Finally got my first Ferrari

Well, it took over three decades of dreaming and 6 months of searching, but #1 on my wish list has been accomplished. On friday I took possession of Isabella-- A beautiful 3.2 Mondial Cab in black/tan. I was worried that actually owning her could never live up to the decades of fantasizing. I was wrong. I have owned tons of sports cars and driven tons of others, but nothing, and I mean nothing comes close to the thrill of owning a Ferrari. My wife and family had been resistant to the idea of a Ferrari since the beginning. They are all wonderful, modest people who are very pragmatic. Yesterday, I got my wife and in laws in the Mondial and set off for a gorgeous country drive. As the sun broke over the horizon on one particular winding road, I mashed the throttle and the engine screamed as we broke 4K RPM on the way to redline. As the Ferrari bore down and set about her business I glanced over at my wife and family...they were grinning ear to ear. In that moment, they got it. A ferrari is something truly special, and I hope that all the lurkers who are on the fence ultimately take the plunge...what an amazing car...simply sublime.

I will post pictures when I can, for now here are some taken by the dealer.

Thank you to everyone who helped me on this search. I had tremendous confidence when it came time to purchase knowing I had the wealth of all of your collective wisdom to rely on.
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Congrats, that's one clean Modial, and love the Black/Tan combo. Enjoy

 

Congrats, Joe. Love the name for some reason.....

Looks like you've got one immaculate Ferrari and it's good to hear everyone shared your enthusiasm. Bet you'll have more relatives at your door next weekend for another tour of the countryside..

Now, back to my lurking.....

 

she looks great! enjoy and enjoy some more, the thrill just keeps getting better!

 

Lovely, crisp Black/Tan Mondial! Congratulations, Joe! Drive it in good health.

 

Nothing but best wishes with it ..... enjoy!!!!!

 

It is an experience that just cannot be explained with words, eh !

Congrats, man. ENJOY!

(Belissima Mondial Nero, BTW !!)

 

Drive her in good health!

Cheers

 

That is a GREAT looking car Joe!! Nero/tan is a gorgeous Ferrari colour combo.

30 years!! Awesome!! Glad your dream has come true friend. Take care.

 

Congrats and enjoy the moment!

I too have dreamed about a Ferrari for 29 years. Two years ago I finally did it, and I still feel the same everytime I start it. Every morning, when I enter the garage and look at Gina (the Italian mistress, a 328 GTS) I go "YES!!!"

Enjoy in good health !

 

Great story!!! Congrats on your purchase. That smile won't leave for many, many moons!!!

JIM

 

Congrats Joe! She looks beautiful and I love the story about the first drive, I can totally relate!!!!!

 

Lookin' good

Congrats!!

 

That is my favorite color combo (same as my current Ferrari, BTW).
Congrats. Enjoy every moment with your new toy.
Things will probably never be the same.

 

Congrats Joe on your purchase.

You summed it up with your families smile upon a little squirt. They do sound good and more importantly great to drive.

May you have many years of fun driving.

 

Congrats!...... I have had mine 2 1/2 years and everyday is like the first, and I still peak into the garage from time to time in amazement to see that increadiable dream sitting there and get the same feeling that I had when I signed the papers at the dealership.

 

Congrats from me too, you're certain to have much enjoyment from your new baby!! Keep posting here so we can share your joy with you! Ciao, Dennis

 

Congrats, she looks fantastic and the mondials are unique in the fcar family in that you can take 4 persons sans top and cruise...awesome.

What really amazes me is that to this day other auto maufactures still don't "get it". Enzo perfected the formula for successful specialty sports cars decades ago and the people who make buckets of money to design new and exciting products just don't get it. Case in point...the new Pontiac/Saturn sky convertible. Finally, and I mean finally an attractive vehicle from GM....haven't seen this since the 60s corvette. But the "commitee" installs a completely pedestrian, uninspiring dog of a V6 as a mill ....WTF?
Another example....Plymouth Prowler. Seriously, spend the dough, develop a streetable, innovative powerful race engine (for eg. the Yamaha SHO) charge double the price and presto, instant classic.

 

Blainewest--
You hit it right on the mark. However, although no car touches the Ferrari in terms of pure passion, there have been a couple of bright spots in recent automotive history which you neglected to mention---all of which shared Enzo's no compromise approach to car manufacturing:

(1) First Generation Dodge Viper-- What a splendid one dimensional vehicle
(2) Lotus Elise- that thing is RIDICULOUS!
(3) Mazda RX-7- 90's addition. ( I was on the fence about mentioning this one, but I Got to give it credit--in the pursuit of lightness they dethreaded the carpets and thinned out the dipstick for goodness sake!

I am not comparing either car to a Ferrari, but in each instance, the car represented the pinnacle of the manufacturer's design capability, while at the same time making few concessions to the committee! The result, in each instance was a cult classic--which I believe will have a following for years to come

 

Hey Joe,

Congrats on the adoption of your newest "family" member. She is a beaut! The joys that await you will blow your mind, and most - or all of your family will be along for the ride !

Drive her in the best of health.

Cheers, Hank - - and my Rachel says "hi" to Isabella.

 

Good points Joe. There are always some exceptions and your three listed are valid I think (though I haven't driven any of them). I personally would put an asterisk with the Elise but just because I think they could've done a better job with the styling..to kit carish for me (objective I know). But I'd loooooove to drive one.

 

Joe,

Beautiful Colors and it looks to be in great shape.

I have always loved the mondial since I saw my first one around the weird science time of release...

When I saw one in person the first time on the road, I was surprised that it seemed a little longer than what I had remembered from the movies or seeing in the magazines.

Have fun with her.

Robb

 

Congrats for the car!!! Really the Black/Tan combo looks awesome. I know your feelings. I'm also a new Ferrari owner. Welcome to the family.

Enjoy in good health!!

 

If I were the emotional type I'd be a little misty eyed right now just thinking about that.

 

nice car...who got to name her?