First time Ferrari owner - bought a Cali 30

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Took the plunge before going electric in 2 years time and bought a California 30. I've had it a week now (although was at the detailers for 3 days - can highly recommend James at Deluxe car care in Ascot). Kids love it and just want to go for a drive in it with me. I have to admit its incredible, from the engine start up to how it looks and drives and the noise of acceleration. It's a masterpiece. Putting a smile on my face every day and every second of driving it.

There are two niggles -

1) The insanely loud lock/unlock car alarm sound
2) The chap who ordered white stitching on the dashboard, didn't realise it reflects in the windscreen when driving it.

However as I said,

1) It looks gorgeous, double stacked exhausts are classic
2) Start-up is a melody I can listen to all day. The kids are already asking me to switch it off when I get to school, so they can hear it starting up again when they get out
3) Driving back to my house last night, past a small kid with his mum, and he started yelling "Ferrari mum, Ferrari, look a Ferrari" which was awesome and wholesome.
4) The convertible aspect is awesome, so nice to drive in the sunshine over the weekend
5) The auto box makes this car a dream to drive normally and a beast when you switch to the paddles
6) The up change noise for the exhaust is highly addictive.

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Gnevans said:

Great car. What age kids can realistically fit in the back or is it really three max?

My 9 year old is quite comfy in it when his 13 year old sister or my wife (both 5foot 6) are in the front. The 13 year old is happy to be in the back if the seat is all the way forward for the 9 year old as she’s only in there for 15 mins on the way to his school and then she can jump in the front for the 15 mins to her school.

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adamellisdj said:

Congrats mate

Right nice. Can we see the interior

I am always super interested on the inside spec.

I’ll take a pic of the inside later, but here’s the full spec ordered for it

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Inside 1/2

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more carbon fibre than I know what to do with

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jon66 said:

Very nice indeed....and good to hear that you're enjoying it !

Far too many people seem to be only too happy to knock the California but I always take that with a pinch of salt as I suspect that most of them are just tripping out lines that "serious" journos posted many years ago when they just didn't "get" what the California was all about and were comparing it with the 360 & 430.
I've had mine for 5 years now and it still gives the same tingle evey time I take it out.
....
Hope that the sunny weather keeps up and you get to enjoy even more of that lovely V8 !!

Thanks jon66,

I don't understand how people can knock it, sub 4 seconds, fantastic handling and an engine note that God blessed an Italian town to recreate.

Looking forward to sunshine and everything other than snow to drive it in

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Mattjevans said:

Agreed, I’ve never understood the knocks. Very fast car and sounds fabulous. I’m going the FF route myself but a Cali 30 would have been a close second choice.

I had a long good look at a green FF the main dealer in Lyndhurst had. As it made more sense for the 4 of us, had a great engine and 4wd but I just wanted the convertible in the end. Even watched the Chris Harris review but couldn’t convince myself.

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swanseaboydan said:

Congrats ...

The California 30 is a super convertible, use it all the time and if you are ever in South Wales - message me and we’ll meet up for a cruise !

Don’t know if I’ll make it down there but if I do I’ll let you know 😊

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Lob355 said:

I’m in lightwater might see you around

and phib, I'm over in Bracknell and potter between Reading and Virgina Water a fair bit - good to see you both

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vanman1936 said:

...
Re white stitching, couldn’t a quality interiors business dye it black in the dash?

Might chat to Trimmania who did some excellent work on my old a8 w12

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phib said:

Well firstly congratulations!! Looks lovely.

I’ve been deliberating buying one for way too long now !

I’ve heard lots of positives on them from owners over the years and lots of horror stories when I spoke to the specialist that looks after my 355.

Needless to say I’m off to see one on Monday.

I’m very near ascot (chobham) so hope to see it about.

Phib

Edited by phib on Thursday 8th April 20:34

I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you there are some dodgy examples out there and people who are creative with the truth about their cars. I had one tell me it was taxed for a year, just serviced and had Ferrari power warranty for another 9 months and when I called Ferrari dealer they said nope. Hasn’t been serviced for 18 months. Power warranty run out 6 months ago and last mot 13 months before.

Hope it’s a good one. I lucked out as chap bought from Ferrari and after 300 miles didn’t like it so his mate sold it for him to me via his garage. All dates and stamps checked out. Warranty with Ferrari until sept 22. He was happy to take to a specialist for me to get a full report on it - who couldn’t find anything wrong with it.