NEW 430/California....surely not

[pattyg]

now that the 458 Italia is coming out. I know its a lot more expensive but if you can finance a 430 I'm sure you could manage a 458 somehow.

I personally would be gutted (relatively speaking)if I'd ordered a new 430 or California before the details of this puppy had came out.

I'm sure that the celeb chef who writes for Live mag felt the same a few weeks ago. I think he'd ordered a California and you could sense his frustration in every word.

Still, at least you won't have to wait as long for your less able F car.

[DaGuv]

What a stupid pointless statement. How can you compare a california to a 458. One is a GT front engined convertible and one is a mid engined drivers machine.

[pattyg]

DaGuv said:

What a stupid pointless statement. How can you compare a california to a 458. One is a GT front engined convertible and one is a mid engined drivers machine.

Not a stupid comparison imo. We are talking Ferrari's here not diesel Astras v VXR models. A Ferrari of any model is always a "drivers machine". They are hardly bought for their individual characteristics...its the ultimate toy and despite the marketing Calis have been bought by men seeking the latest available boys toy. Now they are kinda second best.

Edited by pattyg on Saturday 2nd January 20:28

[Papoo]

pattyg said:

Not a stupid comparison imo. A Ferrari of any model is always a "drivers machine" u muppet.

Yes, it is a stupid comparison. They are chalk and cheese, you muppet. Now, jog on, and take your 'txt spk' with you.

[pattyg]

Papoo said:

pattyg said:

Not a stupid comparison imo. A Ferrari of any model is always a "drivers machine" u muppet.

Yes, it is a stupid comparison. They are chalk and cheese, you muppet. Now, jog on, and take your 'txt spk' with you.

You have the cheek to comment on my post but still use the phrase "JOG ON"...ROFL,PMSL etc etc.

PS...can't personally see the massive differences in the target buyers of the 430 and 458. Perhaps you can explain.

Edited by pattyg on Saturday 2nd January 20:34

[andy355]

the 458 was known to be coming out for a couple of years at least, hardly a big surprise, 360 1999 to 2004/5 430 2005 to 2010. Another giveaway is the CS/Scud models which come near the end of the cycle. So if you did buy a 430 new you expect to lose money on it, as to california vs 458 different beasts and both in my opinion not as good looking as they could have been

[WIJ933]

Girls, girls..........

Hmmm - as for Papoo's "chalk and cheese" comment. Your talking bks!. Chalk and cheese is a Murcielago LP640 vs Smart car (both of which I own), not two different Ferrari's. ALL Ferrari's are drivers cars but for different reasons.
I kinda get the feelin we are having wannabe supercar owners making rash judgements about the cars they will probably never drive!!

Now watch the pigeons scatter!!!

[isuk]

pattyg said:

now that the 458 Italia is coming out. I know its a lot more expensive but if you can finance a 430 I'm sure you could manage a 458 somehow.

I personally would be gutted (relatively speaking)if I'd ordered a new 430 or California before the details of this puppy had came out.

I'm sure that the celeb chef who writes for Live mag felt the same a few weeks ago. I think he'd ordered a California and you could sense his frustration in every word.

Still, at least you won't have to wait as long for your less able F car.

If you don't understand the difference between a mid-engined supercar and a front engined convertible Grand Tourer then I'd suggest you are on the wrong forum as you are looking at the badge as opposed to the product. As for the California being "less able" take a look at it's performance stat's. It's faster than a 430 spider so buyers are hardly being short changed. I've also yet to read a negative road test of the car.

The celebrity chef comment says it all though really - cars being bought as the latest "must have" fashion accessories by individuals who evidently know nothing about them. As others have said the likely launch date of the 458 was hardly a secret so anyone with a vaguely genuine interest in Ferraris would have known it was coming.

Having been to both official World Premiere launch events for the California and the 458 at Maranello I can reassure you that there was a significant difference in the target customer base invited to each event with many non-Ferrari owners being invited to the launch of the California. The California is not being bought as an alternative to a mid engined V8 Ferrari. It is being bought either to compliment it by owners or by people new to the brand who are trading out of DB9's, SL's, Conti GT's etc.

[pattyg]

"If you don't understand the difference between a mid-engined supercar and a front engined convertible Grand Tourer then I'd suggest you are on the wrong forum as you are looking at the badge as opposed to the product. As for the California being "less able" take a look at it's performance stat's. It's faster than a 430 spider so buyers are hardly being short changed. I've also yet to read a negative road test of the car".

Funnily enough I do know the difference but that is not the point. With the California outperforming the standard 430 surely that made it the "affordable" Ferrari performance car regardless of engine location or body style....that has now changed and that is my point. I do accept that some fortunate souls can have both i.e. Cali and 430/458...you lucky sod .

Edited by pattyg on Sunday 3rd January 15:52

[isuk]

The Cali delivers it's performance in a totally different way to the 430/458 and feels a very different car to drive. It's set up for a different type of driver with more suspension roll in hard cornering and a generally softer overtall ride. It's still a lot of fun but more "grown up" than a mid engined V8. Sometimes you just don't want the sort of attention a 430 attracts

[toppstuff]

pattyg said:

"If you don't understand the difference between a mid-engined supercar and a front engined convertible Grand Tourer then I'd suggest you are on the wrong forum as you are looking at the badge as opposed to the product. As for the California being "less able" take a look at it's performance stat's. It's faster than a 430 spider so buyers are hardly being short changed. I've also yet to read a negative road test of the car".

Funnily enough I do know the difference but that is not the point. With the California outperforming the standard 430 surely that made it the "affordable" Ferrari performance car regardless of engine location or body style....that has now changed and that is my point. I do accept that some fortunate souls can have both i.e. Cali and 430/458...you lucky sod .

Edited by pattyg on Sunday 3rd January 15:52

No no no - you really have got it all wrong here pal. Even Ferrari themselves would not understand what you are banging on about. It makes No sense at all.

The California is a totally different direction for ferrari. Of course it is fast and a more modern design than the 430, but Ferrari knew that the 458 was going to be a pretty hardcore machine, so they wanted to make sure that the California was a much more approachable, easier car to drive. The fact that they went for a hard-top convertible with the extra weight it carries, demonstrates this.

The California appeals to a lot of buyers for whom it is their first Ferrari. It is also much more popular with Women then other Ferrari's. While it is still a Ferrari, it is a softer and less challenging Ferrari for a wider market appeal - and there is nothing wrong with that. The fact remains that there are many California owners who would not buy a 430 - and that is exactly the way that Ferrari want it.

I don't think you understand how Ferrari are shaping up their model range. The California widens the appeal to challenge brands like Aston and Bentley in the mass market as a daily driver, while the 458 will be car of choice for those who want something for a more "special" hardcore experience. They are totally, totally different.

And the 430? Well that's the old car now. It occupied a space that Ferrari now cover with two quite different cars.

Edited by toppstuff on Sunday 3rd January 19:32

[Cmurder]

both very diffrent cars and people who are buying these cars already knew about the 458 along time ago,and would have been given the option to switch if they wanted,i know atleast 4 people who were asked!.al of them switched and are getting some of the first 458's.

playtime!