| Author | Message | ||
| Waldo Aikema (Forzarossa)
New member Username: Forzarossa Post Number: 19 Registered: 7-2003 |
@Sam I think you have an awesome car! It looks beautiful. And the Mondial has always been one of my favourites...as are the 308GT4, 308, 328, 400 and 412. But...I think every Ferrari has that special something...that one thing that makes your heart go faster...that will make you nervous, almost inlove... but ofcourse...it's a FERRARI!!!!! :D | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 809 Registered: 6-2002 |
I love the Mondial! I had my first Ferrari driving expierence in a Mondial 3.2 Cab, and that car was NOT SLOW! (airport police busted me for doing 85 on a taxiway. Bah, untowered airport, screw 'em!..) Especially the cabs, are very very sexy desireable cars. And THAT SOUND! Best! Ben. | ||
| Ron Vallejo (Ron328)
Member Username: Ron328 Post Number: 267 Registered: 3-2003 |
And it's gorgeous RED!! First time I saw one (8 version)was just 2 weeks ago at an auto dealer at Laguna Beach, CA. It's really more aggressive looking in person. Can't be not a head-turner.I gawked at it, then heard the shop owner yelled "it's not for sale!" | ||
| Lee Hamner (Tennlee)
Junior Member Username: Tennlee Post Number: 203 Registered: 2-2002 |
That is a beautiful car! | ||
| Sam Germana (Sjmst)
Junior Member Username: Sjmst Post Number: 56 Registered: 7-2003 |
Dom: The the 308 gt4 is a great car. It was the first Ferrari that ever caught my eye. I saw one in the 1974 edition of Edmund's New Car Prices, before I was even old enough to drive. I believe I still have it. I thought the car looked so awesome. Thanks Ron: Here are some pics.     | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 424 Registered: 11-2002 |
Sam, I am the owner of another undesirable ferrari, the 308 gt4. Well you know what? I love it. It doesn't matter what other people think. When I get in it, and stomp on the accelerator, I am happy. I'm glad you are happy with your purchase. And, great writeup. Enjoy, Dom | ||
| Ron Vallejo (Ron328)
Member Username: Ron328 Post Number: 266 Registered: 3-2003 |
I've always liked the lines of the Mondial. They look much prettier in person.. It may be underpowered, but it is NOT slow. Those who "badmouth" the car probably never owned one. You are happy with it...that's what matters. Enjoy. Pls. post more pics. | ||
| Sam Germana (Sjmst)
Junior Member Username: Sjmst Post Number: 53 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks guys. Frank, we are the same age and sounds like we have the same perspective. I appreciate your comments. I always wanted a 308 too, and was sure that was what I would end up with. The four seater is an easier sell to the Mrs. but she would have let me get whatever I wanted (within reason). The Mondial was just in the right place at the right time (and right price). Thanks Again. | ||
| Francisco J. Quinones (Frankie)
Junior Member Username: Frankie Post Number: 204 Registered: 8-2002 |
Guys, you fulfilled a dream... just drive! ENJOY!!! | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Junior Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 121 Registered: 8-2003 |
You know what,Sam. You have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to apologize about! ... Dude, YOU HAVE A FERRARI! I own a 308. LUSTED after it for 20 years,too,and finally got one.(agree with your comment about "standard waiting time") But,you know what? When I was looking for a NICE 308, I came across an Exotic car dealer that only had 2 Ferraris in stock at the time... A Mondial coupe,and a Mondial Cabriolet. I REALLY wanted a 308, because,THAT was the Ferrari that I wanted since I was 17. But,the salesman said; "why don't you just take these out for a little drive,and see what you think". So,as I never had driven a Mondial (of any type) Thought "why not!" So,I got into the coupe,first. I was amazed at how much more roomy and confortable it was than a 308.(which,I HAD driven before.)I am 6'2" and 260#+. I took it out for a drive and I REALLY liked it! Then,I took out the Cab. Same thing,liked that one alot,too! Power was adequete (I am 43 now,and don't street race,or anything. Got that out of my system in my teens and twenty's with muscle cars and Vettes) And,I really liked the fact that there WAS a rear seat,albeit,small,but not unlike a Camaro,Jag.,'Cuda,944,(other cars I've owned)-MOST "sporty car's" rear seats are a joke,anyway. But,I did have 2 small kids,who would have NO PROBLEM comfortably utilizing the rear seats. I was thisclose to getting a Mondial. But,after more consideration,felt that I wouldn't be as happy without a 308-THE car that I ALWAYS wanted! But...If and,or when I can swing it,will DEFINITELY be adding a Mondial-probably a Cabriolet- to our stable. I think that these are great cars,attractive cars.( hey,if you want a 4 seater,and a convertible,what would you rather have. A Sebring,or something,or...A FERRARI ! No contest,there!) And as far as I am concerned. Who gives a rats ass about what other people might say. If I like it,( and YOU like it,) and there are tons of other people that like them. Then,thats all that really matters,right! Never,EVER make excuses for "just having a Mondial" or saying that "it's the bottom of the Ferrari chain". Hey, not that long ago, people were grindin' on 246 Dino's . Saying that they "aren't a real Ferrari" (oh,yeah,tell that to Dino's father,Enzo!)because they "only" have a V6. Look back in the 40's and 50's at how many Ferrari racers had 4,6 & 8 cylinder engines! And,look at the asking (and selling) prices of 246 Dino's now! Apparently,there are enough (plenty) of people that like THOSE cars enough so that their "value" has risen,considerably in the past few years! And,last but not least... A Ferrari is a FERRARI ! No matter what model it is... IT IS A FERRARI !!!!! And,my friend,you have one!! Theres ALOT of guys that envy you! REGARDLESS of whether it's a Mondial. ENJOY YOUR car! | ||
| Lee Hamner (Tennlee)
Junior Member Username: Tennlee Post Number: 196 Registered: 2-2002 |
Great article. Enjoy! | ||
| Sam Germana (Sjmst)
Junior Member Username: Sjmst Post Number: 52 Registered: 7-2003 |
OK, I had been asked to describe the indescribable Ferrari experience. Obviously, that makes no sense, but then neither does owning a Ferrari. Here goes, with more detail than most people will want. I have finally gotten a chance to drive my new 82 Mondial 8 for some length of time. I didn�t know until the buying process began that this was at the bottom of the Ferrari food chain. I was admonished to spend a few more bucks and get..ummm�anything else. Sure, I would love a 328 or 355. But, at less than 20K, this car is a bargain, and I am happy with it. If I could do it again (and I probably will) I will get a quattrovalve, but that�s 3-5 years down the road. So if all you can afford is a Mondial 8 or no Ferrari, I would advise that you go ahead and get the 8. I guess lots of people give reviews of the car, but mine has the distinction of being correct and accurate (insert smiley face here). I re-read an article by Patrick Bedard of Car and Driver from 1982. Not to put too fine a point on it, he hated it. Lots of what he said was true. (un Ferrari like power..or lack thereof). He also called it an �unattractive lump�. I beg to differ, being a differ beggar. Plus, more people seem to agree with me than him. To continue, here are some criticisms people have of the car, and my comments: 1) Bland styling: They�re wrong. 2) Underpowered: They�re right, but many cars are; never can have too much HP. This car moves, and feels faster than it is. It makes great sounds, and there is a kick at any RPM when you mash the pedal. It�ll do. 3) It is loud at 65+ MPH: Very wrong. I could cruise all day in 5th. Quiet and comfortable. 4) Bad pedal placement: Yes, silly, way over to the right, but you get used to anything. 5) I�ve read for years that Ferrari clutches are way too heavy, the steering has too high an effort, and the shifter is too recalcitrant. Only the last point is partially true. The steering lightens up at anything over 1MPH, the clutch is easy, smooth and progressive. The shifter is not BMW creamy smooth, but it�s no problem at all. 6) The back seat is a joke: Eh, it is better than nothing. I was able to fit my pre teen kids back there fairly well. They even have shoulder belts and I�m glad to have the extra room. The front seats fold way forward and getting in and out is easy. Additional comments. 1) This is not the car to drive if you are shy or wish to use to impress the mistress (which of course you shouldn�t be doing anyway!). Notice I said mistress, because I almost never see woman driving these; don�t know why. This car turns heads like crazy. A group of Kings Point cadets turned their heads in military precision and unison as I passed by today. By the way, it does seem to be men who look more than woman. Good thing I didn�t get it to attract a wife (or mistress). 2) The interior is coal bin dreary. All back. I don�t like tacky add ons, but I MAY go �crazy� and add an incorrect but very nice crossed Ferrari flags emblem on the black center console. 3) The A/C is a tease. It is not hot, that�s the best I can say for it. I am hoping that a charge next season will cure that. 4) Specific to my car in particular, I want to remove the aftermarket side moldings, fix the driver�s side window, and the interior door handle. The removal of the molding will necessitate some body work. Also, the antenna, digital clock, and sunroof don�t work. I will fix only the antenna for now. I couldn�t care less about the sunroof. 5) I have some Leatherique leather dye, which I will use to repair some wear on the driver�s seat, and a few scuffs here and there. Other than that, the inside is good. 6) It has only been 5,000 miles since the 30,000K service, but five years. Those 5,000 miles added up to some fairly steady driving. The manual says change the belts at 52,000 miles, with no note on time limits. I will probably wait another year, unless I am flooded with story after story of 5,000 miles timing belts promptly breaking at the 5 year point. Overall, I am pleased. It took me at least 20 years to get a Ferrari, which seems to be the standard waiting period for dreamers like me. People are impressed, either favorably or unfavorable (i.e., what waste of money). Screw �em. There are also people who think cars are in the same league as refrigerators: An Appliance. The best comeback I ever saw to that kind of thinking was in Car and Driver years ago. Some lady wrote a letter saying, to paraphrase, �Why do you spend so much time discussing acceleration, braking and road-holding statistics, etc. All we need to know is how reliably the car will get us to the grocery store� Rather than try to explain to this lady the joys of a fine piece of machinery (which she would never understand), their simple response was: �How did you get a hold of this magazine?� Perfect. Now I�ll continue to enjoy my non-appliance like Mondial. |