Ferrari California
Discussion
carinaman said:
Where was the first photo taken? Is that The Solent and IoW in the distance? I like the light in that photo.
There was a blue one locally that also had pale blue seatbelts. The car looks great.
Good spot - that’s on the hill above Portsmouth. There is another California nearby and it’s in a similar colour (so might be the one you saw?). I actually went to view it before buying mine as it is/was for sale. That colour is Azzuro California as opposed to this in Avio. There was a blue one locally that also had pale blue seatbelts. The car looks great.
Just read this for the first time, gotta admit I was one of those that didn’t see these as a ‘real’ ferrari since launch. However, having read these and seeing jayemms review I feel thay opinion may have been very missguided.
The performance on offer on paper seems exceptional and realistically for 99% of driving i’m sure beats a f360/430 etc and with the open top + 2 seats opens up so many more possible use cases.
I’ve just had a look on AT too and for the year and price they do seem a bit of a relative performance bargain?! Looking at the portofino i don’t think is ageing well at all whereas this california to my eyes seems to be getting better with age whereas at first I thought the looks were awful.
Very interested to see how you continue to go with this and hopefully the joy continues
The performance on offer on paper seems exceptional and realistically for 99% of driving i’m sure beats a f360/430 etc and with the open top + 2 seats opens up so many more possible use cases.
I’ve just had a look on AT too and for the year and price they do seem a bit of a relative performance bargain?! Looking at the portofino i don’t think is ageing well at all whereas this california to my eyes seems to be getting better with age whereas at first I thought the looks were awful.
Very interested to see how you continue to go with this and hopefully the joy continues
lewisf182 said:
Just read this for the first time, gotta admit I was one of those that didn’t see these as a ‘real’ ferrari since launch. However, having read these and seeing jayemms review I feel thay opinion may have been very missguided.
The performance on offer on paper seems exceptional and realistically for 99% of driving i’m sure beats a f360/430 etc and with the open top + 2 seats opens up so many more possible use cases.
I’ve just had a look on AT too and for the year and price they do seem a bit of a relative performance bargain?! Looking at the portofino i don’t think is ageing well at all whereas this california to my eyes seems to be getting better with age whereas at first I thought the looks were awful.
Very interested to see how you continue to go with this and hopefully the joy continues
I’m probably the same as you regarding initial opinion. A mate really lusted after one but I never saw the appeal. But, I’m happy to say I think I was totally wrong. I haven’t driven many Ferraris but this absolutely feels like a Ferrari to me. Even at 10mph it is special, but driving it properly it feels like a proper sports car. I liked/respected my R8 but I am really really enjoying this so far. The looks have definitely grown on me. I always thought the least successful design element was the vertical exhausts, but now I think they are one of the parts that makes the car so unique. I do like the look of the California T and think they softened the back up, but it isn’t as distinctive. The performance on offer on paper seems exceptional and realistically for 99% of driving i’m sure beats a f360/430 etc and with the open top + 2 seats opens up so many more possible use cases.
I’ve just had a look on AT too and for the year and price they do seem a bit of a relative performance bargain?! Looking at the portofino i don’t think is ageing well at all whereas this california to my eyes seems to be getting better with age whereas at first I thought the looks were awful.
Very interested to see how you continue to go with this and hopefully the joy continues
The 2+2 arrangement means it hasn’t sat in the garage all month. The rear seats are perfect for us right now, but you wouldn’t get anything at all behind me, my seat is right up against the base of the back seat.
ollyh1988 said:
lewisf182 said:
Just read this for the first time, gotta admit I was one of those that didn’t see these as a ‘real’ ferrari since launch. However, having read these and seeing jayemms review I feel thay opinion may have been very missguided.
The performance on offer on paper seems exceptional and realistically for 99% of driving i’m sure beats a f360/430 etc and with the open top + 2 seats opens up so many more possible use cases.
I’ve just had a look on AT too and for the year and price they do seem a bit of a relative performance bargain?! Looking at the portofino i don’t think is ageing well at all whereas this california to my eyes seems to be getting better with age whereas at first I thought the looks were awful.
Very interested to see how you continue to go with this and hopefully the joy continues
I’m probably the same as you regarding initial opinion. A mate really lusted after one but I never saw the appeal. But, I’m happy to say I think I was totally wrong. I haven’t driven many Ferraris but this absolutely feels like a Ferrari to me. Even at 10mph it is special, but driving it properly it feels like a proper sports car. I liked/respected my R8 but I am really really enjoying this so far. The looks have definitely grown on me. I always thought the least successful design element was the vertical exhausts, but now I think they are one of the parts that makes the car so unique. I do like the look of the California T and think they softened the back up, but it isn’t as distinctive. The performance on offer on paper seems exceptional and realistically for 99% of driving i’m sure beats a f360/430 etc and with the open top + 2 seats opens up so many more possible use cases.
I’ve just had a look on AT too and for the year and price they do seem a bit of a relative performance bargain?! Looking at the portofino i don’t think is ageing well at all whereas this california to my eyes seems to be getting better with age whereas at first I thought the looks were awful.
Very interested to see how you continue to go with this and hopefully the joy continues
The 2+2 arrangement means it hasn’t sat in the garage all month. The rear seats are perfect for us right now, but you wouldn’t get anything at all behind me, my seat is right up against the base of the back seat.
ollyh1988 said:
Good spot - that’s on the hill above Portsmouth. There is another California nearby and it’s in a similar colour (so might be the one you saw?). I actually went to view it before buying mine as it is/was for sale. That colour is Azzuro California as opposed to this in Avio.
Can almost see my house in the background...
Lovely car, especially in that colour combo. I got to drive one a few years ago in Moderna, cracking drive.
A few pictures from an event in Southampton, ‘Cars in the Square’.
Eclectic mix of cars but I’d say the highlight was the legend in the 911 GT3 RS in front of me: 91 years old and still driving a car like that with bucket seats and a cage! Fingers crossed that’s me at his age.
Car was perfect and it was great to take the whole family along (and to take advantage of free parking in the city centre!)
Eclectic mix of cars but I’d say the highlight was the legend in the 911 GT3 RS in front of me: 91 years old and still driving a car like that with bucket seats and a cage! Fingers crossed that’s me at his age.
Car was perfect and it was great to take the whole family along (and to take advantage of free parking in the city centre!)
ollyh1988 said:
A few pictures from an event in Southampton, ‘Cars in the Square’.
Eclectic mix of cars but I’d say the highlight was the legend in the 911 GT3 RS in front of me: 91 years old and still driving a car like that with bucket seats and a cage! Fingers crossed that’s me at his age.
Car was perfect and it was great to take the whole family along (and to take advantage of free parking in the city centre!)
Looking good in the sun!Eclectic mix of cars but I’d say the highlight was the legend in the 911 GT3 RS in front of me: 91 years old and still driving a car like that with bucket seats and a cage! Fingers crossed that’s me at his age.
Car was perfect and it was great to take the whole family along (and to take advantage of free parking in the city centre!)
That 430 looks tasty with those wheels 🤔
Gorgeous car/colour! Really makes the red wrinkle paint pop under the bonnet hah.
I'm a bit biased, as I just took delivery of a 2012 California myself, and having 2 small kids as well I fully understand your reasonings, and why it brings so much joy.
I did do the golf tee vacuum mod under the bonnet however, I needed to hear that v8 noise a lot more than how it is programmed by default..!
I'm a bit biased, as I just took delivery of a 2012 California myself, and having 2 small kids as well I fully understand your reasonings, and why it brings so much joy.
I did do the golf tee vacuum mod under the bonnet however, I needed to hear that v8 noise a lot more than how it is programmed by default..!
An update at the start of 2024.
Nothing major to report - poor weather means I’ve limited the use over the last month or so. However I did manage to attend two events.
Firstly, Sporting Bears Dream Rides on the Isle of Wight. For anyone who hasn’t heard of the Sporting Bears, they are a great organisation who raise money for Children’s charities when people pay for passenger rides in various cars. Drivers don’t take any payment for the event so all the money raised goes to the charities. I’ve been a member for a while (previously did events in my TVR), but this was the first one I could take the Ferrari to. This time, rather than paid rides, it was taking out young carers as part of their Christmas party. It was a great day, with a great bunch of people and very eclectic mix of cars. It was inspiring seeing a Huracan STO negotiate the wet weather and avoid the splitter on the very rutted drive in and out of the event! Despite the weather I’m happy to say all my trips were with the roof down!
The second event was the Teddy Bear Winter Run. This wasn’t something I’d done before but saw 125(?) cars meet at Goodwood to drive out and drop off a teddy bear as part of the Children’s Respite Trust. The backseats meant we could all go together as a family (even if it meant roof up to stop my daughter being too cold). It is trips like this that make me glad I went for the California as it’s so nice to do these days out together.
At the moment the car is in the garage hiding from this terrible weather. I haven’t SORN’d it as worth I’d miss out on some really nice cold winter days to drive.
For anyone interested I’ve set up an Instagram account to follow some more of the things I get up to with the car - avioblu.california
Nothing major to report - poor weather means I’ve limited the use over the last month or so. However I did manage to attend two events.
Firstly, Sporting Bears Dream Rides on the Isle of Wight. For anyone who hasn’t heard of the Sporting Bears, they are a great organisation who raise money for Children’s charities when people pay for passenger rides in various cars. Drivers don’t take any payment for the event so all the money raised goes to the charities. I’ve been a member for a while (previously did events in my TVR), but this was the first one I could take the Ferrari to. This time, rather than paid rides, it was taking out young carers as part of their Christmas party. It was a great day, with a great bunch of people and very eclectic mix of cars. It was inspiring seeing a Huracan STO negotiate the wet weather and avoid the splitter on the very rutted drive in and out of the event! Despite the weather I’m happy to say all my trips were with the roof down!
The second event was the Teddy Bear Winter Run. This wasn’t something I’d done before but saw 125(?) cars meet at Goodwood to drive out and drop off a teddy bear as part of the Children’s Respite Trust. The backseats meant we could all go together as a family (even if it meant roof up to stop my daughter being too cold). It is trips like this that make me glad I went for the California as it’s so nice to do these days out together.
At the moment the car is in the garage hiding from this terrible weather. I haven’t SORN’d it as worth I’d miss out on some really nice cold winter days to drive.
For anyone interested I’ve set up an Instagram account to follow some more of the things I get up to with the car - avioblu.california
BrettMRC said:
Excellent OP - for a Ferrari these are so underrated! Brilliant in that colour too.
IIRC I was parked up opposite you on the grass at Wilton, but hadn't put 2 & 2 together that it was a PHer's car.
Which car was yours at Wilton? I need a PH sticker for this one!IIRC I was parked up opposite you on the grass at Wilton, but hadn't put 2 & 2 together that it was a PHer's car.
I agree they are underrated - if it wasn’t for the back seats I probably wouldn’t have considered, but it’s a great whole package for me right now.
First run of the year and some clear blue sky for a change!
Multiple layers and a spider man hot water bottle are the key to roof down fun!
I’m really impressed with the ceramic coating 6 months after it was applied. Only a light wash is needed to remove the dirt, and the ceramic brakes mean the wheels stay nice and clean.
Multiple layers and a spider man hot water bottle are the key to roof down fun!
I’m really impressed with the ceramic coating 6 months after it was applied. Only a light wash is needed to remove the dirt, and the ceramic brakes mean the wheels stay nice and clean.
Sunny weather and taking the car out reminded me to give a quick update.
I still have the California (about 9 months of ownership now) and still really enjoying it, but really need to do some longer trips in it and make the most of it. Over half the trips I’ve done in it have been with the 3 of us, meaning I did the right thing by going for a car with back seats!
The Ferrari ownership experience has been a highlight - made better by the dealer, Graypaul Edinburgh. We received an invite to go and drive the new Roma Spider in Italy. My first question was ‘how much?’ so I was staggered to find out it was free. It was an even better experience than I could have imagined. Ferrari had taken over an entire spa hotel. There were Ferrari touches everywhere. When we got to our room, the tv was playing a Roma video. The bar had been branded with Ferrari logos, even the cushions throughout the hotel now had a prancing horse on them. There were cooking classes, amazing dinners, drinks on tap - it’s no wonder a lot of people were placing orders. The car wasn’t bad either!
I’ve also just got back from a quick trip to Edinburgh for an ‘Esperienza Ferrari’ - a chance to try the 296GTS with an instructor out on the open road: incredible and the instructor was keen I really got to try the performance of the car!
This car blew me away and has me trying to find any way I can have one in the future!
I thought it was a nice touch by the dealership to, as well as give everyone attending a small gift (a nice Ferrari mug), find my daughter a bright red Ferrari cushion because she now really wants me to paint my blue car red and will not stop talking about red cars!
My plan at the moment is to enjoy the California over summer - making the most of us being able to fit a growing 3 year old in the back. My wife did try a short journey in the back with the roof down - it was hilarious because she was about a foot above the windscreen and couldn’t hear a thing! Probably not something I’d try again.
I’m going to try to attend as many car events as possible and will keep updating life with the car on my Instagram avioblu.california
I still have the California (about 9 months of ownership now) and still really enjoying it, but really need to do some longer trips in it and make the most of it. Over half the trips I’ve done in it have been with the 3 of us, meaning I did the right thing by going for a car with back seats!
The Ferrari ownership experience has been a highlight - made better by the dealer, Graypaul Edinburgh. We received an invite to go and drive the new Roma Spider in Italy. My first question was ‘how much?’ so I was staggered to find out it was free. It was an even better experience than I could have imagined. Ferrari had taken over an entire spa hotel. There were Ferrari touches everywhere. When we got to our room, the tv was playing a Roma video. The bar had been branded with Ferrari logos, even the cushions throughout the hotel now had a prancing horse on them. There were cooking classes, amazing dinners, drinks on tap - it’s no wonder a lot of people were placing orders. The car wasn’t bad either!
I’ve also just got back from a quick trip to Edinburgh for an ‘Esperienza Ferrari’ - a chance to try the 296GTS with an instructor out on the open road: incredible and the instructor was keen I really got to try the performance of the car!
This car blew me away and has me trying to find any way I can have one in the future!
I thought it was a nice touch by the dealership to, as well as give everyone attending a small gift (a nice Ferrari mug), find my daughter a bright red Ferrari cushion because she now really wants me to paint my blue car red and will not stop talking about red cars!
My plan at the moment is to enjoy the California over summer - making the most of us being able to fit a growing 3 year old in the back. My wife did try a short journey in the back with the roof down - it was hilarious because she was about a foot above the windscreen and couldn’t hear a thing! Probably not something I’d try again.
I’m going to try to attend as many car events as possible and will keep updating life with the car on my Instagram avioblu.california
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