1990 Ferrari Mondial t from North America - Comments

I drove my mondialt cab to the cavallino (pa-fl) these are not slow cars. delta vee susupension/ chips /open exhaust. 348 trans and wheels bolt in roll bar omp challenge seats

airco delete. 320 horses 3000 lbs. the 348 wheels give up top end, but do you really need to go over 170 mph. (WTF) they are reasonable (for a ferrari) to maintain, look great and have lots of room. Btw once you get used to the top it is less than 5 minutes up/down including the boot. I enjoy putting the top up and down on my ferrari. Very mechanical passionate car.

I've owned a 92 Mondial Cab t for 10 years. I've been procrastinating about getting the 30,000 mile service (that's the big one; engine drop, replace all belts etc...) because I want to use someone qualified, recommended and who won't kill me money wise located somewhere in Southern California. I've had guesstimates anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000. Any suggestions?

Pete

San Clemente, CA.

The 3.0 can have cam belts replaced without dropping the engine, while the 3.4 has to drop the engine. I don't know about the 3.2!

If the engine drops out, better have a specialist have a good check while out; costs money, but at least in 20 years it will still be running.

Best is to move the car often for a spin, else the speedometer, windows, and air conditioning will be on or off.

my red convertible ferrari mondial t with magnolia interior 1991 3.4 is like a woman with all the naughty lingerie underneath, once the hood is off it is surley the best looking ferrari of today, and when you take a close look at all the angles you see all the previous model ferrari in it.

The only negative to me is the hood and seats are small and can be to close to windscrren

regards

giovanni.

leicester united kingdom

Sounds like a radiator problem.

Nothing to do with whether or not engine was out.

Possibly clogged.

Possibly from using radiator stop leak? other reasons?

I love Mondials and I especially love Mondial t Cabriolets. When I read the following review (from Feb/01 Sports Car Market) of the 1991 t Cabrio I had to take a step back. Every time I hear the negatives I wonder if they are the one off things that get worked out and never come back. Someone on here said even that's unforgiveable at this level and that's why they'd opt for a Porsche. But a Porsche does not have the sexiness of a Mondial cabrio. Al Pacino didn't test drive a Porsche as a blind guy in Scent of a Woman.

http://www.sportscarmarket.com/profiles/2001/February/Ferrari/index.html

Here is a review (from SCM) of a Mondial Cabrio with the 3.2 engine from 1987 two years before the Mondial t was introduced.

http://www.sportscarmarket.com/Profiles/2006/October/Ferrari/

The Mondial is the only Ferrari in history which had laboratory applications applied to a standard production car. It is in fact with all its versions the Ferrari of the past connected with the modern Ferrari's..

First 4 valves per cylinder (3.0 quattrovalvole, cabriolet)

ABS teves (3.2-3.4)

3 set sport damping (3.4)

5 speed manual without clutch (3.4 valeo 9 built)

The ideal version 3.2? With power steering, ABS option. If to change the cam belts, the engine does not have to drop out like 3.4, which is the best as a modern Ferrari.

I bought my 1990 Mondial T Cab 6 months ago. I bought an inexpensive one that had a gap in the car fax where the speedo was replaced. I didn't get a pre-purchase inspection - just trusted the previous owner's mechanic who had good reviews on FerrariChat. My best guess is that my car has about 75,000 miles. From the carfax it would seem that my car was regularly driven 5,000 miles per year with no dead zones where the car didn't get driven.

It is the most wonderful perfect piece of machinery I can ever imagine. Everything is well laid out and easily serviceable. Sure you have to read up, and have a head on your shoulders, but I have never worked on another car that even come close to being as easy to work on as my Mondial. The car is perfectly balanced. The steering is dead on. The brakes are entirely adequate. The engine sings the sweetest song you can imagine, and I haven't even replaced the stock exhaust yet.

The mechanic didn't tell me everything that was wrong with the car, but the issues are all relatively simple. Biggest one are the motor mounts that need to be replaced. I found a used set for $400 and very glad to do so, since the new ones are ridiculously overpriced. Replacing them with the engine in the car will be a bear, but it can be done. The big item would be oil consumption, but mine is low, so no worries. Slowly but surely I am bringing my car back to its proper state of glory.

It's the most beautiful color they ever made a Mondial, 901C, Nero Metallizaco, which is gorgeous dark gray metallic. No other car I have seen looks as good as mine. Don't waste your precious time dithering - you know you want one. There are lots of cars that are faster for the same or even less money, but none of them will put a smile on your face like the Mondial. Especially the T! Plus being easy and rewarding to do your own service - it's an unbeatable combination. Just be sure to do a lot of research on parts sources. There a lot of ways to save money, if you take your time and search out the good deals. The guys at Ferrari Chat are very helpful.

One last bit of advice: I learned the hard way that this car is not meant for “tossing”. If you break the rear end loose it will be very hard to control. This is not a complaint – there is no reason to drive the car that way. Just know that it is not an option and drive accordingly. To make it clear what I did when I almost lost it big time: I was coming around a medium tight sweeper, with the engine at about 3200 rpm in 2nd gear. Like a fool I put the throttle all the way to the floor and held it down. Of course the rear end broke loose and it was all I could do to not wreck the car. This was entirely my fault. The car is meant to be driven smoothly saving the throttle for the exit of a corner after you have already straightened out. In a panic situation, like, for example, someone pulls out in front of you, you can slam the brakes and maintain full control of the car. It’s entirely safe as long as you don’t get stupid like I did.