Hi all, looking for owners views on a 4.3 California please
Discussion
Hard to provide much detailed insight given your lack of specifics but seeing that you have a huge amount of experience in some brands/cars that I’m familiar with and given that this appears to be your first Fezza, then here goes…
First and foremost, it’s one of the most practical, everyday driver Ferraris out there. You get the ground clearance as well as the significant luggage space in the back seats and the boot. You also get the party trick of the folding tin top.
With 460bhp on tap, it’s rapid but not so powerful that you can’t indulge in full bore acceleration.
The downsides are that its not the most refined car in Ferrari’s stable. Ironically, for a ‘GT’ car, the ride is remarkably harsh and poorly resolved and there’s a fair bit of NVH at motorway speeds. In addition, the drivetrain can be a hit clunky in traffic, despite the best efforts of the DCT. So it’s great for everyday driving on clear roads and pootling around in nice weather or on holiday. But it’s lousy at getting to your holiday destination and you wouldn’t bother taking it on a track, even though the 0-60 time is the same as the F430.
Still, it handles better than the Astons and is more nimble than the BMWs. It’s been a while since I drove a 911 (don’t understand the fuss about them) so I won’t compare it to the Porsche.
First and foremost, it’s one of the most practical, everyday driver Ferraris out there. You get the ground clearance as well as the significant luggage space in the back seats and the boot. You also get the party trick of the folding tin top.
With 460bhp on tap, it’s rapid but not so powerful that you can’t indulge in full bore acceleration.
The downsides are that its not the most refined car in Ferrari’s stable. Ironically, for a ‘GT’ car, the ride is remarkably harsh and poorly resolved and there’s a fair bit of NVH at motorway speeds. In addition, the drivetrain can be a hit clunky in traffic, despite the best efforts of the DCT. So it’s great for everyday driving on clear roads and pootling around in nice weather or on holiday. But it’s lousy at getting to your holiday destination and you wouldn’t bother taking it on a track, even though the 0-60 time is the same as the F430.
Still, it handles better than the Astons and is more nimble than the BMWs. It’s been a while since I drove a 911 (don’t understand the fuss about them) so I won’t compare it to the Porsche.
Edited by ANOpax on Monday 17th October 07:13
Drove my 2010 Cali around France, Spain & Portugal a few years back.
Great car for a long drive with the roof up & even better when you drop it for the more fun roads! Great noise too...
Had mine 18 months, no issues at all.
Terrific value for money imo & anyone saying it's not a true Ferrari is talking bo11ox
Great car for a long drive with the roof up & even better when you drop it for the more fun roads! Great noise too...
Had mine 18 months, no issues at all.
Terrific value for money imo & anyone saying it's not a true Ferrari is talking bo11ox
I test drove a California T last week and I honestly don't think I've ever been so underwhelmed by a car in my life. It was of course swift, capable and still a pleasant place to be but I couldn't wait to get back in my F430 Spider for a bit of noise and theatre. Horses for courses naturally but an enlightening experience nonetheless. I also don't buy into the 'It's not a real Ferrari,' nonsense but I can see why people might have that view.
Spleen said:
I test drove a California T last week and I honestly don't think I've ever been so underwhelmed by a car in my life. It was of course swift, capable and still a pleasant place to be but I couldn't wait to get back in my F430 Spider for a bit of noise and theatre. Horses for courses naturally but an enlightening experience nonetheless. I also don't buy into the 'It's not a real Ferrari,' nonsense but I can see why people might have that view.
The Cali 4 3 is a hugely different car to the T imo. The T is faster, heavier & sounds a hell of alot worse! I tried one & found it boring, the Portofino was a big improvement.have to disagree with this... I am biased as I have recently bought a Cali T... but I previosuly had the original 2010 California.
Agree compared to an F430 its chalk and cheese.. much more drama/theatre with the 430... but in terms of driving, the Cali is (to me) much faster and more usable with the DCT. (my 430 was a manual - so not exactly comparable).
I did however find the original Cali a little lacking in power - though this has been rectified wit the Turbo in the 'T'....
yes it lacks a little exhaust note, but just unplug and seal the vacuum pipes, and hey presto, it sounds like it should sound.
The T is certainly a great car to drive (again, I am biased here) - but having had all 3 of the mentioned cars, I much prefer the Cali T, for looks / driving, but also as its just a nice place to be sitting, and much more up to date with carplay etc....
but yes - horses for courses... its a different car to the 430... and there is no right answer here!
Agree compared to an F430 its chalk and cheese.. much more drama/theatre with the 430... but in terms of driving, the Cali is (to me) much faster and more usable with the DCT. (my 430 was a manual - so not exactly comparable).
I did however find the original Cali a little lacking in power - though this has been rectified wit the Turbo in the 'T'....
yes it lacks a little exhaust note, but just unplug and seal the vacuum pipes, and hey presto, it sounds like it should sound.
The T is certainly a great car to drive (again, I am biased here) - but having had all 3 of the mentioned cars, I much prefer the Cali T, for looks / driving, but also as its just a nice place to be sitting, and much more up to date with carplay etc....
but yes - horses for courses... its a different car to the 430... and there is no right answer here!
DeejRC said:
Something that I contemplate regularly - is the 30 a nice half way house between the 2?
Spleen said:
Do you mean the F430 between the California and the California T?
I presume he means the "30" version of the original California. Essentially a mid-life facelift version of the first generation car, with 30 extra horsepower, 30kg less weight and a few usual facelift bits. If I recall correctly every post-2012 car is a 30. If you do want the original N/A car it is a marginal improvement.Having never tried a T I can't say for sure, but I'd imagine there is a bigger gap between a "30" and a T, than there is between an original Cali and a "30".
yes would agree that... I never driven/owned a 30, but those that I know that have, have said its not that noticeable difference from the standard California... I was tempted but decided to go for the T... which definitely is pretty different to the original. Dont get me wrong, I loved all the Ferrari's I have owned - they are all great.. but the Cali T just feels better....albeit exhaust note not quite the best....
Love my Cali 30 with HS. Can really put it though it’s paces and it just shines beyond all expectations.
I’m 6 months in and done 2500 miles and as a first Ferrari everything I dreamed off. Amazing smell of the interior when you get in. Amazing noise, handling, speed. It’s definitely not S Y P fast as a driver, but passengers seem to feel it that way. All perspective I guess. Lovely short gears with pace everywhere above 3.5k rpm.
Tbh such a nice car to just mooch about in but when you have a clear road / space, open those taps and enjoy that race bred heritage.
Defo tempted to put an exhaust on it to open it up!
I’m 6 months in and done 2500 miles and as a first Ferrari everything I dreamed off. Amazing smell of the interior when you get in. Amazing noise, handling, speed. It’s definitely not S Y P fast as a driver, but passengers seem to feel it that way. All perspective I guess. Lovely short gears with pace everywhere above 3.5k rpm.
Tbh such a nice car to just mooch about in but when you have a clear road / space, open those taps and enjoy that race bred heritage.
Defo tempted to put an exhaust on it to open it up!
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