as they were enjoying the day. Bravo...hats off...thank you

My gosh I love the Testarossa, what a BEAUTIFUL machine. I remember thinking it was the coolest thing ever in the 80s and I still think it's amazing now! Iconic car.

Such an iconic 80's car, truly captures the time period. Like retrowave nostalgia

Thomas is the perfect re-imagination of a Canadian Magnum PI.

The Testarrossa, along with the F40, was my favourite Ferrari and supercar of my youth and possibly of all time. I have Burago miniatures of both models.

13:26 "we've lost him" 🤣🤣 you can see Thomas get the joke just before they cut to the next shot...

11:05 strakes is indeed the proper term.

I was just a kid when this car came out but I can tell you I was still WELL aware of it. The side profile black background poster was on MANY walls and the name was synonymous with "fast beautiful car". It's still my all-time favourite looking car.

I look at that car and immediately am brought back to the 80s with one of the greatest videogames ever with the sound of "Splash Wave" blaring in the stereo speakers.

These older icons you’re reviewing are really setting the channel apart from the rest, and you were already killing it with production quality and tasteful humor. Any chance you could review an XJ220 or EB110?

being a fan of the 80s vibes, this car just screams it. one of my dream cars for sure

Replacing "90's Honda" parts on an NSX is a pretty big deal today. Some parts are becoming hard to find. That said, it would be harder and far more expensive to keep this car on the road than an NSX.

I remember when these were new, and on the cover of car magazines. The ones to have are the 85'-86' cars as they had the one wing mirror on the A pillar. Mr Ferrari was a big fan of Miami Vice, so he sent them the white one that appears in the show. I remember Top Gear did a review of the Ferrari Testarossa, and the Countach together. Both were owned by Harry Metclaffe. Thanks.

I got addicted to your channel. It tickles that part of my heart and brain that longs for old Top Gear. You are legitimate heirs to their legacy. I honestly believe you could also have guest appearances and stuff Top Gear had, but in your own way. 10/10 quality, in my mind, you are up there next to Mark Rober and some other fantastic content creators. Simply awesome stuff!

Guys. I have been watching you for about 2.5 years,maybe more idk, you just keep getting better. Hitting peaks every video,even on the extra channel (which is not the main channel)

One of my friends had a Testarossa that was a late 80's car. I remember him complaining about needing to drop the engine to do one of the needed routine maintenance that cost quite a bit. Loved listening to that car when he would drive off. Loved the style.

I owned a 1989 model, dove it for 20 years till 2009. It has no power steering, really difficult to manuver in tight parking space, the steering colmne is flimsy, brakes is nthe weakest part. It sounds great, engine is bullet proof, transmission works well after warmes up, workmanship is excellent and the price is right for what you pay for.

Some trivia bits about Gianni Agnelli and his one-off Testarossa Spider. The man is a legend - the richest man in modern Italian history, he controlled 4.4% of Italy’s total GPD as chairman of Fiat Group. Under his stewardship, Fiat Group owned Ferrari at the time, hence his ability to order several unique coachbuilt cars from across the Group’s brands. This included the Testarossa Spider, two Ferrari 365 Ps with McLaren F1-style seating layouts, coachbuilt Fiat 130 wagons and a convertible Lancia Delta Integrale (to name a few). The Testarossa Spider (and some of his other special cars) had another unique feature - a Valeo clutchless manual gearbox. Agnelli had shattered his right leg in an accident in the ‘50s and the clutchless manual made it easier for him to drive his cars. In the Testarossa, you could drive it like a normal manual, but at the press of a button, the clutch could operate automatically as you moved the shifter through its manual gate.

This was THE 80's dream car.... I've always wanted one so bad, and I would play the Outrun arcade game all the time just because you drove as THIS very car! lol

I wish there was a love button. I've dreamed of this car since I was a kid, and seeing it get the Throttle House treatment was glorious.

I dated a local Dr's neice several years ago and was lucky enough to share the drive with him(the Dr) when he wanted to bring his Testarossa from his FL house back home here in KY. Absolutely awesome on the interstate. The only problem was I wanted to take every exit so I could re-enter the highway and put my foot down! Definitely the highlight of cars I've been able to drive.

I remember driving one of these in 1990,really loved it and it was easier to drive than I thought it would be.

GUYS... I like you so much. I'm a German guy who's living in Portugal and Brazil and watching every episode of Throttle House!!! You are the most sympatico car RU-vidr on earth 🌎 !!! Thank you ☺️

Loved, loved, loved the Miami Vice skit!!! Way to go guys! Thanks for making my week. Great memories!

i've never been much of a ferrari person but as of late i have been thinking about it would be nice to have a testarossa one day, and i'll admit that out of all the cars ferrari have made it is probably one of the best aged once, like a fine wine :)

The chemistry between the two of you is what makes your videos so captivating. I hope you are like this after the cameras are off.

My first sport bike was a 1994 Suzuki RF600R… it’s design was inspired by the Testarossa. Beautiful car and beautiful bike.

I was driving behind one in South Africa once and I was absolutely mesmerised by the noise, it was an experience of a lifetime 🤣

Great video, I like many others had this car on a poster when I was kid. Now at 41 I have a red gen 1 NSX framed poster hanging in my office. So nothing's changed.

I'm actually old enough to remember the season finale when the bad guys blew up Crockett's 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder(my dream car at the time). In the next season's opener, Crockett got the white Testarossa. It made quite an impression. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

It's really amazing to see how much the video quality has increased. You guys are amazing keep bringing us these amazing videos.

That window break at 13:35 is gold! Hahahaha

I was reading car and driver as soon as I learned the alphabet. Being a car nut, you guys are the real deal, high production value, wit, detailed insight; no wonder your channel is joining the ranks of the greatest. Keep up the good work!

I was born in the 80s in Miami. This was my dream car growing up. Literally had a dream about it as a kid lol.

Thank you to all the production crew that puts so much effort into these videos.

I forgot Crockett had a Testarossa. Maybe because I liked the Daytona Spider so much. Then again, Ferrari threatened to sue the show because the Daytonas used in filming were Corvettes with body kits. So they blew up the Daytona in the show and switched to the white Testarossa. Two of which were given to them by Ferrari.

Thank you for making this video. As a 40 year old this car was THE Ferrari for everyone born in the early 80s. We had the pictures of this on the wall, along with the countach and F40. I was also one of the extremely lucky kids to have had one in the garage as a teen, as my father did very well for himself and purchased this during his mid-life crisis. Having been allowed to finally drive it when I turned 18, I can say that flat 5L 12 cyl was just pure italian perfection. I am not sure I would say the car was comfortable though. Getting in and out is not easy as you sit about 3 inches off the floor, the car was extremely heavy and with no power steering was near impossible to parallel park, and the brakes were absolutely horrendous. All being said, I would give anything to have that car back in my garage now. Please try and get the new Fioravanti Testarossa resto-mod on here to see if they really did improve the flaws.

Found one of these outside a local restaurant and thought it was a 348 kit car at the time, but ohhhh boy was I wrong. So much cooler than I thought.

Another awesome retro 80s rad car video! Thanks guys! Next up has to be the F512M!

I really love how the interior hang out sessions make me feel like I'm there, and I'm always curious as to all the things you see in the interior of these places! Thank you for this!

That rear is ICONIC.

In love with this side series of cult classic cars, great appreciation for such oldies but goldies is what this channel needed to really stand out. You make this more than just entertaining and informative and its artistic how you guys express the feelings that these cars give. Closest video I’ve come to where I felt engaged in a long time!

What an entertaining video! Top notch production quality with great humor. I only wish it were a bit longer.. Great video again boys! Thomas definitely looks like he came from the 80s. The intro was so funny!

I think this has to be the "least complained about" Ferrari on this channel. It may have no apple carplay/Android auto but at least it doesn't take up most of the gauge cluster.

The focus on the slow motion of the window rolling down lol , thank you guess for these timeless videos

Very connected to the road. Exhaust and upgrade the rims and tires to some 18" and a few other tricks and its amazing. I have an upgraded sound system and usually don't play it because nothing is like that sound. Of all my cars in my stable, the TR gets the most looks and comments. Best purchase i have ever made. The upgraded version of the Testarossa my fit you perfectly even more. The 512TR had updated interior more modern, its hp was increased to 422hp and it came with 18" rims and low profile tires stock. The 1988 you have has the upgraded cooling and A/C along with the 5 lug rims which is huge over the single center spinner that was on the 1987 and prior. Rims and tire upgrade alone on mine was huge. OH, get a MOMO steering wheel, made a nice difference and remember the steering column is adjustable , lower left of the column (up and down motion only) Services vary. Anywhere from 4500 to 20k (for the big 20k service). Some things you want to service while engine is out otherwise you pay again for the R&R all over down the line.

I just prefer the much simpler design language of the 80s and 90s than the insanely busy cars of today. This is probably top 3 of Ferrari's finest designs. This thing is an event from the outside and it doesn't need a bunch of extra triangles and different colored plastic to get the job done.

“You’d have to shoot a vampire” to prove it’s silver. You guys are the funniest car duo, no question.

Oh that sound of shifting is sooooo nice. I remember when Doug drove a Testarossa for the first time. He loved it. You guys remember when I made the recommendation to compare a 2020 BRZ to a 1988 Fiero GT with 5 speed getrag? I think you're ready now. New vs Old.

One of my all time favourites. Had a huge poster on my wall along with a bBurago 1/18 scale model on display in my room as a kid.

Congrats for keeping performing this way, the perfect mix of humor, drama and joy doing what you people love. And that emotion an kindness is felt on each chapter. You are Naturally Aspirated!!

You gentlemen are classy, sophisticated, hilarious and incredibly entertaining. I've learnt a lot from watching how you experience the cars - you honestly have my dream job and I hope that you are very well paid because you deserve it. Please keep making these videos forever! Thank you for all the work that you put in to make such quality content. Cheers! Will

Dear Testarossa: Even though it's been a long time, I never stopped loving you. Great video.

@Throttle House I was so happy at the end of this video...just like you, it was all I'd hoped for! Thanks for doing what you do so well!!!

That opening should be up for an Oscar.🤣

This car has a presence in person, not so much in photos, although the front and rear views of it are always striking - so low, wide, ominous. 80s all the way.

I just love the Testarossa!!! I had a huge portrait of it on my bedroom wall when I was small. Dream car. This particular example is very clean. What a gorgeous car ❤

The intros KEEP GETTING BETTER - even the shot of Thomas afterwards

The sound is just intoxicating 🤌

I LOVE the look of the Testarossa🤔😎👌🏻. Especially the SOUND. Sounds like a typical Ferrari V-12 sound.

I just want to thank you for 20 seconds between 5:00 - 5:20 thats just enough for me. The %90 ferrari videos doesnt have that or even worse they have adding music there. So thank you :)

This was my dream car in my youth in the 80s (and the Porsche 959). :-) Last week there happened to be a Testarossa around the corner from me at the dealership. Probably from a customer. And yes, I am from Europe.... BTW: Ferrari 348

I absolutely love these classic car reviews. You guys win the RU-vids.

Nice review. I have a 1994 512TR and it’s an amazing experience. The old Ferrari cars are definitely more engaging and fun to drive. Modern cars have sacrificed this feeling and are more about just extreme speed with the engagement

I love the chemistry you guys have! was smiling all through the video. Thank You Throttle House

This was the first sports car that I up close/ saw in the flesh when I was at University. As a working class kid growing up in inner city Manchester UK i didn't really see any fancy cars, and couldn't tell you much about Porsches, Ferraris etc. I think i had a set of Top Trumps supercar cards, and that was it.

These just get better and better! Most entertaining car channel!

Watching this for the fifth time since yesterday. Obessed with the Testarossa! Great video guys

Every time I think about how a Testarossa in decent condition could be had for 60 to 70k€ 10 years ago, I shed a tear. If I'd had 60 to 70k back when I was 14 years old, I definitely would've bought one. 14 year old me exactly knew that this car had all the right ingredients, my allowance just didn't cut it.

The Audi Quattro is what got me into cars, this was my love at first sight.

Didn't expect that! It really is a bargain at these prices. I would love to own one and do a restomod.

That was my favourite car as a kid, it has unmatched styling.

While I generally don't approve of de-catting cars (because they stink, and then *you* stink of gasoline, and you know, pollution), however this thing sounds FANTASTIC. Kudos to the owner on that choice exhaust. This is seriously up there with some of the greats from Mercedes/Pagani and the LF-A if my speakers are telling the full story. Just wow. I feel like that needed to be acknowledged. Great review and shirts guys!

Damn, you guys do good video's. This is one of those TV car show experiences I always look forward too.

Thanks guys for again bringing back memories, and with your unique style, love it! Next level up, the 959? And perhaps after that the F40...? 🥰

When I saw this in the thumbnail I said “they better have a 8Ball in the glove box” n then the intro 😂😂😂😂😂😂. You guys killed this as always. This car is iconic!

It was a stressful day….. I really needed this video….thanks guys!!!!

My main memory of this car? ..... Outrun!

I had the experience to drive side by side a red Testarossa in my 89 Vette going 180km. It was amazing the sound of both car exhausts singing in harmony. These cars were made to be driven this way! No need for a tubi exhaust if you can drive at proper speed!

As always another charming and informative car experience while sitting at my desk. Thank to you two!!! I read thru some comments and you guys are getting the kudos you deserve. xoxo

You both amazing, the quality of videos are now cinematic, well done guys, great job. to the moon!

That nose swipe while saying "80's energy" had me rolling! Great review as always gentlemen!

The intro is just perfection 😂

Wow I type in testarossa expecting to get an older review and here throttle house is two days ago lol 😂 you guys are the shitttt

Guys, your White powder homage to Miami Vice and the Testarossa is 1st class, Thanks for the laughs and memories.

♥️ Loving this! Now, Testarosas weren't made to have a front license plate. They just don't look right.