Ferrari California
Discussion
When I was 17 my first car was a Fiat Cinquecento. It wasn’t the most exciting start to driving but it did give me freedom, and part of that freedom meant being able to drive to the local Ferrari garage (Graypaul Nottingham) and spend lunch breaks looking at the cars in the showroom. They were always really friendly and would always let me have a look round, saying, ‘please do look at the cars, who knows you might be a customer one day’. Maybe it was the Ferrari badge I had stuck on the back of the Fiat that convinced them!
Some years later I have finally bought a Ferrari and even writing that down feels unbelievable!
It is a 2010 California and I collected it from Graypaul Edinburgh. It is Avio Blue (a historic colour) with Sabbia (sand) interior. Personally I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a perfect spec for the California.
I’d originally wanted a 355 as my first Ferrari, but, being tall and with particularly long legs I couldn’t fit properly. The same was true for the 360 spider. I went to a dealership to try a couple but as much as I tried to convince myself it was ok, even the dealer pointed out this wasn’t going to be the right car for me and I’d probably end up hating it after a month every time my knee bashed into the wheel! The F430 was that bit bigger inside, and I was really really tempted with one I found, but, having a 2 year old daughter and the possibility of sharing some fun car days out with her and my wife meant the California became the model of choice. I had an R8 before this and put so few miles on it as weekends were taken up with family activity that a 2 seat car didn’t really fit in with.
If anyone is interested I will post more about the car and the amazing collection experience.
Some years later I have finally bought a Ferrari and even writing that down feels unbelievable!
It is a 2010 California and I collected it from Graypaul Edinburgh. It is Avio Blue (a historic colour) with Sabbia (sand) interior. Personally I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a perfect spec for the California.
I’d originally wanted a 355 as my first Ferrari, but, being tall and with particularly long legs I couldn’t fit properly. The same was true for the 360 spider. I went to a dealership to try a couple but as much as I tried to convince myself it was ok, even the dealer pointed out this wasn’t going to be the right car for me and I’d probably end up hating it after a month every time my knee bashed into the wheel! The F430 was that bit bigger inside, and I was really really tempted with one I found, but, having a 2 year old daughter and the possibility of sharing some fun car days out with her and my wife meant the California became the model of choice. I had an R8 before this and put so few miles on it as weekends were taken up with family activity that a 2 seat car didn’t really fit in with.
If anyone is interested I will post more about the car and the amazing collection experience.
Congratulations on the California...
Having owned mine now for almost 8 years, and using the same rationale as you (my son was 6), it really does add that extra something in that you can all go out together as a family. Just a shame that at 14 he's definitely outgrown the rear seats at 6'1" !!
Make sure that you drive it whenever you get the chance though...don't worry about putting a few miles on it as these cars are really meant to be used rather than tucked away in the garage. I've just passed the 100,000 klm (62000 miles) in mine and it hasn't missed a beat.
Having owned mine now for almost 8 years, and using the same rationale as you (my son was 6), it really does add that extra something in that you can all go out together as a family. Just a shame that at 14 he's definitely outgrown the rear seats at 6'1" !!
Make sure that you drive it whenever you get the chance though...don't worry about putting a few miles on it as these cars are really meant to be used rather than tucked away in the garage. I've just passed the 100,000 klm (62000 miles) in mine and it hasn't missed a beat.
Edited by TaurusMexico on Monday 14th August 13:03
swanny71 said:
Congrats fella.
Enjoy reading about normal, everyday people (no offence) getting into an older but still special car - far more interesting than wealthy blokes adding another to their “collection” of exotica.
No offence taken - this is an absolute dream for me and it’s amazing how a bit of creative accounting can see you go from thinking about another TVR, then thinking well I would probably want to go for the best Cerbera I could afford, which means if I’m spending that much I might be able to look at an R8 Spyder, which means I’m getting very close to Ferrari money so why not try to buy a dream car!Enjoy reading about normal, everyday people (no offence) getting into an older but still special car - far more interesting than wealthy blokes adding another to their “collection” of exotica.
Researching Californias threw up a few costly issues that can affect these cars (gearbox and roof in particular). In fact, the first car I saw, an Azzuro (blue) one, had just had £11.5k in repairs in the previous 4 months - a gearbox sensor and rear uprights. I’m not averse to properly maintaining a car (I’ve done it with TVRs and accept it can be part of ownership) but I did not want something like that to hit me so soon after purchase. A lot of the specialist dealers only offer 3 months warranty, so I was having to think hard about what to do.
Then I found my car - advertised on pistonheads and at a main dealer, it would come with 2 year Ferrari warranty (which would give that extra peace of mind). I wasn’t sure about the colour combo at first as it looked washed out by whatever filter they were using. However, it was priced well and had all the spec you would want on this car (diamond seats, magneride, carbon wheel etc). I contacted the dealership and they sent me through a video of it and I was 99% sure I loved it and this was THE car. But, because it was such a big purchase, I really wanted to see it for real before agreeing. Sod’s Law it was in Edinburgh and I am on the South Coast. One very expensive plane ticket later and I finally saw it for real.
Great to see it out the showroom and parked up - handy to see it next to a red California which just made me even more sure this was the colour I wanted.
I cannot describe how ‘unreal’ it felt to be at a Ferrari dealer, being given lunch and drinks, as I looked at a car I was going to buy. I wish I could have told 17 year old me that this would happen! Proper imposter-syndrome though!
The dealership was great: the car was in outstanding condition for a 13 year old car. They don’t normally sell cars of this age, but apparently it flew through all inspections and was in such good condition that they wanted to sell it themselves. I picked up on a couple of marks and they pointed out staining of the driver’s seat - all of which they would fix prior to collection.
And with that I’d agreed to go ahead and buy and come back to collect a week later!
Then I found my car - advertised on pistonheads and at a main dealer, it would come with 2 year Ferrari warranty (which would give that extra peace of mind). I wasn’t sure about the colour combo at first as it looked washed out by whatever filter they were using. However, it was priced well and had all the spec you would want on this car (diamond seats, magneride, carbon wheel etc). I contacted the dealership and they sent me through a video of it and I was 99% sure I loved it and this was THE car. But, because it was such a big purchase, I really wanted to see it for real before agreeing. Sod’s Law it was in Edinburgh and I am on the South Coast. One very expensive plane ticket later and I finally saw it for real.
Great to see it out the showroom and parked up - handy to see it next to a red California which just made me even more sure this was the colour I wanted.
I cannot describe how ‘unreal’ it felt to be at a Ferrari dealer, being given lunch and drinks, as I looked at a car I was going to buy. I wish I could have told 17 year old me that this would happen! Proper imposter-syndrome though!
The dealership was great: the car was in outstanding condition for a 13 year old car. They don’t normally sell cars of this age, but apparently it flew through all inspections and was in such good condition that they wanted to sell it themselves. I picked up on a couple of marks and they pointed out staining of the driver’s seat - all of which they would fix prior to collection.
And with that I’d agreed to go ahead and buy and come back to collect a week later!
ollyh1988 said:
I cannot describe how ‘unreal’ it felt to be at a Ferrari dealer, being given lunch and drinks, as I looked at a car I was going to buy. I wish I could have told 17 year old me that this would happen! Proper imposter-syndrome though!
This in spades! My entry into Ferrari was slightly less-nice in terms of a private seller via auction, but still can share some emotions there. Doesn't matter how many times you try to tell yourself "it's just a car", the badge just seems to glare at you from all angles and keep reminding you that you've done something proper bonkers 
Still feel awkward AF telling people I have one, at least outside of car-enthusiast circles.
Love the colour, great choice. There's a California which does the occasional school run in our village and it's always a nice sight (and sound) rumbling through. Matched only by the lady who fetches her kid in a Chimera in all weathers (even Snow!)
Fonzey said:
This in spades! My entry into Ferrari was slightly less-nice in terms of a private seller via auction, but still can share some emotions there. Doesn't matter how many times you try to tell yourself "it's just a car", the badge just seems to glare at you from all angles and keep reminding you that you've done something proper bonkers
Still feel awkward AF telling people I have one, at least outside of car-enthusiast circles.
Love the colour, great choice. There's a California which does the occasional school run in our village and it's always a nice sight (and sound) rumbling through. Matched only by the lady who fetches her kid in a Chimera in all weathers (even Snow!)
I’m going to crash because I can’t help but look down at that badge on the steering wheel! I hope it never stops feeling like it is all a dream haha.Still feel awkward AF telling people I have one, at least outside of car-enthusiast circles.
Love the colour, great choice. There's a California which does the occasional school run in our village and it's always a nice sight (and sound) rumbling through. Matched only by the lady who fetches her kid in a Chimera in all weathers (even Snow!)
Congratulations! Great car, have always loved these despite normally hating convertibles. I always thought of this as a Ferrari I would buy (if I ever found myself in this market). How do you plan on maintaining it, is this the type of car you can DIY? Sorry, I drive old sheds, so don’t really know how to ask questions about cars like this.
LactoseJoe said:
Congratulations! Great car, have always loved these despite normally hating convertibles. I always thought of this as a Ferrari I would buy (if I ever found myself in this market). How do you plan on maintaining it, is this the type of car you can DIY? Sorry, I drive old sheds, so don’t really know how to ask questions about cars like this.
My other car is very much an old shed but with this one it is under Ferrari warranty so will go back to them if it needs anything. It also has full main dealer service history so I’ll keep that up. I think that's the perfect colour. Very elegant. Congratulations.
I snapped this in a similar colour at Silverstone last year, which really stood out in a sea of red. Really transforms the car.
I got round to buying a Ferrari last year. I didn't have any trouble with imposter syndrome - I have no idea who I am anyway. But, I did notice a chip missing from my shoulder
Enjoy!
I snapped this in a similar colour at Silverstone last year, which really stood out in a sea of red. Really transforms the car.
I got round to buying a Ferrari last year. I didn't have any trouble with imposter syndrome - I have no idea who I am anyway. But, I did notice a chip missing from my shoulder
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