I sold my Mondial t last year and bought a Lotus Elise S2, as I had some financial problems. These are now sorted, and I have to say the Elise is a superb car, and mine is in show condition. However I've been offered a deal, almost a straight swap in fact, for a Mondial 3.2 I need some advice here! How does the Mondial 3.2 compare with the Mondial t ? It looks the same apart from the larger side air intakes, and the different wheels. I know the 3.2 doesn't have PAS or ABS or the adjustable suspension, but does this really matter? Does the 3.2 provide the Ferrari experience that I had from owning the Mondial t ? I believe they are cheaper to own, although that's relative of course. If anybody knows the car in question, it's for sale at Performance Icons in the Midlands. Red with black interior, mileage around 50,000 Has anybody on here owned this car and if so is it a good one?
I'd have to say IMHO that the 3.2 provides the same "Ferrari experience" that the t does. It's not going to be quite as quick (300bhp vs. 270bhp), but losing the power steering might give you a bit more of the feel of the road. 3.2 is definitely easier to maintain than the t. You might notice the biggest difference being in the seats. Different seats in the 3.2 vs. the t. I don't think you can go wrong with a 3.2, but I fully admit to being biased.
The t and the 3.2 really are world's apart so it's difficult to compare one from the other. When considering well-sorted examples the former presents itself as a much more modern car while the latter is easier to maintain. Here's the "Mondial 3.2 vs T" thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259658
If it's sitting there, take it for a nice long drive. Warm it up properly and put 20 or 30 miles on it. You'll know. Love my 3.2 but all I have for comparison is a ride in a 348. The 348 seems far more buttoned down, formal, modern, etc. Although for appearance purposes I'd say the t has a more impressive looking engine. I also understand the body is wider, but I really like the little fender lips on the 3.2.
C607 SBC Anybody owned this Mondial 3.2 in red? Dealer says previous owner had it seven years. I was wondering if it's anybody on here?
For what it's worth, I've used my 3.2 cab as my daily driver for the past 6 months and it seems more dependable than any of the other 26 Ferraris I've owned, including 2 "T's.
Just had to look up the car you are referring to. An even swap of a Lotus Elise S2 for a Ferrari Mondial 3.2 QV 1986/C Facelift model. Rosso Corsa with Nero leather interior. This Ferrari has only covered a genuine 43000 miles from new and comes with a comprehensive service history file. Last owner for seven years. 5 owners in total. Serviced 100 miles ago. Seems in good nick. You must have kids to go from a 2 seater go-cart to a full size 4 seater coupe. You need to test drive the 3.2, see how it compares to the t and the Elise. I love my 3.2, its an 88 with abs, imo the best of the 3.2 series, but I also like the t. So its a matter of taste, and what you can afford. I also love Porsches, but that's getting off topic. If you can deal with the no power steering, no abs, less hp, but easier to maintain, then the 3.2 is a fine trade for the Elise! Do your cost/benefit analysis, make sure you have a checklist of what works and what doesn't on the car and Go for it if it looks good! http://www.performanceicons.com/vehicles-for-sale/ferrari-mondial-3-2-qv-1986-c.htm Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for the replies. Yes it has TRX wheels, but the tyres are good, so I'd probably wait until it needed tyres before paying for new wheels. They actually want £1,000 plus the Elise and the Mondial is due a cam belt service, so realistically it's going to cost me £2,000 to change. I'm going to go and look at the Mondial this week, and have a drive in it. It's the only way really. your picture of an Elise was pretty much spot on! Here's mine. It is a great car, but of course it's not a Ferrari....what is? Image Unavailable, Please Login
I would say if the tires are not dry rotted and still good, you are okay, just don't do any long distance traveling until you get new ones. Also, if a major service is due on the 3.2, changing the belts are 1st, but you still have spark plugs, oils, coolant, valve adjustments to check and the the cost will go up, see this link for service: (http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~chrisp/cars/ferrari-prices.html) The good thing is you don't need an engine out for these services a savings of ~ £1,500 over the Mondial t. I have pegged you for a red Elise kind of guy but I do know exactly what you mean its not a Ferrari. I sold my 997 and got my 3.2 because its a sweet FERRARI ! I just wished I could have been able to keep both. But saving for a 360 spider now, so once you go Ferrari you don't really go back to anything else! All the best and I hope you get the 3.2 ~ its a wonderful car.
Tires have date codes on them. You might research and find date of manufacture. I recently had a shop refuse to repair a flat due to the tires being 8 years old. Dryrot on the surface didn't matter to them, due to age they said they were not allowed to touch them. Don't want a tire coming apart on such a nice car. Maybe a bargaining chip?
It's too bad that the TRXs are so stupidly expensive because I like the old-school balloon tire look. IMO, it suits these cars well. Coker would sell a bunch of them if they weren't so frickin' greedy. However, even if they were to cut prices by 50% I doubt many Mondial owners would choose to buy TRX tires. The sticker on my windshield calls for: 220/55VR390 = $514 EACH http://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=220/55VR390 240/55VR390 = $635 EACH http://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=240/55VR390
Maybe upgrade/swap to the 16" wheels used on later Mondials? Some $$$ for the wheels, but cheaper rubber would net out better/cheaper in the long run.
Fortunately, my car came with two sets of OEM Mondial wheels, the metrics that [supposedly] were standard on my Middle Eastern Spec 88 Coupe and the later 16 inchers. Currently, I running Pirellis... But I do like the TRXs more
Two words: cheese graters. These are my favorite feature of the Mondi, and I can't believe they made them smaller on the T. They just don't do the car justice.
How long have the belts and bearings been on the car. I go 5 years before changing the belts and bearings, they are alway still in good condition. I do though use Hill bearings or race ones sourced by QV and Dayco belts. Took me 4 years to source 5 x 16in standard alloys and tyres Neil.
Talk about the guys with the biggest cheese graters: 4th = t 3rd = 3.2 2nd = 348 1st = Testarossa Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've seen a 308 GT4 that I like now No cheese graters at all on that! But it's a very pretty little car
What I also like on the 3.2 are the fender flair. They look like my 308. I prefer that over the flat T fenders. But the interior of the T is better.
