Is the Ferrari Mondial the Worst Sports Car?

The Ferrari Mondial has gotten a lot of flak throughout the years, but what if it’s not as atrocious as we think? Does it have any redeeming qualities?
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The
Ferrari
Mondial is polarizing, to say the least. But is this forgotten classic really a dud?
If you’re looking for a comfy sports car where your kids can hop in the back seat, the affordable Mondial might just be your chance to own a famous prancing horse. 
Jerry
, the
car ownership super app
, takes a closer look. 

The Ferrari Mondial: An accessible prancing horse

The name “Mondial” means global and was strategically designed to meet the needs of a variety of less-affluent consumers. According to
Autoevolution
, “If you can only afford a 2021 EcoBoost-powered Mustang but you dream about owning a classic Ferrari, then the Mondial deserves serious consideration.”
With six different versions, the four-seater is much less aggressive than other Ferraris of its time. “The Mondial was Ferrari’s successor to the popular 308/208 GT4 coupe, and it was the company’s last 2+2 V8 design until California came in 2008,”
HotCars
tells us. 
The Mondial was manufactured from 1980 to 1993. The Mondial 8 was first revealed in 1980 and we soon met the Mondial QV, Mondial 3.2, and Mondial t. Pininfarina designed the car, and the bodywork was completed by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. It was also designed to support Ferrari’s touring car model. 
The performance and appearance of the Ferrari Mondial are where things went south. According to HotCars, the “Mondial emerged when Ferrari was facing new and more stringent pollution and safety regulations.”
Supposedly, the auto was meant to blend the convenience of a GT with sports car characteristics. And the fact that the automaker built the 308-348 series alongside the Mondial didn’t help either. However, the lightweight car did offer lots of function and practicality. 
MORE: This New Ferrari 296 GTS Convertible Looks Like A Very Fun Ride
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Under the radar and misunderstood

Unfortunately, the Mondial was met with an onslaught of negative press. “Compared to its sharper, nimbler brother 308 or 208, many have described it as ponderous and sluggish. It didn’t have the same punch as the 512 BB, either,” HotCars notes.
However, there was some validity to the harsh comments from the media. Less potent than its competitors, the Mondial 8 took a whole 9.4 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph. But to be fair, the Lamborghini Jalpa needed 7.3 seconds to hit 60 mph. 
Luckily, the Mondial’s speed continued to increase. With the 1982 quattrovalvole, 60 mph could be reached in only 6.4 seconds. 
Rust became an issue, and complaints of corrosion (even when kept in the garage) started piling up. And if the upscale leather-upholstered cabin isn’t well maintained, the material will crack over time. 
The Ferrari Mondial also took some big risks. It was the first Ferrari to build a rear suspension, transverse engine, and transmission all nestled in a single subframe
According to HotCars, “This design made removing the engine for a significant repair or removing the cylinder heads easier than in prior generations. It also saved money on upkeep.” And did we mention it's also the first Ferrari with power brakes, steering, and an electronic suspension?

An ‘80s Ferrari we can actually afford

While the upkeep for any Ferrari is pricey, if you’re a fan of classic cars, the Mondial may be the perfect weekend project. If you can, snag a 1985-1988 model with a 3.2-liter V8 engine and 270 hp. It’s also less expensive to service the engine thanks to its longitudinally-mounted transmission.
According to HotCars, “Ferrari priced the Mondial 8 at $64,000 in the United States for the 1980 model year, making it the cheapest Ferrari of the early ‘80s.”
The historic car didn’t really do anything wrong…except be a Ferrari. Though the vehicle lacked clarity, the price of the Mondial is actually rising. But don’t get it twisted, it’s still one of the cheapest Ferraris you’ll ever be able to find.
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