Ferrari California and previous sports cars...
Discussion
Like my other ‘Readers Cars' posts, this is long, so grab a mug of tea, enjoy and try not to moan about my poor writing too much!
Firstly, I’d just like to point out that I am posting this on my dad’s behalf; he doesn't have an account on PH but does post using my account from time to time and tends to lurk in the forums a fair bit in the evening.
After 4 weeks of ownership; we thought that a ‘readers cars’ post would be a nice way to look back at his car history and look at the first impressions of prancing horse ownership.
As a not so powerfully built company director, my dad has always dreamed and aimed for Ferrari ownership and it has always been his 2nd biggest motivation for working hard - after me, his loving son, of course
! Through 25 years of hard work, doing 20 hour days and bringing me up single handedly from when I was 9 until I turned 18, I've seen a steady progression in both the size of the company and more importantly the sports cars that have been in the garage.
Starting out with a 996 911 ‘Millennium’ edition (which I can’t find photos of), he worked his way through the following:
-996 911 Carrera 4S (heavily modified; and frequently raced)
-996 911 Turbo X50 (I think) Convertible
-SL55 AMG (tuned to 560bhp and also fitted with a 2nd fuel tank in the boot)
-SL350
-DB9 (470bhp Version)
Around Christmas last year I caught a glimpse of his internet history, I didn't find any porn sites on there but found several Ferrari dealerships; following this I had a lengthy chat with him about it (as at that point he still wasn't sure that he’d be getting one), I said to him “what if in 2 years time you’d lost everything and never have another chance to own one again? Do it now whilst you are lucky enough to have this opportunity!” and so he decided to take the plunge!
Next was deciding what model he wanted. He wanted something relatively new for starters, which also had to include the 7 year service plan; a 458 was the obvious choice because it was his dream car, though as he rightly pointed out his racing days are over and he’d be much better off with a proper GT car rather than an all out Supercar. My vote went to the 599 as it is one of my all time favourites but after a lot of research his heart was set on a California; so much so that he genuinely began to prefer it over the 458.
After a week or so of searching, one came up with most of the options he wanted ticked and after another painstakingly slow week of waiting the day came where we got to collect the new car; and the journey there was an experience in itself. Driving up in the DB9 we discussed how that on the whole it was a bit of a let down. The instruments and buttons felt cheap and tacky, the Sat Nav was dreadful and it was missing (I hate to say it) that special ‘X Factor’
. I know we probably sound a bit stuck up right now ‘oh the Aston Martin interior was covered in plastic, plastic is for the working class slobs. Our dashboard should be covered in rare jewels...’ but honestly, going through several German sports cars really did show the cracks in the AM high quality ‘007’ image.
We arrived at JCT 600, which is a joint Ferrari, Maserati and AM dealership and had a browse of the showroom; we were treated really well; with one of the salesmen even letting me rev a Quattroporte to the redline; at which point I realised I didn't bring any spare boxers!
After a couple of hours going over the car, going for a test drive (shouldn't that be done before driving a car!?
) and stuffing my pockets with as many free cans of Coke as I could (mwahahahaha 
) we were on our way. Within the first 10 seconds it was immediately clear that the California had what the DB9 was missing; it just felt special. Sinking into the surprisingly comfortable seats and surrounded by lashings of elegant cream leather in the cabin just felt right. The drive home itself (From Leeds to Essex) wasn't all that special consisting of mostly motorway driving; but we did get a good indication of mid-range acceleration which was pretty impressive, though I am still certain that the modified SL55 was faster! The last 20 miles or so were through some B roads where we had a bit of fun; whilst the California is categorically a GT car with a big heavy metal folding roof it does have a 50:50 weight distribution and it really does corner quite well – even on a track its no slouch; the California will do a lap of the ‘Ring as quickly as a 360 Challenge Stradale which whilst having 40bhp less is also close to 500KG lighter and is of course specifically designed for the track. 460bhp doesn't really sound like a bucket load for an 1800KG car when you look at the rest of the Ferrari range but in the real world it is plenty, the Carrera 4S is still our favourite sports car he has owned but the Ferrari does come close!
A quick photo session ensued after arriving home, although the private plate isn't fitted yet.
My dad said he didn't want to track it at all but after hearing about the fun I had at the Autodrome recently he is keen on giving it ago – hopefully on April 7th. He even said I could have a drive too, though I doubt it will be anywhere near as exhilarating as my RX-8!
I’ll update this thread on the adventures we have in it. My dad is absolutely over the moon with it and has proclaimed that finally he can die peacefully knowing he’s achieved his dreams. He just needs to work a little bit harder now to buy himself an F12... Well, buy me an F12!
See the array of photo’s below; I’ll get some better ones when the sun comes out!
Firstly, I’d just like to point out that I am posting this on my dad’s behalf; he doesn't have an account on PH but does post using my account from time to time and tends to lurk in the forums a fair bit in the evening.
After 4 weeks of ownership; we thought that a ‘readers cars’ post would be a nice way to look back at his car history and look at the first impressions of prancing horse ownership.
As a not so powerfully built company director, my dad has always dreamed and aimed for Ferrari ownership and it has always been his 2nd biggest motivation for working hard - after me, his loving son, of course
! Through 25 years of hard work, doing 20 hour days and bringing me up single handedly from when I was 9 until I turned 18, I've seen a steady progression in both the size of the company and more importantly the sports cars that have been in the garage. Starting out with a 996 911 ‘Millennium’ edition (which I can’t find photos of), he worked his way through the following:
-996 911 Carrera 4S (heavily modified; and frequently raced)
-996 911 Turbo X50 (I think) Convertible
-SL55 AMG (tuned to 560bhp and also fitted with a 2nd fuel tank in the boot)
-SL350
-DB9 (470bhp Version)
Around Christmas last year I caught a glimpse of his internet history, I didn't find any porn sites on there but found several Ferrari dealerships; following this I had a lengthy chat with him about it (as at that point he still wasn't sure that he’d be getting one), I said to him “what if in 2 years time you’d lost everything and never have another chance to own one again? Do it now whilst you are lucky enough to have this opportunity!” and so he decided to take the plunge!
Next was deciding what model he wanted. He wanted something relatively new for starters, which also had to include the 7 year service plan; a 458 was the obvious choice because it was his dream car, though as he rightly pointed out his racing days are over and he’d be much better off with a proper GT car rather than an all out Supercar. My vote went to the 599 as it is one of my all time favourites but after a lot of research his heart was set on a California; so much so that he genuinely began to prefer it over the 458.
After a week or so of searching, one came up with most of the options he wanted ticked and after another painstakingly slow week of waiting the day came where we got to collect the new car; and the journey there was an experience in itself. Driving up in the DB9 we discussed how that on the whole it was a bit of a let down. The instruments and buttons felt cheap and tacky, the Sat Nav was dreadful and it was missing (I hate to say it) that special ‘X Factor’
. I know we probably sound a bit stuck up right now ‘oh the Aston Martin interior was covered in plastic, plastic is for the working class slobs. Our dashboard should be covered in rare jewels...’ but honestly, going through several German sports cars really did show the cracks in the AM high quality ‘007’ image. We arrived at JCT 600, which is a joint Ferrari, Maserati and AM dealership and had a browse of the showroom; we were treated really well; with one of the salesmen even letting me rev a Quattroporte to the redline; at which point I realised I didn't bring any spare boxers!
After a couple of hours going over the car, going for a test drive (shouldn't that be done before driving a car!?
) and stuffing my pockets with as many free cans of Coke as I could (mwahahahaha ) we were on our way. Within the first 10 seconds it was immediately clear that the California had what the DB9 was missing; it just felt special. Sinking into the surprisingly comfortable seats and surrounded by lashings of elegant cream leather in the cabin just felt right. The drive home itself (From Leeds to Essex) wasn't all that special consisting of mostly motorway driving; but we did get a good indication of mid-range acceleration which was pretty impressive, though I am still certain that the modified SL55 was faster! The last 20 miles or so were through some B roads where we had a bit of fun; whilst the California is categorically a GT car with a big heavy metal folding roof it does have a 50:50 weight distribution and it really does corner quite well – even on a track its no slouch; the California will do a lap of the ‘Ring as quickly as a 360 Challenge Stradale which whilst having 40bhp less is also close to 500KG lighter and is of course specifically designed for the track. 460bhp doesn't really sound like a bucket load for an 1800KG car when you look at the rest of the Ferrari range but in the real world it is plenty, the Carrera 4S is still our favourite sports car he has owned but the Ferrari does come close!A quick photo session ensued after arriving home, although the private plate isn't fitted yet.
My dad said he didn't want to track it at all but after hearing about the fun I had at the Autodrome recently he is keen on giving it ago – hopefully on April 7th. He even said I could have a drive too, though I doubt it will be anywhere near as exhilarating as my RX-8!
I’ll update this thread on the adventures we have in it. My dad is absolutely over the moon with it and has proclaimed that finally he can die peacefully knowing he’s achieved his dreams. He just needs to work a little bit harder now to buy himself an F12... Well, buy me an F12!
See the array of photo’s below; I’ll get some better ones when the sun comes out!
As always, thank you all for your nice comments.
Thought I'd add a photo of him when he sat in the Cali for the first time, with a mug of tea in hand!
r1ch - Looking at your 205-filled garage, you wouldn't happen to be the same Rich who was on the PHN American Dream tour last year? If so, Hi - it's Ed!
church's pew - He runs several shipping and logistics companies; Claridon Group Ltd.
They actually sponsor a lot of Motorsport teams including a Moto3 team and a Porsche Cup team:
Thought I'd add a photo of him when he sat in the Cali for the first time, with a mug of tea in hand!
r1ch - Looking at your 205-filled garage, you wouldn't happen to be the same Rich who was on the PHN American Dream tour last year? If so, Hi - it's Ed!
church's pew - He runs several shipping and logistics companies; Claridon Group Ltd.
They actually sponsor a lot of Motorsport teams including a Moto3 team and a Porsche Cup team:
Hey Ed, yeah its me, hows it going. Kin and I saw you at Mercedes Benz World last year in your RX8 but unfortunately never got to catch up with you. Saw a couple of guys from the tour there. Hopefully catch you and some of the other US lot sometime this year. I see you haven't taken the plunge into TVR ownership then 
Say hello to your dad, pretty jealous, my old man drives a Mondeo and insists a 1.6 is plenty.
Say hello to your dad, pretty jealous, my old man drives a Mondeo and insists a 1.6 is plenty.
r1ch said:
Hey Ed, yeah its me, hows it going. Kin and I saw you at Mercedes Benz World last year in your RX8 but unfortunately never got to catch up with you. Saw a couple of guys from the tour there. Hopefully catch you and some of the other US lot sometime this year. I see you haven't taken the plunge into TVR ownership then
Say hello to your dad, pretty jealous, my old man drives a Mondeo and insists a 1.6 is plenty.
All is well! Hows it going for you these days? Have you bought a car since the tour?Say hello to your dad, pretty jealous, my old man drives a Mondeo and insists a 1.6 is plenty.
I saw some of the tour guys at MBW too; they said you and Kin were about but that was just as I was leaving which is a shame, it'd have been nice to have said hi. Not got the TVR yet - in fact since taking the RX8 on its first track day the other week I think I'll hang onto it for a bit longer than expected! I will get the TVR at some point though!
Don't knock the Mondeo - my dad loved his more than the E-Class he bought after!
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