Mondial Cabrio with top up | FerrariChat

Mondial Cabrio with top up

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by AlfaGreg, Aug 26, 2007.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. AlfaGreg

    AlfaGreg Karting

    Dec 28, 2003
    83
    Saint John, NB Can
    Full Name:
    Greg Gormley
    I was wondering what the Mondial Cabrios (QV and 3.2) are like driving with the top up? Early spring and late fall driving sometimes requires this. I have been in some cars where the convertible experience way exceeds the top up experience and some where it is a nice option vs a vice. Anyone care to comment?
     
  2. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
    13,477
    Never home
    Full Name:
    Dr. Dumb Ass
    Noisier than the coupe, but not that bad. Mondial cabs flex a lot more than people expect, but it is the price to pay for an open big car.
     
  3. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    Can't compare, never having ridden in a coupe, but I haven't had the top down for about a month since we started having 100+ degree days. Plenty of headroom for an average driver, no leaks during rainstorms, engine sounds just as nice either way - so what's not to like?
     
  4. Max4HD

    Max4HD Formula 3

    Jun 20, 2006
    1,042
    Florida
    Up or down, I love the ride and the sound of that engine!
     
  5. davebdave

    davebdave Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 18, 2007
    2,381
    Northern VA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    This brings up a question: Hypothetically, if I wanted to take a t cabrio up to 150mph. Would I want the top up or down?
     
  6. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

    the car is not recommended to go much over 100 with top down. Speeds quoted are with top up and latches TIGHT.
     
  7. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

    Jan 31, 2004
    5,953
    Burbank, CA
    Full Name:
    Hank Garfield
    I'm driving around here in Southern Cal. with my top up and my AC blower and temp. settings at about 70%. It's a pure delight:)

    Cheers, Hank
     
  8. casinofan

    casinofan Rookie

    Jan 13, 2007
    24
    Dallas
    I like the engine sound a little better with the top down. I can hear the growl of the intake from the vent on the driver side. I agree with the post on the high speed cruising with the top up. The wind noise at the top of the windshield is loud but the car is solid as a rock! 120mph feels like 150.
     
  9. ricksb

    ricksb F1 Veteran

    Apr 12, 2005
    9,975
    Montclair Village
    Full Name:
    B. Ricks
    Oddly enough, 120 feels like 70 to me. The car is very well balanced at higher speeds and if you don't watch the speedo you could be haulin' some serious arse.

    My solution is to stay out of 5th gear.
     
  10. casinofan

    casinofan Rookie

    Jan 13, 2007
    24
    Dallas
    I say made the prior comment in comparison to my daily driver which is a BMW 745i with the sport package. That car makes 120 feel like 70 to me. I have the speeding tickets to prove it!
     
  11. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

    those speeding tickets would have felt better in the Mondial :) :)
     
  12. Shark49

    Shark49 Formula Junior

    Mar 31, 2005
    773
    Boone, NC
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    My top has a tendency to leak at the top right corner of the pillars. I dont think it seals agains the rubber properly. The engine is muffled but I prefer top down myself!
     
  13. mondialman

    mondialman Karting

    Apr 23, 2004
    148
    N. CA
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Above 80 the wind noise makes conversation difficult. The noise seems to come at the seal between the top of the windshield and the leading edge of the convertible top. My top fits tight, but I haven't found a way to cut down the wind noise. Any thoughts, anyone?
     
  14. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

    You, makes us all proud: driving your cab in the rain....gotta get a pic of that
     
  15. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

    I don't listen to the back seat, so: that's my suggestion ;)

    But in honesty what you are describing sounds only like a bad seal....I don't have that problem when the one time I had to drive with the top up in an early morning heavy fog from the seaside


    I remember one of my favorite [before Ferrari] cars was an older Porsche glass top targa: awsome design, but just cracking the roof a hair and the noise make it impossible to enjoy....matter of fact, didn't work too well when closed either. horrible leading edge wind 'screen'.
     
  16. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 16, 2004
    4,156
    MA
    Full Name:
    Ron Frohock
    I still have roof clamp toggles available. Most toggles break, these dont......
    Let me know. I wont be making more.
    Thanks
    - Ron
     
  17. Max4HD

    Max4HD Formula 3

    Jun 20, 2006
    1,042
    Florida
    If you have a Mondial Cab get Ron's toggles.

    You will not reget it.

    Even if yours are not broken, b/c they eventually will!

    Cheers.
     
  18. dakharris

    dakharris Two Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 7, 2001
    29,441
    Sleepy Hollow
    Full Name:
    Cavaliere Senzatesta
    Top up: Conversation possible in person or on phone. Exhaust noise is almost eliminated. Wind noise really picks up at higher speeds.

    Top down: You have to yell at the passenger and phone conversations are nearly impossible due to exhaust note and wind. Top down is way more fun!
     
  19. D.Mauro

    D.Mauro Formula 3

    Jun 18, 2006
    1,266
    Cumming/ Hlwd Fl
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    Max, where are you in Florida? I have a set of Ron's in my Tool bag, you never know.
     

Share This Page