newbie wants a Mondial

Since you've been a lurker here for well over a year, you are undoubtedly
familiar with the 3x8/Mondial section - there are TONS and TONS of threads
there about majors, what to look for, PPI information, tips, tricks, gotchas,
and a thousand other topics to get you started.

Use the 'search' button in the upper left of the menu bar and put in key
words.

You'll probably find every single question already answered several times.

But bottom line: Get a PPI before you buy! Look for a FRESH major with proof
of new belts and tensioners, and stash cash as you go to save up for the NEXT
major which will run $5k to $7k on average. Plan $1k a year for fluid changes, or
better still do them yourself for less than a third of that. I no longer do my own
work these days, but my first "stable year" (after sorting a zillion things that got
'missed' on my PPI) I had to spend much less than $1k on service. I have a 328 GTS,
but it's essentially the same car as the Mondial so your results should be similar.

Good luck - post pics when you make the plunge.

[edit] since you've been around well over a year, fill out your profile and you'll likely
get a little better reception here

Jedi

 

Pascal, don't rule out a cabrio mondial until you've driven one - they're super. Putting the wife and kiddos in the mondial and going for a drive on a sunny day with the top down is pretty fun - the kids love it. And, it's a little more dramatic when you pull up to the local Italian restaurant. Most mondial cabs don't have the usual used convertible issues such as rusty floors because most have at least been stored in dry garages since new (unlike lesser convertibles). There's a little bit of cowl shake but it's really pretty modest - about the same as a 911 convert.

Good choice - you'll really, really like your Mondial!

ps. look for a good one in California/Arizona/Texas rather than the NE....

 

Of the four main variations of the Mondial I'd go for a 3.2. I've owned a 3.0 QV for ten years, love it but compared to a 3.2 its a bit dated. The early 8's, especially in US form are generally regarded as a bit slow (not driven one myself) and the T is a testbed for the 348. Good luck with your search, you won't regret it.....honest!

 

Here's a little video clip that should put you in the proper mood for
your upcoming Mondial purchase Classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg3KEg63lfY

Enjoy

Jedi

 

Pascal,

Would echo everything Jedi said, but would add that if you're looking for a car with no rust, do not limit your search area to the northeast. In fact, I might be tempted to look anywhere BUT the northeast simply because there's no way you can get any assurance that it wasn't winter driven. I'd suggest looking in Florida or California. I just bought mine a couple months ago from L.A. and all the previous owners also registered it there as well. The difference in extra shipping costs (maybe a few hundred dollars) is rounding error in the overall purchase price, plus duty, plus tax, plus service/parts, etc.

We're talking about summer only cars, so my recommendation on cars is also for the cabrio, especially since it isn't a track car, but to each their own. That said, your $20k budget is likely a little light for a decent cabrio. I paid that for the car ($20.5k US) and between all those other costs am now close to $40k (Canadian) into it. You will obviously save some money doing the work yourself but don't underestimate the cost of the parts. I just paid $1500 for ignition wires, distributor caps (there are 2) and rotors (obviously, 2) (just parts cost). That's, what, 15X "normal" cars? My stomach only just stopped heaving yesterday. And don't forget, you can't walk into PartSource and buy these parts, that $1500 doesn't include shipping or tax.

My last recommendation is don't pay extra for one with service supposedly recently done, budget for doing it yourself, then you know exactly what was done and what was used. That isn't meant to imply buying one that hasn't been serviced regularly.

Good luck,
Steve

 

Hi Pascal,

You're on the right track. It sounds like you can do the work yourself. So look for one that is in need of a major. Knock of $5 to $7K from it. The 30K major is about $5K to $7K, but if you do it yourself, it is about $1K in parts. Just be ready for LOTS of wrenching. For me, the 30K service took a whole summer. It was a great experience with the car. The Mondial Cab is easy to work on as you can access the front bank through the front access panel. I am not sure if the Coupe is the same.

The one in the ad looks like a good candidate for you. It appears to have a great body and interior, as it was in shows. If rust is not an issue for you, then any Mondial would be great. Rust prooving started in 1984.

While the most talked about Mondial is the 1988.5 3.2, don't let that stop you from looking at other models. The 2V shares parts with Volvos, which will be helpful for valve adjustment, fuel filter, etc. You can have a turbo added to a 2V if you want speed. None of these cars are fast to brag about. Get yourself a new Corolla or Civic for speed. Get the old Ferrari for fun. You will not regret it. I have a 1984 QV which I enjoy tremendously.

Another factor is insurance. If it is 1984 and below (25 years), you get historical car insurance. Just don't drive more than 2K per year, which you are in the ball park with your M3.

Let us know when your new family member arrives home. We'll be expecting your posts.

Cheers,

 

Another cool Mondial video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGNhyEDhzPI

 

Hi Pascal,

I'm a bit like in that I've never had any interest in owning a convertible. I've driven a couple, just wasn't my thing. I like the roofline, and I like not losing structural rigidity.

But I am also the fairly new owner of a Mondial 3.2 Cab, and IMHO it is totally the way to go with the Mondial. It's only going to get driven in good weather anyway, the wind doesn't buffet me in anything I'd consider to be an uncomfortable way, and you can hear the V8 sing just that much clearer. I'm actually a definite convert to the convertible thing now, I get it. I'm not trying to shave tenths off my lap times, I just enjoy shifting, steering, braking, accelerating, hearing, grinning...

I echo the wisdom of the thread in stating the imperative nature of the PPI. If you can't inspect the car yourself, there are many members on the board here who might be able to do it or who know someone who could. Try to find out the service history of the Forza car, even though you are (commendably) undaunted by the prospect of the major, deferred maintenance has killed some of these cars. Little things like power window motors not functioning become an expensive impediment, even if you have all the skill in the world to change the parts out.

If the Forza car checks out, then it looks to me like the price is in a fair range (not far off what I paid for my 88 with 50K miles, major two years ago, mechanically needs nothing, cosmetically needs nothing (though not concours quality), small blemishes to the leather, so sounds similar in that some minor things could stand attention). Take your time, find the car you really want, and then I hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us here do!

 

I totally agree with the Mondial 3.2 cab owners out there. I don't think you should not include it on your short list. It is just so great and so much fun. I am a four month owner and I still think it was the best decision. Not a single engine problem. I'm so happy because of this car.

 

Pascal,
In rough numbers, the exchange, after the bank takes their commission on the foreign exchange, came in a little under $23k. This is obviously volatile and the Canadian dollar is much higher since then, close to parity now and likely will reach parity soon. There is 6.1% duty, so roughly $1400, there is $100 A/C excise tax, there is 5% GST (federal) tax (which is applied to the total including duty) so about $1200, 8% PST (provincial) about $2000, about $2000 for shipping, including picking it up in Buffalo. This would have been about another $1500 more had I had it shipped door to door, including customs brokerage. For $1500, I'll do the last 70 miles myself. Would recommend you get it shipped to the border (like Plattsburgh, if you're near Montreal) then pull it the rest of the way on a trailer. That takes it to roughly $30k Canadian. Since then, it's been getting valves adjusted, belts, bearings, distributor caps, rotors, wires, throttle cable, sway bar bushings, shift shaft seals, water pump rebuild, gaskets, plugs, oil, filters (oil, fuel, air). NOT including shipping and tax, it was over $3000 for parts. The most offensive items were the distributor caps, rotors and the wires. The belts and bearings, relatively, were mice nuts. The work isn't finished and it passed $8k (including shipping, tax and labor) last week. It's just about done now (I hope).
I don't regret it because you will find pricing in Canada is always higher, mostly because the duty and GST have already been paid on those cars. There has been a Mondial 8 listed for sale in Oakville for $36k for several months. At that price, it isn't surprising that it hasn't sold. I guess he's hoping someone will come along and make a low ball offer, but that's probably 2X what it should be. There is a T cab listed for $60k. It also has been for sale for at least a few months. There are several for sale in the Montreal area at dealers, but no prices are listed. They've all been available for months and my guess their prices are inflated.
Remember that, yes these cars do have rear seats, but they are extremely small and leg room is almost non-existent. They're OK for small children, but another reason for the cab is the less claustrophobicness (ok, that may not be a word, but you get the idea).

 

I have seen and heard this car personally, not to mention it has been maintained and serviced by one of the best Ferrari shops in the Northeast. The interior is funky, and the paint is good. There is no rust that I could see. I think the 16K the seller is asking buys a lot of car that is really good mechanically. It may be a good opportunity to get a mechanically sound car and put in a fresh interior (normal color) and have a great car in the end.

 

Even little old ladies might definitely enjoy hearing that F-engine rev, and there's always that rush to get to the early bird special....

 

Hey guys, I'm very new here as well and also looking at Mondial Cabs. I'm in no hurry, just beginning to learn about them. I also do most of my own maintenance more as a stress reliever from my daily life than for cost savings.

Does anyone know this car? I think it has been for sale for a while.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=17372180&listingRecNum=5&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26alMdId%3D21668%26mkId%3D20014%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21668%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoYear%26zc%3D44720%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26yrMn%3D1986%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26yrMx%3D1988%26alMkId%3D20014%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

John

 

I owned a Mondai 8 for 4 years. My advice: ONLY get a Mondial 8 if it needs nothing (or next to nothing) and is mint.
That means major within the last 2 years or 10,000 miles, good brakes, tires, interior, clutch, no rust and most if not all of the components work. And you pay no more than 17,000 for it.
Why? Because it is slow. Over 9 seconds to 60 slow.
Yes, other F cars of the period are slow too, but they have more pep than that.
Now, once the car is moving, it feels pretty fast and fun, so I would not rule it out.

THUS:

The one you posted sounds like the kind of Mondial 8 that would be worth checking. The interior might be black; the wording is confusing.

 

Hey Sam! I thought I remembered you postinig on FS.com a while back that you had owned a Mondial. I'm looking for a 3.2 -- more stout than the Mondial 8, but not as complex as the T (so i can do much of the work myself).

John

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