Discussion
Hello
Bit of advice from experienced hands please. Am thinking of a California and wanted to hear the good/bad of previous owners. I've had Astons and Porsches but never a Ferrari before. Also - does other road users hate you in one (cf 911) or love you and wave you in (cf Astons)?
I had previously thought of a 12C but slightly higher budget and also that really, really doesn't seem like a car to use every day, whereas the California does.
Any hints as to what to look for/look out for, much appreciated. Thanks.
Bit of advice from experienced hands please. Am thinking of a California and wanted to hear the good/bad of previous owners. I've had Astons and Porsches but never a Ferrari before. Also - does other road users hate you in one (cf 911) or love you and wave you in (cf Astons)?
I had previously thought of a 12C but slightly higher budget and also that really, really doesn't seem like a car to use every day, whereas the California does.
Any hints as to what to look for/look out for, much appreciated. Thanks.
California is a fantastic car. I have had Porsches, Astons and multiple Ferraris. I have a 911 again, in addition to a 12C.
If you can manage the 12C do it - it is blow-your-mind brilliant. The California is more usable but the 12C is 90% of the way there and is 150% more sporting.
You won't feel short chaged with a Cali though.
If you can manage the 12C do it - it is blow-your-mind brilliant. The California is more usable but the 12C is 90% of the way there and is 150% more sporting.
You won't feel short chaged with a Cali though.
lafcadio said:
Thanks. I did read the Evo review which says the California has a tendency to roll in the corners and also scrape the underside on bumpy rides when it's pushed. Or is that Evo nonsense?
Will try the 12C week after next to get a better idea.
No, it's not nonsense but it's also not the whole story. Pretty much all of the cars will ground and the Cali does it no more others.Will try the 12C week after next to get a better idea.
A Cali rolls more than, say, a 458, but that doesn't necessarily make it an 'unsporting' car. Softer suspension aids traction, harder suspension aids body control - both things can impact grip in different conditions. Therefore, in rain, low traction or bad road conditions you will go faster with softer suspension.
The California has a very compliant rear axle, I suspect because the weight is over the front and Ferrari didn't want to give the 'feeling' of a stiff sporty car but make it terrible for rear traction and allow it to be an oversteer monster. It felt much more sporty overall than the Aston DBS I owned. By this I mean that the engine, power delivery and especially the transmission were fantastic and the chassis was grippy, exploitable and predictable - which is more important than how much it rolls.
slippery said:
F355GTS said:
I'm on my 4th California, they really are superb and I've had total reliability.
Wow, that's praise indeed! Why have you changed several times? Trying different colours and specs?
Used them for Euro tours inc. pressing in the Alps, cross country dashes and roof down cruising, does everything brilliantly. Typically doing around 5k-6k miles per annum
Must admit the new T sounds tempting, 458 power levels plus heaps more torque and they've done some work to resolve the rear end styling, it's going to be a tough choice around this time next year between a 458 Spider and the T
It's always interesting to note how many people state that the California is "Not a real Ferrari!", having never even sat in one, let alone drive one.
Comparisons to the 458 and the McLaren are not really fair because although the California is a quick, sporty drive, it's a more compromised design for a completely different purpose and market to those two cars (and to be fair to the California, I don't think it would be that embarrassed by either of those two cars on the same roads in the real world).
Comparisons to the 458 and the McLaren are not really fair because although the California is a quick, sporty drive, it's a more compromised design for a completely different purpose and market to those two cars (and to be fair to the California, I don't think it would be that embarrassed by either of those two cars on the same roads in the real world).
4rephill said:
It's always interesting to note how many people state that the California is "Not a real Ferrari!", having never even sat in one, let alone drive one.
Comparisons to the 458 and the McLaren are not really fair because although the California is a quick, sporty drive, it's a more compromised design for a completely different purpose and market to those two cars (and to be fair to the California, I don't think it would be that embarrassed by either of those two cars on the same roads in the real world).
I can definitely confirm that is absolutely the case, although ultimately, little can stay with a 12C.Comparisons to the 458 and the McLaren are not really fair because although the California is a quick, sporty drive, it's a more compromised design for a completely different purpose and market to those two cars (and to be fair to the California, I don't think it would be that embarrassed by either of those two cars on the same roads in the real world).
I had a California and it was superb - I only sold it to make way for a 458 Spider. If you drive a California hard the exhaust bangs and pops - its excellent. I did ground the nose on some of the hairpins on the Northern part of the Stelvio Pass but I blame the road rather than the car for that. IMHO I think the Californias look best in a light colour - California blue or silver as they stop the rear end looking so large. Buy one - you won't regret it. In 18 months/4500 miles I had no technical issues.
Extremely useful info, thanks all. I am leaning towards the California but have a test in the 12C to be sure.
Seems like there are a few good Californias around for around £110k. I'm not in the market for the new T but wondered if the existing prices on the earlier models will soften further a few months after the T is available. Or whether supply is so restricted that these will hold firm?
Seems like there are a few good Californias around for around £110k. I'm not in the market for the new T but wondered if the existing prices on the earlier models will soften further a few months after the T is available. Or whether supply is so restricted that these will hold firm?
I absolutely love my California and would highly recommend one.
Ive covered 6000 miles in the last 12 months and it has been superb.
Previous Fcars include 550 Maranello and 430 Spider and Scuderia so I do feel I'm in a good position to comment.
It is known as the Swiss Army Knife of Ferraris and it certainly deserves that praise.
Totally magic car in the majority of situations and VERY FERRARI.
Obviously its a different hit than a focused Scuderia or a V12 550 but it is a very satisfying drive with little compromise.
I recently let a British GT Championship Ferrari 458 GT3 Driver take it out on some fast Welsh roads (A44) and he absolutely loved it.
He said he thought it would be like a sloppy Maserati but described it as a "Go-Kart" with "amazing brakes"
Ive covered 6000 miles in the last 12 months and it has been superb.
Previous Fcars include 550 Maranello and 430 Spider and Scuderia so I do feel I'm in a good position to comment.
It is known as the Swiss Army Knife of Ferraris and it certainly deserves that praise.
Totally magic car in the majority of situations and VERY FERRARI.
Obviously its a different hit than a focused Scuderia or a V12 550 but it is a very satisfying drive with little compromise.
I recently let a British GT Championship Ferrari 458 GT3 Driver take it out on some fast Welsh roads (A44) and he absolutely loved it.
He said he thought it would be like a sloppy Maserati but described it as a "Go-Kart" with "amazing brakes"
Hi
Thanks Giggle. I love the idea of that nimble, go-kart-feeling (many years ago I had an MX5 which I used to take on track and it was exactly that - much more fun round the corners than the later Astons I had!). In fact, I've heard nothing but good things from everyone I've now spoken to about the Cali. Interestingly the dealer I met yesterday told me prices had firmed up a lot in the last couple of months as they're liable to I suppose in the summer...fortunately I'm don't need the car till September when we (finally) move out of London so can wait a month or two.
The 12C I think can wait for a while (also it'll be interesting to see what the P13 is like when that's on the market next year) so the Cali it is...even my wife has bought into the idea!
Thanks Giggle. I love the idea of that nimble, go-kart-feeling (many years ago I had an MX5 which I used to take on track and it was exactly that - much more fun round the corners than the later Astons I had!). In fact, I've heard nothing but good things from everyone I've now spoken to about the Cali. Interestingly the dealer I met yesterday told me prices had firmed up a lot in the last couple of months as they're liable to I suppose in the summer...fortunately I'm don't need the car till September when we (finally) move out of London so can wait a month or two.
The 12C I think can wait for a while (also it'll be interesting to see what the P13 is like when that's on the market next year) so the Cali it is...even my wife has bought into the idea!
New here - just bought a California, take delivery today - can't wait !
I had my heart set on a DBS Volante after both test driving and hiring one for the weekend, but test drove a California, and was so impressed I changed my mind.
They really look a lot more spectacular in the flesh than photos convey, particularly in darker colours (mine is Nero Daytona), and incredibly fun to drive.
Will post some pics at the weekend !
I had my heart set on a DBS Volante after both test driving and hiring one for the weekend, but test drove a California, and was so impressed I changed my mind.
They really look a lot more spectacular in the flesh than photos convey, particularly in darker colours (mine is Nero Daytona), and incredibly fun to drive.
Will post some pics at the weekend !
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