Last brand new Mondials in showrooms as late as 1995 | FerrariChat

Last brand new Mondials in showrooms as late as 1995

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by robbio99, Sep 22, 2008.

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  1. robbio99

    robbio99 Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2006
    390
    Vancouver, Canada
    Full Name:
    Rob
    I remember seeing an article in some source that said final run Mondials sat as late as 1995 in Ferrari showrooms. Does anyone know of an F-Chatter that may have bought new that late? Very curious if these turned out to users or garage queens. Also curious as to availability to buy such a late run Mondial.
     
  2. robbio99

    robbio99 Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2006
    390
    Vancouver, Canada
    Full Name:
    Rob
    The Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet occupied a unique niche in the luxuxy car market: a four-seat mid-engine Cabriolet with pedigree. The improved Mondial T received a 296-hp, 3405 cc V8 engine mounted longitudinally in the frame. Along with a new engine came a completely new five-speed transmission, electronically controlled variable suspension, and a three-position manual suspension selector. Top speed was 158 mph and the 0 to 100 km/h sprint could be covered in 6.3 seconds.

    The French-registered Mondial T(1991 cabriolet) pictured here has been cherished throughout its life, having covered just 36,700 km. The 40,000-km service was carried out by French importer Charles Pozzi last April at a cost of $7,500. Finished in Rosso Corsa with a black leather interior, the car is fitted with new tires and also has ABS and power steering. The vendor described it as “excellent” in every aspect.

    The above-described Ferrari was recently sold by the Brooks auction house at Nürburgring, Germany for $25,603, which included buyer’s premium.

    It seems our fellow European Ferraristi care less about the Mondial Cabriolet market than we Americans do; is that possible? Low mileage, late model, just serviced, traditional colors—why the lukewarm interest generating a low hammer price, at least $20,000 below what we’d expect to retail a Mondial Cab for over here?

    For VW Passat money, was this a deal or correct fair market value? Let’s talk.

    In my humble, and admittedly biased opinion, being fair to the Mondial Cabriolet is sort of like trying to understand how a White House intern with the mental power of a Crosley Hot Shot could seduce the President of the United States. Well, as they say, there is a bottom for every seat.

    Before you Prancing Horse owners start cringing and calling for me to be burned in effigy at the next Mondial owners club meeting (assuming the electrical systems don’t bug out and they are actually able to get there), I’ll point out the practical positive attributes of a Mondial. In a bigger effort to be fair, I’ll even go ahead and admit that the buyer at the ’Ring seems to have gotten an okay deal.

    With nicely balanced brakes and suspension, a pedal box suited for perfect heel-and-toeing, a cab-forward design and reasonably decent power, these mid-engine rides can be fun with the top down and the bugs in your teeth. If you’re in luck, you’ll never have to raise the top (note the subtle hint about the top mechanism). You can stuff li’l Biff and cutesie Mandy in the back and travel with luggage for an extended period—option boxes rarely found on an exotic car order form. And the exhaust note of the Mondial Cabriolet demonstrates perfectly how a Ferrari should sound. However, from my perspective, that’s it. That’s all you get.

    The virtues do not outweigh the vices, and the vices usually come calling with large and expensive repair orders.

    Miserable convertible top design, temperamental electronics, interior ergonomics from the Bert and Ernie school of engineering, expensive servicing and overall mediocre build quality do not make for an easy car to sell. I haven’t even begun to hammer on the boring exterior design.

    Two franchised Ferrari dealers (who shall remain nameless) refuse to stock these cars under any conditions because of the fear of what they will have to warranty. Give these cars five more years and, like the owners of Land Rover Discoverys, you may need to start carrying a canvas bag to collect all the pieces the car constantly sheds. That may seem harsh and somewhat unfair, but I take the franchised dealer comments as a clear warning about this road-going Andrea Doria.

    If you’re truly interested in buying a Mondial, you would be well-advised to read Winston Goodfellow’s article in the November 1999 issue of Forza, the quintessential puff magazine for Ferrari owners and wannabes. Read between the lines of his well-researched faint praise and muse about your decision.

    Here’s the point: If you take the Ferrari badge off, you possess a very forgettable car.

    —Steve Serio

    Counterpoint: All Ferraris have their quixotic moments. If you want to have a true high-performance, open, affordable exotic with room for a couple of small kids, your list will have only one car on it, the Mondial Cabriolet. So what if you have an electrical gremlin now and then? So what if the top is hard to put up? If you want a stupid, boring car that never gives you problems, buy a Chevy Cavalier rag top. If I were presented with a nicely kept, low-mileage Mondial Cabriolet for $25,000, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. I suspect Mr. Serio would as well, if only to resell it for a $10,000 profit.—ED.
     
  3. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
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    East Central, FL
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    Wade O.
    #3 Wade, Sep 22, 2008
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2008
    The interest in Mondial Cabs for the European market is much lower than the U.S. If this French car were a Coupe instead it would probably have sold for the same price, if not more.

    BTW, that article in SCM was from 2001. http://www.sportscarmarket.com/Profiles/2001/February/Ferrari/

    Regarding the new Mondials in the showrooms until 1995, I'd be interested in learning about them as well.
     
  4. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    Mine is for sale on FerrariAds so I can buy one in Europe. We'll see how hard it is to sell a Mondial in this country.
     
  5. davebdave

    davebdave Formula 3
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    Mar 18, 2007
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    Ouch! Well a top and highly respected Ferrari Mechanic told us that he believes the Mondial t is highly under valued and a fantastic car. He spent quite a bit of time going over the car with me and telling us where the common problems are and how to avoid them. I told him I really wanted a 355 and he said, great car but weak motor. Bottom line, Ferrari are low production cars and I would not expect the R and D that goes into a high production car. That is part of what makes a Ferrari a Ferrari.

    As far a build quality, our car is rock solid, and has never shed so much as a dirt clog.

    The mondial was the first Ferrari convertible since the Daytona so I am willing to cut them some slack for the top design which isn't nearly as bad as people think.

    I have yet to hear from someone who has had a t for an extended period of time speak ill of the car. The more you drive it, the more you realise what a gem it is.

    Whew, got that off of my chest.
    Dave
     
  6. robbio99

    robbio99 Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2006
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    Rob
    I like them for the understated elegance. I like them for the fact that they are polarizing like politics and therefore not boring. The handful I have driven are comfortable for a tall husky guy. They look way better in person than in two dimensional photos. They stand apart from other Ferraris which can often be too recognizable as Ferraris. I like a car that can be a Ferrari and do other unexpected things like pick up a kid with a dog. They sound terrific. The Mondial t has power options that allow you to get some modern convenience in daily use in a busy city. Some may say they are Ferraris for women to which I say, if true, what a great distinction. As for reliability I have learned all the little electronic things can be sorted and leave you with a satisfying car. Even the cabriolet roof is getting better with aftermarket fixes that Ferrari would have likely developed if the Mondial hadn't stopped being produced in 1993.

    I hope that Ferrari would soon consider a program for reconditioning pre-owned Mondials from the factory similar to their program they have had for some other Fcars. There is a market there.

    Just my two cents. But then I always wanted a 412 2+2 as well.
     
  7. davebdave

    davebdave Formula 3
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    Mar 18, 2007
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    Well, now that you mention it, it is my wife's car. But, I too can appreciate the power steering in a parking lot.
    Dave
     
  8. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
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    Another "Defend the Mondial" thread...

    I guess it comes down to aesthetics. Obviously if Ferrari had Mondials unsold "as late as 1995" people weren't crashing down the door to buy them, but it's also true that once the monocoque 348 came out in 1989 (to replace the frame-based 308/328) the Mondial was a yester-tech kind of car, in addition to being conservatively styled. Thinking back to what was available in 1995, I can see how an affluent new car shopper had more modern options.
     
  9. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
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    #9 Wade, Sep 22, 2008
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2008
    Come to think of it a "new" Mondial in 1995 isn't very far-fetched with the last year of manufacture being 1993. I bought my new 2005 Crossfire SRT6 last summer and I still see new '06s listed. Also, there are a lot of new 2007 SUVs still on dealer lots.
     
  10. jjmalez

    jjmalez F1 Veteran
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    Apr 8, 2005
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    Hello,

    I specifically recall that Ferrari dealer Lake Forest Sports Cars [in Illinois] had a new 1992 Ferrari 348 ts (white/tan) advertised in both Ferrari Market Letter and the Chicago Tribune in summer 1995. The car had 165 miles on the ODO.

    FWIW

    Joe from Rockford, Illinois
     
  11. robbio99

    robbio99 Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2006
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    Rob
    I tend to think there might be a few common links. 10,9,8,7........
     
  12. Tifoso

    Tifoso Formula Junior
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    Mar 8, 2005
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    Concord, NH
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    Carmine
    The author of the SCM article owns a Lotus/Aston Martin dealership in Boston, so keep that in mind! ;)
     

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