First 400 miles in the Mondial--thoughts

I looked down at the odometer today and realized I had driven my first 400 miles in the Mondial. For those still in the market, I thought I would post some initial impressions. First let me confess that I am prone to hyperbole. Let me also confess that my judgment may be shaded somewhat by the fact that I have wanted a Ferrari since I was 6--literally. I don't know how I first fell in love, but it has been a lifelong passion. For whatever reason, from as far back as 1990, I always thought my first Ferrari would be a Mondial (so I could share it with others). It wasn't necessarily my favorite, but I always thought it made the most sense--mid-engine, 4 seats--no brainer. I have come to believe, and others may differ, that it is absolutely stunning in black---so as soon as I found a nice black one, I grabbed her. I have owned her for a month now. I have found the experience to be intoxicating on a level bettered only by the joy brought by my family.

Now for my impressions:

Ferrari mystique is real and earned. There is a certain ceremony to a Ferrari. I have driven and owned a lot of high end sports cars, all of which could handily beat my Mondial in any sort of race. However, the Ferrari is not about speed or outright performance. There is something about the experience that I just can't put into words. so instead, what I thought I would do is describe a typical drive. So prospectors, take this description and times it by 3 times a week!

I walk down to the garage by myself and turn on the track lights, which reflect like mirrors off the angles and creases in the mirror black finish. I open the door and shut it to a metallic clack. Immediately, I am surrounded by a perfect blend of purpose and elegance. No b.s. wood, aluminum or carbon fiber, just the smell of rich italian leather and the no nonsense instrumentation pod and the thin leather wrapped wheel with the words Momo and the prancing horse. I can feel my heart start racing as I turn over the engine and am bombarded by the tremendous roar of the engine as it overwhelms the garage. I can hear everything whirring right behind my head...and it is loud! There is something so authentic about the engine sound, its not engineered, its not magnified by some ricer coffee can sized pipes. Immediately, my eyes turn to the gauges like a pilot getting ready for flight. I back her up and approach the runway while I wait for her to warm up. Once the gauges agree, we are off.

I keep things mellow as I leave my neighborhood, they hate me already for buying this car and I don't need to give them any reason to try and run me out of town. You can almost feel the car's frustration as I loaf around at 2K RPM and roll the 1 mile out of the neighborhood. Once out, I make a right onto the long stretch leading up to the first bend. Time to open her up... I can actually feel the car saying go, go go. My Ferrari is almost frenetic. I have never had a car like her. (I joke with my wife that my little Ferrari is like a 4 year old on 3 pounds of sugar). Pull the shifter down to second, match the revs and we are off. The engine sings effortlessly as we cross 4K, 5K, 6K, shift. The car requires absolute concentration and a deft hand to make shifts seamless. Into the first corner, down to third, match revs, on the power and go. I can feel every crease in the road through the steering and I feel like I can drive the car by intuition alone. 10 more miles of this and I turn around for a 10 mile relaxed cruise back home. Once in the garage, I shut the car off and--instant silence. I get out and start my nightly ritual of walking repeatedly around her, admiring every angle.

Objectively, the Mondial cab is not as stiff as granite, but it was well ahead of its time. A matter of fact, it is probably stiffer than an e36 BMW M3 cab. It is also not particularly fast, until you are at illegal speeds, in fact I am certain I could take her in my wife's Honda Accord V6. That being said, dynamically, I would describe her as PERFECT. In fact, on today's drive I heard myself repeating those words over and over as I wound her through one turn after another. Why? the engine is so responsive, its like there is no flywheel at all. I can call up whatever rev I want, almost instantaneously. It also revs effortlessly and never runs out of breath...Oh, and did I mention the sound? I also love the fact that shifter is deliberate and requires concentration. It is not a video game affair like the F1's. You NEED to know what you are doing to drive this car right. And the steering, the steering is sublime and the ratio matches the suspension perfectly. No power assistance to help you, no anti lock brakes or traction control to save you...and you don't need them. If you do your job, she will do hers.

Subjectively, Ferrari's are seductive. They are that beautiful woman you meet, the one that steals your heart and leaves you praying for mercy. She is expensive and she can be brutal, spit you out and take all your money. In all facets of my life I am conservative. I pride myself on being the best husband and father I can. However, I find myself sneaking out every night to be with my mistress, knowing full well that some day she is going to rip my heart out and raid my bank account. To me, that is Ferrari ownership and I wouldn't have it any other way. Porsche guys need not apply...Ferraris make no sense intellectually...they are the ultimate passion and, to me, the Ferrari Mondial 3.2 is divine.

Looking back, I can't believe I almost gave up on this dream and bought a Porsche. Nothing against them, they are superb cars. However, they are the car your banker tells you to buy, the Ferrari is a whole other thing.

sorry for the long post.

 

I literally just finished my fourth trip to the garage tonight. I really can't believe she is mine. There is something so sensual about a Ferrari. Danger. Every time I get behind the wheel, I can feel her pushing my foot down on the throttle and waiting to exhale. when she is hiding in my garage, I keep sneaking down to her and, once there, I can't take my eyes off her. When I am behind the wheel, I can't think of anything else. My heart races, my palms sweat, and I never want to leave. When I get home, it's back to being daddy.

Definitely my mistress...and definitely not a Porsche.

 

I have absolutely nothing against Porsche. But their design comes from an entirely different place. They are exceptionally well made and exciting cars in their own right. The ownership experience is entirely different. Porsches are engineering marvels, but Ferraris are a whole lot more...at least for me.

 

I am still working the nerve to bring her past 6.5K. Give me time, JEEZ!

BTW, my mistress apparently thought my post wasn't "hot" enough, because when I got in the car on Friday, she refused me the privilege of air conditioning, or any fan use whatsoever. So, I read that as, I am not spending enough time under her hood. I am spending my Sunday popping fuses and seeing if I can turn her on.