1990 Mondial t

I can only speak from my recent forray into the Mondial. I have an 89 coupe that I love and enjoy. I see no major gremlins in these engines. I have learned much and corrected minor issues simply looking on here. I can't speak for that particular car but I am toying with the idea of selling mine. If you would be interested send a mail to [email protected].
As an afterthought...low low miles does not necessarily equate to a trouble free car. I believe it be the opposite.
My 2cents.

 

Hi Ronbo

I've had my Mondial t since January this year. The only thing that has gone wrong was the radiator, that I had to have recored when the weather came warm in April. The car toured France this year for two weeks, and had no problems at all. I have owned a 348 TS, which was OK to drive, but was a little skittish at speeds around 140mph, and I had a 355 TB F1, which was gorgeous to drive fast, but very difficult to drive slow in traffic. The Mondial t has got the 348 engine, so a reasonable amount of power, and sits lower in the body than the previous Mondials, and it has got the adjustable suspension from the 355, so it is the most relaxed Ferrari I have ever driven, whether fast on an open road, or slow in traffic. The airconditioning holds temperature well, and the car holds an amazing amount of luggage, more than my previous BMW M3.

Personally, I cannot recommend it highly enough. For me, it's the perfect car!

 

Why don't you get a Mondial 3.2? The 4 seat 328.......

 

+1

Or get a 328, the two-seat Mondial.

 

you seem to be in my garage except for colors.

I have a '95 456 and a Mondial T cab red/tan [currently at work with me wife took the 456 to girls-night out :| BBQ and beer for me ]
anyway.
miles are very low, which isn't a bad thing for that area in that CA cars see more time driving: but, with only 500 miles per year, I would make sure everything is in order.

- The seats with those miles should be PRISTINE! period. if not, I would question the mileage, the speedo senders sometimes go out and the previous owner....may have been a bit remiss in fixing. Seen that a few times.

- You must know, that the 348 as 355 engines are an engine out belt change. This usually for a non-DIY runs about $7.5k-8.5K in CA
- minors every 15K run less but are not inexpensive.

- MAKE SURE the fluids have been changed regularly: like in my case as FNA recommends, every year...I do it for peace of mind, albeit, many here will poopoo the concept. Guess what, I have no issues for a few dollars more. My deal, perhaps not others.

- Make sure that during the last major that it was within 3 years. If they claim 5 years, then I would worry about several items of which I will elaborate:
a. did they do the water pump...low miles, sitting, little wear makes for crummy bearings in my mind as
b. tension bearings
c. WHO did the work
d. does it pass SMOG: CA, Big issue.
e. how's the alternator?
f. Did the service the A/C and DOES IT WORK!
g. are the climate control switches showing some play before they activate: seems they are either all ON or OFF, very little in-between, if so, then negotiate.
h. Clutch/brakes....make sure they are in order
I. Are those blasted seat-hamsters/mice running properly and all the time...
j. Make sure the radiator looks good under inspection
k. FUSE BLOCK: CHECK!!!! is it warped, or have , heat damage, crinkling? you will need to check that out or [if] you can find one
runs about $1-1,200 k new..IF you find one.
l. Check the top up and down, do the latches look good, if not, negotiate = ricambiamerica has nice replacements.
m. Make sure the little nibbs that hold down external covers are working.

NOW: having said all the scarrrreeee stuff. The car should be fun. and practical ... I use mine to shop groceries, CAMPING [ya'] and just have general fun: h@ll even carted a tree and plants from the nursery a few times....put plastic down for the bag of soil

it is a ROAD HUGGER! great little quick pony. you'll love it in the corners. Has GREAT looks...I've been debating for last few months to put it on the block and move to another F-car...but every time I see it, like wife drives it away, I fall in love with it's 'classic' looks again. BETTER Than the 308 328 or those earlier Mondials! period...BUT DO LOVE THE 328 [yummy...might trade the Mondial for that] in terms of mechanics and sophistication. The "T" stands for transverse mount. When they upped the HP to 297/300[so says Ferrari] they needed to increase the size etc. and had to redesign the transmission. They got REAL cleaver on that. They rotated it, put in a different spot and tradaaa. The engine actually sits lower than the earlier Mondials, but has a greater size.

I have a PDF if you pm/email me that will help you in buying a Mondial T and what to look for.

NOW: If you love the 456, this T is NOTHING like it. Sorry, you won't have the same torque nor power you are used to in that HORSE.

LOVE my 456...will never NOT have a 12 cylinder in the garage again...what was I MISSING!!!!!!!!

but the 456's power is more of a GT for freeway and IMO not a great track car at all...that's why I'm not tracking mine...it isn't as, how do we say in English, confident in the corners. Over/under -steer is an issue to me on the 456 as it the higher weight ratio.

the T gives a LOT more confidence.....

there is so much more I can say, but will wait, if there are questions.

I have a couple 'issues' with mine, that would make me lower the price out of respect for the new owner and respect for the presentation of my car. But not much....it is for a 17 year old car, got a lot going for it, and I believe is at it's bottom price and will possibly raise in value over the next 2-4 years EASILY if not stay at the $50k level....it has F1 technology incorporated into it for the first time of which every Ferrari today shares. T was about the first in a couple areas. It has Anti-locking breaks, assisted Power steering, and a few other goodies like adj. suspension. it's a keeper...I'll probably curse the day I sell it, but have been tempted by another :|

SO:
I have about 25K miles on mine now and would look to get $50, so your price on that if in order for the white/tan [nice combo] sounds good, and interesting. I believe it [however, but can be wrong] needs a major.

 

+1

T's rock and are definately keepers. Great fun on the track too.

 

Hi, we bought our t cabrio eariler this year for 44K with 7,300 miles.
Don't know the full history of our car except that it sat for 5 years before Shelton ferrari went through it and did a lot of work on it to include belt service. Looking at the receipts you would not believe what things like rear windshield motors cost. When we got the car we had troubles with an o2 sensor and the suspension computer. But after those first 100 miles we have driven it 2,000 problem free miles. get a look underneath. the cars are very low and I understand many have some type of damage there, just be sure it is minor if it exists.

With the low miles it is almost like having a new car. The shocks are amazing considering they are 15 years old. Rock solid in "Hard" and smooth in "Soft". Thank goodness because these little devils are expensive.

The back seat only exists if someone well under 6 ft is in the front. My 9 year old can not sit behind me when I drive.
It is a really fun car and very easy to drive. The power steering has excellent feel and the power abs brakes are fantastic!!
Good luck, Dave

 

I've tried sending you three PDF's : 348, Mondials and a 456 version for a compare.

but keeps getting returned with you email copied from your PM...can you check your addr again?
rik

 

Before you buy, get "The original Ferrari V8" It has an extensive chapter on the Mondial T, and is well worth reading. It's current to the 348, although it's got a blurb on the 355. Required reading for the older Ferraris.

Art