Top Gear's Review of the Mondial

Now Blocked??

 

yup

This video contains content from BBC Worldwide, who has blocked it on copyright grounds.

 

Why is it necessary for you Paul to post this thread? And the link which doesn't even work? Ferrari didn't get the Mondial perfectly right at its inception, but the car evolved into a great car over its lifespan. This thread is not even necessary to post, as it only serves to scare those thinking about joining the tifosi owners, away from the Mondial. And that would be a shame. Because the Mondial is a Ferrari and a really enjoyable one at that. If you want to start threads being negative, there are lots of other Ferrari's for you to own. Have you hung out in the 348, 355, Testarossa, 308gt4, California threads lately, just to name a few? Those owners are constantly being negative. Please look at the Mondial as a glass half full car. I just posted in a thread saying I like to drive it more than the Countach. Why can't owners act like they are going to the prom with the prom queen instead of acting like they never went to the prom.

Guys, wake up and smell the coffee! There is no better 80's Ferrari for one to enjoy than this! Period.
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I'm pretty sure that it's a repost...

 

That's a connaisseur's answer!

I love Clarkson's reviews, and appreaciate him for being a Ferrari fan. But I've always been baffled as to why he smeered the Testarossa (wonderful car, love to get my hands on one - calling him a dog) and the Mondial (as Jay so correctly stated, one of the all time greats - calling him a dog's dinner). He also took random swings at the 400 ("ugly in every way" according to him) and the 308 GT4 (not a Ferrari). They are no such thing, designwise or handlingwise.

Journalists tend to have a hidden agenda behind the comedy associated with the Top Gear show, specially when they carry so much weight in the public opinion like Clarkson, and the truth suffers as a consequence. Us Mondial owners have the duty and the added difficulty of setting the record straight. Double added difficulty: overcoming public opinion and opinion within the Ferrari owners' community.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

I had a long chat with Jeremy C a while back after he gave the Esprit a less than favourable review. It was in the 90s when Ferrari virtually gave him a 355, which at the time he never shut up about. His only reason for not liking the Lotus was that it was made of ''Plastic''
I pointed out that one mans ''plastic'' is another mans ''composite'' and that we'd moved out of the Stoneage into the Ironage a long time ago, and that now we were in the Spaceage the age of plastics like it or not.
I also pointed out that all the most high performance Ferraris were made of ''plastic'' ie. F40, 288GTO, 308gtb fiberglass etc and that prehaps the greatest car of all time the Mclaren F1 was also plastic. Well I have to tell you that for once JC was lost for words, his only retort was, well Ferreris should be made of metel and not like plastic toys.
JC to be fair is just an entertainer and not much of a driver, he says things just for effect we all know that, but sometimes it hurts us senitive souls who are loyal to our cars.
I seem to remember my friend taking some pics of the encounter I'll see if I can find them.
Regards Bell.

Hi MvT, long time no see..

 

Oh well.....some people love the cars; others hate them. I really don't care either way. I have always bought cars for me...not for others. I am the total opposite of a poseur. In fact, I try to stay under the radar. I don't want people looking at me or the car.

I took my blue Mondial for a long drive yesterday. It was a beautiful day and the temperature was just right for the windows to be down. The engine sang it's beautiful song and made all the right noises. I love the way the car drives, smells, sounds and looks. Just driving the car relaxes me. In fact, I took a nap after I came home. The car makes me happy...and that's all I can ask of it.

Some may have prettier Ferrari's, some may have faster Ferrari's and some may have more expensive Ferrari's. But, I consider myself fortunate to have a Ferrari. When the time comes that I am too old to drive, or cars have been banned, or whatever may come that keeps me from driving, I will be able to say, "Yes, I ENJOYED a Ferrari." In the end, the enjoyment I get from the car is all that matters to me. Other's opinions of the car do not bother me in the least.

 

How anyone pays serious attention to anything TG says is beyond me.
They became self parody years ago.

 

Well, that restores some credibility in my book. What an ungainly turd.

 

One thing I have always been curious about. Why does anyone care what another single individual on planet Earth care about the car you drive? Are we so in need of the approval of others that we cannot enjoy our car without everyone stopping to stare when we are driving down the street whishing they were us? Have we become so emotionally crippled we can't handle everyone not loving our car?

Get a little back bone and love what you love and screw everyone else.

 

Very well said!

 

Actually, I only screw what I love, but point is well made.

 

I've always rather liked having an underdog, the misunderstood....BUT, only if it's actually any good. Well having been lucky enough to drive absolutely anything you can think of, I can honestly say the Mondial is really rather bloody good. A point confirmed on Sunday. when I hit diesel coming hard out of a corner. The car remained very controllable even in the unplanned slide on oil, with a little flick of opposite lock all was well, not many cars would be that forgiving in the same situation.
Very, very impressive!
Mine is a 1985 QV.

 

While I agree I also appreciate those poseurs who buy new Ferraris and unload them when they're no longer chic. If not for them what would we frugal owners have to buy?

 

If I'm remembering the clip correctly they drove one that was unloved, unrestored, and leaking gas badly.

You know the same crew would take a roadtrip in one and pronounce it the most fun they ever had.

Perhaps oddly, I've never had to defend the Mondial. Never heard a single bad thing said about it. Even some folks with what would normally be much more desirable cars have shown great appreciation at car gatherings.

 

Clarkson makes me want a Morris Marina.

 

I agree 110%. I evaluated my purchase for three years decided on the Mondial T and now, regardless of minor problems which we all have, I am very happy with my choice.

 

I like the stig.

 

This:

And This:

You guys nailed it!
DavidJ

 

my radio has never worked. My wife asked if I was going to repair it or get another. Neither I said. Why would you drown out a symphony orchestra? If it says Ferrari it is Ferrari!!! Why ask for anything else.

 

My Dad used to remind me: Opinions are like a##h#les; everyone's got one... and they all stink. I drive cars I love, wear sweatshirts coz I like 'em, and eat fast food coz it's easy, and my Harley is a reflection of what I think looks cool, not the madding crowd.
Drive the car you bought coz you loved it. End of story.