Thanks in advance for any answers to this question.... Correct me of I'm wrong.... Isn't the Mondial the only Mid-Engine 4 Seater, Full Convertible, RWD, ever produced by a major automaker? I've been told the 911 is technically rear engine and not "mid" Thanks again for comments in advanced; hope car buffs can educate me on this question. Cheers
I believe this is true for the cabriolet, and it is often cited. The coupé isn't (Lotus Evora is mid-rear engine RWD 4-seater, for example). The Mondial cab should continue to hold this distinction for a while, as I believe the planned Evora cab will be two seats only. 911 is definitely rear engine.
My 86 Mondial has copious seating in front. In fact, it is the only car I ever owned in which I can wear my cowboy hat without obstruction. And while it is true I CAN adjust the front seats forward to make room for small shin bones those shin bones would best be supplied by small dogs. The Cabrio might ferry four adults about, but I have my suspicions the experience would be memorable in the way the Spanish Inquisition was memorable. The rear seats look delightful, and are prodigious grocery shopping bag drops. But otherwise. They amount to less then a practical joke as actual seats.
My GF kids sit in the back quite often and they never really complain. The older one is 6 ft but very skinny. We did Hershey to Philly both ways and were still happy.
4-seat mid-engine uniqueness. I love it. We do 3 or 4 to brunch quite often. clearly my 7 year-old daughter and very petite wife are built for the car (or vice versa), but dinner runs with others haven't been bad. Check out the recent pictures in the Mondipalooza thread. Lots of smiling back seaters. People do sit diagonally with legs towards center.
Mondial only 4 seat, mid-engine, convertible, in the world… I love that aspect of this car - the two other cars that come close are 1) Porsche 911 (rear engined, not mid) 2) Lotus Evora (there has been talk about a convertible - but nothing so far) So the Porsche is still the closest car out there that pretty much matches the Ferrari. So why didn't I go with the Porsche? I saw about 4 911s on my 1 hour drive around town - how many Ferrari did I see? Just mine.
Here's an oldie but goodie: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76vtL1yFht8]Ferrari Mondial Autocross training - YouTube[/ame]
It's why I bought one. I have two young sons, there is no other Italian option that also has a real manual trans. The shift away from manual trans industry wide dissapoints and perplexes me.
... sorry, you can't sit in the back of an Evora, I tried a couple of months ago. In the Mondi, you can, even though the legroom is an issue depending on the front passenger's size.
... and why I chose it as my 9 & 11 yr. old sons can ride along. It still amazes me that Ferrari managed to keep the styling nice while moving the cabin as far forward as they have. While driving your head is actually under the windshield. Now as a 6'4" driver I am going to modify the seat rail to get the extra 2" of legroom basically making the seat behind the driver useless. Cheers, Greg
Thanks for all the wonderful comments my friends. sweet928 - I totally agree with you man, I think a lot of it has to do with how more and more people just don't know how to drive manual anymore - you combine this with the additional cost of having two transmissions - and I think the corporate bean counters come down and say - drop the manual. Especially since a lot of the clientele are rich young folks like Mr. Bieber that probably never shifted a gear in his life. Yup Dave - I love the GT4 - I love being able to put the top down though!!! afterburner - I really like the Evora - but the 60K, Lotus being bankrupt, literally the same engine as the one in my 2011 Toyota Sienna Minivan and no full droptop all combined to nix that one! Greg - wow 6'4' Impressive sir; totally agree with you on the style - I think time will continue to be good to these wonderful machines!
Perfect for my kids, as is my 928. It's the reason I own both a Mondial and a 928. BTW, I've driven adukts back there for multi hour drives without complaint. Granted they were skinny and under 5 foot 7.
Rachel's rear parcel shelf is perfect for my 25 pound Maine Coon (Red Fred Countach). The cooler and beach chairs go in back. Passenger seat is reserved for GF. My God, there's a ton of room in this car !! Cheers, Hank Image Unavailable, Please Login
My 88 cab has a reinforcing beam just under the back of each front seat, prevents rear seat persons feet from being able to go under the front seat, so the front seat being forward or rearward positioned makes little practical difference in the rear seats viability. Do other mondial years not have this brace intrusion? If not for that the seats would be okay for kids/pre teens, but the legroom in mine is tight.
Hank, that's too funny. Thanks for sharing. Here is our passenger. Zorro Image Unavailable, Please Login
hank: that cat is pure relaxation - I must admit, I for whatever sick reason can watch hours of cat videos on youtube - yeah, I know I'm sick lino: your dog looks like he's livin' the life!! all that's missing is a big bone!
