Ferrari 308 prices have fallen back a bit, although at the current $40,000-$50,000 mark, they are still beyond the means of many prospective collectors. But there is an affordability light at the end of the Ferrari tunnel, and that is the Ferrari Mondial.
The Mondial was Ferrari’s replacement for the 308 GT4 and in my personal experience, one of the nicest-driving mid-engine Ferrari road cars ever. While many people do not care for the styling, I see it as a perfect 1980s time capsule, with elements of the 308 and the later Testarossa combined into a good-looking package. Mondail also is comfortable for long trips, is fun to drive, is fast enough to be entertaining and is a real-deal Ferrari from the Enzo era.
The Pick of the Day is one of these last Ferrari bargains, a 1984 Ferrari Mondial QV Cabriolet located in Chatsworth, California. QV stands for Quattrovalvole, which means four valves per cylinder in its V8 engine.
According to the dealer advertising the Ferrari on ClassicCars.com, this Mondial is a very original example with an indicated 38,000 miles, which has a few issues but has been maintained by a reputable shop over the years. Some of those issues are a non-working rear-window motor and a slight tear in the driver’s side seat bolster.
The seller does not mention whether the car has had a timing-belt service or its 30,000-mile valve adjustment, and it would behoove any prospective buyer to verify the car’s service history with documentation. The condition of the fabric top also would need to be checked, since you would not want to buy a Ferrari convertible and immediately have to replace the very expensive and complicated top.
Even though a Mondial is a great value, it is still a Ferrari and parts can be expensive and service costs are high. Many service jobs, however, can be done by a competent owner who has the mechanical aptitude, plenty of patience and does the necessary research.
The asking price or the Ferrari is $34,900, and I would bet that has some negotiating space.
Note that whenever making a classic car purchase, especially for an exotic such as a Ferrari, be certain to pay for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified technician and use that information for negotiation. And if that tech says the car has some needs, take care of them immediately because putting anything off with any Ferrari is a recipe for disaster.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day
