I loved my Ferrari 550 Maranello — the design, the V12, the specification.

But in the end, it simply wasn’t the Ferrari for me.

I wanted the car I had actually dreamed about.

Watch the video on my YouTube channel/

The Ferrari Testarossa is one of the most iconic cars ever made — but driving one properly takes more effort than you might expect.

After spending more time recently in my Ferrari 328, getting back behind the wheel of the Testarossa reminded me just how different these two cars really are.

The steering, the heavy throttle, the pedals, the size of the car — even something as simple as heel-and-toe takes more concentration.

But that’s also exactly what makes the Testarossa so rewarding.

In this episode, I talk about what it’s really like to drive a Testarossa, why it demands more from you than the 328, and why having to work for the experience might actually be one of the things I love most about it.

Because sometimes the cars that ask the most from you are the ones that give you the most back.

Jason

#JCR_Cars

Every Ferrari owner eventually faces this question.

My 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS is about to reach 50,000 kilometres—a milestone I’ve been thinking about for years.

Does adding more kilometres reduce the car’s value? Should you preserve it for the next owner… or keep driving and creating memories?

In this episode, I share the emotional side of Ferrari ownership, why mileage isn’t always the enemy, and the decision I’ve made as this milestone approaches.

If you own a classic car—or dream of owning one—I think you’ll relate to this dilemma.

JCR Cars is about real Ferrari ownership: the drives, the decisions, the maintenance, and the memories that make these cars so special.

Owning a classic Ferrari isn’t always what people imagine.

This time, my Ferrari Testarossa’s climate control failed at exactly the wrong moment—32°C, pouring rain, and another reminder that classic car ownership isn’t always glamorous.

In the last few years alone I’ve dealt with failed fuel pumps, ignition problems, a leaking clutch slave cylinder, headlight motors, and now another issue.

So why do I keep putting up with it?

Because every now and then this car reminds me exactly why I dreamed of owning one in the first place.

For decades, Ferrari created some of the most timeless automotive designs ever made.

Cars like the Testarossa, 328 and F40 weren’t just fast…

they felt emotional.

Simple lines.

Clean proportions.

Shapes that looked fast without needing to shout.

This video isn’t about criticizing modern Ferrari.

Modern Ferraris are engineering masterpieces.

But somewhere along the way, sports car design philosophy changed.

This is a reflection on timeless design, restraint, beauty, and why classic Ferraris still stop people in their tracks today.

#Ferrari #Testarossa #Ferrari328 #ClassicFerrari #ferraridesign

Owning a classic Ferrari Testarossa comes with a number of maintenance decisions that go far beyond simply driving the car.

One of the most debated topics among Testarossa owners is the timing belt service interval. Ferrari traditionally recommends replacing the belts approximately every five years, regardless of mileage. But what happens when the car has only been driven a few hundred kilometres?

In this episode I explore the real dilemma many classic Ferrari owners face:

Do you replace the timing belts on schedule, or do you stretch the interval and accept the risk?

Because on a flat-12 interference engine like the Testarossa, a failed timing belt can result in catastrophic engine damage. At the same time, replacing them is a significant service that many owners question when the car has seen very little use.

More importantly, the decision often affects how you enjoy the car. If you delay the service, do you end up driving the car less or holding back from using it the way it was meant to be driven?

This episode looks at the practical, mechanical, and psychological side of that decision.

If you enjoyed this discussion, the full video version is available on my YouTube channel where I walk through the engine and timing belt layout.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

Ferrari ownership is often misunderstood.

People talk about reliability, cost, and maintenance — but very few talk about why Ferraris require the level of care they do, or what ownership actually feels like once the excitement wears off.

In this episode of Ferrari in Context, I take a realistic look at Ferrari ownership through experience, not speculation.

We talk about:

• ​ Why Ferraris need more maintenance than most cars
• ​ The difference between mileage and time
• ​ Why performance machines behave differently
• ​ How ownership compares to high-level athletics
• ​ What I’ve learned from owning and driving different Ferraris
• ​ And why “unreliable” is often the wrong word

This episode isn’t about criticizing Ferrari — it’s about understanding what you’re actually signing up for when you own one.

If you’re considering Ferrari ownership, or already living with one, this episode will give you a clearer picture of what’s normal, what isn’t, and what really matters long-term.

⸻

Ferrari in Context

A series focused on Ferrari ownership, engineering, history, and reality — without hype or marketing noise.

Ferrari is one of the most emotional brands in the world — and that makes it very easy to misunderstand.

In this first episode of Ferrari: In Context, I talk about one of the most common mistakes people make when entering Ferrari ownership: buying a “cheap” Ferrari.

Using the Ferrari Testarossa as an example, I explain:

• why low prices often hide deferred maintenance

• why mileage alone tells you very little

• how service history matters more than appearance

• why cheap Ferraris often cost more in the long run

• and why time, not money, is usually the real expense

This video isn’t about criticism or hype — it’s about understanding what Ferrari ownership actually looks like in the real world.

If you’re considering a Ferrari, or simply want to understand what ownership really involves, this series is for you.

In this episode I share ten Ferrari buying secrets that I learned from actually owning and living with classic Ferraris — a Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari 328 and a 550 Maranello

If you’re thinking about buying your first Ferrari, this episode will help you avoid the expensive mistakes most people only discover after they already own one.

You can see the cars and the full video version of this episode on YouTube by searching Jason JCR Cars