Hey all, posted this in another forum, and a friend suggested this one. Hope to have fun on both boards! To start off I am looking at a Ferrari, '82 Mondial 8...would be my first one, and an everyday driver. It is in really good condition, 36k or so miles on it, and redone interior with new paint. All for 25k, is this a good deal or should I keep on looking? I am an extremely quick learner and pretty technically inclined, so most maintenince would be no problem from the labor view. Any input is much appreciated!
IMHO $25k sounds a little too steep for an 82 Mondial. You can get early cars for $18k-21k usually....and this one, depending on the quality of the paint and interior redo, might just be all pretty dressed up for sale that's hiding bad history underneath. Have a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) done by a knowledgable Italian car guy (or F-Car mechanic...) Regardless, you could probably get the car for 3-5k less than what they're asking.
Ferrari of Denver just sold one with 13K miles, list price was $26K I believe - not sure what it sold for. So, I think the price is high. If I were looking for a Mondial, I'd go for the 3.2 (first choice) or QV. The Mondial 8 is possibly the slowest Ferrari of the last 25 years - may not matter to you, but it has a reputation for being one of the less sought after Mondials. I'd say keep looking a bit. Maintenance is usually a good reason not make a Ferrari a daily driver, but if you're mechanically skilled and have the tools...
Agreed with the above 100%. I looked at an 85 Mondial *Cabriolet* with fewer miles, in possibly better condition (if what bjwhite said about it being "gussied up" to hide underlying problems), for less money - $24k, to be precise. Twentyfive thousand is too much for an 82...unless the car really is a gem, and at 36k miles, it's doubtful that it is. You have to consider this: This is a car that is 24 years old... It has been driven an average of 1,500 miles per year, or a little over 100 per month. Why, then, did it need new paint and interior? Not trying to rain on your parade or burst your bubble - far from it - just "thinking outloud", I suppose. Keep in mind that although there are few modern cars that are sound *investments*, there are ways to minimize the depreciation you'll take over time. The best way to start is to not pay WAY too much for a car. Step 1 -- PPI......if you're serious. If not, save the money for the next possible candidate. Aaron
See, that is what I would ideally want, a 3.2 or above, but price is the deciding factor here, I would love a ferrari, but on the cheap (oxymoron) . The 3.2's, I cant find below 30g's many climbing toward the 50 grand mark. So the Mondial 8 is 15 min. away, and pretty nice. There will be a PPI if I find I am truly serious, and I will be checking and double checking the bills and service records for flaws. Thanks for all the input, it is really appreciated!
Location is a big factor in many purchases....I know it was in mine. I wanted a "local" (i.e., California) car for SMOG reasons, and I didn't have much time to be driving down to L.A. or San Diego to look at cars. Fortunately, I found just the right car for me here locally, so I can empathize. When you say "many climbing toward the 50 grand mark," I assume you are talking price and not mileage, correct?!? Fifty-thousand miles on the 3.2 motor is *nothing*...and $50k for a Mondial 3.2 - unless CHERRY - is way too much, IMO. There's a Mondial T Cab at Steve Harris Imports in SLC, Utah listed at $39.9k with 60k miles. Red over tan.
I mean 50 grand as in $50,000 and I am looking for a car much more in the $25,000 range, than $40,000.
This is on FerrariAds (link above): http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=845&sort=1&cat=11&page=3 There's also an '85 Mondial QV cabriolet listed at $28K asking price. It took me 10 months to find the right 328. Shopping a bit is a good way to get more experience looking at these cars, learn more on this site and ultimately making sure you get the right car.
There is a lot to be said for a close, buyable interesting Ferrari. I say look it over, and if it suits you, then work with the seller to make a deal that is good for both of you. Honestly, if you like what you see, buy it.
For 2-3K more you should be able to find a 3.2 coupe and they are MUCH BETTER cars, and I would bet will be cheaper to own in the long run. But you may have to be patient, becasue they are pretty rare. Mondial 8's are really slow. Dave
