Ferrari California
Discussion
Marcusjames had a California for the day just recently and I had the chance to look it over. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I have to say it was bloody enormous and I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole. The trick roof and gearbox are great achievements, and the interior is better than the usual Ferrari effort, but the huge rump, flanks, grinning front end, silly looking exhaust arrangement. No. Thanks. 599/F430 Spider definately if you must get an F-car 
I had an early slot car and cancelled it after going to the factory launch then talking to a couple of people with significant F car histories who've actually driven the car. Whilst they say it's a fantastic car both agreed that if you are looking for a fun toy then the F430 spider is a much better driving experience and if you want a GT car with devasting power then a used 599 represents far better value.
IMHO California residuals are likely to be suspect in the medium to long term after the initial new F car novelty has worn off. It's not as raw a car as either the 430 spider or the 599 so is less likely to appeal to the enthusiast driver 2nd hand unless the used pricing takes it below the other models. As it was conceived as a daily driver to compete against SL AMG Merc's, DB9 Volante, 911 turbo cab's etc it will most likely suffer similarly stiff depreciation to those as they also don't appeal as strongly to used performance car buyers.
IMHO California residuals are likely to be suspect in the medium to long term after the initial new F car novelty has worn off. It's not as raw a car as either the 430 spider or the 599 so is less likely to appeal to the enthusiast driver 2nd hand unless the used pricing takes it below the other models. As it was conceived as a daily driver to compete against SL AMG Merc's, DB9 Volante, 911 turbo cab's etc it will most likely suffer similarly stiff depreciation to those as they also don't appeal as strongly to used performance car buyers.
I was looking for straight forward replys ..ie the comment from the guy who physicaly had seen one or from someone who has a 599 ....
jmkone said:
Hi anyone got any ideas on the new california i have one ordered and is due in November but now that 599s are dropping do you think better selling my slot(thats if they would fetch a premium) and try and get a 2 year old 599 for the same price .....
jmkone said:
I was looking for straight forward replys ..ie the comment from the guy who physicaly had seen one or from someone who has a 599 ....
IMHO bloated and gimicky as though somebody has taken a Maserati GT and tried to turn it into a Ferrari themed Mercedes SL, not one of Pininfarina's best works. it's only saving grace is that they didnt abuse the Dino name by using it on this.jmkone said:
Hi anyone got any ideas on the new california i have one ordered and is due in November but now that 599s are dropping do you think better selling my slot(thats if they would fetch a premium) and try and get a 2 year old 599 for the same price .....
If a pretty Ferrari like the 456 or a practical one like the 612 droped in value like a stone on the used market, I think this one will be even worse (ugly, half an engine and lauched in the middle of a deppresion)
jmkone said:
Hi the car you say is released in several markets ........so in which market have you actually driven one ???? or are you one of the dreamers that reads all the car magazines and drives corsa sxi ????
What a cracking new addition to PH..At which point did I state in any way that I had driven one?
You asked the question, traxx answered, you then took a swipe.
Bearing in mind the guy has owned several Lambo's & Ferrari's I would quite happily listen to his advice.
The California btw has been released in Italy, Switzerland....
Edited by Grant76 on Thursday 26th March 09:59
If I had the bunce to buy a new Ferrari, I would obviously have made my money through making certain astute fiscal decisions mainly by myself, hence negating the need to ask strangers whether I should buy one!
For that kind of money I would expect Messrs Ferrari & Sons to have one delivered to my door to make an evaluation of the product prior to purchase. You never marry the first woman you shag do you!
For that kind of money I would expect Messrs Ferrari & Sons to have one delivered to my door to make an evaluation of the product prior to purchase. You never marry the first woman you shag do you!
AndrewD said:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I have to say it was bloody enormous and I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole. The trick roof and gearbox are great achievements, and the interior is better than the usual Ferrari effort, but the huge rump, flanks, grinning front end, silly looking exhaust arrangement. No. Thanks. 599/F430 Spider definately if you must get an F-car
i saw the car in geneva the other week, and, reluctant though i am to say this, i have to agree with youjmkone said:
Hi the car you say is released in several markets ........so in which market have you actually driven one ???? or are you one of the dreamers that reads all the car magazines and drives corsa sxi ????
Unbelievable! - Needlessly rude.Icemanbops from Ferrichat.com owns one, I believe he bought it in Switzerland.
I seen the Geneva dealer demo car on the road (in metallic black).
Trivial comments from a non-owner... feel free to ignore if they offend.
Overall I would say it looked good to me from the front and side (top up).
However most would agree that the rear end is a huge design compromise and although you could just about excuse the positioning of the exhausts from a packaging point of view, the tacky tail pipes are pants.
What's unforgivable to me though is that they chose to house the brake lights down at that level too and not within the two main rear lights.
I appreciate that it's arguably safer to have brake lights separate from rear lights as they are more obvious when you step on them, but is it an EU regulation these days? The 599 doesn't seem to have this issue, does it?
Trivial comments from a non-owner... feel free to ignore if they offend.
Overall I would say it looked good to me from the front and side (top up).
However most would agree that the rear end is a huge design compromise and although you could just about excuse the positioning of the exhausts from a packaging point of view, the tacky tail pipes are pants.
What's unforgivable to me though is that they chose to house the brake lights down at that level too and not within the two main rear lights.
I appreciate that it's arguably safer to have brake lights separate from rear lights as they are more obvious when you step on them, but is it an EU regulation these days? The 599 doesn't seem to have this issue, does it?
jmkone said:
Hi the car you say is released in several markets ........so in which market have you actually driven one ???? or are you one of the dreamers that reads all the car magazines and drives corsa sxi ????
I drove the car in Switzerland - although only for a short driveIt's a nice car - and if you could only have one sportscar and you need to drive the family (provided they are very young) around then I think it would be a great car
However I drive my cars daily (and usually on my own) - and for this purpose I just thought it was boring compared to the 430/599
I also think the car has got a major design flaw (excluding the fact that I dislike the overall styling) and that is that the rear seats are too vertical - I don't see how a child seat is going to easily fit it.
As for an adult sitting in the back - there is no leg room at all and you have no headrest - so everytime you race away from the lights the passenger is going to get whiplash injureys to their neck
I was thinking about getting one for the Mrs to drive the kids around in - but if I want a "slow sportscar" for this purpose then I think a DB9 Volante looks better (and is half the price)
oh and in answer to your other question I don't drive a Corsa and have owned a few Ferraris - 360 spider, 430, 430 spider, 430 Scuderia, 599
Edited by traxx on Thursday 26th March 12:43
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