Decision to buy | FerrariChat

Decision to buy

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by The_Jeste, Aug 18, 2015.

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  1. The_Jeste

    The_Jeste Guest

    Hellow very one,

    I am new to this forum and I wanted to have some advice from all these specialist on this forum! (mind the messy English, I live in the EU)

    I was thinking to buy a Ferrari Mondial my budget is (22,089 USD)
    I've seen some around 11,045 USD to 16,567 USD.
    I really want to buy one but haven't got a clue what I should look for...
    What year, manual or automatic, what problems could I have when I buy one and the owner did take good care of the car? How do I see the bad things with the car when I visit the sells person? What should look for (common problems?)
    How expensive are the parts and where could I get them?

    Sorry for all the questions
     
  2. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    Hi Jeste,

    First let me say welcome! I wish you all the best in your quest.

    There is a huge treasure trove of info here. Just search the forums and you'll find the answers to all your questions..as well as differing opinions.

    Here are my opinions.

    Spend more money up front now, or pay WAY MORE later. This adage has proven true with every Ferrari owner I've met. In all but the most rare circumstances of course.

    First I would say decide if you want a cab or coupe. That will narrow your choice down from 7 to 3/4 models. The automatic (Valeo) only came in the t model - very rare and very hard to come by with your budget (In USA at least)

    Next look at the 8, QV, 3.2, and t. Ask yourself which 'style' you like best. In today's world - you don't buy a Mondial for performance and/or reliability.... but for qualitative visceral reasons.

    You can't...that's why you get a Pre-purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic. They will quote you X to bring it to stable running condition, double that. 2X is what you should expect to bring in good running condition.

    These are old, exotic, low production cars, assume everything will be wrong. Hence the PPI you need to get.

    Expect about 10X what a part would cost for a regular car and 10X what a normal service would cost. You can google for many of the parts.

    Hope this helps!

    Cheers
     
  3. 123howie

    123howie F1 World Champ

    Jul 3, 2014
    16,017
    El Segundo CA
    Full Name:
    Howie
    All are manual shifting, its just with a Valeo you have no left foot clutch, and those are rare and very pricey.
     
  4. Indyjones

    Indyjones Karting

    Jan 28, 2009
    219
    Pacific NW
    Well, for $22k, it's going to be an 8 or QV. That narrows down the search.
    Regarding parts, there's a cross reference list that you can use in case original Ferrari parts are no longer available or too expensive.
    Good luck with your search. Remember, you're not just buying a car, you're also getting a rich history & heritage with Ferrari...definitely worth it. :)
     
  5. 123howie

    123howie F1 World Champ

    Jul 3, 2014
    16,017
    El Segundo CA
    Full Name:
    Howie
    And miles of smiles.
     
  6. Leighton360

    Leighton360 Karting

    Mar 31, 2014
    212
    South Wales UK
     
  7. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

    Nov 25, 2010
    11,070
    LA
    Full Name:
    Todd
    Read, read, read this forum, but don't wait too long.
     
  8. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 25, 2010
    2,903
    Central Florida
    +1000 on advice to read everything you can on this forum and buy as soon as you comfortably can.

    There is too much info that you need to know to become an informed buyer to give you here in one response to your questions.

    FWIW, I joined and read this forum for 5 years before I bought my Mondial then bought mine when I:

    1. Saw the market moving upward on these cars and figured that in another 5 years I would not be able to afford one.
    2. Found the right car being sold by someone who could answer all my questions without any "stories" that did not make sense or match the condition of the car.
    3. Had a PPI done by a qualified and experienced Ferrari mechanic.
    4. Asked the mechanic the same questions I asked the owner to see if the answers matched.
    5. Actually drove the car for 20+ minutes or so to make sure everything "worked" for me.

    I think, in today's market, your budget is going to buy you a Mondial 8 "driver" quality car. I you are in Europe, it is going to buy you a car that needs a lot of work.

    Some may say you can do it cheaper, but in the US a good, reliable Mondial is going to cost you 25-30K, whether you pay that upfront, or pay less then put the money into getting it up to reliable standards. Add another 10K to that if you are buying in Europe.

    Either way, make sure you have a few thousand in reserve to pay for unexpected expenses. Missing the fact that a small item does not work and needs to be replaced could cost you $500 in a heartbeat.

    Also, the usual advice to buy the best car you can afford.
    Alden
     
  9. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
    Full Name:
    Wade O.
    Not much more to add to all of the posts above but I'll reiterate... these are now "old cars" and many have been neglected (deferred maintenance and then some).

    With this in mind, other criteria to consider... the size of your wallet (before purchase and during ownership) and/or the quantity/quality of your skills (DIY).
     
  10. Indyjones

    Indyjones Karting

    Jan 28, 2009
    219
    Pacific NW
    Not taking credit for these links, here are some (most are 3x8 cross reference, but remember, Mondials are mechanically nearly identical):

    Part cross referrence list Ferrari Mondial

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/64460-308-328-gtb-gts-dino-gt4-parts-cross-ref-thread.html

    http://www.ferraridiy.com/parts/Parts%20X%20Ref%20PDF.pdf

    There's quite a few more out there :)
     
  11. dfranzen

    dfranzen Formula 3
    Owner

    Aug 31, 2013
    1,577
    Ponte Vedra Beach , FL
    Full Name:
    Don Franzen
    Leighton

    I placed the links that Indy gave up in the "sticky" thread too for future reference
     
  12. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

    Nov 25, 2010
    11,070
    LA
    Full Name:
    Todd
  13. Leighton360

    Leighton360 Karting

    Mar 31, 2014
    212
    South Wales UK
    Thanks very much .. a fantastic community exists on this site ...
     

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