Mondials For Sale

so are you saying your 964 is up for sale?? haha. Since you have driven/owned both what are the differences between them in your experience?
I joined F-chat a few months ago in researching what my mid-life crisis weekend driver I'd buy. I joined Rennlist also. I've been agonizing for months over which car to buy. Mondial 3.2 or T or a 3.2 911. it's crazy to see the prices for 911s with close to 100K miles equal to or higher than Mondials with half the mileage. I've learned that how a car is maintained is more important than the miles on it. Still the market for air-cooled 911s is astonishing. While this weekend driver is primarily for my enjoyment I'd like to be able to take my two young kids out with me for Sunday drives. The Mondial looks roomier and more comfortable in the back so I would guess it gets the edge on that front. But more important to me is the drive. I want a car that feels like a fast, agile sports car more so than a GT car. I've never driven either car and I would have to make a 6 hour drive to Chicago to test drive either. So any insight you and others here may have would be greatly appreciated.

 

I’ve owned a couple of 964s, one was a turbo. They are my favorite car in the entire world and I regret selling my turbo so much because now I have been priced out of them. I would say the 964 is a little more of a sports car than my Mondial T coupe. But the Mondial is every bit as cool and fun to drive and gets more attention. It’s the old Porsche/Ferrari comparison. They are both awesome but totally different animals. I looked at four 964s a year or so ago and all four cars needed 15-20 grand in work right off the bat and that’s just what I could see on the surface. I know this because I basically rebuilt one of mine and I’m pretty familiar with them. The sellers wanted a gold mine for them and wouldn’t negotiate. The cars were literally ragged out. It really turned me off and I’m still kind of turned off. A guy brought his 56000 mile C2 to my house the other day and it was flawless. I was second guessing myself and was wondering if I should have gone that route but for what he paid to get that car I could have bought my Mondial and my Porsche 968 and still have 10 grand left over. Not worth it IMO.

 

I'll chime in here again to say that the reason I am selling my car is not related to it's "cool factor." As far as cool goes, I don't think there's too many cars I'd prefer to own or drive from a practical standpoint. The reason I'm selling is to free up some equity, but ideally, I'd like to win the lottery tonight and never have to sell it. It's cooler than the other side of the pillow.

These cars are awesome and literally stop people in their tracks. It's almost annoying, here in NY, when I go for a drive and the cell phones come out for pictures, random questions are asked, and people assume I'm rich- "how much does one of those cost?" "you must be doing well".

I get three types of looks: Admiration/smile, corner of the eye pretending not to look, or an angry FML type of look.

The best way to describe this car is having "soul". I've driven several cars, many of them excellent, but they just don't have the same feeling as this car. It is an event to get in and drive the Mondial. It envokes emotion, tingles the senses, and always puts a smile on my face. I've come close in other cars, but not to level described here.

 

Thanks for the POV. Had I hit 40 ten years ago I could have had one of those 911’s for a ham sandwich seemingly. I’ve seen several nice looking Mondial QVs for sale that are tempting. Is the difference between the Mondial T worth the premium. an additional $10-$20K?

 

Actually, my '86 isn't a 964. It's a 3.2 Carrera. The 964s weren't introduced until 1989 and they shared production that year with the last of the torsion-bar cars. As for driving dynamics of one versus the other, I can't speak adequately to the Mondial as I haven't owned one yet. I've driven about a half dozen of them over the past couple of years as I've been looking for the right car (a QV or preferably 3.2 Coupe) in the right colors and in the right condition. My interest in both the 911s as well as the Mondial (versus something like a Lotus Elise) is the flexibility of having the back seat so that the kids can go along as well. However, now as they're approaching their teens, they're outgrowing the backseat of the 911s. It just isn't as comfortable for them now as when they were smaller. The Mondials definitely seemed to have more room in the back. The Mondials that I've driven didn't feel as precise and as sporting as the 911s to me, but they have fantastic character, great sounds, great smells, and they're fast and engaging enough to be very enjoyable cars. They're more on the GT side, but there's nothing wrong with that. Neither a stock 911 or Mondial from that era are particularly fast compared to modern performance cars. However, they're good enough. Plus, I'm one that actually likes the styling of the Mondials (especially the QVs and 3.2s).

Billh1963 has had both Mondials and air-cooled 911s. It may be worth sending him a PM to get his perspective on how the cars compare to one another.

Agreed on your entire post. I edited it down to focus on the 997s. These seem like incredible bargains right now - especially on the early 997.1 cars. However, the typical IMS concerns coupled with bore-scoring and other minor issues have kept me away from them. They look great, drive wonderfully, and sound fantastic. Not as direct and simple feeling as an AC 911, but definitely not bad...

2cam

 

That is really a very subjective and personal decision. When I bought mine, I don't believe the premium over a 3.2 was more than a few (under 5) thousand dollars. Personally, I didn't want anything older than a 3.2. So if you think a QV may fulfill your needs, you will definitely save some money, but give up certain things. I think both reliability (a relative term with Ferrari's! ) and power improved with each variant. Even today, I find the 300 hp t is plenty relevant and enjoyable, even with a 600 hp BMW in the fleet.

It would behoove you to try to drive a QV in relatively good shape to see what that baseline is. Then drive a 3.2 or t as a comparison. Given the power increases, the best way to get a feel is drive the least powerful car first, as power is a great seducer!!! .

Regards,
Jerry

 

thanks Jerry. You guys on this forum are an invaluable resource. I DD a Tesla Model S and the whack jobs on the Tesla forums are unbearable. I usually go on various forums for advice and ideas. This is one of the best I regularly read. There are two Mondials I am making the 6 hour drive to Chicago to check out. One is at a dealership, North Shore Classics. It's an '86 coupe with 55,000 miles. Asking price is a few dollars under $40K. I like the Blue Medio color. The other is '88 Cab with 48,000 miles at First Class Motors Direct, asking $36K. I would most likely employ Fluid Motorunion in Naperville to do a PPI.
However, my favorite looking Mondial is this http://www.gallery-aaldering.com/collection/ferrari-mondial-qv-convertible-one-of-only-629-made-rare-colour-scheme-only-22-986-miles-en/

 

Frosty, the Cab that you mention has been floating around for quite awhile and has been listed on ebay multiple times as well as on other sites. As for the Coupe, it actually belonged to billh1063 a couple of years ago. As of mid-June, it was in Los Angeles. I spoke to the owner then. Perhaps he sold it to the group in Chicago-land? Kinda strange that they're using the same pictures that the Los Angeles seller was using. You may want to ensure that they actually have the car in their inventory before committing to a 6 hour drive to see it...

2cam

 

I contacted them a month ago and they claimed to have it. I was planning to make the drive this Saturday so I’ll call them to make sure. It’s great to know the owner history. I have a business trip out to LA in a few weeks. There are two Mondials at Beverly Hills Car club that look like project cars that I’m slightly tempted to see in person. In reading about that dealership on the Porsche forums they are not very well regarded though. Specifically in regard to how honestly they present vehicles. They often put “mechanically sound” on cars that need major overhauls. But I guess if they start up they label them sound.

 

Interesting...

I have the seller's contact info that had the car in LA in June if you would like to have it. Send me a PM. It's probably best not to publish it publicly - they're not a FChat member.

2cam

 

I think after 05 ish those problems pretty much went away. I had an 07 997 Turbo that had close to 600 horsepower. Fastest thing I’ve ever driven, like insane fast. Off throttle though it was so boring. That car never lit my fire like my 964 turbo did so I sold it after three years. I would really only be interested in Gt3 or GTS version of the 997.

 

Saw this thread and thought the Mndial community ought to know a wonderful Mondial is coming to market for the first time in a long time. Cant hurt to dream right?

https://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1955-ferrari-500-mondial-series-ii/

 

The Mondial t is an incredible car, it's amazing how much Mondials changed from '88 to '89. Larger 3.4L 300HP engine, mounted longitudinally and 5-6" lower with a dry sump. ABS, power steering, electronically adjustable suspension. Much nicer interior and seats (in my opinion). Probably forgetting something else, but it's a different car vs. the 3.2 and earlier versions. I have owned a beautiful Mondial 8 as well, but the t is just worlds apart.

 

Interesting to read about the Porsches... I'm as amazed as I am bored by the new 911s (post 2005). They are incredibly, wonderfully engineered cars... so much so that they are a snooze... especially off throttle. A pleasemt conversation is more likely than an exhilarating thrill ride... and computer assistance is so prevalent that the passenger experience is approximate to the driving experience.... A Mondial t on the other hand is a true Ferrari experience at an incredible bargain.... exotic, fast, balanced, engaging.... visceral. Put a tubi on it and WOW... that's an experience. In my opinion there is no comparison. But as noted, it's just one mans opinion... and I do like and respect the Porsche. But a Ferrari..... come on.

 

100,000 mile Mondial for 30K on ebay...

http://r.ebay.com/KZAJ6M

 

And I thought Ferrari’s self-destructed at around 40k miles! I would say it’s a good deal, but with BHCC you need to look closely.

 

I was really excited about this one - color was right, year was right for me - but this looks rough in the pictures, especially at $30k. Too many cars with MUCH less milage on it out there in that price range.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about mileage. Mine has 68K miles on it.

I'd be more cautious of BHCC. They usually sell "project" cars. Take a good, hard look at their cars, with a good inspection before purchasing. I think you can get a good car from them, just be very cautious about it.

Sid

 

Can you tell me where the other $30k cars are? BHCC is often the lowest price on certain cars, even though you can't trust Alex's "mechanically sound" criteria. They also have a $79k Testarossa that doesn't look terrible.

 

I had some spare Autochecks and ran one on the t Coupe on Denver Craigslist. Seller said the car was a 1-owner purchased in San Diego. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but the Autocheck says 2 owners and 20+ years in Ohio. Still seems like a decent deal.

 

Nice 3.2 cab on Vancouver CL. $35k assuming they priced it in CAD.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/cto/d/ferrari-32-mondial-cabriolet/6650531716.html

 

Those pics look very familiar.

 

Yep....I've had both QV and 3.2 Mondials. Currently own '72, '76, '85 and '86 911's plus a couple 996's (have owned a 993 C4S and a 997 in the past) what do you want to know?

 

People will never learn...It's a vicious cycle.

Cheap cars are more expensive.

 

I just posted a Mondial 3.2 for sale in the "for sale" section of Fchat.
Posted for a friend.
All the info I have is in the for sale section.
Ask me no questions, I don't know price.
There is a contact phone number for the person handling the sale of the car.

Thanks,
DavidJ