What is a Mondial T cabrio like to drive? Sports car or GT?

Hi Alex,

I've never driven a 512 or 348 --- so I can't give you a valid a-b...but I have driven

NSX
Supra MkIV
S2000
Skyline R34

etc...

The Mondial is more GT than sports car for sure...but the thing that makes it stand apart is it has Ferrari-esque elements.... fast/high revving engine that makes all the right sounds, a connectedness to the road, brash mechanics that really make you feel you're driving more a motorcycle than a car.

It's not 'fast' by today's standards, but it certainly "feels" that way because it doesn't have any of the electronic aids, sound deadening, NVS stuff. Having the engine right behind you with the full open top and flat crank engine screaming its F1 like wail : nothing short of addicting...
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Paul does sum things up nicely.

While I don't have a Mondial t Cab I do own a 3.2 Coupe and a 348ts. Here's my comment to a similar question in another thread, "The t Coupe is an excellent luxury performance GT while the 348 is a pure sports car. There's an apples and oranges difference in regards to handling as well."

 

I just got a 92 Mondial, and never drove a F car. The #1 thing for me that I noticed is how smooth the car rides, my guess is the long wheelbase?

 

Reading Pauls recent magazine additions the Mondial has an entire foot more wheel base. That sounds a little high, but thats what it said. I have an 86 coupe that is very tight, all the good mechanicals as pointed out above. I wore first set of tires out in 6,000 miles and handling satisfies me. But its not a Lotus 7.

One thing to remember. The earlier cars, like mine, do not have power steering. That took some getting used to. No parrallel parking where I live. Thank heaven.

PS: Tires make a big difference. The Perellis I wore out gave the car a juggly feel. Thought that was how it was supposed to be. Switched to Continentall ExtremeContact Summer DWs at 40 psi all around. Very tight Gt feel. The were invisible even at an indicated 120mph.

 

Hi Alex, similar to Wade, I had a Mondial 3.2 for 2 years and sold it for a 348ts and will never look back. The Mondial is an excellent car, very popular if you want the extra passengers but is no comparison to a 348. I had so much fun in it as my first Ferrari and the compliments were never ending. I was sad to see it go but made the right decision.

I know the Mondial T shares the same engine as the 348, similar to how the 3.2 Mondial shared the same as the 328 but is a totally different driving experience and a huge improvement all round. Build quality and finish are also of a higher standard but take your time to find a good one, whether it's a Mondial or 348. You won't be disappointed.

Cheers.

 

No matter which car you buy, both are WAY too cheap for what they are. And at actual price you can't go wrong. I still miss my Mondial for all what it was.