Mondial- those two "extra seats"

Uh oh...

Alright, before the Mondial owners log on, the truth is most people think of Ferraris as two seaters. So, the market values of Mondials tend to be lower than for their more iconic cousins. Also, the body style tends to generate less excitement among enthusiasts. Does that matter to you? It probably shouldn't, because Mondials are handsome cars, and ultimately it's about your aesthetics.

Your mechanic may have recommended you look at the Mondial T because it has the more powerful 3.4L engine from the 348 series and is relatively inexpensive compared to the two seaters. The important thing to keep in mind is that while you will pay less for a Mondial -- making it a good value -- you will also be selling a 4-seat Ferrari if/when you sell, which will bring less.

One other consideration: if you like open top motoring, the targa tops on the 308/328/348 are more convenient and durable than the Mondial cloth top. Make sure you try one before writing the check.

So, buy the car you really like, because they all cost money to maintain, and it's a dream car:

If the Mondial gets your juices flowing, buy a Mondial.

If the 328 does it for you, buy a 328.

If the 348 is what you think you really want, buy a 348.

 

As a Mondial owner:

1) First, if when you think Ferrari, you think 2 seats, AND you plan on never using the rear seats, why are you considering a Mondial? The two rear seats are infinitely desirable, if you wish to carry more than one passenger in your car. However, they are not particularly useful to someone who has no need for them.

2) I'm not sure why your mechanic is specifically encouraging the T model of the Mondial. You should research the differences between the T and the 3.2, and pick the one that suits your needs better. I vastly prefer the 3.2, and think it is overall a better car than the T. Certainly, for my personal preferences in a car, it is. Yours may vary, but you should at least become educated and make an informed decision.

 

Well, if you need to haul stuff then definitely look at the t Cab.
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Keep it simple. If when you think Ferrari you think 2 seats, and you don't have a burning desire to buy a Mondial, don't buy a Mondial. If you just want a ferrari to have a Ferrari, then you are going to hate it the first time that big bill comes. Personally, I would advise you to keep an open mind, look at all the F-cars in your price range, being mindful of the various maintenance costs (for example a 308/328/Mondial QV/3.2 are generally cheaper to service than a 348/355/Mondial T, because the engine doesn't have to come out when you do the major). Once you have found your dream car, whether it has two seats, four seats, or is a fricken double decker bus, you will never look back and never question your decision.

I wanted a Mondial. Always have... Absolutely love them and loved the idea of sharing drives with my family. Your mileage may differ.
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As Mondials go, the "T" will cost the most. It will also be the most expensive to maintain. The "T" has a longitudinal engine, while the earlier Mondials have a laterial mounted engine. The 328 Mondial is probably the best bet. As far as the rear seats go, it's more of a luggage area than rear seating. Only small children would be comfortable, or one adult, sideways.

 

I seldom seat 4 people in my car at once. Though my 2 girls will come for a ride with me. Also just came back from a Long weekend on the Island with my wife that would not have been possible in a 2 seater.
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I agree with the others above. A 4 seater is infinitely more functional. I use my Mondial much more than my 308. But that being said, I do enjoy driving the 308 more when it's just me. Nonetheless, I can't share the 308 with the whole family. Nothing is more cool than putting the kids in the back of the Mondial on an ice cream run.

Birdman

 

What he said.

Joe

 

I notice in your photo DAVE M that you have installed a special hand brake that actually works is this a Hill Engineering addition or is it oem.

 

Putting two of the kids in the back seat of the 3.2 mondial cab and driving to the local italian restaurant with the top down is a lot of fun. Couldn't do that in my 308.

 

The rear seat of my Mondial has carried kids, adults (even myself on joyrides), baggage, two large suitcases, servers, my daughter's back pack to school and it also allowed easy access to the front bank via the access plate when I did the valves. You can not do that with a 308/328/348.

I second the opinions of the 328 vs the 348 for the first Ferrari. I peronally know two other owners that enjoyed their 348 and 355 until they did the first major. Their cars were sold shortly after.

 

You miss the point of the rear seats. When you see the girl thumbing on the freeway with backpack and guitar...they're for her backpack and guitar.

 

And, although this may not apply to you, larger drivers fit in the Mondial, whereas they might not in a 3x8, for example.

I tried getting in a 328 once. The only conclusion I could come to is that Italian families bind the feet of their male children. ;>

FWIW, I also really enjoy the true convertible part of my Mondi. The top only comes up if I'm trapped in severe weather conditions.

 

I rarely use the back seats, but bought the Mondial 3.2 Cab because I liked the way it looked and it is a full convertible. Don't really see the big deal about two verses four (really occaisonal) seats, many sports/GT cars have small jump seats and don't detract from appeal.

The car is very easy to get in and out of, but the back seats in a cab have little leg room, there is a reinforcing bar under the front seats that makes your feet unable to find much room. Small kids only, or sidesaddle for adults...

The shift quality in the 3.2 is better than that in the T, different linkages, although neither is really that great.

 

+1 ...I started out between a 328 and Mondial and after talking to MBracing i bought a 348 and have not regretted it yet.

thanks again Matt...lol

 

I was initially looking for porsches since they seat four and discovered the Mondial t. It does everything well and retains the fun to drive quotient in spades. I agree I would have bought a two seater, but I love having the kids and wife ride along on the joy rides. The Mondial is very interesting because its appearance continues to improve the more you see it. It does not photograph as well as it looks in my opinion and it is fun because there are not so many that you see yourself coming and going. Also with kids in the back people are immensely more courteous. It also allows a lot more usage. That being said might as well get two cars so that you have both experiences.

 

When I was looking to buy my first Ferrari, I wanted a Mondial. Brad and my wife talked me out of it, and I bought a 348. That got wrecked (not by me), and I bought another 348, a spider. Then I got a 355, a 360, and then a 430. After I bought the 430, a friend was selling his Mondial t. I bought it.

Get the Mondial. Expensive to maintain, but you can put stuff in the back seat, it has two trunks, so you can pack stuff, and it looks like a classic Ferrari, in the 308/328 style from the front. People have to guess at what the 430 is, but everybody knows what the Mondial t is.

Art

 

If you want an fcar with a drop top and a back seat you have only one choice. Wasn't a huge fan in pictures but in person it really looks fantastic.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words!
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Greatest car on the planet to go camping in, nobody believes how much stuff you can pack in Best place to do it...Le Mans!

 

When I purshased my 3.2 cab I was looking for a porsche 911 cab. Then I discovered I could get a 3.2 mondial cab for approx the same price. I did not buy a T because of higher maintain cost. Sometime I regret : especially when I enter or go out my garage, because it is a curvy and dangerous access and no power steering. When the car is running, it is OK.
I wonder why ZIFF said : 3.2 is better than a T ? Is it a personal point of view.
Personnaly I prefer outside look of the 3.2 because of "enlarged" wings and big air intake. It looks more sporty and aggressive. The t is too much thin on my view. But concerning driveability, I suppose T is better. And it has " position switchable suspension, ...
I would like so much to try a T and compare the driving pleasure.
What about engine and chassis and brakes ? Did anyone make the comparaison in his F life ? 3.4 engine is a new engine. Is it very different , excepting 30 more HP and major service cost ?
My regret on the 3.2 are :
Steering is sharp and precise while driving but still a heavy feeling. For me I cannot imagine having fast driving in severe curves for a long time, or very tiring experience, whether this could be easy with my 1st car : subaru impreza turbo.
What about the T on this point ?
Gearbox is to short on the first gears. I think this is ridiculous in a GT car. But that is my opinion. As the engine is very torquy, now I use the 2nd gear as a 1st, and with this way of use, the general feeling of driving is more acceptable and pleasurable as a GT should be.
To finish my article I dont want to repaet what has been said : Ferrari+4seater+Cabriolet = loveable living everyday dream !!

So, my ideal mondial would be :
bodyshell of a 3.2cab, more power in the engine (350HP for example), powered steering, longer gears, ( and why not, lets dream in another life 300kg less. Polyesther shell. Like for the 308...) For me this would be THE BEST. Sometimes I dream about this car and I think it could be a great great vauable project...

My 3rd car would be : 1970S porsche 911s targa, 2 or 2.2 or 2.4, for the lightness, great engineering and aesthetical design. But this would not replace the mondial. Different dream car.

Hope my words did not hurt the F purists.

 

I am still so pleased with my decision that I made just two months ago. There is nothing that gives me more pleasure than taking my Mondial 3.2 QV cab out for a drive to anywhere. It is just such a nice rag top, with all the head turning you can handle. It fit into my budget really well as I am concurrently saving for college for the three little kids I keep shoving into the back seat. The car is beautiful, with its sexy lines and more leather than a Natuzzi factory. Like Birdman said, it's great when you want to take the whole family for ice cream, but I also wanted to add that it's great when it's just me and I can slide through the gears and hear that glorious Ferrari engine sing, with the wind sliding past and forget everything. I forget its a 2+2, (or 2+3 in my case). It really is the best of both worlds. I believe the ideal sports car is the one that lets you enjoy it the most. For me, the Mondial 3.2 QV cab is absolutely the only answer.

Jay
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Jay- Love the color combo

Did you happen to get your Mondial from Car Connections in West Chester? It looks identical to a car they had there a few months ago.