Droving a Mondial, 1984 with 92K miles

The seller should part it out. You should return the keys, up your budget, and look elsewhere.

I would never run a car that stinks like gasoline. There's probably a failing fuel line or bad injection system bit. Either way, it's a serious fire hazard and you don't want to see what happens when a mid-engined car catches fire a few feet behind your head.

Run.

 

11k tops

 

Car prolly needs 12, 15, 20k to be nice. Either walk away and look for a decent car or make some low ball offer (6-7k) and just drive it for what it's got left.

If you do get it replace every fuel line and hose including the filler and tank connectors.

 

I agree with bullfighter. This is a parts car. Trust me, these cars can gulp money faster than you can pour it in. Just based on what you have said, I would estimate it will cost a minimum of $20K just to make it a decent driver. Spend more now and get a decent car. This one is a fright pig.

Dave

 

I would be afraid to drive it. What happens if the timing belt breaks when your behind the wheel?

Of course I wouldn't totally give up on the car either. It is not for me because I don't have the time or the skills to get it where it should be, but if you have those things, it sounds like an excellent project car. Afterall, most project cars are completed out of love instead of Ca$h.

If I lose money on an investment I get mad; if I spend money on a Hobby, It's expected.

Still, I would have to get it for a GREAT price.

My 2Cents.

Daryl

 

Personally, I wouldn't have taken the car if I wasn't interested in the car or at least near the asking price. I wouldn't have wasted the guys time. IMO taking the keys and driving it for a day means you should be seriously considering it at the asking price or close to it. Not to sound cold but why do that to someone just because you can? IMO I think it would be dirty to take the car back and offer him $11K or even $15K. If you thought it was worth $15K tell him that up front and then if he gives you the keys ....... Anyway, just a different point of view.

 

It needs belts NOW and toss in a water pump, and track down the gas smell. Change the brake fluid. AC may just need gas. If the car warms up and isn't overheating the heater core may be blocked; or whatever. The other stuff can be fixed. I don't know, but for a handy guy who's going to do all this himself, I'd pay $11k and have a ball!

Ken

 

Gotta love the puppy dog close.

 

Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun

 

Not that different. Car dealers will do anything to get you behind the wheel, and selling a used car privately is also easier if the buyer feels like the seller has already done him a favor.

Bottom line is we've established the car is embarrassing to show, last service was done during the Clinton presidency, the cockpit smells of gas, the tires are ancient and warning lights are on (so those work). I'd also argue the seller is putting the buyer's life at risk. I don't even want to think about the legal repercussions if the brakes fail (with the e-brake already broken) and he gets hurt.

For $15K, go out and get a nice Porsche 911 ('80s) or 914. Or bank the money till you can get a Ferrari worthy of your hard-earned cash.

 

Head lights: There's a cold solder connection that often fails. If you just pull on the headlight switch (being careful to do so slowly and not lose the ball bearing), you can just re-solder the connection. That solved the issue with my headlight not raising.

AC doesn't work: Could be low on freon (R12) or there could be hose that burst. Check near the dryer (under the front bonnet by the passenger side) and check to see if any of those lines have burst (easiest to see/check.) If not, you'd have to spend more time to look around and see where else the hose may have burst.

Heater very hot or cold: Rheostat or mix motor may not be working.

Rear window not going up all the way: Over time, the grease used to lubricate the windows turns to an epoxy like substance. If it's functioning a bit, likely you'll need to clean-out and re-lube the motor and cables.

Front tires are bald: Michelin TRX in a 240/55-390 size are expensive... like $400 each expensive. Look for a 16 or 17" rim alternative.

Emergency brake is broken: The handle doesn't stay up. You push in the button on the e-brake as you pull up to disengage, and just pull up to engage. But to help ingress/egress, the handle will always return to the floor.

Service Due lamp is on: This can be reset under the front bonnet. There is a switch on a black box on the passenger side of the front cowl.

Last 30K service was done 16 years ago at 41K miles: OUCH! That's a long time (and 51K miles) on the timing belt. That would worry me. Figure $4-5K for a major service. Add more for a new water pump and replacement hoses.

I have a Grigio Mondial (coupe, not cab) and I actually like it really well. Not super fast, but plenty quick enough for fun drives on the weekend. Pic in my profile (click avatar.) For this particular car though, it seems like it would need some work. A new top would be about $2K, $5K for a major, $2K for new tires (or a tire/wheel combo), miscellaneous stuff might be another $3-5K. Just my $0.02...

 

While I understand the poster who felt you shouldnt have taken the car if you wernt interested, Ive also been around the banana cart enough times to know when a curbstoner is looking for a sucker. Four time eBay dropout, one confirmed sale that fell through on inspection, your probably his and the cars last hope. Its like that 7 year old German Short Hair at the pound whos been there a year and time is running out for the old guy. The truth is all of us have our line we wont cross, and dogs or cars are really no different. Sooner or later someone is either going to buy it or stop its clock. This car sounds like its screaming for someone to love it.

Of course it could be that beotch of a dog waiting to bite her masters hand, ya never know. Just remember there are no cheap Ferrari's. And someone else said "if you cant afford a good Ferrari, how will you ever afford a bad one"?

But if I can offer you any advice you should burn into your brain, NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER buy a Ferrari without at least a compression test, unless its truely a parts cars at a parts car price you cant really lose on. If with all you see on this car isnt enough, adding a bad engine to it would really kill the thing. Dont let red mist cloud your vision.

 

I just noticed you're in California.

I recall from earlier threads here that the SELLER has to get the car through smog tests in your state. Based on your description, I'm betting it won't pass. Just for grins, see if he's willing to get it smog tested as a condition of sale. Should be a revealing answer.

 

It sounds like you had a very passionate experience with the car. It is important to put that passion aside and let cooler heads a vile, but still the thought of owning that Ferrari is eating you up inside isn't it? I can only imagine how I will feel when I am in that position in a few years. I only hope I can take the advice given to me by these much smarter and cooler headed individuals!

 

My opinion is to let her go as you most likely will put atleast another $15K into her. I say look for one that is anywhere between $20K-$30K that will have little or no mechanical issue's that need resolving. I personaly have bought car's with cosmetic issue's, which is irrelevant to me if they are not major, but the engine's were solid.
I can deal with minor cosmetic imperfection's as long as I know I'm not going to need a tow home.

 

I wonder about the accuracy and repeatability of that test. Just my $.03

 

I dont care what anyone on here says, nobody would sell a Ferrari that runs for under $15K, even a Mondial is worth that in parts. Can you post some pics of this car so we have more of an idea what your looking at??? Also, did you go out looking for a Mondial, or was there a specific model that interests you??

 

It sounds like a good car for a guy who can do the work himself. Like me! Except I already have one! Find me a cheap fixer-upper 348, will ya???

Birdman

 

For that money I think you'd do better with an '80s Porsche 911, if you can rationalize those two little things behind you as "rear seats". If you need rear seats that a person could actually sit in, a BMW 3 series convertible is probably the right car in your price range.

More importantly, make sure you get some seat time in a proper Ferrari. Noisy they will always be, but I think my 328 is the most comfortable cockpit I've been in from a 'boy racer' perspective. It's not a car for getting the groceries.

 

Part of the heavy steering is the TRX tires. As soon as I changed from those TRX and metric rims to 17" wheels and modern tires, the steering lightened considerably.

As for noisy and smelly... there's something amiss. My Mondial doesn't smell of fuel at all. It's certainly not quiet, but it's not offensive either. The Mondial is quieter than the 308 I had before. Sounds like this car needs to be thorooughly gone-through. I'm sure the fact that it's a cabriolet doesn't help with noise abatement or block some of the exhaust smell.