My 2,200 mile journey for my first Ferrari begins Tomorrow!

Why not drive her home? Get to know your car. Your buddy can follow in the truck.

 

Are taking advantage of a woman.

 

Figured out. Women are different. A bathroom is not even a down payment on this , 'trade off'. Just wait until that baby is born. Boy are you in trouble

 

Congrats! Looks like a great car!

 

Welcome Ken, first congratulations on your expecting baby GIRL and your Mondial purchase, great looking car!

The receipts look pretty comprehensive given it was all done as stated by a competent mechanic. I question everything, just because it says so doesn't mean it is. At face value, seems like you do not have much to worry about. Sitting for 4 years with only 300 miles or so after a major service will not hurt the car. The oil, brake fluid, and coolant should be changed. Also check the AC system, may need R12 refill but its Fall/Winter now so not a big deal on AC.

If I were you, at a minimum, I would find a good Ferrari/Italian car mechanic that comes with recommendations and a good track record. Pay for a thorough inspection after the fact, its for your piece of mind. Ask the mechanic to check rubber hose conditions and fuel/brake lines. Also if you still have TRX tires, check the rubber for dry rot.

Ferrari recommends 3 years or 30k miles on the cambelts, IMHO, they last much longer, like 7 years if done right and used reasonably. As far as what else, well drive it and you will find out because if somethings going to go bad, it will.

Best
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Life begins at 29.

 

Very good looking car - coupes are beautiful. Have a good local mechanic check it out change fluids and start driving it. Something will fail so get AAA towing coverage. Once it is sorted out drive it and love it. They are great cars.

 

My 85 QV also sat for a decade or so without many miles on it and I had it transported back and put into the hands of a private fcar mechanic. I had no chance to really test it out before taking it on a 3000 mile trip and there were many small things that cropped up but nothing major that kept me from completing the trip. So I think a good going over and then some long regional trips will show up any flaws...big or little. However, I would certainly consider replacing the TRX tires. You'll find lots of threads on that on fchat. The obvious reason is for old tires decomposing. But it you have to replace the TRXs anyway, it is the same cost to put on new rims and then modern tires. You will benefit from hugely increased ride comfort and control.

Mostly I tip my hat to you for finding a Mondial at a young age when you have many years to enjoy it. I've had other cars to get to this point that I loved. But none that gave me the pure driving enjoyment as much as my Mondial.

 

Nice. I finished my private pilot and bought into a plane when my wife was pregnant with our first. The 308 followed. And the Mondial when she had our second.

I think there's something about the impending birth of a child that kicks in a caveman "buy it now" hormone in the male brain. You know your arguments for self-indulgent, semi-dangerous toys are about to get drowned out by baby needs.

Good man. Enjoy. And rest assured you'll be able to stuff the little tyke in the back before long. My daughter loves our 308, and both kids love going for rides in the Mondial. It sounds like a rationalization to the wives, but it truly is a source of joy for you AND the little ones.

 

I think I'd drive it until the weather turns. Drive it to check out mechanics in your area that are recommended. Try to put about 1000 miles on it then take it in for a belt service. If it drives good for that trial period, just belts and bearings and then enjoy it. If it has numerous breakdowns in that fun first 1000 miles, have a shop go through it more extensively. Try to put the miles on this fall so you can get it to a shop when they are slower, this winter.

 

Who needs sleep when you have adrenaline

 

Hey good luck, hope it's all going well.

 

hey 19633500GT, great first post, mentioning your push gift, but... I had a similar moment last fall with my wife and I having our first child. Her friends were all about what her push gift was going to be. My wife was very cool and well-on-board with "we are currently picking my husbands pull gift". Even a year later since the birth, my wife and I laugh all the time with the idea of a pull gift, and classic car in the garage. good luck with labor and delivery and help with the pulling when the doc and nurse get tired!

 

Have a great trip, Ken! Enjoy in good health and keep us posted! Enjoying every minute!

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

Awesome! I know you probably couldn't sleep last night. 😄

BTW...what the hell are the push and pull gifts you guys talk about? Is this some new trend of gift buying during/after pregnancy?

 

I recommend you do whatever you need to do to decarbon those valves. One of the guys posted what happened when his valves separated and ruined the entire engine. I do not have the clip. The valves looked carboned up like some sort of flat head 1956 Plymouth. [I have seen such valves].

BMWs of the era were cleaned with crushed walnuts. I suspect there are chemical ways to do the same thing. And read my own recommendation above titled "Another boring report ... " The carbon accumulates from sedate driving. And your specimen sounds exactly that. If you never take it over 5,000 rpms probably never separate anyway.

PS - The gated shifter is cosmetic. The car shifts exactly the same if you remove the gate.