California buying advice
Discussion
My specialist garage rebuilt one a few weeks ago after owner reported a rattling engine. Ferarri wanted £45k for a new engine but the rebuild at the indi was more like £13k. Tech said not sure of the cause but it was a very low milage car (2009 with about 6000 miles) and might not have been used sufficiently / left standing for long periods resulting in piston/cylinder wear. I am very skeptical about low mileage cars as I don't believe it is good for a car to be used this way.
A number of 2009's had free replacement engines due to a crankshaft machining fault.
Not too many extras are must haves, shields, parking sensors are nice, opinion is divided on Magnaride, Sat Nav is mostly useless and pretty much everything else is personal
I owned 4 between 2009 and 2015 and all were generally very reliable, 2009 car had a new engine on the recall as a precaution and 2014 car needed a new Cat under warranty
Not too many extras are must haves, shields, parking sensors are nice, opinion is divided on Magnaride, Sat Nav is mostly useless and pretty much everything else is personal
I owned 4 between 2009 and 2015 and all were generally very reliable, 2009 car had a new engine on the recall as a precaution and 2014 car needed a new Cat under warranty
I sold mine a few years ago but the two options I enjoyed the most were the carbon fibre steering wheel (lights) and also the carbon fibre seats. You may already know that the post 2011 models benefited from the 7 year service plan too - which came in handy at the time.
I'd also say the Scuderia shields look nice (mine didn't have these) and also avoid the star shaped alloys which I think look really ugly personally.
It was a pretty reliable car. Only a few electrical issues which generally sort themselves out after turning the ignition on and off. Also, my roof wouldn't go back up one afternoon with my wife's handbag in the boot with her phone, wallet etc in it. The dealer was fantastic and got it opened within 24 hours though. Otherwise, a solid and reliable one. Oh, and the Satnav was useless but who cares.. Enjoy!
I'd also say the Scuderia shields look nice (mine didn't have these) and also avoid the star shaped alloys which I think look really ugly personally.
It was a pretty reliable car. Only a few electrical issues which generally sort themselves out after turning the ignition on and off. Also, my roof wouldn't go back up one afternoon with my wife's handbag in the boot with her phone, wallet etc in it. The dealer was fantastic and got it opened within 24 hours though. Otherwise, a solid and reliable one. Oh, and the Satnav was useless but who cares.. Enjoy!
I would get one from a dealer that gives the 2 year Ferrari warranty - I believe HR Owen do. Try Garry there.
Both the ones I had experienced a few niggles for example on the 2010 car the rear led brake light started to come loose. Not sure how much it was for a new unit but it would probably have been lumpy
Both the ones I had experienced a few niggles for example on the 2010 car the rear led brake light started to come loose. Not sure how much it was for a new unit but it would probably have been lumpy
On the extras the expected items were led wheel, shields, magnaride, Daytona seats, big wheels. carbon race seats bit of a no no so I was told as they are not electric and restrict rear seat access or something. Where as these are almost a must have on the 458
May matter less on an older car though
May matter less on an older car though
I'd echo most of the above comments. Carbon steering wheel (with LEDs) and driver zone really set off the interior nicely. Much prefer it with the carbon bridge and the nav surround as looks so much better finished than the standard satin silver.
Carbon race seats was (I believe) quite a rare option. Whilst this does remove most of the electrical adjustment for the seats (only electric is tilt on the rear) it does actually free up a little more room in the rear for those odd occasions that you have a (small) back-seat passenger.
Larger 20" wheels and scuderia shields on the wings always look good. Personally I find that the cars look a little "bare" without the shields.
Mine is currently at 34k miles and no major niggles so far.
Carbon race seats was (I believe) quite a rare option. Whilst this does remove most of the electrical adjustment for the seats (only electric is tilt on the rear) it does actually free up a little more room in the rear for those odd occasions that you have a (small) back-seat passenger.
Larger 20" wheels and scuderia shields on the wings always look good. Personally I find that the cars look a little "bare" without the shields.
Mine is currently at 34k miles and no major niggles so far.
I have had my 2011 California for over 3 years now and no significant issues. A few electrical gremlins related to the parking sensors and TPMS but otherwise very reliable. Car has done 38000 miles so definitely not a garage princess. I have taken out the Ferrari Power warranty the last 2 years at a cost of >£3k per year - haven't claimed on it but does give a degree of reassurance.
As for options LED's, badges and magneride are a must and the rest is down to taste. Need to remember that the options list is long so the more boxes ticked will differentiate your car when it comes to selling. Apart from the items mentioned the other "nice to haves" are coloured rev counter, contrast seat trim and embossed head rests. Not essential but set the car off nicely.
As for options LED's, badges and magneride are a must and the rest is down to taste. Need to remember that the options list is long so the more boxes ticked will differentiate your car when it comes to selling. Apart from the items mentioned the other "nice to haves" are coloured rev counter, contrast seat trim and embossed head rests. Not essential but set the car off nicely.
I have had my 2011 California for over 3 years now and no significant issues. A few electrical gremlins related to the parking sensors and TPMS but otherwise very reliable. Car has done 38000 miles so definitely not a garage princess. I have taken out the Ferrari Power warranty the last 2 years at a cost of >£3k per year - haven't claimed on it but does give a degree of reassurance.
As for options LED's, badges and magneride are a must and the rest is down to taste. Need to remember that the options list is long so the more boxes ticked will differentiate your car when it comes to selling. Apart from the items mentioned the other "nice to haves" are coloured rev counter, contrast seat trim and embossed head rests. Not essential but set the car off nicely.
As for options LED's, badges and magneride are a must and the rest is down to taste. Need to remember that the options list is long so the more boxes ticked will differentiate your car when it comes to selling. Apart from the items mentioned the other "nice to haves" are coloured rev counter, contrast seat trim and embossed head rests. Not essential but set the car off nicely.
As someone new to the marque, and seriously considering a California purchase I'd appreciate some input as to whether I'm being over or under cautious here!
A 2011 California with perfect history sold by a VERY well respected independent marque specialist in the South East and with the standard 6 month warranty that they offer for big ticket items:
- Should I look for an independent inspection by someone else? I would like to think given impeccable reputation they would not be looking to sell a lemon or something that they haven't thoroughly inspected themselves and deemed good, or good enough.
- Are Californias considered to be pretty reliable? Is there anything that I should be looking for in the history of a 2011 example?
- How many people look to take out the extended warranty? Given that I' considering buying outside the Authorised Dealer network, I'm guessing there would be not inconsiderable expense and hassle to get it put under official warranty.
- Are there any independent warranties which are any good?
I'm not really too worried about the odd largish bill for something...what I am concerned about it catastrophic engine failure etc, or anything that is going to result in five figures.
Very grateful for your thoughts.
A 2011 California with perfect history sold by a VERY well respected independent marque specialist in the South East and with the standard 6 month warranty that they offer for big ticket items:
- Should I look for an independent inspection by someone else? I would like to think given impeccable reputation they would not be looking to sell a lemon or something that they haven't thoroughly inspected themselves and deemed good, or good enough.
- Are Californias considered to be pretty reliable? Is there anything that I should be looking for in the history of a 2011 example?
- How many people look to take out the extended warranty? Given that I' considering buying outside the Authorised Dealer network, I'm guessing there would be not inconsiderable expense and hassle to get it put under official warranty.
- Are there any independent warranties which are any good?
I'm not really too worried about the odd largish bill for something...what I am concerned about it catastrophic engine failure etc, or anything that is going to result in five figures.
Very grateful for your thoughts.
If its from a respected Marque specialist then I'd hope that they will have carried out a thorough inspection anyway before putting it up for sale.
It's worth looking at what's available in the Dealer network though because if you buy through Ferrari Approved these often come with a couple of years power warranty included...which can be worthwhile for peace of mind. You may find that dealer prices are not much different, plus there's always scope for negociation.
I believe that if you wanted to put the Ferrari power warranty on it yourself that would involve a trip to the local dealers who would carry out their own inspection, rectify any issues (at your cost) and then provide you with their warranty which would cover the major drivetrain components for the sum of around £3k/annum (I think).
I've been running a 2009 California for the last couple of years and currently sat at 42000 miles hasn't had any major issues. Only problems to date have been a failure on the roof hydraulics and a parking sensor.
It's worth looking at what's available in the Dealer network though because if you buy through Ferrari Approved these often come with a couple of years power warranty included...which can be worthwhile for peace of mind. You may find that dealer prices are not much different, plus there's always scope for negociation.
I believe that if you wanted to put the Ferrari power warranty on it yourself that would involve a trip to the local dealers who would carry out their own inspection, rectify any issues (at your cost) and then provide you with their warranty which would cover the major drivetrain components for the sum of around £3k/annum (I think).
I've been running a 2009 California for the last couple of years and currently sat at 42000 miles hasn't had any major issues. Only problems to date have been a failure on the roof hydraulics and a parking sensor.
On the contrary if the car is 'Ferrari Approved' as most main dealer cars are then they must have a comprehensive Ferrari official (renewable) warranty as standard
http://preowned.ferrari.com/en/gb/approved
http://preowned.ferrari.com/en/gb/approved
I bought a 2010 California from Maranello 2.5 years ago and at the time without even asking it came with a 2 year warranty, i had the option to renew this when the 2 years was over but decided to save the money and using it against any unexpected issues in the future.
In the 2 years that i have had the car i have had the engine mounts changed and the spark plugs, apart from that standard service and i have done just over 11k.
good luck with your search, they are a great all round car.
In the 2 years that i have had the car i have had the engine mounts changed and the spark plugs, apart from that standard service and i have done just over 11k.
good luck with your search, they are a great all round car.
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