First 400 miles in the Mondial--thoughts

I looked down at the odometer today and realized I had driven my first 400 miles in the Mondial. For those still in the market, I thought I would post some initial impressions. First let me confess that I am prone to hyperbole. Let me also confess that my judgment may be shaded somewhat by the fact that I have wanted a Ferrari since I was 6--literally. I don't know how I first fell in love, but it has been a lifelong passion. For whatever reason, from as far back as 1990, I always thought my first Ferrari would be a Mondial (so I could share it with others). It wasn't necessarily my favorite, but I always thought it made the most sense--mid-engine, 4 seats--no brainer. I have come to believe, and others may differ, that it is absolutely stunning in black---so as soon as I found a nice black one, I grabbed her. I have owned her for a month now. I have found the experience to be intoxicating on a level bettered only by the joy brought by my family.

Now for my impressions:

Ferrari mystique is real and earned. There is a certain ceremony to a Ferrari. I have driven and owned a lot of high end sports cars, all of which could handily beat my Mondial in any sort of race. However, the Ferrari is not about speed or outright performance. There is something about the experience that I just can't put into words. so instead, what I thought I would do is describe a typical drive. So prospectors, take this description and times it by 3 times a week!

I walk down to the garage by myself and turn on the track lights, which reflect like mirrors off the angles and creases in the mirror black finish. I open the door and shut it to a metallic clack. Immediately, I am surrounded by a perfect blend of purpose and elegance. No b.s. wood, aluminum or carbon fiber, just the smell of rich italian leather and the no nonsense instrumentation pod and the thin leather wrapped wheel with the words Momo and the prancing horse. I can feel my heart start racing as I turn over the engine and am bombarded by the tremendous roar of the engine as it overwhelms the garage. I can hear everything whirring right behind my head...and it is loud! There is something so authentic about the engine sound, its not engineered, its not magnified by some ricer coffee can sized pipes. Immediately, my eyes turn to the gauges like a pilot getting ready for flight. I back her up and approach the runway while I wait for her to warm up. Once the gauges agree, we are off.

I keep things mellow as I leave my neighborhood, they hate me already for buying this car and I don't need to give them any reason to try and run me out of town. You can almost feel the car's frustration as I loaf around at 2K RPM and roll the 1 mile out of the neighborhood. Once out, I make a right onto the long stretch leading up to the first bend. Time to open her up... I can actually feel the car saying go, go go. My Ferrari is almost frenetic. I have never had a car like her. (I joke with my wife that my little Ferrari is like a 4 year old on 3 pounds of sugar). Pull the shifter down to second, match the revs and we are off. The engine sings effortlessly as we cross 4K, 5K, 6K, shift. The car requires absolute concentration and a deft hand to make shifts seamless. Into the first corner, down to third, match revs, on the power and go. I can feel every crease in the road through the steering and I feel like I can drive the car by intuition alone. 10 more miles of this and I turn around for a 10 mile relaxed cruise back home. Once in the garage, I shut the car off and--instant silence. I get out and start my nightly ritual of walking repeatedly around her, admiring every angle.

Objectively, the Mondial cab is not as stiff as granite, but it was well ahead of its time. A matter of fact, it is probably stiffer than an e36 BMW M3 cab. It is also not particularly fast, until you are at illegal speeds, in fact I am certain I could take her in my wife's Honda Accord V6. That being said, dynamically, I would describe her as PERFECT. In fact, on today's drive I heard myself repeating those words over and over as I wound her through one turn after another. Why? the engine is so responsive, its like there is no flywheel at all. I can call up whatever rev I want, almost instantaneously. It also revs effortlessly and never runs out of breath...Oh, and did I mention the sound? I also love the fact that shifter is deliberate and requires concentration. It is not a video game affair like the F1's. You NEED to know what you are doing to drive this car right. And the steering, the steering is sublime and the ratio matches the suspension perfectly. No power assistance to help you, no anti lock brakes or traction control to save you...and you don't need them. If you do your job, she will do hers.

Subjectively, Ferrari's are seductive. They are that beautiful woman you meet, the one that steals your heart and leaves you praying for mercy. She is expensive and she can be brutal, spit you out and take all your money. In all facets of my life I am conservative. I pride myself on being the best husband and father I can. However, I find myself sneaking out every night to be with my mistress, knowing full well that some day she is going to rip my heart out and raid my bank account. To me, that is Ferrari ownership and I wouldn't have it any other way. Porsche guys need not apply...Ferraris make no sense intellectually...they are the ultimate passion and, to me, the Ferrari Mondial 3.2 is divine.

Looking back, I can't believe I almost gave up on this dream and bought a Porsche. Nothing against them, they are superb cars. However, they are the car your banker tells you to buy, the Ferrari is a whole other thing.

sorry for the long post.

 

Great post Joe, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks.

Regards,

Josh Ferguson

 

I told you that you just didnt get it when you bought the 993. Great car.....just not a Ferrari. Now you get it.


So, How would you respond to the guy asking about a ferrari.....saying how they love them.....then buying the porsche? Not quite the mistress are they?

 

Need more detail.

(Also great post.)

 

I literally just finished my fourth trip to the garage tonight. I really can't believe she is mine. There is something so sensual about a Ferrari. Danger. Every time I get behind the wheel, I can feel her pushing my foot down on the throttle and waiting to exhale. when she is hiding in my garage, I keep sneaking down to her and, once there, I can't take my eyes off her. When I am behind the wheel, I can't think of anything else. My heart races, my palms sweat, and I never want to leave. When I get home, it's back to being daddy.

Definitely my mistress...and definitely not a Porsche.

 

Great post!

 

Great description and I agree with most of what you wrote. My Mondial t is a very special car.

(But my Ruf Turbo R (Porsche 993) is a pretty nice car too.)

 

I thought seriously about a new Cayman to replace my wrecked 330 2+2...but went with the 308 QV and have not regretted it...my wife says I get the same wierd look on my face while driving the 308 that I did when driving the 330.

Yeah, I'd would like to have an early '60s Super 90 if a multi-car collection was feasible. But, if the extra cash becomes available, I'll probably buy another 330 to keep the 308 company.

 

I have absolutely nothing against Porsche. But their design comes from an entirely different place. They are exceptionally well made and exciting cars in their own right. The ownership experience is entirely different. Porsches are engineering marvels, but Ferraris are a whole lot more...at least for me.

 

Joe, nice write-up....and a belated congrats on the Mondy..

 

Welcome to the club - I've put 13,000 miles on my 3.2 cab and still get the same feeling.

 

That expains how I felt when I first got my t smiles all around felt like a kid getting a new bike. It was delivered at 1 am from its West coast to East coast transport. Video and photos as if it was a newborn and of course my first drive to the gas station as it arrived empty. My neighbors hate me too I have track cats and a Stebro exhaust so it is pretty awesome but I don't go to slow I want them to hear me. The only thing that kills that feeling temporarily is that I belong to an exotic car club where I will on occasion take out the 430 which drove me mad and pushed me to change the exhaust on the t. The 430 is just brutally awesome and some day maybe but definitely a 360 in the very near future. I drive the the Mondial t as much as I can and I love driving it. It looks, sounds, and feels great! I just had major service done on it in June and I have 500 miles on it since. I did have it up to 150 and it seemed to have more in the gut amazing the sound made it seem like 200. Always getting the usual follower using the phone video and comments all of the time draws alot of attention. I am very particular with it and I scold the wife when she shuts the door to hard. She just will never understand.

 

Congrats on owning your first Ferrari. Words alone can not describe the whole ferrari experience, it's one of those things that you have to experience for yourself to fully understand, but your write-up was very good and I'm sure that other owners can relate. Sounds like you have the Ferrari sickness bad, but thats a good thing, enjoy the drive.

 

Same feeling, only you want more and start getting kinky . .. newbies/virgins often mistake the way I roll for abuse . .. some ladies like it rough . . . okay I'll stop now .

Cheers,
sean

 

great post. Who wants cold teutonic engineering, when you can be seduced by an Italian mistress.

 

Great post and a Mondial C is my choice also.

 

12 years later -- same Ferrari

It's still amazing everytime you walk up to it, but now it is also like a member of the family as we have been through so much. With little reliability tweaks added over the past 12 years, its like we've grown up together - and we're still growing. My daughter grew up in this car while watching mom's minivans come and go.

The perfect small Italian Grand Tourismo.

 

9 years in and still in love! When I mentioned a while ago to my daughter I was thinking of selling to buy a 355 she said (all of 11 years old) Pa, I'll divorce you if you do! Still have a daughter................great post and welcome to the world of ferrari passion!

 

Welcome, Joe. Nice write-up.

 

I know it's not expensive but like you i still can't believe i have a Ferrari.

Walk past it and see the Ferrari emblem and say to myself "that says Ferarri..I own a Ferrari!".

Nice post.

 

Despite the fact I have had mine a long time, it is only when you see the Public's reaction to one you remember..."Oh yea, it's a priviledge to own one, they are RARE....."

And then I smile...it makes the wallet spankings a little more bearable...

Great Post, Joe, welcome to the family...

 

great thread!

 

I got my hirst Ferrari (86 Mondial3.2 c) in January.I agree with everything you said.I just love opening the garage door and seeing my 2 red babys.Freeari and Harley .

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. But why shift at only 6k??? " You should here her at 7800" ...

 

I am still working the nerve to bring her past 6.5K. Give me time, JEEZ!

BTW, my mistress apparently thought my post wasn't "hot" enough, because when I got in the car on Friday, she refused me the privilege of air conditioning, or any fan use whatsoever. So, I read that as, I am not spending enough time under her hood. I am spending my Sunday popping fuses and seeing if I can turn her on.