Possible 3.2 purchase - no service history

It sounds to me like it has 2 years of service records and they're a LOT more important than service from 25 years ago. Recent belts are more important than anything else.

 

Or, if the car passes muster just get the full service completed afterwards. This will establish the baseline for you.

For me, having all of the service records is certainly a "nice to have", along with the extra keys, manuals, etc. but they weren't required. On the flip side, if you're interested in the concourse circuit then having it all would probably help.

 

Not that I don't trust anyone but I don't trust anyone. Service records to me would have to be from reliable traceable sources. the beauty in any mondial, 308, 328 is that a major service of clutch, timing belts and many other things is easily done by even a hillbilly like me. If I had to put belts and clutch in my car again I am confident I could do it in an 8 hour day. Good luck to you. Owning ANY Ferrari is as good as it gets!

 

Buying any car with 100k on the odometer is a risk. Buying a Mondial with limited parts availability and exhorbitant parts and labor prices is a HUGE risk. Even if this car was well maintained, the mileage is too high.

There are many good Mondials for sale out there with half the mileage at rock bottom prices.

 

I believe he said 100k kilometers which is 62k miles so I think mileage is not the issue, but recent services and maybe what the mechanic recommends from a PPI will help determine cost towards purchase price.
And yes, these cars came with crema interiors and more of a tan crema color.
Best

 

YOUR mechanic has worked on it the past two years, then what's the problem???

 

I know that I've seen multiple crema colors, some light, some darker more of a tan or beige but never have I seen an all white interior. However, Ferrari did offer a light gray interior on some Mondials as well, depending on the lighting, they all look different. Here are some photos...

Cheers
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There are two major red flags as other members correctly pointed out: no service history and high mileage. Through the VIN you should discover something regarding its past. If you don't, it increases suspicion. A PPI is of the utmost importance in any case, with increased importance due to the two major factors identified. There are still a couple of Mondials for sale nowadays that may offer you more peace of mind, so I think they're worth a visit.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

Buying any used car, Toyota or Ferrari is a crap shoot, I've been dealing with Alfas, Fiats, and Ferraris for 35 years as a hobbyist and I do all of my own work. If you know the mechanic I would touch base with him, I would expect they would have some record of the services they performed on the Ferrari.
My suggestion is that if any car comes with maintenance records call the organization that performed the last service. It has been my experience that while they probably won't extend any type of warranty to the new owner they will discuss the current mechanical state of the vehicle and provide answers to most reasonable questions. None-the-less I would still change the timing belts on the Ferrari - unless the previous shop was extremely reputable - just for the peace of mind.
If the car does not have records and assuming it runs, request the owner to run the car up to normal operating temperatures (do not drive it yourself) and observe things like the oil pressure and water temperature. If the car performs adequately you may adjust the price for the cost of the needed service(s) and proceed with your purchase or you can walk away. If the owner refuses to warm and operate the car, walk away, it's your money you can be as particular as you want when spending it...
In the case of my gt4, I had some records back to the original sale of the car new in 1977 (it is a 1975) but they were of little use once I actually got into the mechanics of the car. Much of the work was poorly done, jury rigged, or accomplished by people who shouldn't be allowed near any car, much less a Ferrari. As I spent more time digging into the car I was able to repair, adjust and correct the problems turning the car into a reliable long distance high performance tourer. You will have to determine how much of this can or will be borne by you and how much will be borne by your wallet. Once the correct services have been performed and the fluids, belts, hoses, etc., changed all previous issues with condition should be resolved...

 

The 3.2 is a solid motor. I have 115K miles on my 328, and the motor never has been opened. The last time I had it on a dyno it made more than factory numbers. Factor in the price of a major service, including new injectors and setting the valves, and go for it. These are stupid simple cars by today's standards. Take a CLOSE look at the cosmetics and for missing parts.

Tool rolls and jacks are crazy expensive for what they are, make sure they are there. It not, and you think you're going to need them to sell it on, you're looking at additional costs.

 

I know everyone is trying to help, but I think you missed the first post.

The main reason the OP is interested is because this car has been serviced by HIS mechanic for the current owner. So it seems that the mechanic is going to be intimately familiar with this car. Assuming it has been a few years, there has been a belt service. The mechanic can bring OP up to date on what service he has done for the current owner, and then figure out what it needs, and what issues remain. This does not seem to be a problem.

As to "high mileage", only in Ferrari land is a 25 year plus car with 62,000 miles considered "high?. What is that, about 2500 miles per year? I know these cars need some extra care and feeding, but I think lack of use is the worst thing for a car like this.

If the 3.2 checks out with the mechanic, then figure out a fair offer, knowing that every used car is going to need some $$$ to take care of issues, and then drive it!!

Regards,
Jerry

 

If the price is right, buy that sucker.

 

OP - you got any PICs of the car to show us, lets see!

Cheers

 

I agree with uberlink who wrote: "If the price is right, buy that sucker." My 1986 coupe had 44K and now has 52K miles. I use vigorously as a daily driver and it just kept running better and better with only two repairs. The first was probably my own fault when I replaced the hydraulics with cheap Alpha units. On a 90F day I was running 7500 rpm and scattered the clutch disc. Took both Alpha units with it. I speculate the weak Alpha units induced an hydraulic resonance and that was that. My local back woods mechanic charged me $2,000 to put in my parts.

The second repair was a rebuilt NAPA starter for about $550 installed. And the car runs much better now then when purchased. Noticeably better starting and idle, and MUCH faster then when delivered. By my estimates from a local 'proxy' 1/4 mile run it is at least 5mph faster. Perhaps as much as 8.

 

Ah, one of my favs! Looks great too.

But keep in mind that it has TRX tires on it (metric wheels). If you're unfamiliar, do a search here in the Mondial forum, loads of great info.

For example, my post from another thread:

 

Great looking coupe! I don't think you can go wrong on making a bid for it !
If it helps, you can use the Hagerty's classic car value, (Enter make=Ferrari, -skip model- Enter year of your car)
http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch

Best

 

Well, you're in luck because the 3.2 was offered in both 16" and 390mm and they look identical. The 16s come up on ebay from time to time.

One year old TRXs? That says something to me; someone made an investment towards this car.

 

This thread has the best answers that I could find in one place:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-parts-collectibles/438383-16-oem-convex-wheels-yokohama-tires.html

Basically no for the early 328 wheels and maybe for the later ones.

It may be worth noting that Ricambi lists different part numbers for all of them.

 

Excuse my language, but any car is as good as it last service! all those stories I have red are
people who think that low milers are the best buy. Al those cars are not reguraly used and sufferd dry rubbers, gaskets and all kind of horrors. Drive your car at least every week is a lot better, my car has done 171.388 km,s ( and yes for al the fans: it has a full sevicehistory) the engine has never been opened, I have my second clutch an the gearbox is still strong.The car never leakes any oil, pulls strong and has absolutely no rust.
So.................buy the damn thing!!!! they won't be this cheap for long, for all the pessimists:
keep on dreaming, while we drive our Mondials with or without the service history.

Mondial for ever!
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