My review of the California T

U sure u cant upload smaller images ? My screen cannot contain them

 

Thanks for the review. It seems to be in line with what others have said. I'm sure the 458T will sound "worse" than the current 458 too, sadly. Oh well.

 

Thank you for Nice and honest review… I can relate word per word of what you meant, I think this is regeneration of automotive industry that we have to live with it in the future. The next generation will get use to this and they probably even think that backfires, pops, and crackles are something wrong with the car and not cool at all…… who knows…..

 

As someone who also drives a Cali30 (with Magneride) I had very similar experiences test driving the CaliT a month ago but did not feel the new car handled any differently on the public roads where I tested it. The Magneride setting in my car does firm up everything in SPORT mode. However I am pretty sure the new car will deliver much better performance on the track.

Aside from sound, I think mention should be made of the general difference in feel of the car. It is not just sound. Relatively-speaking, the Cali30 feels like a race-prepped car compared to the CaliT because it idles nervously, feels raw compared to it and feels far less insulated from noise and vibration. It just feels ready to spool up whereas the new car is sedate and goes about going fast with minimal engine revs as if you are pouring water from a jug, a bit too easy in response, more like a Porsche I imagine. With the older car you work the engine revs (6-8,000 rpm) utilizing the torque curve in the classic fashion and with that you get the howl from the engine, massive torque tugging the steering wheel and the exhaust noise. It is a different driving experience to the new car's. Some backfires from a Cali30 can feel as if they lift the entire back end of the car.

Personally-speaking, should I feel the itch for a different toy I would probably add a car, like a 599 HGTE or GTO, 458 Italia or an F12 as they would do much more for my enjoyment than swapping my Cali30. The Cali is a very practical car so I prefer to keep mine as long as I can. Since I can make room for an extra car, trading my Cali30 would not be as practical. Why accept depreciation when I can have 2 cars that are not compromises on my preferences instead of just 1 car which would be a compromise?

I really think the CaliT is marketed more towards people new to the marque as well as people who need an extra FCar that is easier to use as a DD. For those drivers, the CaliT would not represent a compromise.

 

Yesterday I talked to someone else that has driven the T with the same opinion, the sound just doesn't say Ferrari. My dealer will have a T event later this year and I will attend and drive. The good news is I can forget upgrading my 2012 Cali to a T and focus on an FF upgrade or adding an F12 when business supports it.

Rick

 

Looks like the NA V12s will be getting yet more popular.

 

I haven't seen anybody saying that Cali T sounds good, or at least not bad. Same like I haven't seen any successor from NA to Turbo produces better or equal sound. Like Pagani Zonda to Huayra, BMW M5 NA to Turbo, Cali to Cali T, and worst of all : 2013's F1 to 2014's F1.
How come Ferrari is playing deaf to this?

 

I am curious if anyone with a Cali 30 HS package has driven a T and has impressions on the differences. My suspicion is that the handling is probably similar.

 

Can't do it without the soundtrack....I will keep mine.

 

I hope that Ferrari Will make very soon a sport exhaust for tris cali ... Mine T is close on garage ... Very nice but without soundtrack si not a Ferrari.......

 

I am sure the older Ferraris may sound better than what is new and what is coming out, however, those of us who have driven vintage cars, i.e old Vettes, Camaros, Fire Birds etc. , although they sound much better than the new ones, even look cooler, they drive like crap. although the newer Calis 2012, 2013, and 14 drive great, this Cali T, will drive better, and be better appointed. Given this is my first Ferrari and do not have a 13 to hang onto, I am most excited to join the ranks. I will be giving up my Maserati GTC sport knowing that the car will not sound as sexy, but will out drive her in every way. To say without Sound Track it is not a Ferrari is silly, we must embrace change, I am sure the older owners fought the F1 transmission, and other changes made over the years. I will have one of the first in the country and will i am sure Love her and Cherish her for years to come.

 

What will we all do when cars are pure electric? Play vintage Ferrari sounds through the stereo ala BMW in the M5?


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mitch: that is well put!

 

Old cars sound louder, not better, because basically those are straight pipes. Last time they didn't have cat or muffler. There are 2 things about sound :
1. Loudness : This is the second important. Lawnmowers are loud, but no quality.
2. Quality : This is the most important. The best quality is F1 cars (not 2014). With turbocharged, it is impossible to have that screaming sound because the vacuum cleaner starts to work at higher rpm.
And if they make something drives better than Speciale, you won't notice it with average skill. Only Lewis Hamilton can feel the gap if he drives the car on track.

 

But this is also subjective. To many, the sound will be perfect in both volume and quality. Perhaps the audience for a fast and comfortable GT convertible isn't so concerned with a "screaming" motor. Perhaps the car will entice some of the AMG crowd or 911 turbo cabs, so the turbo noise isnt an issue. After all, many folks here were up in arms over the original Cali saying it was too soft and not a "real" F-car, yet it is the company's best selling model and no doubt that will continue. Soon we will have sales figures and will know for sure but I'm willing to bet they will sell with no problem.




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But how many California owners would want that? Perhaps for the 458 replacement but for this car? Honestly, I wouldn't want my GT car to sound that way. My 458 Spider yes ... California no.


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Fortunately all electric will not happen in my lifetime. I just found out about Audi and Beemer making fake engine sounds in their audio systems a couple days ago. That is a hippie's way to save the earth. Vrrrruummm ... got you all excited didn't it How stupid. Pure electric today actually means "Powered by coal" in most areas. Sure saves the earth doesn't it.

Back to the subject I guess, glad I drove my Cali to the office today, I will gladly head to lunch and listen to it bark and pop through the little town I live in, thanking all of the Prius owners for saving the gas that I'll blow out my tailpipe.

Rick

 

As long as it sounds better than a 911 turbos it is probably fine... The Astons sound way better anyway...

 

CT, I think it might be OK or even expected for an ordinary GT to sound quiet but this is a Ferrari so it is important to retain a connection to signature features of the marque and deliver an exciting car. Otherwise, why would one buy a Ferrari? For instance, the current non-turbo Maserati GranTurismo is emphatically a GT and sounds wonderful… very much like a Maserati.

There is a place in the Ferrari lineup for a small FCar that is a GT, hardtop convertible, a DD that is also a loud sportscar. This is the car Ferrari wants to offer and with the engine restrictions imposed by CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulations, it has to go to turbos in order to offer ever-more-powerful cars while reducing engine capacity. It could have given us bigger NA V8s but they would have made the cars unsellable in countries that enforce CAFE restrictions. The CaliT is Ferrari's first attempt to make such cars compelling for the Ferraristi and it's a very good one. They'll get better and the 458 replacement will benefit from continuing developments.

The California model continues to offer a compelling dual personality which at the moment leans more towards the DD aspect of driving vs. the F1-noise/feel of traditional FCars. For folks who want to reintroduce more of the latter to their CaliT we'll have to see what the aftermarket folks can do with their magic.

 

Well, the F12 is not a GT; rather a front-mid engine supercar that can also cover great distance.

 

It sounds to me (pun somewhat intentional) that Ferrari is building a better MBZ SL. Sigh. The cars are getting relatively cushier, more isolated, and quieter. Progress? For some I suppose. Not for me. All my attention is now firmly focused on older cars...Scud/16M and backwards to 550 and even 308/328...I'm simply not a fan of turbo motors and don't want to own any. So, good news is most Ferrari owners (with the notable exception of Rick!) don't drive their cars, so there are lots of pampered low mile used ones out there.

 

time marches on. lets get with the program. progress is here. i don't miss the stick shift either