Ferrari California
Discussion
Panamax said:
The problem with the California is that Portofino is a massively more attractive car. In reworking the body they managed to get rid of the bulbous backside that afflicts so many hard roof convertibles.
The enthusiast opportunity with the California is that the Portofino is a massively more expensive car for the same basic package. The overall proportions are the same on both cars, just dressed in slightly different surfacing. The California is also a last chance to experience the sound and response of a normally-aspirated V8.Congrats OP, it sounds like you bought the right model for your use-case, in the right spec (love the blue), with the right history, from the right place. Hope you enjoy many happy miles!
Great write up and it reminds me of when I bought my Ferrari last year. Somehow didn’t feel quite real that I’d gone from a poster of a Testarossa and an F40 on my bedroom wall when I was 11 to actually holding a steering wheel with a Prancing Horse in the middle. I still smile when I open the garage door and see it sitting there. Wishing you lots of happy miles - I joined the FOC and have been to Le Mans and a few car meets. There’s always someone at any of the meets I have been to who has had the same path from poster to car!
Congrats OP! The California is a brilliant car in so many ways. As for its looks…
As for the boot, my view is “form follows function” so I rather like that it’s high, as it indicates where the roof is when stowed. With the roof up, it’s a stunning looking coupe.
That said, the stereo/SatNav is just abysmal, but heck, who cares…
Panamax said:
The problem with the California is that Portofino is a massively more attractive car. In reworking the body they managed to get rid of the bulbous backside that afflicts so many hard roof convertibles.
… personally I don’t share this view. The Portofino to me has no distinctive look of its own, just the family front of better looking cars like the 488. Whereas the Cali has a very unique look, with various styling cues relating to the original 250 Cali. You also get the vertically stacked tail pipes which look awesome. As for the boot, my view is “form follows function” so I rather like that it’s high, as it indicates where the roof is when stowed. With the roof up, it’s a stunning looking coupe.
That said, the stereo/SatNav is just abysmal, but heck, who cares…
samoht said:
Panamax said:
The problem with the California is that Portofino is a massively more attractive car. In reworking the body they managed to get rid of the bulbous backside that afflicts so many hard roof convertibles.
The enthusiast opportunity with the California is that the Portofino is a massively more expensive car for the same basic package. The overall proportions are the same on both cars, just dressed in slightly different surfacing. The California is also a last chance to experience the sound and response of a normally-aspirated V8.Now, we went for lunch at the shard a couple of weeks ago and outside were a Mc570 and a Porto, the Porto has massively moved the game on looks wise for the platform but having been out in a Cali T it’s just and old, old platform.
None of that matters when you’re paying Cali money like the OP has I’d argue, but Cali T and into Porto money there’s much more competition.
Never mind, if you love the Porto supposedly the Porto M is on another level dynamically. So you start looking at Cali Ts at £90k, then think a Porto is only £30k more and looks much better, then a modificato is only £40k more and is likely the best of the bunch-man maths!
At that price I can’t look past a McLaren but let’s just say they aren’t without their problems!
The OPs car looks stunning, I imagine has a lovely relaxed drive (despite that cracker of an engine) and for the money? What a bargain!
Panamax said:
Hardcore supercar enthusiasts may sneer at the lack of mid-engine layout but to my mind both California and Portofino offer a fantastically usable alternative for the real world. That electric folding roof opens up a whole different kind of relaxed enjoyment.
I still love the idea of a hardcore mid-engined supercar, they are fantastic! The F430 was so tempting but at my stage in life, with a young child and minimal time to myself, the California is the perfect fit. With unlimited budget I would love to have this and say a 430 or 458.Too nice to not go for a drive today. Was going to stop at Goodwood to get some more scenic pics but with Revival prep on there was no where to stop.
Just love the colour on this car - even better in the late evening sun.
Some funny reactions to the car - mostly being asked to Rev it and a lot of thumbs up when people see it. Makes a change to some of the greetings I used to get in my Boxster! Chance encounter with a 911 turbo cab on the motorway shows this is a fast car, but not 911 turbo fast!
Just love the colour on this car - even better in the late evening sun.
Some funny reactions to the car - mostly being asked to Rev it and a lot of thumbs up when people see it. Makes a change to some of the greetings I used to get in my Boxster! Chance encounter with a 911 turbo cab on the motorway shows this is a fast car, but not 911 turbo fast!
Panamax said:
The problem with the California is that Portofino is a massively more attractive car. In reworking the body they managed to get rid of the bulbous backside that afflicts so many hard roof convertibles.
i disagreeThe Portofino looks overdressed and confused compared to the smoother look of the California
Both lovely though
Nice choice OP, love the colour.
Pflanzgarten said:
The OPs car looks stunning, I imagine has a lovely relaxed drive (despite that cracker of an engine) and for the money? What a bargain!
My experience is that the Cali is “relaxed” only when compared to the more uncompromising sports cars. People always badly underestimate the performance - Evo got 3.8s for 0-60. Top speed is 193 mph. Compared to other GTs it also has suprisingly firm suspension. I liked mine for a weekend drive, but I find my Porsche 991 much more comfortable as a daily, even with the Sport settings on, albeit not quite as quick.
Brief update on the car.
In short, it has been brilliant and I’m still pinching myself that it is mine. It takes some getting used to when someone asks if the Ferrari is mine and I can say ‘yes’.
I’ve tried to use the car for nice days and family trips out, but following the sale of my daily driver it has had to do the commute a couple of times - an easy drive leaving the car in comfort and auto. However it’s not something I’m going to make a habit of as I’d rather keep the car for fun (but it is nice to be able to look out the window and see it parked in the car park).
Only modification I’ve done has been to put my old private plate on (from when I had the V8 Vantage). I thought this would be a quick job but the old stick on pads had left behind a lot of residue so it took some time to properly clean it up.
Bank Holiday weekend saw the car go to 3 car shows, including Wilton Wake Up, which was a fantastic morning. Leaving the house at 6:30am meant the roads were clear and it was a great drive out. I am loving how the car can cruise so well but then wakes up as soon as you want it to. The noise is fantastic - my daughter keeps asking me to make the car ‘do roars’.
Apart from overhearing one person say ‘don’t like that colour on the Ferrari’ the car seemed to get a lot of positive attention. Was also great to see 2 other Ferraris there with child seats in! A quick picture of the back of mine to show the space with our child seat - I think it will work for my daughter for at least another year or maybe longer.
We didn’t buy that seat specially for the car - I’d been using it in my Mini, but it seems to fit fine. I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has any better child seat suggestions? The main issue I’ve found with the California back seats is they are deeply sculpted, so it’s tough to get the seat to sit truly flush. The non-stick mat underneath has helped.
The only thing I’ll keep an eye on is the vibration at idle. Apparently on earlier Californias the cars do have a ‘rougher’ idle. It’s nothing dramatic but probably not as smooth as I’d expect from a ‘GT’ car. Other than that I plan to keep on enjoying it. But I must replace my daily driver ASAP - front runner so far is either an Alfa Mito 1.4 or a Fiat 500 - not intentionally going with an Italian theme but open to suggestions!
In short, it has been brilliant and I’m still pinching myself that it is mine. It takes some getting used to when someone asks if the Ferrari is mine and I can say ‘yes’.
I’ve tried to use the car for nice days and family trips out, but following the sale of my daily driver it has had to do the commute a couple of times - an easy drive leaving the car in comfort and auto. However it’s not something I’m going to make a habit of as I’d rather keep the car for fun (but it is nice to be able to look out the window and see it parked in the car park).
Only modification I’ve done has been to put my old private plate on (from when I had the V8 Vantage). I thought this would be a quick job but the old stick on pads had left behind a lot of residue so it took some time to properly clean it up.
Bank Holiday weekend saw the car go to 3 car shows, including Wilton Wake Up, which was a fantastic morning. Leaving the house at 6:30am meant the roads were clear and it was a great drive out. I am loving how the car can cruise so well but then wakes up as soon as you want it to. The noise is fantastic - my daughter keeps asking me to make the car ‘do roars’.
Apart from overhearing one person say ‘don’t like that colour on the Ferrari’ the car seemed to get a lot of positive attention. Was also great to see 2 other Ferraris there with child seats in! A quick picture of the back of mine to show the space with our child seat - I think it will work for my daughter for at least another year or maybe longer.
We didn’t buy that seat specially for the car - I’d been using it in my Mini, but it seems to fit fine. I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has any better child seat suggestions? The main issue I’ve found with the California back seats is they are deeply sculpted, so it’s tough to get the seat to sit truly flush. The non-stick mat underneath has helped.
The only thing I’ll keep an eye on is the vibration at idle. Apparently on earlier Californias the cars do have a ‘rougher’ idle. It’s nothing dramatic but probably not as smooth as I’d expect from a ‘GT’ car. Other than that I plan to keep on enjoying it. But I must replace my daily driver ASAP - front runner so far is either an Alfa Mito 1.4 or a Fiat 500 - not intentionally going with an Italian theme but open to suggestions!
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