599 HGTE to Cali T?

Sounds like you are all over the board. If you need/want jump seats, not much else to talk about. confused about the F12 Cab, more refined than the 599 however no jump seats. for me, i would not get a sports car without it being a drop top. thats just me the T will give you most of what you want albeit not the soundtrack. Jump seats, Fast, Cab and not bad on the eyes.

 

You should go for the T and enjoy it for as long as it works for you. I have traded in my Spider, which was fantastically capable and a very smooth driver (loved it), but just a bit too "in your face" for normal driving and missing some of the daily practical aspects. Now out of my system and on to something else. The new T is much more put together from a handling standpoint than the first Cali (had a 2010)...you can immediately feel the lower center of gravity as well as the improved power. As Royalpar1 says, you might miss the noise as well as the screaming redline. On the other hand, I find it "noise appropriate" given its everyday GT-ish mission...it's not near as raw as what you have now, but effortless torque is right there, right now and it still has some magic.

 

Well, in the hands of a Ferrari test driver it's 2 seconds slower around Fiorano than your car. About same track time as a 430. Though, in the hands of a just decent driver (as opposed to a pro in race mode with traction off) my guess is they're way closer which ain't bad for a cruiser convertible that shouldn't be on the track in the first place!

 

Good luck...agree, 458 is scary easy to go fast in. That's probs another reason I got out before something bad happened! Feel of T definitely much much improved, but a raw mid-engine car it ain't.

 

Nick, my sense if that no California will serve as a car in which to take kids; the back seat is really a parcel shelf, as I think others have commented. So that's no reason to get a Cali. I drove the first Cali at my Ferrari dealer and while I detested the back end shape, liked the car a lot. Of course I did not really have a chance to drive the car hard. Candidly, if I were going to buy any new Ferrari today it would probably be the new Cali T; they've fixed the back end and I like the looks a lot, it's got far more than 'adequate' performance, from what I understand handles excellently and is everything I'd want in a new Ferrari except four too few cylinders, a flaw I could easily overlook having had several 12s.

Assuming you have settled in your mind that you will not ever take more than one child driving with you, why would you not consider a pre-owned 12, a 575M Maranello? To my eye to most beautiful Ferrari design of any since the Daytona, a splendid 12 cylinder engine, all the performance and handling you could ever use on public roads, short of your razor-sharp but somewhat edgy Scud. And a thoroughly comfortable true GT that will take you on wonderful drives all over your sceptered isle. Here are some photos of the 575 and see the last image that compares the 599 and Maranello; your 599 has always looked far too large to my eye.

P.S. that said, if you really like the Cali T, buy it; you won't regret it.
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Sorry, my friend but thats just not so. I take my 2 sons (16 +18) around all the time, have put 4 in the car for the toy for tot rally. Do not think of it as a shelf space. A SL has a shelf space. While this is NOT a luxury 4 seater, you can easily do it in a pinch
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Here is a much better picture, my 18 year old who sat passenger shot the image
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With the top up, not sure yet, but for sure, 3 people with top up as we have done that. Having had a 911, this is larger both in car, and in the back seats, so if your kids were comfortable with the back of THEIR seats pitched forward in a 911, they would love this. The nose is not on the seat, but remember, i am the driver and one who is not willing to push my seat way up. I prefer the comfort and safety of me being at proper distance behind the wheel. This car is very similar to a 911 in the way it handles, having said that, I much prefer the Fcar for a bunch of reasons.

 

Definitely more rear passenger space in Cali compared to 911 but the headroom in both are compromised with the top up. The rear seats in the 911 are best suited for bags, I always had the rear backrests folded down in my Carrera S.

 

Point taken Mitchell, but does the young man with red hair have legs? and is driver's seat well forward? I'm looking at the photo and it is persuasive but I've seen and driven the California and the +2 seats would not make for a comfortable ride of any length for me, certainly not for a rally. There is far more room in the +2 seats of my 412 than those of the California. Different strokes. In all events it's up to a buyer to examine and drive the car, with his children in back, and then to make a decision. I am assuming that Nick will not buy a car without seeing it and trying for himself its suitability for driving with his children. All of that said, I love the new California T.

 

The Cali is a great gt car that is good at a lot of things but great at none compared to the rest of the F range. The new Cali T is much more refined than its predecessor but IMO it is too refined and has lost part of the soul of ferarri as a result of the new engine.
This doesn't make it good or bad it just depends on what YOU want from the ride.
From your previous rides I don't think a cali t would keep you in smiles for too long.
But hey this is just my opinion.

 

Totally agree, The back seat is not spacious, we had 4 in the car, top down for about 3 hours of drive time with rest stops for the Rally. Is it comfortable ? Not great with 4 people, it is usable with 3, it is just available if needed. My seat is not way up, it is up perhaps 2 inches from where I would normally be. This would not be great on a long trip , the kids do have legs, however the 412, or FF much more spacious. The best is the Maserati GT Sport for rear comfort. However compared to a Pcar, it is more spacious. You are correct, if back seats are important take the kids to the showroom and drive the car. What confused me, was he was also looking at a F12?

 

The 599 definitely has an edge the Cali lacks. This is subjective stuff though. IMHO the Cali rear seats just don't look like they were designed very well as seats. There doesn't seem to be any whiplash protection for rear passengers. For a short drive down the local road once in a while this might be acceptable but I would not put my kids back there for longer journeys.

 

I don’t think this was made clear but just in case, there is no drop top F12. Hardtop only. Also a bit confused as a California customer is usually not the same as an F12 customer. A used F12 will cost twice that of a new California. I think that you are looking for a convertible version of an F12 with four full size seats. This does not exist in the current Ferrari lineup.

As previously suggested, try the California with kids in the back with both top up/down. If it works size wise then a more spirited drive is in order. If it doesn’t do it for you then take a look at the used market. Not sure if you have driven the FF. I didn’t like the side view as it drops off like that but it was done to increase rear seat comfort. I’m starting to like its shape now. Has everything you’re looking for plus AWD but not a convertible. Check out the recent Chris Harris ride video and take one in great condition out for a ride. I think your wife would enjoy the comfort and luxury and you will have much of the feel of an F12. Good luck.

 

If you loved the Scud, are ready for a convertible and like the F60 America barring price, the obvious choices are 16M, 550 Barchetta, 575 SA. Cali T, while a great car, seems like a move in the wrong direction from the 599.

 

We ditched the 911 after 9 months with the Cali 30 because it never was driven anymore. Ready for the Cali T to arrive soon. The back seats don't offer much room for people, so I agree that if room for four in comfort is more important than having a drop top, I would spend some time with the FF. I went back and forth between the two and landed on the Cali side because we really love the convertible.

 

More than enough room for Hound Dogs and Fruit Flys

 

...and when the roof is up, for bats...

 

Drive an FF. It will make it look beautiful. And the rear seats are real rear seats.

 

Hi Nick.
Welcome to F-chat.
I sat in the new T when it first arrived here, I had to have the seat right back, to be comfortable and I am around 6ft tall, that left around 3 inch's from the rear of my seat to the base of the one behind from memory. Best to try one out and see what you think.

I am confused by your comment about the 599 being tame, mine puts a smile on my face each time, and when I drive it hard [ a lot of the time] I find it quite a challenge to keep it straight under full throttle, not unless the roads are major ones, ie nice and smooth. I think you will find the T much less demanding.

I don't think there is a Ferrari solution to your problem by the sounds of it, the best option is, to use another car when all four of you want to go out, [as we do], and get what YOU want for the fun days.

If you like an F12 go for it, the used ones have not dropped in price hardly at all in the last year in the UK.

You could always get a small convertible to go with your 599. LOL
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