California T vs 12C Spider

I had a 12C (not the spider) and now have a 458 spider and am looking at the california T next. The 12C is a great car and it does not have a direct comparison to the california but here are some observations:

1) Much harder to get into and out of the 12C due to the doors and the general low entrance
2) 12C is much faster than the California T but a couple of tenths of a sec faster is something you wont notice unless you are planning on tracking it.
3) 2 rear seats in the california but not the 12C which makes the california more versatile, I have little kids so was looking for this
4) 12C spider is a great value now, especially if you can get it around 200 however the p13 is coming next year and am not sure what it will do to 12C values.
5) The california T is the newer car so it is desirable but there doesnt seem to be a wait list for the car, at least at the 2 or 3 dealerships I spoke to, meaning that when you walk out that door at the dealership, you would have lost 30K. However if you are getting it to drive and keep for sometime, I would not care for the hit as all cars depreciate and ordering a new one to your spec might be something you are looking to do.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Not sure I would compare them...one is a front engine GT car versus a mid engine sports car that you can track. A 458 is the comparison to a 12C...and as a former 458 Spider owner, that's not a difficult choice in my mind. A California is great as a semi-practical and fun road car (that's why I've ordered one), but it's not designed to rip around a track like a 458 or a 12C.

No doubt that a 12C is more car for the money (transaction price much lower than a 458) if that's an important consideration to you...and if you plan on keeping for a long time. Otherwise the savings will likely wash out on the depreciation.

 

I went with the Cali T. Much more practical with rear seats, pass through to a rear trunk, higher seating position, MPG, etc. not that these are always what we consider but since you asked...

 

Apples and oranges. You should be able to decide which is best for you.

 

12c is on BBC right now with Jeremy Clarkson driving! "Steering is wooden, suspension made from old tea bags" lol.... but it's pretty!

 

12C is an amazing car... Just apples to oranges

 

Leaving the subjectives out of it, the only reason I could see to get a California would be rear seats and trunk space.

12C has been and continues to be a lot of money for the car and you can probably get a used Spider for 200-210K and top up the warranty for $3500/year if it's a concern.

So a barely used and high spec 12C Spider with full warranty for probably $210-220K (before taxes.) I think it's hard to argue against it objectively.

 

Did you mean a lot of car for the money?

Seems to me the 12c is at a great price point when looking at buying a used supercar.

 

Yea. Whoops.

 

I had a 12C coupe and liked it so much that I swapped into a 12C Spider. Every time I drive my Spider, I can't help but think that the car is absolutely perfect. I try to find a flaw and the biggest one I have come up with is that I wish the seat was mounted an inch lower to give me more headroom.

I don't know of any other carbon tubbed supercars that can be bought for $220K'ish and deliver the !@C's level of performance. Like others have said, a 12C isn't a very valid comp to a Cali, but if you buy a 12C wanting a badass, trackable sports car, you won't be disappointed!

 

If the dealer has any new 12cs lying around you can easily get $$$ off. Depending on the price you could probably get $30K off.

 

Down here in south Florida, the Collection has a roof top of Macs, you can easily make a deal if you didnt want a Ferrari which they also have Call Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, they usually have a bunch of Macs which were traded for Ferraris

 

Disagree. Unless you need the back seat and trunk space often, the 12C is no worse for daily usage.

 

I kind of understand what you are getting at but I think overall NYCone has it right.

Any mid engine supercar like the 12C (or 458) has a lower seating position (good for fun, not so much for every day visibility), probably not as safe, harder to get in and out of (especially with a carbon tub car).

Anyway IMHO its like this:
Both are toys. The 12C is more of a pure toy (that can be comfortable) where as the Cali is a toy that has some more practicality built in. Neither are SUV or sedan or whatever you might drive daily. If you are willing to drive a sports car daily then they both could do it.

My advice is try both and see what fits your needs best. Since you are in the realm of what I consider toys, I'd say to not just consider the engineering (both cars are very impressive) but also the emotional connection you feel with both cars.

 

Are they just not selling or what?


I thought it would be highly desirable.

 

They are an old model, it's normal depreciation

 

Yeah since the 650S got announced out of nowhere there are we a lot of 12Cs sitting around or on order.

 

I think its more than that, even prior to the new models, Brahman always had a dozen or more on their roof. I was offered a Mac at below cost, a year ago. Remember, nothing, has the Ferrari Panashe.

 

JC is a bit of an idiot sometimes: it is common consent that the 12C has the best ride of any super-car. Not saying it's better than a 458 but it has an incredibly good suspension.

 

Chris Harris loved the suspension in the 12c. I've driven both that 12c and 650s and think they are very comfortable.

 

12C: Worse emotions/ worse looks

Drive the cars, and you will know which one to buy!