Newbie First Post 911 vs Mondial

I would say, yes, you'll be disappointed.

 

We'll take it easy on you.

A Mondial may be a $25K car in well-used condition, but the tab for servicing is likely to run $4000-$6000 every few years for maintenance, with repairs additional.

If you want a bigger back seat, get a BMW M5 or similar.

If you want a cool hobby, budget $10K (reserve fund) over the price of the Mondial and go for it. But be careful with eBay, Craig's List, etc. There's nothing worse than some used Ferrari being sold on the cheap. Make sure the car has a good service history, and that you have a pre-purchase inspection done locally. There really is no such thing as a cheap Ferrari, in the long run.

 

Have to agree with Bullfighter (shocker - kidding). If you want more back seat room look to an M5 or even an M3. I drive an E36M3/4 for my daily driver and my kids baby seat fits with all of her stuff.

A mondial is going to cost so much to fix that unless you really want a Ferrari, than I say look elsewhere.

We are pretty much a straight shooting bunch around here, so keep asking if you have any other questions.

Regards,
MB

 

I luv the 911 S/C. Had one for 9 years and m a n y miles. Great machine.

With that said, I put three transmissions in it, several clutches, rebuilt the engine because of tensioner failure, redid the interior leather & replaced the warped dash, repainted it, added options, replaced brake pads, fixed the sunroof and kept up on continued maintenance.

And I luved it.

Take it from an actual Mondial owner: Owning and caring for a Mondial is very much like any other semi-exotic or better. I can say my personal Mondi has been super by all measures. Less catastrophic failures than the S/C but perhaps more detailed maintenance. And the rear seats do accommodate the kids better. And... Its a Ferrari. So the cool factor is always good.

And hey, contrary to popular belief not every Mondi will beat you with repairs. I can say that the majority of Mondials I know are used continuously throughout the year without much more than a 15k service when due.

Kinda just like a 911 S/C.

They are both great to own & experience, both drive neat, look neat, sound neat. Both are at the bottom of their depreciation curve and both can serve you well with the family.

Like a 911 you will want to buy a good Mondi... But if you have any mechanical know-how at all you will be able to tell the good ones from the not so good.

Go take a look at one and see what you think. Experence one and then tell us about it.

 

911 = mass produced same design for decades, everybody has or had one.
Mondial = rare, and it's a Ferrari. Enough said.

 

This is all correct.

 

If the Mondi does break it can be down for a while as well. I had an axle boot tear. Pulled the axles, had them torn down and cleaned and found a CV with pitting so had to order the parts to replace. Discovered the bolts holding axles in are rounded, special bolts had to be ordered. Throw in the holiday and I was shocked to realize my car has been down over a month at this point. I thought I'd get it done in a weekend. Now I have to get out and finish tightning the axles so I can go for a spin this afternoon. My choice came down to usage. I had an old ford hot rod for fun use. I fired it up twice a month, took it for a big grin on the face spin and put it away. I spent more time tinkering, cleaning, maintaining than I did driving it. I relized for my ongoing use of a fun car I could have a Ferrari. I drive the Ferrari more than the old Ford, it's a lot of fun. By the way I'm still wanting a 911 cabriolet, and I'll wait until I can have it too. Not either or. Of course I don't have the children yet.

 

My comments would include exactly what was said above. Particularly the comments about the P being mass produced and the Ferrari being a Ferrari.

The other part of the equation is that IF you can meet and live with what was outlined above (having cash reserves, etc...) then if you haven't always wanted a Ferrari it also may not be for you. I guess there are certain expectations from certain cars and if you arent expecting them or prepared you will find yourself in for a rude awakening.

As for me I have driven P cars and a few Ferraris and for me there is NO comparison. I LOVE my F car and it has lived up to and exceeded every expectation I could have had. I walk into my garage daily and just look at it and tell my wife, "Hey, there is a Ferrari in our garage."

If I can paraphrase - Ferrari, there is no substitute.


PDGA

 

FWIW, my kids are early teens now and have outgrown the back seats of my Mondi t cab for anything more than a 30-40 drive somewhere. Now my wife gets to sit in the back.

 

I have had 9 Porsches and 2 Ferraris I had a Mondial 8. The only problem I had was the fuse block. You can get a redesigned one for about $1000.00 if needed. I would go for the Mondial, try to get a 3.2.

Good Luck with your search

 

Mondials are cool. Go see one in person and drive it. I bet you buy it!

 

My wife and I both enjoy driving our Mondial 3.2 cab so much. And I totally agree that the kids can only handle a short ride in the back seat, even though there's enough space for all three of my little kids. But the comments about cost of ownership are correct. The car is at 25K miles and is about to go in for a $5K 30,000 mile major this week. And my starter just went. The new bosch starter alone was another $500. But it doesn't matter. I'm totally in love with the Mondial. I cannot wait to get it back and rev that wonderful engine!

 

Apart from the usual Porker/Ferrari thing had a long drive in a mondial first. If you still like it go further. I've had my QV nearly 10 years now, yes it costs but the smiles are priceless! Agree with above, a properly sorted 3.2 is probably the best of the bunch.