To Mondial Or Not

I just did a $10k major but the next one in 7 years should be half that. If/when something goes wrong parts are expensive. We drive between 5 and 7.5 thousand miles per year. We budget $2k annually towards the car which covers annuals and majors and misc issues that may crop up (I have new in box B pillars ready). Need a new windshield header/top gasket soon.

A good experienced mechanic or a great amount of DIY skill makes the difference. Otherwise it could be a very frustrating and disappointing ownership experience. It's like Ducatis x 5.

It's worth it.

 

Spent 20k on mine. 6k when 1st bought it. 14ish the last few yrs doing 30 service plus more. Owned the car now for 12 yrs. Could have shaved off a few thousand but had a case of while i was in there. Good news is these cars are going up in value.

 

Every time I glance at e-bay I have the Mondial angel on the right shoulder and the 348/355 devil on my left. 355 is probably one of the most beautiful cars ever made. 348 is pretty sweet also. F1 trans is great as long as it works, valve guides, headers, computers, cats, heat and ac control issues, map sensors and connectors, engine out major service every three years and so on. Then my Mondial angel smacks me up side of the head and reminds me, remove rr tire and wheel well and replace belts and tensioners, remove lr wheel and wheel well and replace clutch, Mine is a euro, no cats, no air pump, mechanical fuel injection means no computer, I can replace all belts along side the road ( I have done it), Repair and maintenance for even a hillbilly like me is not to bad. But I LOVE the 355!!

 

I don't know what you expect to do with the car but read my post here:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-discussion-not-model-specific-sponsored-algar-ferrari/477804-ferrari-dream-lunchbox-workers.html

 

Interesting that there are no Mondials on ebay right now.

First time I've seen that.

sid

 

The calm before the storm?😄

 

That's a good thing. Means owners are sticking with those cars to love and enjoy. From what I've seen, long run ownership means cars are being properly maintained. And once rarity has a lot to do with value and vice-versa, it's all good! Sid's right though: this isn't a very common situation.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

Turn-left: Your assessment is good. Following that guidance, your car should improve during your tenure as owner until it is essentially 'blameless'.

The experience is different from BMW, but also rewarding in different ways. I don't think anyone here has a single regret with regard to owning one of these.

 

There are, however, at least 7 Mondials listed on Autotrader... a couple of 8's, several T's, and a 3.2.

As we have always said in the antiques/Doll business: Rare does not equate to desirable, or valuable. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder/owner/enthusiast...

 

Just looked...actually there are 12 total, including 4 T's and (3) 3.2's.

T prices in the $40k+ range is decent.

 

That is great! Keep on looking to find the right one for you. I think for a DIY guy the Mondials and 308s are the last generation of cars that are easy to work. Anything after that has more complex electronics that need special tooling that are TOO expensive to buy for yourself so you have to visit the specialist once in a while.

 

I wont say it's good or bad. I'm now on the hunt for a mondial cab sooner than I thought I would be and have corseponded with several of the sellers on ebay as well as other places. Many of those cars have been there a long time and the prices keep slowly going down, which is great for buyers. IMO Mondials are just about at the bottom of their curve and should see a real uptick this summer and going forward.

 

In some ways it's the same as purchasing any car from the 80's. At 23 to 30 years old all the rubber is potentially bad, fuel and coolant lines, suspension bushings. Even if serviceable they aren't what they should be. When I purchased my car I spent about an hour going over repair receipts. I like to see a car that has been driven some over the past year to three. Past performance being the best predictor....

On mine I printed out a generic used car inspection list and went through it to try to keep my head about myself. I didn't have any surprises when heading home with it.

There are cars out there that have been driven but maintained. Many with new fuel and coolant lines, many with rebuilt suspensions and upgraded electrical. Just have to find them. And if they are drivers the premium for one of these isn't as high as it should be.

Good luck.

 

+1 !

 

How much is a good doll house these days? And how often will I have to change the curtains?

 

Seems like T prices were just in the low 30's. I just bought my QV last month. However, I've been looking for over a year. From memory, it seems that QVs and 3.2s were in the low 20's (with some in the high teens), just a year ago.

I was specifically looking for a QV or 3.2, so I didn't really pay much attention to T prices last year.

Some of you may disagree with me, but I think some rise in price is a good thing. It might encourage the restoration of a few more Mondials. It might encourage people that have cars sitting idle in their garages to get them roadworthy. I truly think a modest rise in price will lead to more roadable/driveable Mondials.

Sid

 

+1. Right on the money there.

 

Do your homework make sure it has been fully maintained. Read all the posts you can to see what potentially can go wrong. I bought my first Ferrari at a good price so I thought but in one year of ownership I replaced so much the bill totaled $40 k. Unluckily lucky for me I had the money to foot the bill to repair it back to where it needed to be. Parts that break on these cars are expensive been there and done that. Don't get me wrong even though it cost a lot of cash I learned some valuable lessons. Never buy a car without a PPI, never buy because it is a good deal cheap price, and don't buy if no service history exists.

Since then I have owned two other F cars a 360 spider, and 430 and now the orange road cone I am driving now all purchased with following these simple rules. Don't let your emotions of ownership sway you into a bad car.

 

Hello,

I own 89t for 4 and half years now and up to now I have rebuilt an actuator for back shock, window motor rebuild and belt service ($4k). Other then that it's been pretty good.

Just buy the best example and stay away from cars that have not been cared for..... As everyone warns parts are not cheap.

Good luck!

Lino