My 'new' 300hp V8 Manual Ferrari 5.6 0-60mph for £33k
Discussion
I 
I have a new car! A Ferrari Mondial t
It was in Aberdeen and I live in Norfolk. So I flew to Aberdeen and drove it home yesterday. 516 miles in 9.5 hours. I am amazed at the Mondial t's ability to cover ground effortlessly, then to turn into a go kart when I feel the need. I had watched Harry Metcalfe's video about driving his Testarossa to MonteCarlo to collect an outboard motor. I can now see watch he means about the uncanny ability of some 1990's Ferraris to eat up the miles. Comfortable seats too.
My Mondial t has 3 adjustable suspension settings; soft, medium and hard. I used soft for the mootorway driving yesterday, but I made a detour to take in the A901 from Edinburgh to Moffat. What an incredible road! Empty, great corners and stunning views I experimented with the medium and hard suspension settings and found that the medium worked best on that road yesterday. The surface was a mixture of dry and greasy and I was able to play with all of the 300hp and 7,500 redline. I am lucky enough to own a 450hp DB9 and I know that I would not have been able to get the power down in the same way as in the Mondial. The 'click clack' of the open gated gears was wonderful. I think that I might have found my motoring Nirvana.
I was looking for a car that I could use fully. I have owned a 612 and a 360 and I often found that I was holding back on the power, especially on damp roads. Is 300hp, manual, italian and RWD the perfect mix? I know that, for me, it was yesterday. I felt comfortable with the handling of the Mondial t, even after only having the car for a few hours. I was able to get a bit sideways on a couple of wet and deserted Scottlish roundabouts and the car really inspires confidence in the handling department.
These cars weren't on my radar until recently. I had heard that they were underpowered and that people struggled with the looks. Now I know that the early Mondial 8s only had 214hp (and even less in the US) but these later cars do not feel slow. and 5.6 to 60 is fairly quick, especially in 1990. I wonder if the 1990 styling has finally come of age? The more that I look at the car from different angles the more I like to styling. The Pininfarina design on Testarossas and Mondials is starting to look great to my eye. I can remember a few years ago when sellers couldn't shift their 1990's Testarossas because they were ugly and not modern enough for buyers. I also REALLY like the simple and functional dashboard which is shared with the Testarossa.
What a revelation! I cannot believe that I ignored these cars for so long. Some of you might find 300hp not enough, some might not like the looks, but I am one very happy and content new owner.
I have a new car! A Ferrari Mondial t
It was in Aberdeen and I live in Norfolk. So I flew to Aberdeen and drove it home yesterday. 516 miles in 9.5 hours. I am amazed at the Mondial t's ability to cover ground effortlessly, then to turn into a go kart when I feel the need. I had watched Harry Metcalfe's video about driving his Testarossa to MonteCarlo to collect an outboard motor. I can now see watch he means about the uncanny ability of some 1990's Ferraris to eat up the miles. Comfortable seats too.
My Mondial t has 3 adjustable suspension settings; soft, medium and hard. I used soft for the mootorway driving yesterday, but I made a detour to take in the A901 from Edinburgh to Moffat. What an incredible road! Empty, great corners and stunning views I experimented with the medium and hard suspension settings and found that the medium worked best on that road yesterday. The surface was a mixture of dry and greasy and I was able to play with all of the 300hp and 7,500 redline. I am lucky enough to own a 450hp DB9 and I know that I would not have been able to get the power down in the same way as in the Mondial. The 'click clack' of the open gated gears was wonderful. I think that I might have found my motoring Nirvana.
I was looking for a car that I could use fully. I have owned a 612 and a 360 and I often found that I was holding back on the power, especially on damp roads. Is 300hp, manual, italian and RWD the perfect mix? I know that, for me, it was yesterday. I felt comfortable with the handling of the Mondial t, even after only having the car for a few hours. I was able to get a bit sideways on a couple of wet and deserted Scottlish roundabouts and the car really inspires confidence in the handling department.
These cars weren't on my radar until recently. I had heard that they were underpowered and that people struggled with the looks. Now I know that the early Mondial 8s only had 214hp (and even less in the US) but these later cars do not feel slow. and 5.6 to 60 is fairly quick, especially in 1990. I wonder if the 1990 styling has finally come of age? The more that I look at the car from different angles the more I like to styling. The Pininfarina design on Testarossas and Mondials is starting to look great to my eye. I can remember a few years ago when sellers couldn't shift their 1990's Testarossas because they were ugly and not modern enough for buyers. I also REALLY like the simple and functional dashboard which is shared with the Testarossa.
What a revelation! I cannot believe that I ignored these cars for so long. Some of you might find 300hp not enough, some might not like the looks, but I am one very happy and content new owner.
What a great tale. Colour is great. There is another chap on here who recently picked up a Mondial...seems they are quite popular right now!
I had a Lotus Esprit, same age 1990 in that colour combo, albeit my experience in the short time I had it was not as rose tinted as yours! Lol. Thing was a money pit.
Enjoy it!
I had a Lotus Esprit, same age 1990 in that colour combo, albeit my experience in the short time I had it was not as rose tinted as yours! Lol. Thing was a money pit.
Enjoy it!
belfry said:
I
I have a new car! A Ferrari Mondial t
It was in Aberdeen and I live in Norfolk. So I flew to Aberdeen and drove it home yesterday. 516 miles in 9.5 hours. I am amazed at the Mondial t's ability to cover ground effortlessly, then to turn into a go kart when I feel the need. I had watched Harry Metcalfe's video about driving his Testarossa to MonteCarlo to collect an outboard motor. I can now see watch he means about the uncanny ability of some 1990's Ferraris to eat up the miles. Comfortable seats too.
My Mondial t has 3 adjustable suspension settings; soft, medium and hard. I used soft for the mootorway driving yesterday, but I made a detour to take in the A901 from Edinburgh to Moffat. What an incredible road! Empty, great corners and stunning views I experimented with the medium and hard suspension settings and found that the medium worked best on that road yesterday. The surface was a mixture of dry and greasy and I was able to play with all of the 300hp and 7,500 redline. I am lucky enough to own a 450hp DB9 and I know that I would not have been able to get the power down in the same way as in the Mondial. The 'click clack' of the open gated gears was wonderful. I think that I might have found my motoring Nirvana.
I was looking for a car that I could use fully. I have owned a 612 and a 360 and I often found that I was holding back on the power, especially on damp roads. Is 300hp, manual, italian and RWD the perfect mix? I know that, for me, it was yesterday. I felt comfortable with the handling of the Mondial t, even after only having the car for a few hours. I was able to get a bit sideways on a couple of wet and deserted Scottlish roundabouts and the car really inspires confidence in the handling department.
These cars weren't on my radar until recently. I had heard that they were underpowered and that people struggled with the looks. Now I know that the early Mondial 8s only had 214hp (and even less in the US) but these later cars do not feel slow. and 5.6 to 60 is fairly quick, especially in 1990. I wonder if the 1990 styling has finally come of age? The more that I look at the car from different angles the more I like to styling. The Pininfarina design on Testarossas and Mondials is starting to look great to my eye. I can remember a few years ago when sellers couldn't shift their 1990's Testarossas because they were ugly and not modern enough for buyers. I also REALLY like the simple and functional dashboard which is shared with the Testarossa.
What a revelation! I cannot believe that I ignored these cars for so long. Some of you might find 300hp not enough, some might not like the looks, but I am one very happy and content new owner.
Plus one amen! Yes 300 hp is plenty to play with, all you remark about on the Mondial is exactly what and how I feel about my 360 manual, all the car I could ever want, nice write up and smashing looking motor, enjoy Sir, I to live in Norfolk maybe see you sometime, regards Mike I have a new car! A Ferrari Mondial t
It was in Aberdeen and I live in Norfolk. So I flew to Aberdeen and drove it home yesterday. 516 miles in 9.5 hours. I am amazed at the Mondial t's ability to cover ground effortlessly, then to turn into a go kart when I feel the need. I had watched Harry Metcalfe's video about driving his Testarossa to MonteCarlo to collect an outboard motor. I can now see watch he means about the uncanny ability of some 1990's Ferraris to eat up the miles. Comfortable seats too.
My Mondial t has 3 adjustable suspension settings; soft, medium and hard. I used soft for the mootorway driving yesterday, but I made a detour to take in the A901 from Edinburgh to Moffat. What an incredible road! Empty, great corners and stunning views I experimented with the medium and hard suspension settings and found that the medium worked best on that road yesterday. The surface was a mixture of dry and greasy and I was able to play with all of the 300hp and 7,500 redline. I am lucky enough to own a 450hp DB9 and I know that I would not have been able to get the power down in the same way as in the Mondial. The 'click clack' of the open gated gears was wonderful. I think that I might have found my motoring Nirvana.
I was looking for a car that I could use fully. I have owned a 612 and a 360 and I often found that I was holding back on the power, especially on damp roads. Is 300hp, manual, italian and RWD the perfect mix? I know that, for me, it was yesterday. I felt comfortable with the handling of the Mondial t, even after only having the car for a few hours. I was able to get a bit sideways on a couple of wet and deserted Scottlish roundabouts and the car really inspires confidence in the handling department.
These cars weren't on my radar until recently. I had heard that they were underpowered and that people struggled with the looks. Now I know that the early Mondial 8s only had 214hp (and even less in the US) but these later cars do not feel slow. and 5.6 to 60 is fairly quick, especially in 1990. I wonder if the 1990 styling has finally come of age? The more that I look at the car from different angles the more I like to styling. The Pininfarina design on Testarossas and Mondials is starting to look great to my eye. I can remember a few years ago when sellers couldn't shift their 1990's Testarossas because they were ugly and not modern enough for buyers. I also REALLY like the simple and functional dashboard which is shared with the Testarossa.
What a revelation! I cannot believe that I ignored these cars for so long. Some of you might find 300hp not enough, some might not like the looks, but I am one very happy and content new owner.
Welcome to the club. Mine's a red T cabrio, which I've owned for a year now. Yours is a very nice colour. I doubt they hit 60mph in anything like 5.6 seconds though. Switch those digits around for your coupé. My heavier cabrio is probably nearer 7 seconds.
Anyway forget that: it's all about the driving experience nowadays. As you say: mid-engined longitudinal quad cam V8, 5 speed open gate manual box, with rack-and-pinion PAS and air-con, all clothed in a Pininfarina body. I liked them back then and I still like them now.
Anyway forget that: it's all about the driving experience nowadays. As you say: mid-engined longitudinal quad cam V8, 5 speed open gate manual box, with rack-and-pinion PAS and air-con, all clothed in a Pininfarina body. I liked them back then and I still like them now.
Excellent choice - congratulations.
Looks like Chiaro Blue, one of just 4 in UK RHD.
The T is quite superb, 50/50 weight balance and well screwed together for an Enzo-period Ferrari.
Perfect for loading up with luggage and a spirited cruise down to the SOF for an extended period.
I restricted the g/f's shoe count to just the front spare wheel boot, and received no complaint.
Enjoy
Looks like Chiaro Blue, one of just 4 in UK RHD.
The T is quite superb, 50/50 weight balance and well screwed together for an Enzo-period Ferrari.
Perfect for loading up with luggage and a spirited cruise down to the SOF for an extended period.
I restricted the g/f's shoe count to just the front spare wheel boot, and received no complaint.
Enjoy
Roof down said:
Yes 300 hp is plenty to play with,
Funny, I spend my days surrounded by big turbo, four wheel drive lumps with oodles of power and also find that 300 ponies feels exactly the right amount for a road car.OP - that's a really, really lovely colour combination. Cherish and enjoy!
Really nice car, great colour combo - Def Chiaro Blue, the other blue slightly darker is TDF blue.
Remember seeing this advertised a few months back and thought it looked great value, the Mondial def looking good these days, shape has come of age, i suspect the mondial sweet spot is the 3.2 as it does not need the engine out for Belts service, but yeah 300hp is enough to have lots of fun, that said its also about the occasion and how the car makes you feel, many modern cars are all about the BHP (and Emissions!) but then cars have got very heavy and tech laden so need the power to carry it all.
Hope you have many years of fun.
Enjoy
Andy
Remember seeing this advertised a few months back and thought it looked great value, the Mondial def looking good these days, shape has come of age, i suspect the mondial sweet spot is the 3.2 as it does not need the engine out for Belts service, but yeah 300hp is enough to have lots of fun, that said its also about the occasion and how the car makes you feel, many modern cars are all about the BHP (and Emissions!) but then cars have got very heavy and tech laden so need the power to carry it all.
Hope you have many years of fun.
Enjoy
Andy
That's a lovely one - looks like we set up similar threads at the same time - I did the F355 one in the supercar forum next to yours, and I'm in Suffolk as opposed to Norfolk!
For me opinion is going to turn heavily in the Mondial's favour of the next few years - there's something about its styling which is only really coming of age now, and will suddenly just click. Feel the same about the Jaguar XJS - for years I thought it was a bit dubious, but now when I see one out and about it just looks like a mark of great taste.
For me opinion is going to turn heavily in the Mondial's favour of the next few years - there's something about its styling which is only really coming of age now, and will suddenly just click. Feel the same about the Jaguar XJS - for years I thought it was a bit dubious, but now when I see one out and about it just looks like a mark of great taste.
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff