RE: Driven: Ferrari California
Discussion
dean_ratpac said:
ManOpener said:
I still think it looks like a melted Masserati.
before I clicked comments link, that's exactly what I thought. Ferrari probably just pulled the CAD software here and there... voila new car.Still amazed at that price what isn't included, and how much the options are suppose this is with every manufacturer. I remember one of my friends buying his 360spider when they were pretty much new, and it was a 5K extra for leather covered "hoops" - and oh yes they were included.
When I have 140K+ to blow on a car, this wouldn't be it. Terrible in white
Maserati looks nicer, more evil - YUM
Very, very colour-sensitive car. I've seen a couple in red - terrible, looks like a Hyundai.
But in white or tungsten silver - much, much better. There's one that 'lives' just around the corner from me and it's just
Not sure I'd spend £140k on one - a Gallardo Spyder and an M5 for the shopping would probably win. But it's not exactly a shed
But in white or tungsten silver - much, much better. There's one that 'lives' just around the corner from me and it's just
Not sure I'd spend £140k on one - a Gallardo Spyder and an M5 for the shopping would probably win. But it's not exactly a shed
apart from some hesitation with the front lights i have always liked the california and now the lights have grown on me i love it. I even love this press car with the chocolate interior and white paint. There is something about it that just looks lovelly.
I also like the idea of a fast GT car since i find it hard to find roads at the moment that allow my car to flow smoothly. Anything with suppleness would leave it for dead on a bumpy road and im fed up of hitting my head on the roof when travelling spiritedly.
But there are a couple of things that put me off. First is the price. Its a lot of money for a soft GT regardless of badge and if i was going to stump up £150,000 for any car it would have to be special and there are other cars in Ferrari's stable to give you that. Second, EVO and other mags have reviewed the car and loved how it struck a very good compromise between supercarness and everyday GT. A couple of months later, EVO are slating it for being rather poor and 'underdamped' at the rear. So what's really going on?
Have i driven one? No, my local dealer closed down last month before the demonstrator arrived. Would i buy one? Yes if my numbers came up tonight, no if i had to pay for it with hard-earned. Mind you there is facelift model due out at some point over the next couple of years, so maybe....
I also like the idea of a fast GT car since i find it hard to find roads at the moment that allow my car to flow smoothly. Anything with suppleness would leave it for dead on a bumpy road and im fed up of hitting my head on the roof when travelling spiritedly.
But there are a couple of things that put me off. First is the price. Its a lot of money for a soft GT regardless of badge and if i was going to stump up £150,000 for any car it would have to be special and there are other cars in Ferrari's stable to give you that. Second, EVO and other mags have reviewed the car and loved how it struck a very good compromise between supercarness and everyday GT. A couple of months later, EVO are slating it for being rather poor and 'underdamped' at the rear. So what's really going on?
Have i driven one? No, my local dealer closed down last month before the demonstrator arrived. Would i buy one? Yes if my numbers came up tonight, no if i had to pay for it with hard-earned. Mind you there is facelift model due out at some point over the next couple of years, so maybe....
Garlick said:
I really like this car, I have to admit that after driving this particular example. But £150k?
My 150K goes here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1674436.htm for my open Ferrari fix
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1642821.htm for my daily driver
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1640991.htm for track days and B roads
Wow - that list makes the Farrari California look crap and pointless! The 355 has always been my fav Ferrari, but I could still blow the 150k on the Cali, its just sooooo beautiful!My 150K goes here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1674436.htm for my open Ferrari fix
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1642821.htm for my daily driver
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1640991.htm for track days and B roads
ellisd82 said:
Garlick said:
I really like this car, I have to admit that after driving this particular example. But £150k?
My 150K goes here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1674436.htm for my open Ferrari fix
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1642821.htm for my daily driver
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1640991.htm for track days and B roads
Wow - that list makes the Farrari California look crap and pointless! The 355 has always been my fav Ferrari, but I could still blow the 150k on the Cali, its just sooooo beautiful!My 150K goes here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1674436.htm for my open Ferrari fix
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1642821.htm for my daily driver
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1640991.htm for track days and B roads
that said, if you can afford the spend 150k on a car.... maybe it's not that big of a deal?
that said, it's expensive, but i don't think it means only the super rich can buy it (like 400k zondas etc)
Master Harris said:
Oi! That's my photo place!
PICTURES WAS HERE!
lol i've lived about 5 minutes walk away from there for about 22 years and never realised what a good, and apparently popular place that is for photo'sPICTURES WAS HERE!
Edited by Master Harris on Saturday 1st May 12:31
i take it your local as well?
t.Viglietti Motors in Cape Town have one of these I keep seeing here near Cape Point - I've found it underwhelming. If you're not autiscenti then IMHO it gots loads less presence than an Vantage or Maser Gransport Cabrio, or even the 430 Scuderia - a different prospect but not that different a price (one also roams around the Cape). I'm sure it drives beautifully, but 150k? Can't help thinking you'd have to really really want a Ferrari open top GT to choose one.
This article has provoked me into joining and airing a view, simply because I think it has fundamentally missed the point of the California and the arguments surrounding it.
Whilst the review toes the line of 'it's a Ferrari so it must be great' the simple fact is the California, from an enthusiasts point of view, is not a good car. I've driven two (not for prospective purchase I might add) and the only reason for driving a second car was because the first was so bad. The second was the same.
The review talks about the appalling body control, awful steering and inconsistent handling as 'old school'. Well if the reviewer removed his rose tinted welding glasses for a second he might have noticed that it just isn't good enough. Not to mention that the exhaust note is boring with the top up (it's only interesting on fast shifts at high revs anyway). Or that it isn't terribly fast. In isolation you could forgive the California, it's a Ferrari after all..., but the fact is most of the competition are better.
But what Ferrari has done is make this car exactly for the type of people who will buy it. Soft, comfortable, flashy, loud, brash and expensive. Most owners wont be able to drive a nail into a piece of wood, and Ferrari has given them what they want. Whether that's right for the brand, whether most of Ferrari's customers fall into the above category anyway, whether they buy a Ferrari because of a promise of performance that they could never exploit, whether it's sensible to have a 458 and California that are so very different...this is the debate that should be being had.
Whilst the review toes the line of 'it's a Ferrari so it must be great' the simple fact is the California, from an enthusiasts point of view, is not a good car. I've driven two (not for prospective purchase I might add) and the only reason for driving a second car was because the first was so bad. The second was the same.
The review talks about the appalling body control, awful steering and inconsistent handling as 'old school'. Well if the reviewer removed his rose tinted welding glasses for a second he might have noticed that it just isn't good enough. Not to mention that the exhaust note is boring with the top up (it's only interesting on fast shifts at high revs anyway). Or that it isn't terribly fast. In isolation you could forgive the California, it's a Ferrari after all..., but the fact is most of the competition are better.
But what Ferrari has done is make this car exactly for the type of people who will buy it. Soft, comfortable, flashy, loud, brash and expensive. Most owners wont be able to drive a nail into a piece of wood, and Ferrari has given them what they want. Whether that's right for the brand, whether most of Ferrari's customers fall into the above category anyway, whether they buy a Ferrari because of a promise of performance that they could never exploit, whether it's sensible to have a 458 and California that are so very different...this is the debate that should be being had.
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