Story by Erik Nielsen
Our latest addition to the barn. We're so proud! Erik Nielsen photo.
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If you frequent the numerous chat boards that are dedicated to "exotic" car ownership, you'll notice one of the most asked questions (after "which is the best wax to use"), is "which is the best car to get into exotic car ownership". Lots of the responses will come back from kids in high school that are slobbering over their latest copy of Road and Track or Car and Driver. Ferrari 360 or Lamborghini Gallardo are two common answers. While those are the "entry level" cars from the two big Italian companies, their high prices put them out of reach but for a small segment of society.
So, does that mean the tifosi that has been saving up for the last 20 years for a prancing horse needs to save for another 30 to get a car?
Absolutely not.
While Ferraris do cost more than your Toyota Camry to keep running, you don't have to be in the top 0.5% to be able to get your thrills out of one. There are three Ferraris that probably get the biggest bum rap out of all of the cars to leave Maranello: the 308 GT4, the Mondial, and the 365 GT4/400/412 series. Maybe I am crazy, but I own an example of each of the latter two and I think they are wonderful machines. While they may not have the flash of the newer cars, the high tech gizmos, fancy driver's aids, or a "flappy paddle gearbox", they have something that makes them even more appealing: I can work on them. I may not be the best wrench turner in the world, but at least I don't need a proprietary laptop to tell me that my car isn't running correctly.
Even my wife can work on this engine. Erik Nielsen photo.
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Lots of so called Ferrari experts say that the Mondial 8 was probably the worst Ferrari ever made. Magazine writers are always looking for something negative to say and jumped on this band wagon too. But I'd be willing to wager that many of them have never had time to be close with one, maybe never even driven one. While saying a certain Ferrari is a piece of merda may sell magazines or make the person feel big by putting a car (and/or its owner) down, the fact is the Mondial 8 is a nice GT car and an incredible buy if you can find one that isn't a basket case. It's like the old joke: What do you call the guy that graduated last in his class from medical school? Doctor. The Mondial is still a Ferrari.
Before we get to the good parts, let's talk about the bad points. First, this thing isn't ridiculously fast. Period magazine tests put a 0-60 time of about 9 seconds. Lots of cars do that now, but remember this thing is 24 years old. I've never had a problem of being able to keep up with modern traffic. The 2 valve injected 3.0l V8 probably puts out less than 200 hp in US spec form and, while you won't win a stop light shoot out (and only a fool would buy a Ferrari to use as a drag car), not everyone will honk at you to get out of the way.
The styling has been classified as "bland". I blame this on lots of photographs of red cars. The red really does wash out the details and even looking at pictures of my own car, I can tell you it looks much better in the steel.
Red, from every angle, in every light. Erik Nielsen photo.
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The last weak point is the electronics. No excuse for that one, it's early 80's Italian, after all.
Okay, on to the good parts. This really is a fun car to drive. The suspension is set up to under steer slightly but it is very predictable and becomes "chuck-able" once you start to get confidence in the car. The engine makes the right noises (granted, nothing compares to a carbed V12). And since there are only around 200 horses to push you around, you find yourself reving the engine above 5000 rpm, where the noise really is special, more frequently. The gear change is a little stiff when cold, but once it is warm, only a firm hand is required to row the box (just like every other Ferrari out there). The driving position takes some getting used to as the pedals are offset towards the center of the car, but it's not uncomfortable. The steering wheel is adjustable up/down and in/out so most drivers can find an optimal position. My longest straight run is 4.5 hours on interstates and highways and I wasn't uncomfortable. I didn't even turn on the radio during that trip. (Psst! The radio didn't work!! - the wife)
Even 6 feet and 2 inches can fit in here comfortably. Erik Nielsen photo.
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Now for the numbers. The car that we acquired was a 42,000 mile example in the classic rosso corsa and tan combination. It's not a concours car (I like to drive more than wax) and the seats will need to be recovered at some point. With all of the taxes, insurance for a year and a 30k service, it cost us just under $20,000. We've budgeted $2000 per year in maintenance (the metric tires are about $400 each).
All said, it's about the price of a Toyota Camry. Is it going to be as reliable and never get you stranded like the Camry? Probably not. But when you remember that it is a 24 year old car and will need care and attention, it is lots of bang for the buck.
Ah, the ground clearance of a snail. Just the way the wife likes it. Erik Nielsen photo.
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If you do decide to take the plunge, make sure you do your homework. Ferraris at this price level usually have lots of deferred maintenance issues. Just because the car costs less than $20k, if you get a bad one, you could end up spending more than that and still have a $20k car, so go over the car with a specialist. Then drive the hell out of it and smile at every Camry driver you pass on the road!
