Mondial Wanted

Welcome Mark,
I see you are looking for a nice Mondial Cabriolet.
Have you decided on what model and year you are interested in ?

Cabrio Years:
QV 83-85 3.0 liter 240 hp transverse engine
3.2 86-88 3.2 liter 280 hp ABS optional except 88 standard, transverse engine
t 89-93 3.4 liter 300 hp w/ ABS and power steering, engine mounted longitudinally

QV & 3.2 cars are engine in while t is an engine out for timing belts.

Find the best one you can afford and set aside $5k - $10k for maintenance.

All the best!

 

Mark:

I strongly suggest you get "the Original Ferrari V8" by Keith Bluemel. It has a detailed description of each and every Mondial model, and is a good reference when you buy one.

Art

 

First, welcome!!

If you read here, you will probably find the sentiment is if you can't afford a Ferrari, you will really not be able to afford a "cheap" Ferrari!!! LOL

This is one of the purchases where you easily get what you pay for because of the relative expenses of repair and maintenance. Deferred maintenance can be very expensive. If you can do some of the work yourself, great, but even some parts are expensive because they are "Ferrari" parts (if you can find the interchange, and many do, they are much less expensive). We also have a good network of parts suppliers here, many board sponsors, who go out of their way to help the Ferrari owners, and in particular board members.

Mondial is an underappreciated car; whatever you spend, you will get good value for your dollars.

Keep your eyes open on the "for sale" section here, you invariably get a much better cared for car than a random purchase on ebay or similar (as you alluded to). Even if you pay a little extra, in the long run you will be way ahead. IMHO.

Regards,
Jerry

 

PM sent re my 85 QV Coupe for sale.

 

+1, there's a lot of good advice on this thread already, and of course checking the buyer's guide in the 308/328 section should also be on your list; even though you're more interested in the Mondial, the 308/328 buyer's guide has tons of good info since the mechanicals and electricals are almost identical.

I'm assuming as a long time Esprit owner, you've already seen how an undervalued car can lead to people buying the exotic without their eyes fully open to the maintenance costs, which then leads them to defer the maintenance to the detriment of the car. At some point, the deferred maintenance will kill the car, and the world loses a Lotus Esprit or a Ferrari Mondial.

But like you, I don't think I fit the traditional image of a "Ferrari buyer." I could not have afforded a Testarossa. Could I have afforded a 308 or 328? Probably, depending on a few things. You're right not to be daunted by a lot of the repair/maintenance issues. The Mondial is not the most complicated car in the world. You can't make it as cheap to maintain as a mainstream Honda/Ford/GM whatever, even if you do the labour yourself, because the parts are simply expensive (and sometimes simply not available at all!), but you can do a credible job of maintaining your car if you take your time and make sure to do everything right. There are many walkthroughs available (yea for Birdman!) for a lot of the jobs you'll have to do, including timing belt changes.

Good luck in your search, and feel free to ask about specific VINs. A lot of the time, people on this forum will know something about the individual car.

 

Mark,

I try to do all of my own maintenance as well to keep cost down and I also enjoy getting my hands dirty.
I'm fortunate enough to own my Mondial, its such a fine automobile but I can't afford my ideal Ferrari, a 360 spider.

Anyways, you didn't say what your price range was, I'm assuming your looking at a QV or 3.2 in the range of ($15k - $25k) ?

 

If you are thinking 3.2 or t, I don't think it will happen or if it does, there will be a reason, like lots of deferred maintenance or very high miles (well over 50k miles). I looked at a t coupe a couple of years ago that was in pretty good condition for its mileage, but had over 70k miles and probably went for just a little more than you are willing to spend. But over the next 2 years, there was going to be well over $10k invested, and a very good chunk was parts. If you can do all the work, that might be something to look for.

Take a look at todays thread of a very nice late model t cab going for $38.5k!

Now an 8 or QV might very well be doable and be pretty nice for those dollars.

Good luck on the search!! Every day you look is one less day you have the driving pleasure of a Ferrari!!

Regards,
Jerry

 

Maybe you can PM this guy! He wants to sell.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371721

 

You beat me to it. I was thinking the same thing.

And to the OP, plan on replacing the fuel lines so you don't lose this one in the same way.

 

Just to add a bit:

Just like antiques, buy the best you can afford. We regularly discuss many that come up for sale right here.

If you're comfortable working on cars, you will find nothing strange about these, and the real experts on the forums will provide all of the specialist details you need when digging deep. They are simpler and more service-friendly than almost anything.

They are really wonderful cars. I don't know anyone who ever had major regrets. Honestly, they are a joy.

 

You need to be prepared to pay much more. Pay now or pay later, as the saying goes. I suggest that if that truly is your budget and you want a truly good car, you stop looking for a while until your finances are much more in order. She can make you smile a lot. But she can also make you bleed a lot. Good things come to those who wait. Sounds like you'd be much better off waiting a few years.

 

Mark, you're already ahead of the game by two steps. (1) you know you want a Ferrari. (2) you've chosen a Mondial to be that Ferrari. The third step you should achieve, is being financially responsible to yourself - - so that achievement of your goal will come at no cost to your and your's wellbeing.

Take your time in learning about the many differences that surround these amazing machines. You may possibly find your focus roving from one target to another (gee, I really like the coupe - even though I thought I had to have a Cab). ((( example))).

The process of doing research can be tons of fun - while educating you about the Prancing Horse.

Cheers & best,

Hank

 

I have my Mondi for sale, here's a link to the ad:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=9932

 

Check this one out http://www.forzamotorsports.com/1981ferrarimondialcoupe-2/default.htm

 

How about that, a running driving Ferrari for $13,500.00. That would be the one.

 

Actually, I think that one's gone. One of the local guys (Chris) just mentioned yesterday that he bought an 8 with a QV motor from Forza really cheap! He's owned a lot of Ferraris and seems eager to start turning a wrench on this one.

 

Nice hopefully he will post about it here looks like an interesting Mondial.

 

yes i know its in uk....way under $13500

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FERRARI-MONDIAL-QUATTROVALVULE-QV-1983-BLUE-/320933749083?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ab924615b