599 to California

Go for it if you have a use for it….. I would if the trade will have more benefits to my family. Pro and contra is never ending so you have to look from your stand point.

 

No more V12? Will you be cool with that?

 

In addition to the 599 could work, but I don't know how happy you'll be replacing the 599 with it. V12 to V8 and the associated loss of performance doesn't sound like a good move IMO.

 

No. I agree the Cali is probably an easier DD to live with because of the transmission and the newer Navi. But, I think there are other cars that are even better DDs than a Ferrari- I want my Ferraris to be special and I think the 599 is just so amazing. I couldn't make the trade. As far as the back seat, its always bothered me that there is no dedicated head rests/ head protection for rear seat occupants. I imagine this is to keep the look cleaner and more like a big 2 seater, but I wouldn't put my kids in one. Thats just me.

 

Depends on what you want. I wouldn't sweat the loss in performance. I think you're looking at a loss of .4 seconds 0-60. I also like the way the Cali corners better than the 599, but they're very different in the way they handle. Regardless, on public roads, you won't get near the capabilities of either car, so drive what you like.
I just traded my 612 for a Cali, so V12 to V8 is fine by me.

 

Only a v12 can replace a v12

 

V8 is not a V12.

California engine also has a WET sump.

Have you considered a 612? More practical than a 599, and nearly as fast. The last of the Dino V12 engines and generally very reliable. It can comfortably carry 4 "normal" sized adults. Right now, they are selling at very favorable prices.

 

If your children are small then the sad excuse for a back seat in a Cali will work. Stay away from the 2010 if you can. My dealer said there have been issues with the electric top that hadn't been sorted out. If you really want an Italian sporty reasonable DD I would buy the Maserati Gran Turismo Convertible. Fast enough, handles great and has real back seats. I owned two before my 599. They were great eye catching dependable cars! Just my .02 cents.

 

I just went for the '07 599 instead of the Cali. I still want a Cali, but it would have to be in addition to the v12.

 

No way I could trade my 599 for a Cali.

 

Just had the opportunity to sit in, but not drive, a Cali-T. Not for me!!! The interior was done nicely. I'm sure the turbos will be great. It just seems a cut under the more aggressive Ferraris we all know and love. Maybe like Daddy's daughters lil Ferrari. And it led me to wonder...what's next? The Ferrari SUV?????

 

One can only hope. I'm on my 4th cayenne in 11 years and never sat in a Porsche prior. Couldn't live without my tts or something like it.

Was looking forward to the Maserati suv but won't buy another maser now.

 

I have both 599HGTE (owned 3 599's) and a California 30HS (owned 3 California's well 4 if you count that I bought back my 2nd car!)

California is a great, great car, best alround Ferrari I've owned and driven approx 27k miles, excellent for touring with my wife, extra space on the back seats is useful and it's a pretty fast car, it also feels very stable and is very easy to drive. Slightly more economical than the 599 but don;t expect big gains.

In comparison the 599 is as you'll know a beast, the performance is or at least feels leagues ahead of the California and it's much more a drivers car requiring serious concentration when pressing on, tbh I find the performance of the 599 totally addictive, I've completed circa 24k 599 miles and can't see the current one leaving the stable for a long time

Sum up

if you want a good DD and tourer plus the benefit of small back seats then the California is the obvious choice.

If you want a serious focused drivers car then stick with the 599

Of course the ultimate solution is both
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Mark, that's a great picture with both beasts. Are they Rosso Nuevo? The color on both looks absolutely magical in the sunlight.

 

Rosso Fiorano Enrico