Hi, I am looking to buy my first Ferrari, I would like something with 4 seats so my young children can enjoy it too! I prefer the styling of the Mondial over the GT4. I am looking for a car that I could use regularly say upto 7K miles/year and have a budget of around £15K I have seen cars ranging from £8k to £20K, I have seen what looks like a nice 1985 prugna car at Rardley motors Surrey (I am based in the midlands in the UK) for £12K and a nice 86 model at an independants for 15K both seem to have comprehensive historys. My ideal spec is a QV 3.2v in Blue Chiaro. I am pretty competent mechanically and have rebuilt half a dozen coach built 60's Lancia's and Alfa's. Is my budget sensible? and does anyone have any pointers as to what to look for/who to go to? Many thanks, Phil
Phil, Most won't agree with me because there are no absolutes in an insane arena such as ours, especially in a 'what to pay for a used mondial' topic. If you purchase on the low end of the scale, plan on 100% of your purchase price in needed service and while you are in there repairs. If you purchase in the middle scale, than 50% and in the high part of the scale, 25%. Current market for Mondials - 20k - 40k Negotiate your lowest out the door price on what looks like a clean Mondial but in need of a major service then take that purchase over to a qualified Ferrari mechanic, drop it off for 6 months and multiply it by the scale above and thats what you can plan on spending for your new Mondial in the first year of ownership. Some are able to do a lot of the work themselves and save a bundle, look at Nino's thread for example. So if 15k is your purchase price, plan on spending another 15k and then you will have a nice, somewhat reliable, wonderful to drive Mondial for 30k In my case, i have multiplied my purchase price by 70% and I still don't have it back. I say go for it, you only live once, its only money and you can't take it with you so go get that Mondial or whatever ferrari suits your fancy.
With the currency exchange prices are matching above for the most part. So many variables with the age of these cars. I think service in the UK is cheaper than what we pay here in the states. Find a good mechanic and have them look over anything you are interested in. Once sorted they are fantastic cars. I put 18K miles on mine in the last two years with no mechanical issues. I purchased mine for $23K and put about $10K into it in service and repairs after one year of use. My costs since the service have been low. Much of that service is what I call restorative work, cooling and fuel lines. It was an amazing experience to work on. I had a fantastic time tearing it apart and fixing it up.
Hey Phil, Greetings to you in the UK - from Sunny Southern California, USA (may rain tonight) You say that you are looking at a Prugna coupe at Rardley? Think of it man, that car could be your "Prugna Queen, UK Edition. A most amazing/unique color, totally elegant - noteworthy without all the "normal bright red or silver" shoutings. It is a metallic color (FER 306/C - prune like) that is so rich and vibrant, while at the same time, brought back down by the inclusion of an amazingly earthy brown tone. My perception of the end result of the paint chemist's offerings (as regards Prugna), is a presentation of brightness and darkness, reds and browns. That paint code was just too cool!!! Rachel and I are fine with her original "resale red". But honestly, If I hit the lottery today, Rachel would be in the paint shop TOMORROW, for a "bare metal" Prugna repaint. Wrap your brain around this - - if we chose to not use a black or pearl colored limo in a royal procession, the Princess could very easily, and with ultimate confidence, step onto the grid - - from a prugna colored limo - and there's room for kids as well !!! OMG Do it, mate - - your eyes, your brain, your soul & YOUR KIDS , will not allow you to regret it !! Cheers, Hank
I've had my Mondi for over 3 yrs and am having a great time driving and working on it as you may see from the pic. tho' as a couple of good friends have told me... there's no such thing as a rust free ferrari. so go for it drive the wheels off it and measure your ownership by smiles per mile Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Phil, I am sure you are going to hear from many faithful Mondial lovers and every one will differ, the truth is you should make your decision on what is good for you and at the same time learn from everyone else's experience here. My story: My car was a low miles garage queen, never saw rain and driven on sunny days. She was well taken care of and maintained well considering its 12000 miles. I have recently completed a major and then some. I paid 40k Canadian which may be on th high side but I wanted a clean well documented car and I got just that. I have spent $5200 on a major because belts time expired and changed the water pump etc.. I have also spent about another 1200$ on a rebuilt alternator, shock actuator rebuild, and a few odds and ends. I love the Mondial and I really like the Mondial T because of the engine layout. Good Luck and take your time. Lino
Yes, do take your time & buy the best example you can afford. Do get a pre purchase inspection from an independent shop. Don't be emotional. You'll have many opportunities as you don't seem hooked on "resale red" as a color. Cheers
Hi, I just wanted to add that having been an owner for 8 months now, what I paid for my car does not mean what I have to spend total out of pocket for this expensive weekend rider! The cost is still going up for me... Every Mondial will need about $10k reserved for maintenance and replacements just waiting to happen. So, a Mondial in the $15k - $30k range will soon be a $30k - $40k car if you plan on keeping it and you want to be a proud owner and show it off. Expect to ultimately pay that much to be in the club! These cars are not rational at all, you can not compare it to any other car for the same selling price. You are either in it, or don't get into it. But as everyone here can attest, once sorted, its worth every penny spent! Just my .02cents ! Happy Motoring and buy the best Mondial you can ! -Mike
Sometimes the Gods smile and it's not so bad. I spent $22K to buy and then $3,500 on major service and repairs. It's run great since then. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280659
Very reasonable and possible. If I sold my car now the next owner should be able to do just belt services for some time to come. And in truth I had no fuel or coolant leaks so my cost of ownership might have been much lower, but with my plan to drive my car all over the States I went further than was required. If I'd been told how much I would have put into it I never would have purchased up front, but now I don't miss one penny of the money I spent, the car brings a lot of enjoyment to me in use and sharing it by allowing friends and family to experience and drive it. I even did a 1500 mile trip with a good friend that I grew up with. Can't recommend the car enough, but it is important to have money to fix the unexpected. Nothing worse than a car that sits because you don't have one or two thousand to throw at it. I hope you haven't been scared off by this.
Hi Hank, I think I saw Rachel in a video of the Concorso Ferrari sunday May 22, 2011 in Old Pasadena, CA. (video of Rachel 2:17 - 2:40) [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8pCss4YZY0[/ame]
Hi Mike, Right you are, that's the old girl showing off in Pasadena Get this - - the judges liked Rachel's unique attire and minimal use of "bling", to the point of awarding us a Platinum in Class !!! Now that was fun Thanks so much for thinking of us and posting this In a few short weeks, the Pasadena event will once again be upon us. If you, or any of the rest of our Mondi Tribe, are anywhere near or anyway able, do come to this event on Sunday, May 6th. It truly is an AWESOME Event !! Cheers, Hank
Wish I can go buddy, boy do I miss southern CA, lived there 5 years. I would definitely take my Robin there. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to seeing more of Rachel around. Do post some pics if you can in May. thanks, Mike
I like the Prugna one at Rardley been for sale for a while. Where is the one for 15k sterling you are looking at ? I have a 1987 3.2 and got it from Kent High Perfromance about 5 years ago for £16200. You don't see things straight away and I didn't notice the slightly different shades of rossa corsa it had hence a £3500 respray. The delamination in the corners of the front and rear screens was another thing, they set me back another £3500. The clutch that gave up a month later £650. Next was a ignition amplfier that died £80. New belts £650. I also wasn't aware of the TRX alloys and Tyre expense and set about looking for 16in T wheels, another £1500. The heater valve also chucked out water as it was blocked but this was cheap to rebuild, parts from the States for £30. All the badges were rather tired so I replaced them which was another £300, again something that didn't really jump out at me when I bought it. Other small bits like door mirror glass on both side were loosing their mirror effect, window trim clips, black window trim repaint, relay upgraded headlights, upgraded bulbs, new heater vent grill and door mirror switch £1000. There is other things but I cannot remember right now what they are. Whether you spend £12000 or £15000 you will end up spending money on it, for things you find that are not quite right or not to your liking. In a short period of time my £16200 purchase price became £25000 odd. Have a good hard long look at what you are buying. The upside though is I have a well sorted 3.2. LOL Neil.
Yes it's shame he has gone because I have a friend of mine with a Mondial 8 for sale he could have had a look at.
Nope not scared off, just out working in Spain but that ended early so I am back in the UK but out again middle of next week. The 15K red one is at a specialist (not Ferrari) in Leicestershire. All the advice is really helpful and has not put me off but confirmed how careful the purchase should be. Nino, where abouts in the UK are you?
I am in Bolsover Derbyshire just off Jnc 29a of M1. The mondial that is for sale is also in Bolsover.
Hey Phil, I realize that I may be starting to look a bit over the top with my love of the color Prugna - - but ........ the children seem to agree with me Bugatti thinks it's pretty special as well. I like their dual shade approach here. Cheers, Hank Image Unavailable, Please Login
Although the Bugatti is nice, this would be more realistic with my budget, a Prugna Vino, lol ! Buon giorno! Image Unavailable, Please Login