First Ferrari - Advice regards the California
Discussion
Hi
Am contemplating my first Ferrari, budget c90-110k, which I know round here isn't a lot but there does seem to be a wealth of knowledge here.
I currently run a 997.2 GTS and its replacement needs to tick similar boxes:
1. Every other day useable.
2. Convertible
3. Auto (I have an artificial left kneecap so this is a non negotiable)
4. Similar luggage capacity to the 911, my wife never packs light.
5. Robust enough to live outside as I have no garage for it.
So questions are:
1. Does the Cali make sense based on the above ?
2. Based on the budget which Cali as there seem to be various specs etc.
3. Any known weakpoints / things to look out for ?
4. Is 2k per annum a reasonable war chest to run one on, excluding insurance / tax.
5. Any other insights you might have ?
Thanks in advance for any and all insights.
Dibs
Am contemplating my first Ferrari, budget c90-110k, which I know round here isn't a lot but there does seem to be a wealth of knowledge here.
I currently run a 997.2 GTS and its replacement needs to tick similar boxes:
1. Every other day useable.
2. Convertible
3. Auto (I have an artificial left kneecap so this is a non negotiable)
4. Similar luggage capacity to the 911, my wife never packs light.
5. Robust enough to live outside as I have no garage for it.
So questions are:
1. Does the Cali make sense based on the above ?
2. Based on the budget which Cali as there seem to be various specs etc.
3. Any known weakpoints / things to look out for ?
4. Is 2k per annum a reasonable war chest to run one on, excluding insurance / tax.
5. Any other insights you might have ?
Thanks in advance for any and all insights.
Dibs
I went from a 997.2 turbo to a 1st gen California and absolutely loved it.
I was worried I would regret it, but it's got so much character compared to the 911.
I haven't looked at prices for a while, but I would have thought your budget should get a decent one.
Haven't had one for a few years now, and mine was in the 7 year service plan plus warranty, so I can't comment on running costs.
That is all.
I was worried I would regret it, but it's got so much character compared to the 911.
I haven't looked at prices for a while, but I would have thought your budget should get a decent one.
Haven't had one for a few years now, and mine was in the 7 year service plan plus warranty, so I can't comment on running costs.
That is all.
dibblecorse said:
Hi
I currently run a 997.2 GTS and its replacement needs to tick similar boxes:
1. Every other day useable.
2. Convertible
3. Auto (I have an artificial left kneecap so this is a non negotiable)
4. Similar luggage capacity to the 911, my wife never packs light.
5. Robust enough to live outside as I have no garage for it.
So questions are:
1. Does the Cali make sense based on the above ?
2. Based on the budget which Cali as there seem to be various specs etc.
3. Any known weakpoints / things to look out for ?
4. Is 2k per annum a reasonable war chest to run one on, excluding insurance / tax.
5. Any other insights you might have ?
Hello Dibs,I currently run a 997.2 GTS and its replacement needs to tick similar boxes:
1. Every other day useable.
2. Convertible
3. Auto (I have an artificial left kneecap so this is a non negotiable)
4. Similar luggage capacity to the 911, my wife never packs light.
5. Robust enough to live outside as I have no garage for it.
So questions are:
1. Does the Cali make sense based on the above ?
2. Based on the budget which Cali as there seem to be various specs etc.
3. Any known weakpoints / things to look out for ?
4. Is 2k per annum a reasonable war chest to run one on, excluding insurance / tax.
5. Any other insights you might have ?
Answers as follows;
1. Yes - with the caveat that you need to drive it regularly. If you leave it standing for more than 3 weeks without being on a battery charger then you're asking for trouble.
2. The standard Cali has 460hp. The Cali 30 has 30 extra hp and 30 fewer kg. HS pack stiffens up the suspension and adds adaptive dampers and a quicker steering rack. Magneride adaptive suspension was an option in all versions. Cali 30 is more desirable than Cali and the HS pack might command a premium too. It depends if you want the stiffer ride or not.
3. The roof can go out of alignment but this is rare - if the roof is misbehaving, it could be due to microswitches, solenoids or accident damage misalignment.
The early cars (up until 2012) are at risk from the brittle tie wrap problem in the DCT box which basically requires a strip down and sensor replacement - budget £7-8k for that job alone. The brittle tie wrap problem is exacerbated by the poor cooling design for the gearbox but that shouldn't be an issue for you if the car lives outside. Ignore the horror stories of £30k gearbox replacements, these date from when the car was young and the Ferrari solution was to replace rather than fix the gearbox.
The small daylight running LEDs in the headlamp assemblies can come loose and rattle around. The only fix is a new headlamp unit (£4k each)
If you have magneride, dampers can leak and have to be replaced in pairs (£1.5k each)
4. Your running costs will depend on how well you buy the car. Consumables such as CCBs will cost £12k for all 4 corners and a new set of pads is £1500. Expect the discs to last 80k miles if you don't track the car and you're expected to get through 3 sets of pads in those 80k miles. So if you buy a non-magneride car with fresh pads and 'meaty' discs then you've avoided some of the expensive traps. Buying a later car should minimise the risk of gearbox issues but there's no guarantee so you might be better off getting an older and cheaper car and putting the difference into a disaster fund.
Don't bother with the Ferrari warranty. It's full of exclusions and you're better off putting the money into your contingency fund.
5. The stereo is rubbish.
The car looks much better on 20" rather than the standard 19" alloys
Don't be afraid of higher mileage cars - they like to be driven and can take the miles. You'll also be able to buy cheaper and put the miles on without worrying so much about depreciation.
Don't be afraid to buy a car with a spec that you like. In fact, my personal view is that 'resale red' is the worst colour for the Cali. To support my view and whet your appetite, here's a picture of my wife's car.
Edited for duff gen on the bumpy road button: bumpy road button = magneride on the Cali T but not the first gen Cali
Edited by ANOpax on Wednesday 4th May 15:59
I’ve had a 997.1 (not a 997.2 GTS by any means) and a California and found them really very different cars.
The California is a much more of an experience than the reviews which call it a “boulevard cruiser” would have you believe. It’s got a rather firm ride and seats and is very noisy whenever you touch the accelerator, and is a lot faster than most realise. That makes for a lot of fun but not in great comfort tbh. The audio/satnav on the early ones is pathetic which doesn’t add to the sense of a luxury GT either.
I found the 997 a much more comfortable place for long journeys and commuting (but then it wasn’t a GTS which may be less so), almost dull to drive in comparison. The Porsche is also much less of an “event”, being such a familiar looking car, whereas the California looks special and attracts a lot of attention.
So all depends on what you want, and in particular the balance of ‘fun to drive’ vs ‘comfortable luxury’. But certainly ticks the box of a reasonably reliable, usable, prestige soft top, where the standard spec is pretty comprehensive (bar the naff ICE unit), so meets most of your other criteria. I might set aside more like 3-4k pa for running costs though, as ‘not much needed’ always seems to cost a lot on a Ferrari.
The California is a much more of an experience than the reviews which call it a “boulevard cruiser” would have you believe. It’s got a rather firm ride and seats and is very noisy whenever you touch the accelerator, and is a lot faster than most realise. That makes for a lot of fun but not in great comfort tbh. The audio/satnav on the early ones is pathetic which doesn’t add to the sense of a luxury GT either.
I found the 997 a much more comfortable place for long journeys and commuting (but then it wasn’t a GTS which may be less so), almost dull to drive in comparison. The Porsche is also much less of an “event”, being such a familiar looking car, whereas the California looks special and attracts a lot of attention.
So all depends on what you want, and in particular the balance of ‘fun to drive’ vs ‘comfortable luxury’. But certainly ticks the box of a reasonably reliable, usable, prestige soft top, where the standard spec is pretty comprehensive (bar the naff ICE unit), so meets most of your other criteria. I might set aside more like 3-4k pa for running costs though, as ‘not much needed’ always seems to cost a lot on a Ferrari.
Edited by 67Dino on Thursday 21st April 22:26
Just to note, the later California T is well within your budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204154...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204154...
jayemm89 said:
Does the magride equipped Cali first gen definitely get a bumpy road mode button? I can't think I have seen one with it in, but I keep getting told it's there!
I think you're right. Apologies for the duff gen. I know that the Cali T magnaride option comes with the bumpy road button but had somehow got it in my head that it applies to the first gen Cali as well but a check of online photos shows that it doesn't.
jayxx83 said:
Just picked mine up this weekend. What an animal. Absolutely loving it and can’t wait for the better weather!
My advice is don’t think about it too much, just do it!
Not seen one in silver before - really suits the colour.My advice is don’t think about it too much, just do it!
Chap round here has one in the usual resale red and it's a colour that really doesn't suit the shape.
That’s not me in the driving seat lol. It was my cousins birthday at the weekend so took him out for a drive.
Have to say out of all the colours the silver really brings the lines out well.
Subtle enough to blend in but still very much let’s out the beauty of the car. The HS package is amazing on it and the sound insane. When you cruise it’s unintrusive. When you get on it it’s totally wild. Cracks, pops, howling, bass, just so very much a Ferrari!
Have to say out of all the colours the silver really brings the lines out well.
Subtle enough to blend in but still very much let’s out the beauty of the car. The HS package is amazing on it and the sound insane. When you cruise it’s unintrusive. When you get on it it’s totally wild. Cracks, pops, howling, bass, just so very much a Ferrari!
jayxx83 said:
That’s not me in the driving seat lol. It was my cousins birthday at the weekend so took him out for a drive.
Have to say out of all the colours the silver really brings the lines out well.
Subtle enough to blend in but still very much let’s out the beauty of the car. The HS package is amazing on it and the sound insane. When you cruise it’s unintrusive. When you get on it it’s totally wild. Cracks, pops, howling, bass, just so very much a Ferrari!
Thats stunning, and you sir are a lucky man .... enjoy .... I'm still on the fence ... but so me really good info here so thanks all ...Have to say out of all the colours the silver really brings the lines out well.
Subtle enough to blend in but still very much let’s out the beauty of the car. The HS package is amazing on it and the sound insane. When you cruise it’s unintrusive. When you get on it it’s totally wild. Cracks, pops, howling, bass, just so very much a Ferrari!
Thank you. Still enjoying, just need to give it a wash this weekend. So useable and the fast steering was unnerving at first is now 2nd nature.
Went to a Porsche meet yesterday in my 987.2 and even though that is equipped with Ohlins R&T, the Ferrari is Definitely another level. The magneride just smooths the crappy roads out but doesn’t hide any steering feel.
Need a north Wales road trip I think!!
Went to a Porsche meet yesterday in my 987.2 and even though that is equipped with Ohlins R&T, the Ferrari is Definitely another level. The magneride just smooths the crappy roads out but doesn’t hide any steering feel.
Need a north Wales road trip I think!!
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