First Ferrari - Mondial 8/qv or 308 GT4?

I would choose the 308 GT4, but really good ones are hard to find

 

A good late Mondial QV is the one I'd get, better rust proofing, simple fuel injection and at a push can be used as a daily driver

 

The GT4 is faster, handles better and sounds better. But it's also older, rustier and harder to find a really good one.

If you can push your finances to a Mondy 3.2, then that would be my pick. It is new enough to be "get in and drive", fast enough to be fun, and reliable enough to use every day. The 3.2 engine is also the most bullet proof of the series.

Mondy t's may be in your price range too (the cheaper ones anyway) and they are better again, but service costs are WAAAAY higher unless you do it yourself. Also, to get a t at a low-ish price, you may end up with a dog - If you do come across one in your price range, be VERY careful.

Dave

 

I would suggest a 308 GT4. But I am partial to the Little Dino's

 

GT4 for ease of maintiance. VERY tough to find a good one

Dave

 

I too, narrowed my search to the two Fcars in question.

Have been searching for the better part of a year for the "right" car.
Taken trips to see and drive 'em, done PPI's, etc.

Put a deposit down last night and pick up my 1987 Modial 3.2 qv on Monday!
Hope I can sleep over the wekend.

Post w/pictures (and thank yous) to follow.

 

CONGRATS! Start a new thread when you bring her home so we can all see pictures, hear the story, etc. without hijacking this guy's thread.

Can't wait!

Aaron

 

Mondial 3.2.
I bought one about three years ago and love it.
Its been completly reliable, fun to drive and it makes great sounds.
Do your homework and get the right one.
- Ron

 

if you plan on using it regularly for commuting and the like, go for a fuel injected car. otherwise, it's pretty much a toss up. they both have distinctive styling and are pretty reliable. as others have said, finding a good GT4 may be tough. so follow the tried and true advice of driving both and making your decision. if you can't drive both, at least go out and look at both, or get a ride in both.

john

 

I've been involved in the purchase of both types of cars. And have had the opporutinty to drive both extensively (over 1000 miles each) over the past 6 months.

My friend Jerry (Pullenja here on FChat) bought a 3.2 Mondi (w/16K miles) in April. He's an Oregon resident, but works here in Los Angeles for the moment, and we drove his car (after replacing a clutch) to Medford so that he could register it.

The car performed flawlessly. The air was very good, but it might be a little weak during a heatwave in Los Angeles. The ride was good, and it shifts like butter. But it doesn't like (and maybe it's just me) fast shifting. It was a little loud at first, but you get used to it. It also is a little short on leg-room on the driver's side. I'm 6'1, and had to slouch a little more than I do in my Alfa Spider to be comfortable. I sat in the back when we test-drove the car, and it was "doable", but I wouldn't want to sit back there for more than 45 min., or so. We got about 21mpg. One tank got 22, one got 19. We also drove in a LOT of heavy rain, and the car is very very skittish in the rain. Especially on a highway with bumps.

Two weeks later, I was headed back to Medford, where 2 blocks from the DMV where we'd registered Jerry's car, there was a 1975 GT4 that I'd purchased on eBay. I flew-up, inspected the car myself and then drove it home.

The car had glasspacks and was very very loud. But... ripping onto the freeway made it sound like an indy car! And what a blast!

It's faster than the Mondial. It has more jolt-on-tap, is the best way I can describe it. It also sounds wonderful, even after having replaced the glasspacks with a 22" Magnaflow. The room in the back is a little smaller than the Mondial. But my son, 6'2" fit back there when we went to pick his friend up one evening. His friend is 6'3" and about 250lbs. and my son is only about 150lbs, and so with the three of us in there, and seat forward a notch my son still had room to put his hands in his lap. The GT4 also has more legroom for the driver than the Mondial. In fact, I have to put he seat forward 2 notches to adequately reach the pedals. So there is more legroom than I need. Also, the Mondial coupe has similar legroom to the GT4. Not the Cabriolet though. Not sure why.

This car also ran flawlessley from Oregon to LA. But it has (had) a weak 3rd gear syncro. I could shift up into 3rd, but not down from 4th. Also, the A/C condensor has a hole. So the A/C has not been fully tested. There is a little rust under the passenger side gas tank, and a little also, along the bottom edge of the doors, and a little more under the driver's side tail light. But it's all very light and not too bad yet. The car had extensive rust work performed by the 2nd ownder back in the mid-80's, prior to taking 2nd in class at a Concourse in Reading, PA. So this car may be an exception to the rule.

If you're handy and want a toy that'll thrill your socks off and don't care about having a convertible, go for the GT4.

If the thought of turning a screw on you car and then having it fail to re-start for some odd reason, scares the poop outta ya, then go for the Mondial.

But, that can even happen on a Mondial. Beware the battery knob!

The Mondial is a great car. It runs a LOT smoother. It starts easily (although so does my GT4, but not all are that way) and the fuel injection makes it a much more maintenance free car that will get better gas mileage. And the A/C is probably better too, simply because it has more (and better positioned) vents.

The GT4 is great fun. When I was looking for my first Ferrari, I decided long ago on the 1975 GT4. Mainly because of the emissions issues and possible long-term exepense in that area, of the later cars. And also, because I feel they have long been undervalued, and it seemed to me, that it might turn into hedge against the ultimate cost of the car, with a possible upside. The GT4 is also (supposedly) easier to work on. (except for engine removal!) And I do almost all of the work on my Alfa. So I don't have the fear factor. However the "aw-$***!"-factor has been firmly reinforced.

Just some random thoughts...
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Two words - RUST PROTECTION.

Mondy QV, hands-down.

 

GT4 No questions, check my profile picture and you can see why.
sat on the motorway at just over a 100 mph on saturday, she was steady as a rock and sounded awesome.

If you are not a mechanic then the GT4 is so easy to maintain.
Although I would not like to use her as a daily driver because she hates the traffic and back streets, the Mondial would be far more suited to that.
My mate has a Mondial and has just been across to france and done over 2500 miles no problems.

Mark...

 

I have used my Mondial Coupe as a daily driver for the last couple of years. It is reliable, sounds, smells and looks great. These cars are amazing to drive. Of course service costs are huge, a full engine rebuild can cost as much as a good 3.2 Mondial is worth. I purchased my car with a fresh 30K service. So far, I have averaged about $1500.00 year in additional maintenance costs.

The GT4 is a great car, cheaper to maintain but harder to find in good shape. I have a friend with one. After driving my Mondial the other day, he was thinking of trading in the GT4 for a 3.2 cab.

Which ever one you choose, get the best one you can afford, make sure you have complete service records (don't buy one without service records) and have a pre-purchase inspection done by a marque specialist. Then, DRIVE IT! There is nothing sadder than a low mileage high production model Ferrari!

 

I love my Mondy QV.

You are going to have to look and drive each one if you can. Then make your mind up. all Ferrari's are fantastic

Got to www.holden2.co.uk and you can listen/watch a video of mine. It has a sports exhaust and sounds (to me) like nothing else.

 

If you have to have a Mondi, buy an earlier one with the east-west engine. This is the same set up as the reliable 328. The later "T" Mondials have one timing belt for both banks and a weak differential gear carrier. Many $$$$$$$$$$ when things go wrong.

I prefer the GT4 and have a 75 (pretty well mandatory in Socal with bi annual smog checks are required for 76 and later). It is a less "electronic" car, which means friendlier to the DIY. Also lots of assistance of F-chat threads. To me the GT-4 is a more lithe attractive pure sports car.

Lastly '75 and older cars are considered "classic" by most classic car clubs, which will allow you entry to tours etc. The mondial would not.
Martin

 

I resemble that remark......

 

Of course I'll say the GT/4 is the way to go. the Mondial is a good looking car but I think the GT/4 looks better. The GT/4 is a basicly simple car, even when compaired to the Mondial. I've read the electric's on the Mondial can be very challanging sometimes. You will allways hear why someone chooses one over the other, go drive them and look them over really good. You will answer your own question easly enough. Good luck and keep us posted!

Cheers!

DT

 

I hate coming to the 308 section because after u guys finish raving about the GT4, I got to have one. Then I spend months looking for one only to get disappointed because there aren't any good ones selling.

Doesn't anyone know of a decent 1975 GT4 for sale any where that the seller doesn't think is made of gold?! No basket cases, please. I ain't that mechanical.

 

Tok me about 2 years to find mine. It was not perfect, good and much better now after my TLC and catching up to deferred maintenance.
Martin

 

I'm surprised the GT4 is so much faster than the 3.2 QV. Or is it just low RPM torque?

Ken

 

The problem is, nobody's selling them, not coupes anyway.

I drove a Mondial 8 for almost 7 years and loved every minute of it. The next owner drove it 1000 miles home and continued using it as a daily driver for over a year. Now I'm looking for a 3.2 Coupe and it seems that all of the present owners know what a great car they have so I'm out of luck.

Now the GT4... my friends car was a screaming hot rod compared to mine; fishtailed all over the place! On purpose, of course

 

Andy,

I see you presently live in New York (assume that's NYC). A couple of questions you need to ask yourself/answer, then a couple of comments:

First, and probably most important, where are you going to be living? NYC? Suburbs? Elsewhere? Related to that, where are you going to park the car?

Next, what do you intend to use the car for? Just a fun ride now and then? A daily driver? Something in between?

Last, how much of a mechanic are you and how much are you willing to pay others to work on the car for you?

So, IMHO, if you are living in NYC, go for a Mondial QV or 3.2. They have a little more road clearance than a GT4 and suspension is a bit better suited. If you are living in the Burbs or out in the country, it's a toss up.

If you are using this strictly as a fun weekend ride, now and then, go GT4. It will be a sportier ride and handle more like a "Ferrari" so to speak. The Mondi, while still sporty, has a bit more of a touring car feel about it. Now, if you plan to use it as a daily driver or will even occasionally drive it to work, go for the QV/3.2. The GT4 is a carb car with points ignition. The QV/3.2 cars are fuel injected with electronic ignition, and will be far more dependable and more likely to start right away, especially in lousy weather.

And if you are a passable mechanic and enjoy working on your own cars, you'll feel at home with the GT4. But the QV/3.2's are easy to work on also, and not having to worry about the Weber carbs and points, etc. makes them a breeze. If you don't work on your cars yourself, you may find that the QV/3.2's are easier to find someone to work on for you, being a bit more modern car.

As I said, just my humble opinions. YMMV. I owned an '84 QV for several years and loved it. Easy to work on, dependable, roomy, easy to drive, fun car. The Mondis have one big problem though -- the fuse blocks. The 308s, including the GT4s can be upgraded with a Birdman fuse block. The Mondis cannot. Something to check out when you look at cars. I sold my Mondi this past spring and got a '78 308 GTS. Different beast. Carbs, dual distributors with point, all that good stuff. I love the 308, but I'm a fairly good shade tree mechanic, and not afraid of carbs.

Just a few thoughts. Hope that helps a bit.

 

I would agree with Wade.
I bought my first Ferrari, a 3.2 Mondial 2 years ago and have had nothing but enjoyment from it. I have covered almost 10.000 kms in the last 4 months with minor niggles that seem to have cure themselves. Irrespective of where I go, men stand and stare and kids shout FERRARI FERRARI. And the more I drive it, and stand and look at it, I wonder why it was never given the recognition that maybe the 308/328 was given. IT'S STILL a Ferrari. Plus the fact that you can change the cambelts WITHOUT taking the engine out as in the T is a big plus.
Good luck, good hunting

 

I purchased a 1981 Mondial about 6 months ago. I have always had Porsche cars.
After one drive the Mondial won me over. The sound of the Ferrari engine makes me smile everytime I drive it.
You should drive both models and decide yourself.

The best part is the rice rockets never challenge me at the light.

With my 911 and 944 cars, almost at every light some guy in a Honda with a big muffler would want to race. Idiots
Ferrari like no other!!!!!!!!!
Charles