So why does the Mondial seem to get dissed?

The 348 is quoted as the worst Ferrari...I FRIGGEN love mine!!!!

Believing what you read as opposed to driving a car is like reading about climbing Mt Everest verses doing it. Yes the Md's get low totem pole treatment sometimes. Drive one then make your own assessment...what YOU think is all that matters. Not saying do not research as it's important to know what to look for and to find a good car verses a bad one.

I also like the MD's and am kind of looking if I find the right car....the 348 is still new to me so I don't really NEED another Fcar but not opposed to it either ;-)

 

Entry level 2+2. That's 90% of the problem. I also think it is important to understand that a Mondial is not a Mondial. What I mean is that the Md 8 is not at all the same car as a Md t. I love 'em all though.

Oh yeah, they don't photograph well either, better looking in person by a long shot imo.

 

I don't see the mondial getting put down that much. An article once in a while isn't a meaningful amount of criticism in the big picture.

That said, there's always some dipweed who thinks they're an expert and loves the sound of their own voice...who says something controversial just to get attention.

Besides, keep it in perspective, the ugliest supermodel is still a very attractive woman!

 

All of the above. Lots of thread on this already, but 2+2 Ferraris have always been "also rans" in the market, at least back to the 330 GT 2+2. The 365 GTC/4 costs a third or less of a comparable 365 GTB/4. "Ferrari" and "practical" don't seem to mix well in terms of desirability.

In the Mondial's case, it has also had to live in the long shadow of the iconic 308/328, much in the way the very practical 914 lived (and died) in the shadow of the legendary 911.

And neither is the same as the classic Mondial competition car from the 1950s from which the name was borrowed.

 

I agree. The Mondial is the first Ferrari I ever saw in person. It was a quick look as it drove by me while I was at a stop light. In person it was beautiful and started a life long love affair.

 

I think one of the primary reasons is insecurity. Ferrari is an iconic name, and it makes some people feel better about themselves to attack things like that.

Also, I think in the US the Mondial got off to a pretty rough start. I remember when it first came out in the US and the magazines tested it. The tests weren't very favorable, mostly because those early US cars were soooo s-l-o-w. On mag that I remember tested one of the early Mondial 8s at 0-60 in right around 10 seconds. Now, I know most cars were pretty slow in the early 80s, but 10 seconds for a FERRARI was tough to swallow. The mags were very critical of that performance.

Certainly by the 3.2/T years, the performance is more than adequate, but as far as general public/not-very-well-informed "enthusiasts" the reputation was already set.

Styling is more subjective. I think it is a fine looking car, both as a coupe and a cab. I can see how many wouldn't love it, though. It is relatively (for a Ferrari) "boxy" car that lacks the swoopiness of the 308/328. The majority of people in the world actually would never get to see one in real life, and it does not photograph particularly well. So most people form their opinion on the looks only on pictures.

The Mondi and the Testarossa arguably at this time have not "aged" as well as other Ferraris, and are taking a bit of a beating in the market. I think that's because their styling is more typical 80s than other more timeless Ferrari designs. But I think their popularity will again increase in the future. They are all parts of Ferrari history, and should be appreciated as such.

 

I'm no expert, but that is what I have read. Example:

"In America, response was muted, mostly because of the car’s performance. Motor Trend saw 'just a tad over 130 mph' and needed 8.2 seconds to hit 60 mph. Car and Driver’s test example was more than a second slower to 60. 'The Mondial 8 will barely get out of its own way,' C&D lamented, adding, 'It’s not much fun to drive either.'

Such observations echoed a rift in the Ferrari world. It started with the angular GT4, and as U.S. Ferraris got slower and slower, many established owners began to insist that a 'real' Ferrari must have a 12-cylinder engine. In this view, it didn’t matter that the V-8 models brought new blood to the marque. They didn’t go or sound like a 12-cylinder Ferrari, and they were built of cheaper materials. Mondial 8’s lackluster performance and cost-saving plastic trim only strengthened the argument and undoubtedly hurt sales; just over 700 were built in 21/2 years.

Ferrari responded in August 1982 by installing its new quattrovalvole (four valve) V-8. The change injected real snap into the Mondial’s performance.

Motor ran the four-valve Mondial to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and to 100 mph in 16.2; its two-valve test car needed 8.5 and 25 seconds, respectively. 'Quattrovalvole has effected a miracle cure,' the British magazine noted, 'and Ferrari’s mid-engine trio (of V-8s) are back running strongly in the supercar league where they belong.' "

Despite the improvement in performance, it is my understanding that the Mondial in some ways has never shaken off the negative early impressions.

 

FWIW, I feel even worse for actual red-headed step children.

 

and what I remind myself when I hear negatives about my mondial, the people who bag it dont know a lot about Ferrari and they dont and will never own a Ferrari, and at the end of the day I own and have a Ferrari parked in my garage that I can take out and enjoy with or without the family any time I want

 

Obviously the Mondial is the bargain hunter's Ferrari and it's styling is awkwardly stretched upon first impression to many. When the Mondial is slightly modified with more aggressive wheels and dropped, it looks excellent. It doesn't take much to sex it up. What matters is how it makes you feel. Everyone will have an opinion ad infinitum. You can't live for them or their opinions. It's your car and your enjoyment factor. Not theirs.

 

I think the reason is because it's absolutely the cheapest Ferrari you can buy.

 

I never really liked the looks of the Modial ... all I ever saw was picture. Then I saw one with the top down...and I want one!!!!! But it HAS to be exactly like I want -- gray/dark silver with a deep red interior (or blue...hmmm, maybe silver with a blue interior) -- anyway, I agree with making them look a little more aggressive. Maybe someday I will add to my stable (still want a V12 too).

 

Ask those that poop-poo the Mondial what Ferrari they have in their garage. The haters are not Ferrari owners.

The 2V 308 GTB/GTS was no dragster either.

 

To each their own. I totally love mine. And here's my top ten list as to why:

10. Mine is a cab, and as such, plenty of headroom. The people in convertibles always, no matter what, seem like they are having more fun. (It's because they are more fun)

9. Yes it is practical. Room for clubs in the trunk, AND kids, and groceries and a friend, and sports equipment, drinks, and athletic bags, and things from Home Depot. (True moment with all those items packed in at one time) That really is not a bad thing, even for a Ferrari. More importantly, because it is so practical, there really are very few reasons not to drive it, rain being one of them.

8. For me, my Mondial is the the best bang-for-the-buck car I've ever owned. I cannot say the same of our 2001 Volvo or 2006 Honda Odyssey, both of which cost much more to initially purchase, but both have depreciated way more on a percentage basis that that little F car of mine many like to knock so much. And ownership still gets you into the Ferrari Store at Wynn Las Vegas for free. (I cannot believe they charge $10 just to look at their cars, but I understand wanting to keep the masses away.) Maintenance and repair bills...well, I personally choose to ignore the pain.

7. Enough pickup, engine sounds and wind in the hair to feel fast, but less likely to get dangerously and irresponsibly fast, and therefore, less likely to get into an accident, impounded or get one's license revoked. (At least in theory)

6. Fantastic rear end styling like its 80's cousins, which I feel as a group is much better than some of the newer styles.

5. Less flashy and therefore less likely to evoke resentment and random acts of vandalism and therefore less likely to get keyed, kicked, or smashed. As a result, internally I have significantly less paranoia when the car is out and can therefore enjoy the experience of using it to get from point A to point B and therefore I am worrying way less than other F-owners when my Mondi is parked somewhere other than my garage.

4. Handles just incredibly. The manual steering on mine is just so perfect at speed. (OK, I know, a little heavy at a standstill, but fixed on the t.) And the mid engine makes the car so well balanced.

3. Solid and strong 3.2 F-engine in mine that likes to rev and make wonderful sounds.

3.1 Gated shifter. (Ok, I have two #3s but the engine and transmission are must to be mentioned together)

2. Just a perfect date-night car to cruise around town in with the Mrs., go to the movies, a friend's house, out to dinner, and kiss under the stars.

1. It's still a Ferrari. As such, it gets just as many random smiles, pictures, oddles and thumbs up and spontaneous conversations as a lot of other F-cars that may happen to cost a whole lot more. I really enjoy when others express interest and want to talk about cars, particularly mine.

And the top#1 reason-

It almost always makes me smile (always when it's working, of course)

 

Because Madonna drove one in one of her music videos back in the 80's........???

 

Last Summer the owner of one of the most accomplished 410 SA's in the country (Multiple Pebble Beach winner and much more) went for a ride in a Mondial 3.2 cab at Road America and he commented about how surprised he was at how well the car handled on the track. The head driving instructor of the FCA driving school at the 2009 annual meet made the same comment after another few laps around the track.

Soon after that, there was a competition for the highest award the Ferrari Club of America has to offer - the Coppa GT for on track performance. Competing for it was an Enzo, a 550 Maranello, a Testarossa, a 512 BBi, and that lowly little Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet.

Out of three possible awards only two were awarded in 2009 - one to the Enzo, and one to the Mondial. Seems kinda like even against Goliath, David deserves a little more respect.

 

Wow...just like I want it

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=137499718&postcount=1537

 

I'll probably get flamed for this but I don't find the Mondial to be a pretty car (same goes for the 400/412) and the performance isn't terribly impressive. Not every car can be all things to all people so I'm glad there are people who feel differently than I do about them.

 

Very well put! I own a 3.2 Cabrio and a Gransport MCV, and though the GS MCV is 18 years younger and quite enjoyable to drive, the Mondial is a TRUE sports car with an excellent chassis design, that reflects on its sporty driving.
My two cents:
1) Pininfarina made a design to accommodate 4 in a coupe, The ROOF LINE must be higher! and it is not as streamlined with other Pinin F designs.
Once the cabrio was introduced, all editors (mainly in Europe) changed their mind as long as the top is down!
2) Engine performance may have not been what is expected from a Ferrari? European high end sports cars of that era were not impressive either. However, the Mondial had a superb chassis with a ferrari first subframe holding the engine, transmission and rear suspension.
For the above all Mondials are 100% true Ferrari's no matter what editors say!

 

I've noticed (at least for me personally) that the shape grows on you. Not that it's not a very attractive car in person right off the bat - it is - it's just that it grows even more attractive with familiarity. Kind of like a wife that you love and gain years with - pretty soon she's the most beautiful woman you've ever seen.

I think the shape of a mondial appeals to a more discerning and sophisticated person. One who appreciates a little subtlety with their flash.

Everyone should see a mondial in person and give it a good look over. If you haven't done that first then you're not really qualified to make a styling statement...

 

Material girl.

http://www.nwrfca.org/faq/movies.htm