Hello again gents! As I said in my recent introduction few day ago, I come from the Porsche world (owning a 911 (964) from 1991) and I am now in search of a Mondial T coupé. When looking for a Porsche unit and getting acquainted with the brand, I found myself surrounded by dozens of model specific history books, tech books, option code lists and even thorough buyers guides. There even was, and there still is, a website in the US that sells online VIN specific factory and option reports for every car built by Porsche (this is extremely useful when hunting out for a unit because you have the tools to know what option is and isn't original). In other words, for the newcomer, there are tons of literature available to get confortable and acquainted with the investment one is about to make. Question here, for a newcomer like me, willing to get a Mondial T, where do I start with and where can I get reliable information on the model, available colors and options from factory, etc....? Thank you!
I think Ferrarichat is going to be your best resource, although there may be more out there that I am not aware of. I joined Ferrarichat 5 years before I bought my 3.2 and read everything I could about Mondials and our sister cars, the 308/328's because we share the same drivetrain and some other systems. Good hunting! Alden
For what it's worth, after a lot of research, I decided that I definitely did not want a T, while power steering adjustable suspension and more horsepower sounds great. The negatives that go along with those extras, that being another thing to break down and be expensive to repair, did not appeal to me. I decided to buy a 1988 3.2 due to the fact that it was mostly analog, had ABS and fewer complicated parts to have to replace, and easier service with the engine in, where with the T you have to drop the engine to service the belts and other items. If you have the means to afford more expensive repairs, then go for it. I also like the styling of the 3.2 better, the flares, the more sculpted intake strakes. Alden
Where are you located? Given there were only 43 Mondial T coupes imported for the North American market, if you’re over here, you’re looking for a very rare car, and they don’t come up for sale very often. Why do you specifically want a T?
Thanks Alden. It is either that I am too new to the Ferrari world or definitely, Porsche did a better job writing down what it was doing. In any case, so far I would like to be more knowledgeable to better enjoy the purchasing process understanding better what I see when analyzing new cars. So for I have seen two. Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk
Hi again, I have done my internal research and already know the main differences of each version and come up with the conclusion that I prefer the later T model because I feel 30 and some years is already a significant age and I guess that the T is going to have a better ride in market price than his eldest versions. If price goes down for the Mondial, I believe the T version will keep the price better. If prices go up, T version will go up further than the others. IMHO, but again….. Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk
I am from Barcelona, Spain with around 60% of the available cars being coupes. But starting to look at the cabríos as I like a lot the cream leasther color, better than the classical and most common black in coupes. Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk
I picked up a black 89 Mondial T coupe around 6 months ago. I am a much bigger fan of the coupe vs the cabriolet. As mentioned before, only 43 coupes were imported to N. America in 1989. All of the rest of the Ts will be cabs unless it has been imported. I just finished restoring a 91 Defender and the T is my new project. They are fairly straight forward cars to work on. I also have a 2010 Porsche 997.2 which is much harder to access the engine. There is no obd/ car codes with the Mondial T. There is some info out there about diy projects for these cars, but compared to other vehicles, not a lot. Ferrari chat can be helpful, but you have to sift through a lot of stuff to find what you want. Because the T has the same engine as the 348, a lot of the info that has helped me has been in those forums. I wish there was more video content out there like there is for my 911 and Defender. The other frustrating issue is finding parts and the price of the parts you find. If you do your research you can often find interchangeable parts from other car companies that can be used. I am in the process of changing all of the fuel lines and vapor lines. I could have easily dropped $2500 in parts but will be spending around $500 instead for comparable parts that aren’t Ferrari or Bosch brand. The 3.4 engine is great. I considered getting a 3.2 coupe but really wanted the power steering, quicker engine, and better handling of the T. The major service does require the engine to be dropped but that only adds $2k to the bill. You can do a belt change without dropping the engine if you remove the gas tank. I have really enjoyed the car so far. It gets way more attention then I anticipated. Because it is a “vintage” Ferrari the attention is very positive and I haven’t minded it. I hope that helps, good luck on your search!
If you search "Mondial buyers guide" here, you will come up with lots of threads on the subject. Forza magazine published a buyer's guide quite a while ago and several members have written their own tips. When I decided to buy a 1988 3.2 it took me 3 years to find "the one!" I probably considered, looked at and even drove about 15 cars before I bought mine, and she's perfect! I have owned her for 9 years and all I've had to do is oil and gas, I just did a recent major service and put some new tires on her, while this not cheap, when you divide it out by cost per year, it's not a lot of money. Good luck with your search and remember to buy the best car you can afford. The other thing to consider is, do you want a low mile garage queen, or a car that's been driven regularly? I considered that a car that had been consistently used would be in better condition, with good service records, of course, then a car that has sat most of its life. Alden Check this thread for example: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/mondial/207204-critical-things-know-buying-owning-mondial.html
With a big itch to scout a gated 360, I may part with my '88 3.2 coupe, see Would I like a Mondial? | Page 2 | FerrariChat from post 52, scroll down to post 76. This car could be in the top 10 of the <50 that were imported in '88. Maybe top 5? Thoughts anybody? Due to being stupid busy, I've driven it only once for about ten miles since bringing it home after the restoration three months ago.
Gents, Looking at the present a specific unit that fits a different wheel. Anyone knows what wheel this is? Doesn’t it look like being too big? Thanks for you comments. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Is that a Nardi wheel? It looks similar to the wooden wheel that I have on my car, it measures 14 3/4 inches outside to outside, since the model T you're looking at has power steering, you really don't need a bigger wheel, but that one looks even bigger than mine. Alden Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yes, I think it is a Classic Nardi, but I don't know the diameter. I will check next time I go see it again.
On this matter, anybody in this thread able to measure please the diameter of the original Mondial T wheel? The wheel in the unit I am analyzing indeed looks way too big (I think 15 1/3 inches!).
I got out my original 3.2 wheel to measure it for you and I was surprised that it is 14 and 3/4 inches, which is the same as my wooden steering wheel, I thought my wooden wheel was bigger but it's not! Not sure if the wheel on the T is the same as my original or not. Alden Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks Alden, I would guess the Mondial T, having assisted steering, may have a smaller wheel. I have read Mondial T and 348 had the same wheel. Cheers Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk
Absolute gorgeous steering wheel. I'm 50/50 on it. It shout's out 'early Ferrari' but appropriate on a more current-ish model? IDK. It's beautiful though!
Yeah I understand your comment, but I was going for a bit of a retro look, I think it makes the interior pop and satisfies my need for a bit of nostalgia in the car. Alden
Welcome! The drivetrain is the same as the 348 and there is a ton of info for that car, as far as options, I think options were quite limited (maybe radio?) - all pretty much came with one spec. Was there a specific color you were looking for?
Best colors for me, in this order, are: azzurro, blu chiaro, rosso, argento. Enviado desde mi iPad utilizando Tapatalk
check out mondialt.com for all articles, great color btw, my late friend had a similar color on his 't'
