
When the Ferrari Testarossa was introduced, it was a shot heard ’round the world if you were following supercars at the time. Aimed squarely at toppling the Lamborghini Countach’s dominance in the segment, the Testarossa combined striking 80s styling with a 4.9-liter flat-12 engine producing just under 400 horsepower. The flip-up headlights, side strakes on the doors, and center-lock wheels were clear reminders that Ferrari knew how to build a car with deep motorsports heritage while still making a formidable impression just standing still. Find this Testarossa listed here on eBay with bids to $115,200 and the reserve unmet.

Despite the impressive credentials, the Testarossa hasn’t kept up with the Countach in terms of which piece of Italian exotica is worth the most. For some reason, the Ferrari never captured the raw teenage fever dream spirit like the Countach did, even if it was in a close second. To some extent, I suspect that explains why the Testarossa remains somewhat obtainable in today’s market, which is not to say that it’s affordable, but it’s certainly more accessible than cars like the Countach. Cars with 30K-40K miles can still be found for $120,000 or so, which isn’t chump change, but it’s also on the low end of supercar territory.

This example likely deserves far more than that, owing to its low mileage and somewhat rare paint scheme. Most Testarossas are red – blame the era in which it was made – so finding one in white isn’t the easiest car to find. The mileage reading of just over 7,000 makes this one a time-warp example, and unlike the car with 30,000 miles, this one should trade hands for safely over $150,000. The seller’s photos aren’t great but we can see a fairly spotless interior with next to no creases in the leather and zero cracks in the dash. The seller simply says to call them if you’re serious, and I really can’t blame them for not wasting time with a ton of extra details given we all know what this car is.

So why isn’t the Testarossa worth as much as a Countach, or an F40, or even a 911 Turbo from the same era? It boils down to numbers. Ferrari made far more Testarossas than those other models. F40 production was a drop in the bucket compared to the Testarossa, which reached the 7,000 range before wrapping up. You still have high maintenance costs, with $15,000 for an engine-out belt service not uncommon. If you want to own a car you lusted after as a child in the 80s, the Testarossa may be your last chance to own a slice of very desirable nostalgia at a relative discount.




Located in Campbell,California.
I swear the one in Miami vice had the driver’s side mirror strangely higher up on the A pillar, and no mirror on the passenger side 💁♂️
Yes Stan, the early cars did not come with the passenger side mirror.
https://youtu.be/6hy4JPyGvno?si=FcNeH5nuzL55aqa_
One of these got in my way; first time I drove a race 2CV at Knockhill in the mid-90s, there was one on track. I was faster than it in the twisty bits but it was so wide that I couldn’t get past it.
Went to $142,400 reserve not met.
Located in: Campbell, California
Bidding ended on Thu, Aug 21
US $142,400.00
44 bids
Reserve not met
I drove one of these pretty regularly back in period. Nice driving cars. In fact, probably the first, true, fast mid-engine car that you could daily. Nice shifting, light clutch, decent outward visibility, tracked down the road nicely and had the turbine V12 humming away behind you. Just a really nice car… and that was part of the problem for me. I hated nice cars. I have always enjoyed being abused by my cars… needy, temperamental and extravagant was my desired car experience because when I got them just right… the prefect tune, the perfect apex, the perfect polish… they paid me back in spades. I don’t remember taking the “nice” cars to the grocery store… but I sure as hell remember taking the pain in the ass cars to the store. Those are the ones that reacted the memories…