Mondial 8

How is the Mondial 8 coupe to live with? I’ve tried the search feature, but I’m not coming up with many threads relating to the 8. Is it pretty dyi friendly and does it make a decent driver? One has popped up for sale near me, I could probably get it for under $20k. It is definitely a drivers quality car cosmetically.

 

1. If you test drive it pay close attention to the sound of the exhaust if auto sounds are important to you. Since AL has no smog requirements it may sound very nice.

2. How does the fuse box look… neat and tidy or messy. Look for burned white plastic plugs/connectors and receptacles.

3. Original radiators ….

4. Read here in FChat about the hot start problem (often a failed diaphragm in the accumulator. Car won’t start when trying to leave a restaurant which has large windows.

5. The potential problem list is long and expensive. Please do some homework and have the car reviewed by an “old school Ferrari technician” before you get caught up on the “these cars drive like a dream” (which is true) words you will also read in FChat. My experience is: have at least $25k extra (above price of car) set aside for important work. No joke. SG


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If you are not a person that likes to work on your car, I would say move on.

Otherwise, great fun, and DYI friendly is a relative term. If you like wrenching and have experience, could be fun project!

 

The QV, 3.2, and t are all much faster than the 8, and more reliable. The fun in owning a Mondial is that it's so damn great to drive (even daily drive, which I did for a while). I test drove an 8 when I was looking for a Mondial 3.2, and it sounded good but the lack of power made it not that fun to drive. The power difference to all later Mondial models is very significant (and not that easily improved on the 8). I honestly would recommend holding out for a QV or later model.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I do want a car I can dyi. I am no mechanic by any stretch but I am making an effort to learn. I’ve developed quite an interest in auto mechanics lately. This forum has been an invaluable resource and, in the last two years, I’ve been able to handle all general maintenance and repair every issue on my Testarossa. It’s never had to enter a shop. I just had a new garage built and I’m having a two post lift installed this month.

For the last few months I’ve been casually keeping my eye out for a Mondial Cab, QV or 3.2. I don’t have much interest in the T due to the engine out requirements. The 8 was not on my radar until this one popped up locally. I do not really know much about the 8, and there isn’t a lot of information about it. That’s why I wanted to know if there was maybe some flaw, especially since it’s a first year car, that would be a reason to avoid it.

Unless I can get a real good deal, I will probably hold out for a QV or 3.2. I’m in no hurry.

 

If you've been working on your Testarossa, the 8 will be much easier.

I believe 8 is pretty much the same as the QV, except the 4 valves. I would recommend the 3.2 just since it has (depending on who you ask) 90 more hp then the 8. (Somebody around here dyno their 8 and was like ~180 adjusted crank hp) - I tend to believe this since that around the same figure for the Cali Vette. It could be fun trying to wring out every last piece of HP from the 8 though!

 

If you can really get it for under 20K you have alot of financial leeway to take care of mechanical issues, esp. given that you like to work on it yourself. If the motor is healthy with decent compression and there isn't any significant rust on the body, I say go for it. Yes, a good rule of thumb is to buy the best example you can afford. But there's no guarantee that even a better example, particularly one sold by a dealer or flipper, also won't need major work (e.g., new fusebox, refreshed suspension, etc.). So if you know what you're getting into, it can be a positive experience.
FWIW, I have a soft spot for the 8's.