To Buy a California or Not? | FerrariChat

To Buy a California or Not?

Discussion in 'California/Portofino/Roma' started by texex91, Nov 30, 2014.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. texex91

    texex91 Karting

    Nov 11, 2014
    186
    USA
    #1 texex91, Nov 30, 2014
    Okay, have read all the threads back ten pages, looked at all of the 'is it a daily driver' posts, etc.

    So, have been through a bunch (5-10) cars in the past two years...yes, I'm sick. R8, 911 TTs, RS7, 911 4S, Gallardo and the list goes on.

    Personally I think Cali is a good balance between price, price, practicality, speed, sporty, and of course the Ferrari factor.

    Seems like prices on 'newer' '14's (sub 1k miles ones) are about $200k. And no, I don't want to wait for T to be built, so looking at 2014's.

    So questions/thoughts...

    Daily driver (mixed with SUV 25-35% of the time)?

    I like the fact you don't see many of them, but had two friends (both car snobs though) call it the 'old man's Ferrari'--I told them, perfect (because I'm 45)!

    I'm assuming the car still has the cache because it's a Ferrari? When I had my new R8 V10, that car attracted more people, which I thought was weird because the body style has been around forever.

    Anyways, for those who were in the same boat before buying Cali (or not), I'm curious. This would be first Ferrari (like the other 70% Ferrari says are first time to the brand with Cali).

    Thanks guys.
     
  2. GFD

    GFD Karting

    Aug 24, 2014
    108
    Northern California
    #2 GFD, Nov 30, 2014
    Why not? Go for it. You will love it.
     
  3. jumpinjohn

    jumpinjohn F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 22, 2013
    6,832
    Texas
    Full Name:
    John
    #3 jumpinjohn, Nov 30, 2014
    Well I sure like mine. You should give it a shot. Car snobs always have something to say. Whatever. I moved from a 911 4s cab to the Cali 30 and do not regret it. It does garner more attention than I thought it would. I have an S class for carting people and a wrangler for going unnoticed.
     
  4. texex91

    texex91 Karting

    Nov 11, 2014
    186
    USA
    #4 texex91, Nov 30, 2014
    Great feedback thus far--thanks.

    For me a nice price point before 458 and certainly more 'practical'.

    Have three dealers to talk with in the morning and see if I can get this where I want it.
     
  5. LARRYH

    LARRYH F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2011
    9,169
    virginia usa
    #5 LARRYH, Nov 30, 2014
    I have had 2 of them a 2011 and 2013 used them as a semi DD and enjoyed them both.. neither ever went to the dealer for an unscheduled issue.. get a later model car 2012 and up and get the included dealer maintenance..
     
  6. texex91

    texex91 Karting

    Nov 11, 2014
    186
    USA
    #6 texex91, Nov 30, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2014
    Thanks Larry. I read may of your posts in the previous 1 year of posts I reviewed (never want to be accused of not 'searching'. I'm certainly staying with a 2014 that has the 3 year maintenance and of course 7 year maint (not that I'll keep it that long).

    Little worried about secondary market as T buyers unload their's, but it's all about buying right on the front side. Think $190k'ish for sub 1000 mile '14 Cali is good (have two dealers offering that).

    It's time for a Ferrari!

    PS - Is there a digital speed readout in display?
     
  7. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,646
    Silicon Valley
    #7 Need4Spd, Nov 30, 2014
    I semi-DD mine. It's great and I look forward to the drive at either end of the day. Great fun on weekend drives, too.

    Yes, there is a digital speedo. It's part of the left LCD tucked away in the lower right corner below the oil temp gauge. It's small but I find myself looking at it more than the big analog speedo because it reacts much quicker and is more precise (good for when you're going through a laser/radar trap zone).
     
  8. texex91

    texex91 Karting

    Nov 11, 2014
    186
    USA
    #8 texex91, Nov 30, 2014
    Perfect--glad to hear about semi DD.

    Also, found the speedo--wow that IS tiny! Thanks for head's up.
     
  9. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,646
    Silicon Valley
    #9 Need4Spd, Nov 30, 2014
    I highly recommend you find a car with cruise control or you could find yourself all too easily on the wrong end of a radar gun. It's not that important for a car you will only drive on special occasions, but it's really easy to let your guard down when driven more frequently.
     
  10. texex91

    texex91 Karting

    Nov 11, 2014
    186
    USA
    #10 texex91, Nov 30, 2014
    Yep use to that--had RS7, R8 V10, Gallardo, etc...so yes speed is easy to get you!
     
  11. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,646
    Silicon Valley
    #11 Need4Spd, Nov 30, 2014
    Ferrari was insane not to make cruise control standard on this car. Original buyers, what were you thinking when you didn't check off that option?
     
  12. dacmaniac

    dacmaniac Rookie

    Dec 26, 2014
    8
    Kuwait
    #12 dacmaniac, Dec 31, 2014
    On the subject of Cali, is there a big difference between a 2010 and 2012/2013?? I know the 2014 is different.
    But read a few threads not recommending 2010 models. I already bought one so that's why I'm asking.
    Obviously the newer the better, but are there 'new' stuff on 2012/2013 models?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  13. vrdjs

    vrdjs Karting

    Oct 28, 2013
    242
    Los Angeles, CA
    #13 vrdjs, Mar 5, 2015
    Not sure if you already bought, but I had a 2014 Cali and absolutley loved it! It had the handling package and most of the usable extras. I was sorry to see it go when I ordered my Cali T. The 2014 was the perfect weekend cruiser. Gentle when you want it to be and a beast when you didn't. I recently had a 911 convertible, black black and my wife was the first to notice that with the 911 we got the stink eye most of the time, but every time we went out in the Cali we got the thumbs up, or photos being taken of it. It's an amazing car. Couldn't recommend one more.
     
  14. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 11, 2013
    10,910
    #14 Caeruleus11, Mar 5, 2015
    Seems to me whats the downside really?

    This is a good way to see if the Ferrari thing is for you.

    I'm a car snob just like anyone else and I say go for it! Everyone has their reasons and their preferences. If you like it that's all that matters and its not like there isn't a solid market for the car if you wan to sell it on. What's the worst that can happen? You have to sell it for $10k less than you were figuring on? If you can absorb the possible financial downside this seems like a good choice.
     
  15. Royalpar1

    Royalpar1 Formula 3

    Oct 18, 2013
    1,767
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Lombard
    #15 Royalpar1, Mar 5, 2015
    Get a Escort 9500 ci and drive it like you stole it :)
     
  16. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,646
    Silicon Valley
    #16 Need4Spd, Mar 5, 2015
    I have one, and it's more than paid for itself if you know what I mean. But it can't save you if you are being paced from behind with the officer not using any electronic aids. Power delivery is so linear you can easily be doing way over the limit while just driving casually.. You can, however, have cruise control retrofitted, so that doesn't need to be a barrier if the car is otherwise the one you want. I still find it amazing how many cars are so lightly optioned (and infuriating that Ferrari didn't make more amenities standard - a car like this should have cruise, memory seats, electrochromic mirrors and a garage door opener standard).
     

Share This Page