599 vs California
Discussion
chalk and cheese I would say. Never driven a Cal but have a 599.
612 bhp V12 Enzo engine and was it the most expensive model in the range at the time versus the cheapest.
I also think the 599 represents good value at the moment versus other Ferrari V12's
612 bhp V12 Enzo engine and was it the most expensive model in the range at the time versus the cheapest.
I also think the 599 represents good value at the moment versus other Ferrari V12's
Edited by Jonny TVR on Wednesday 30th May 09:02
I agree - chalk and cheese. I have owned a 599 for 10 years and also owned a Cali for 2 years (2010-2012 - sold to be replaced by a 458 spider). Other than the fact that they are both made by Ferrari, very little else in common. 599 - epic V12 performance, massive torque but it's a big car, particularly width wise, and I find I "breath in" when I meet a bus or van coming the other way on a B road. I would not use one as a DD as, apart from anything else, its size could make parking difficult. You can get a surprising amount of luggage in if you use squashy bags and self and Mrs Wombat did a two and a bit week tour encompassing Maranello, Mille Miglia Tribute, Portofino and then Monaco Grand Prix with no problems (in fact that trip was so epic we won't ever sell the car). You can also get a full size golf bag in the boot (although that will be irrelevant to the Pistonheads anti golf brigade). Also, although it has a paddle shift (single clutch) it still feels quite an "analogue" car compared to the current models with a cabin architecture all of its own.
California - IMHO a much better car than many journalists etc rate it. Beautiful dual clutch gearbox, V8 needs to be rev'd. Handles well by normal car standards but nothing like a 458/488. Obviously it is a plus that you can get the top down when the weather permits. Much more practical than the 599 - could easily use as DD. Also toured Europe in the Cali including Italian GP and again, plenty luggage space if you use squashy bags and the rear seats (which aren't any use for anything else). Obviously luggage space reduced when the top is down.
If you are serious, you need to drive both but as a guideline my view is that if you want a car that will only be driven for Sunday blasts etc and in which every drive is "an event" then go for the 599. If you want a car that is still great to drive but which will be used regularly or even daily then it's the Cali.
P.S. I find the headlights on the 599 pathetic - my DD Audi has much better ones. I have enquired about upgrading them but no-one seems to have a solution.
California - IMHO a much better car than many journalists etc rate it. Beautiful dual clutch gearbox, V8 needs to be rev'd. Handles well by normal car standards but nothing like a 458/488. Obviously it is a plus that you can get the top down when the weather permits. Much more practical than the 599 - could easily use as DD. Also toured Europe in the Cali including Italian GP and again, plenty luggage space if you use squashy bags and the rear seats (which aren't any use for anything else). Obviously luggage space reduced when the top is down.
If you are serious, you need to drive both but as a guideline my view is that if you want a car that will only be driven for Sunday blasts etc and in which every drive is "an event" then go for the 599. If you want a car that is still great to drive but which will be used regularly or even daily then it's the Cali.
P.S. I find the headlights on the 599 pathetic - my DD Audi has much better ones. I have enquired about upgrading them but no-one seems to have a solution.
willy wombat said:
I agree - chalk and cheese. I have owned a 599 for 10 years and also owned a Cali for 2 years (2010-2012 - sold to be replaced by a 458 spider). Other than the fact that they are both made by Ferrari, very little else in common. 599 - epic V12 performance, massive torque but it's a big car, particularly width wise, and I find I "breath in" when I meet a bus or van coming the other way on a B road. I would not use one as a DD as, apart from anything else, its size could make parking difficult. You can get a surprising amount of luggage in if you use squashy bags and self and Mrs Wombat did a two and a bit week tour encompassing Maranello, Mille Miglia Tribute, Portofino and then Monaco Grand Prix with no problems (in fact that trip was so epic we won't ever sell the car). You can also get a full size golf bag in the boot (although that will be irrelevant to the Pistonheads anti golf brigade). Also, although it has a paddle shift (single clutch) it still feels quite an "analogue" car compared to the current models with a cabin architecture all of its own.
California - IMHO a much better car than many journalists etc rate it. Beautiful dual clutch gearbox, V8 needs to be rev'd. Handles well by normal car standards but nothing like a 458/488. Obviously it is a plus that you can get the top down when the weather permits. Much more practical than the 599 - could easily use as DD. Also toured Europe in the Cali including Italian GP and again, plenty luggage space if you use squashy bags and the rear seats (which aren't any use for anything else). Obviously luggage space reduced when the top is down.
If you are serious, you need to drive both but as a guideline my view is that if you want a car that will only be driven for Sunday blasts etc and in which every drive is "an event" then go for the 599. If you want a car that is still great to drive but which will be used regularly or even daily then it's the Cali.
P.S. I find the headlights on the 599 pathetic - my DD Audi has much better ones. I have enquired about upgrading them but no-one seems to have a solution.
Owned 3 x 599 inc 1 x HGTE and 3 x California inc 1 x 30HS and my experience matches Mr Wombat's in every respect California - IMHO a much better car than many journalists etc rate it. Beautiful dual clutch gearbox, V8 needs to be rev'd. Handles well by normal car standards but nothing like a 458/488. Obviously it is a plus that you can get the top down when the weather permits. Much more practical than the 599 - could easily use as DD. Also toured Europe in the Cali including Italian GP and again, plenty luggage space if you use squashy bags and the rear seats (which aren't any use for anything else). Obviously luggage space reduced when the top is down.
If you are serious, you need to drive both but as a guideline my view is that if you want a car that will only be driven for Sunday blasts etc and in which every drive is "an event" then go for the 599. If you want a car that is still great to drive but which will be used regularly or even daily then it's the Cali.
P.S. I find the headlights on the 599 pathetic - my DD Audi has much better ones. I have enquired about upgrading them but no-one seems to have a solution.
I'd add that the ride in the California is significantly more resolved except perhaps the HS model which is too jittery at low speeds
[quote=willy wombat]
Thanks for the info above Willy Wombat. I am looking to get a 2nd Ferrari next year and have spent a lot of time thinking about what to get. The size of the 599 does put me off but I do want a useable car and to use more regularly. I think it maybe an option to have both but the 599 in LHD for driving more in Europe.
Which one to get first though...
Thanks for the info above Willy Wombat. I am looking to get a 2nd Ferrari next year and have spent a lot of time thinking about what to get. The size of the 599 does put me off but I do want a useable car and to use more regularly. I think it maybe an option to have both but the 599 in LHD for driving more in Europe.
Which one to get first though...
In part thanks to the various PHers input on this thread, I ended up getting a 2010 Cali.
Glad I ignored the many rather less informed comments and reviews out there that suggest it’s just a tame GT. It’s not. It’s very versatile, and can be driven comfortably if you want, but it is a long way from tame. Fantastic car, and certainly exciting enough for weekend blasts.
Glad I ignored the many rather less informed comments and reviews out there that suggest it’s just a tame GT. It’s not. It’s very versatile, and can be driven comfortably if you want, but it is a long way from tame. Fantastic car, and certainly exciting enough for weekend blasts.
wineman02]illy wombat said:
Thanks for the info above Willy Wombat. I am looking to get a 2nd Ferrari next year and have spent a lot of time thinking about what to get. The size of the 599 does put me off but I do want a useable car and to use more regularly. I think it maybe an option to have both but the 599 in LHD for driving more in Europe.
Which one to get first though...
LHD 599 for touring in Europe is a great idea, that's what I used mine for predominately. Don't worry about the size, it's narrower than many other cars. At the current price points they are hard to beat especially with a sports exhaust.Which one to get first though...
Size is - literally - all relative.
If you've ever driven anything like a RR Vogue (L322, from 2009 onwards) that's 2035mm wide; the 599 is 1960mm which puts it on a par with a Discovery 5 and doubtless myriad similar 4x4s.
A 599 is no Lotus Elise, but then surely it's all the better for it (and I mean in terms of on-road stability, not reliability etc)
G
If you've ever driven anything like a RR Vogue (L322, from 2009 onwards) that's 2035mm wide; the 599 is 1960mm which puts it on a par with a Discovery 5 and doubtless myriad similar 4x4s.
A 599 is no Lotus Elise, but then surely it's all the better for it (and I mean in terms of on-road stability, not reliability etc)
G
Gassing Station | Ferrari V12 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff