RE: Ferrari California | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
PhantomPH said:
Miserablegit said:
daytona111r said:
Least desirable Ferrari ever, imo
A valid opinion to hold but it’s similar to saying “she’s the least desirable Victoria’s Secret model”. My goodness, the things I would let that woman do to me.
The California has no redeeming features.
Edited by Schermerhorn on Monday 8th June 17:36
PhantomPH said:
Miserablegit said:
daytona111r said:
Least desirable Ferrari ever, imo
A valid opinion to hold but it’s similar to saying “she’s the least desirable Victoria’s Secret model”. back o/t I have been watching prices of these for a little while and they are extraordinarily good value and running costs aren't too bad either considering!
Spent a long weekend scooting around the Black mountains in one of these. I thought it was a very capable car, although not as focused as other Ferrari offerings. I was surprised though, by how planted it felt. And I really enjoyed how easy it was to drive, and to do so quickly.
The only real challenge / frustration I had was, typically, the pedal positioning. I found after a few hours of driving, I was getting a bit of cramp. But that could just be caused by the fact I’m an old duffer!
As a ‘boulevard cruiser’, with its own character, and a very healthy bit of ‘poke’. I though the California was a lot better than I expected it to be.
The only real challenge / frustration I had was, typically, the pedal positioning. I found after a few hours of driving, I was getting a bit of cramp. But that could just be caused by the fact I’m an old duffer!
As a ‘boulevard cruiser’, with its own character, and a very healthy bit of ‘poke’. I though the California was a lot better than I expected it to be.
Edited by bockaaarck on Tuesday 9th June 10:24
Just to say i have had an absolute blast in my California, i love the folding metal roof and the luggage space in the small boot and on the back seats is easily enough for a trip to italy for two, for 2 weeks. It sounds great and looks good and is a more practical car than any of my other Ferraris..I would wholeheartedly recommend it as a first, second or even third ferrari, Its a car to enjoy with the roof down on lovely summer days..the car makes you feel good driving it, and that i think is the best point of all..
Lee Jones Jnr said:
Drivethemall92 said:
I would have one of these for 2 years and sell as soon as the warranty is up, I saw a Ferrari California from Ferrari for £79k with a 2 year warranty, that to me is enough fun for 2 years and then on to the next 
Are you getting one?
Bought this one 4 years ago and still have it ! Still haven't found anything else that quite ticks all the right boxes like this does.
I'ts a N/A V8 Ferrari so makes all the right noises (so much better sounding than the turbo versions)
It's a 2+2 so can carry additional passengers when necessary (although admittedly, for anyone taller than a 10 year old it's very limited in the rear with the roof on)
It's a folding hard top so gives best of both worlds in terms of styling (looks like a proper convertible sports car with he roof off and a stylish GT car with the roof on)
Performance is far from shabby (as noted in the article) with 450 bhp and 0-60 of 3.9s and the California can handle itself extremely well both on the road and on track (as borne out by a session last year up at Croft with a Ferrari instructor).
It's also about as practical as a Ferrari could ever be and can happily be used as a daily driver with space in the boot for a full weekly shop, even with the roof down !
On top of this...it's still a Ferrari, depite the naysayers who try to claim it's an abandoned Maserati project, so there's always that "sense of occasion" when you press the red button and drive out the garage.
jw673 said:
To provide some context re: running costs, by quoting myself (again! the shame!):
Fascinating, rarely can you get a really accurate picture of costs of running a car like this without someone trying to put a spin on it. Thank you.jw673 said:
I've previously posted the following which may offer some insight into running costs for a California (2009):
I agree that budgeting £4k (possibly only £3k) per year for servicing (£900-£1200 at a Ferrari main dealer), repairs and consumables is a reasonable assumption. Some years maybe more and hopefully most years less.
Note: the original post was from late 2018 (this being relevant to the prices shown in the quote).jw673 said:
To provide some real world TCO*, and not MMCO, over ~3.5 years for a "bottom of the market with a Ferrari Power warranty" travelling ~14K(brim-brim mean average@~14MPG - "mid range BMW"?) in that time: ~£54k*. ~£3.80 a mile or ~£130 an hour (based on time spent driving).
Cheapest Ferrari Approved (i.e. with 2 years Ferrari warranty):
2011@37k £79,900
2009@24k £85,000
Keep in mind the buy/sell spread on those approved California is likely to be at least £10K, of which the approved warranty element could easily account for £5K of that.
If I could have all the money back that the California has cost me over the years I would take that money and.... buy a California.
*marked to market, private sale. ~45% of which is spread & depreciation. A small amount of elective spending. All servicing & work undertaken at main dealers, nothing covered under the Power Warranty. Includes financing costs (@4.6%APR) for completeness, although those costs had been offset elsewhere.
Total costs per-driven-hour, over ~17k miles, are still running at around £130 (or ~£2 per-driven-minute). If you're able to remove (man maths) dealer spread, depreciation and the cost of money then obviously this number will be lower.Cheapest Ferrari Approved (i.e. with 2 years Ferrari warranty):
2011@37k £79,900
2009@24k £85,000
Keep in mind the buy/sell spread on those approved California is likely to be at least £10K, of which the approved warranty element could easily account for £5K of that.
If I could have all the money back that the California has cost me over the years I would take that money and.... buy a California.
*marked to market, private sale. ~45% of which is spread & depreciation. A small amount of elective spending. All servicing & work undertaken at main dealers, nothing covered under the Power Warranty. Includes financing costs (@4.6%APR) for completeness, although those costs had been offset elsewhere.
I agree that budgeting £4k (possibly only £3k) per year for servicing (£900-£1200 at a Ferrari main dealer), repairs and consumables is a reasonable assumption. Some years maybe more and hopefully most years less.
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