Mondial as an outsider in the F community

I'd rather drive a Mondial than a wide cheese grater...

 

Now that you can get a supercharger to bolt on an extra 100hp - you may see a renewed interest in the "poor old Mondials". Personally, I have been quite impressed the Mondial - my other Fcars have included a 328 and a 512BBi.

see:http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123458

 

I like the Mondial too. I have a GT4. But I've driven both cars equally. About 1500-2000 miles each. The mondial is a great car. For me, the coupe (like the GT4) has better leg-room. And I've seen the Mondial get as much as 21+ mph on the highway. The GT4 only gets about 17mpg.

I like the looks too. So the bottom line is.

Buy the car that YOU want. Not what someone else THINKS you should have.

If it's purely a "status symbol" for you, then you'll always be disappointed.

But if that's the case, then you'll eventually be disappointed with whatever car you buy.

Buy the car to drive it, and enjoy it for what it is. And whatever Ferrari you get, you'll get more kudos from non-owners than anyone else anyway.

So who really cares except a snob. And do you really care that much about what a snob things?

Get on with it man! Put the peddle to the mettle and have some fun!

 

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! We all know that a Mondial is a great car and relitively low numbers. If we push it too much the prices will start going up and make our secret public. Then no more great steals.

Dave

 

I like my Mondials...

 

17mpg???????????????
What did you do remove 1 of the coil wires? Are you running it on 4 cyclinders?

On a good day I get around 12mpg.

 

Yah, no Kidding! 928 Motorsports will have a supercharger kit ready in a month or so. I can't wait to get my Mondial back with that extra 100 hp installed even if there IS snow on the roads here 4 inches deep. Actually, Mondial-8 prices have already started to rise. In Cavallino May 2005 the range was 15,000 - 25,000, and in the latest issue it's 20,000 - 27,000.

 

Dave, you must be thinking of your 400! <very big grin>

The Mondial is a gem. Look at the original sales figures. The car was very popular new. That's all that matters.

 

Best I have ever seen is 19 MPG... Oh well.

Anyhow, I have only heard rumors of the "outsider" status of the Mondial (mostly on F-chat). But at actual Ferrari events, or even general car gatherings I have never personally had anyone doubt my car as a true Ferrari from all angles.

It may be the sound of the 3.4, or the grace of the coupe shape, perhaps the fastest lap time of the day does it, or maybe the fact that I am hauling three other Ferrari peeps with me as I enjoy the car does it. I dunno, but it sure seems to be a car that is liked by many IMHO.

They are gems - that's for sure.

 

Its ok Dave by the time the price doubles you will have cornered the market.. JJ

 

The Mondial looks a LOT better in person than in pictures. I would bet that a lot of the people who poo-poo the Mondial have never seen one in person.

Birdman

 

I have thought for a long time that if Ferrari had kept the 308 designation on the car, and later the 328 designation, it would be viewed differently. Something like "308 GT Mondial" or "328 GT2+2" or even just kept the 308 GT4 designation. When I had my Mondi, it was essentially a 308 QV, just with a lot more room in the interior and a lot more room to work in the engine compartment. I don't regret having sold it; I love the 308 for it's lines and it's what I wanted all along. But it won't surprise me at all to see them rise in value and respect as time goes on.

 

I love mondials (and other models too but later cars lack personality IMO of course!)

 

I don't know what everyone is talking about "WHEN it rises in value" and "WHEN it becomes more popular." People that time is HERE and NOW! Go online and check it out. The Mondials are more rare than a 328, they are going for the same prices if not higher ($36k-$56k) then the 328s.

Everyone I know says they want one or have one and want another (so they can own one of each, coupe & cabriolet.

I have a Mondi T Cab and absolutely love it. I have been around both Mondi and 308/328s and I chose the Mondial T for its added HP and modern driving features over the 328. Other than the T models underneath they are extremely close cousins.

If your into buying one just to "be a part of the club" go ahead and buy the red 308/328. There is nothing wrong with owning one of them, they are great cars as well. I'll bet 308/328 drivers probably get more traffic tickets from the cops than Mondi owners do, too.

If your a Wolf, just think about it....in your 308/328 you can only take out one of the the blonde bombshell twins!!!! LOL

I think the 400s don't get the respect they deserves either. They are very classy sedans, and yet are still a "Ferrari."

If its built by Ferrari then its a Ferrari, til the day it dies and is cut up. Then it is still going to be genuine Ferrari parts!

FWIW
Dave

 

With all due respect Dave; if you'll pay $36 to $56k for a mondi then I'll sell you all you want at that price.
I've been looking since mid summer and all the ones I've seen aren't bringing anywhere near that. For example there are 5 Mondi cabs for sale right now, all with less than 40k miles, and all under $30k.

 

With all the noise we usually make about Ferrari being the drive train, how could we possibly poopoo a Mondial or GT4 about being anything less than pure Ferrari?!

'79 308GTB
ex-owner '83 Mondial QV
possibly shopping for, '79 308GT4

 

And $30k is doable for all but those that are the most upside down on their credit cards...

 

The Mondial is a bona fide Ferrari, it's even badged as one which is more than you can say of early Dinos...which fetch very good money!

The 4 seater cars always seem to go for less than the 2 seaters, and this is a good thing for the true enthusiast.

 

When my friend Jerry and I took his car to be registered in Oregon, we got a little over 21mph on one leg, from Sacramento to Redding. I averaged 17mph on the way home from Oregon 3-weeks later, in the GT4. And I went on some windy stuff going through Lake and Napa Counties as well. In fact, coming back, it was (almost) the same trip Jerry and I had taken previously, but I don't recall what the Mondial got for mpg.

Remember though, my engine had barely 2000 miles on it, after a complete rebuild. So that too might have made a little bit of a difference.

 

Remember the film "Scent Of a Woman", with Al Pacino? Now if the director had only put two little kids (or one kid and a puppy) in the rear seats, we could scream; "and a blind man can drive this beauty like crazy through the streets of NY with a family of four".

My Rachel (92 t Cab., Valeo clutch equipped), is an automotive dream come true.

I'll say this-------ya better get it now, because the bar is being raised!! Look at Dino prices--------and there's much more to fix, too!!! The Mondial is moving out of the "cheap Ferrari" ranks, and will command dramatic monetary respect before you know it!!

 

Who are you? Why do you incessantly ask inane questions about Mondials ? Fill out your profile.

 

Every cadre has it's black sheep as well as it's sacred cows.

 

To quote from wall street. ITs just a dog with different flees but still a dog.. I have an 89 328gts and even if you have the 89 and newer T model it will not handle as well or out accelerate a 328. I will say I like the soft suspension settings for the highway. but My 300sl is a better highway cruiser. If I had 40,000 for an extra ferrari I would probably get the 91Tcoupe if I was after rarity. As far as power yes the 89 and newer has 300 horse but the same torque rating as a 328 and is still a little slower because of the added weight. Oh and the Maintence is the same as a 348 so You may want to consider your options. Now someone mentioned Superchargeing. THat sounds very nice. ON the subject of Values I have a feeling the values will climb at a steady pace however dont be surprised if people start buying the least expensive ferraris out there and start puting Corvette engines in them because of the costs involved in ferraris. Just my.02. JJ

 

Hi JJ,

Because there are dogs out there that can bite the a$$es off of our dogs - and back and forth - we can assume that there will always be an argument for going to "this or that level" because "it's more evolved (stronger).

I personally don't care if Larry's (a friend of mine) 328 is worth more or feels better to him than Rachel is worth or feels to me. Beauty and worth are in the eye of the beholder.

BTW, I love small block Chevys. I raced them all my life (after my Ford flathead days-----------but, a Chevy doesn't belong in a Ferrari--any Ferrari -------- ever!!!!!

Be safe and, Happy New Year------
Hank