So I really like the new 2016 Cali T

I bought the Cali to drive regularly, if I was only going to use it occasionally I'd have gone with a 458 or other Ferrari. I also think there are so many Californias out there you'll make the money back in resale of the 488 when the time comes.
Enjoy

 

I love my 488 Spider but miss my Cali T w my family

 

This doesn't help with the 16 Cali but have you looked at the Cali with handling package? I was deciding between a 17 911 Turbo S and California T. But after driving the California with special handling package, I'm going with the California with HS. It is not as soft as a Cali T...Good luck and either way you will get a great car.

 

Which color? Grigio titanio with Bordeaux interior?

 

488 and California T are different cars.

I drive the California T over 6500 miles this summer. I love it.

I also took it to the track once (I'm a novice). The California T performed far better than I every expected. on the 1/2 mile straight I hit a top speed of 166, I was told if you can get around the track in 2 min you are flying I hit 2:03 (again I'm a novice).

I love the car with the top down. I love the car wit the top up. I drive sun or rain. I drive it on 1, 2, ... 6 hour trips. I drive it to the store. I drive it to dinner.

If you park a California T next to a 488, the 488 will get more attention. If you park a California T next to a F430, the 430 will get more attention. But.. I don't go out for a drive without having someone take a picture of the car.

Do you want another track car, get a 488. Do you want a car you can drive everywhere and have a blast. Pick up the California T.

Sounds like a great deal. I like a good deal as well, but its a car, it will depreciate.

Good luck

 

I was in a similar situation recently. I have had Fcars in the past, but had moved to Porsches over the last few years. I had a Targa 4 GTS and a 991 GT3 RS. We recently went to Crescent Classic and on the drive over my wife and I had discussed getting into a Ferrari again. The GT3 RS dissapointed as a rally/back roads cars - was very stiff and just not very pleasent for what we wanted. Ferrari of Houston brought 2 Cali Ts to the event and I was following them most of the first day. Next to other Ferraris they aren't so impressive. On their own on the road, they look great. Tony Nevatti was kind enough to let us take one of the Cali's for an afternoon. I was ready to not like it as they have a reputation as has been described here. I was EXTREMELY impressed. The car is very fast and handles nicely. It is a great GT car. Suprisingly, it was very comfortable to drive with top down going 80 (or more )!

In the end, I decided to trade the GT3 RS and got an F12. Just could not see keeping the GT3RS and letting it sit. I really like my Targa and could not see paying almost double what the Targa is worth to get into a Cali. However, once it is time to replace the Targa, it will be with a Cali.

In the end, I think it boils down to what you want out of the car. You already have a track monster. The Cali would be a nice compliment.

BTW, the folks at Ferrari of Houston were fantastic to work with. i could not have been more pleased with my transaction.

 

BIR Its a track in MN. This was not a drag strip, I'm coming around a corner with some speed. And I have to break for the corner at the end of the straight. I was by myself.

My instructor drove the car. A Porsche guy. 72 years old has owned 23 Porches. He was very impressed with the California T (or just being nice). He has been around the track 35,000 times. When he was driving my car he passed everyone at will. I'm sure he could have done it with his Porsche as well.

I personally convince most people could not drive a California T to its potential, but they talk about stiffness and steering. Is it a track car, no, is it a blast to drive on the track, YES. It's acceleration is incredible. Brakes spot on and handling (from an novice is unbelievable.

I love the car. It is what it is, A GT Ferrari. Top down, comfort with some exciting performance and a Ferrari badge.

I will look at 488 after they come down to earth. I personally will not pay over MSRP.

Good luck with your choice.

 

I see it a little differently. The 911 is already a daily type car- just one that can also be a track monster. But I don't think it has that special sense of occasion you get with a Ferrari. The California will have more of the sense of occasion, but the 488 even more so. Since you have many fast cars, but with daily life compromises, I say go for the one that is the most different: the 488. Want to spend less? Find a nice 458. You already have a turbo monster. Might be fun to have the NA experience. It wont be as fast but like you said you're already chasing down many big name cars. JMHO.

 

thinking recently about getting into a Cali but already have the Targa. Really like the modern retro feel/look of the targa
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John, I absolutely agree. I liked the Cali, but I really enjoy driving the Targa. Might be the best overall car Porsche makes right now... IMHO.

 

Recently cross shopped the CalitHS and Taraga4S - its not a super fair comparison because the Cali is about $120k more loaded but with an FF already in the stable I couldn't resist the 2 Ferrari scenario not to mention the constant smile it brought to my face during the test. Don't underestimate the HS differences, I was not impressed with the CaliT until I test drove the HS. Targa4S is a great Porsche, agreed with others, one of the best they have made. Unfortunately the 991 just does not have that exotic feeling that I was craving. OP to your dilemma, I really loved the usability of the CalitHS with the addition of the drop top and the fact that I could order one and get it with in 6-7months, the 488 was a long wait and the current ones available were over MSRP and not what I would spec for that car. Your choices are awesome but in your shoes I would go 488 if the CaliT is not an HS car.

 

WRS,

I own a 2016 California T with Magnaride and in Grigio Alloy. I also raced Porsches when I live in the state of California a few years back (Thunder Hill, Laguna Seca, Sears Point, Buttonwillow, etc). Here are my thoughts:

+ As many note here, the Cal T is a GT. It is not meant to be a 458/488 and was not designed to be a surrogate for those cars.

+ That said, the Cal T performs outrageously for what it is (a wide/somewhat heavy convertible GT). I have been amazed by the power and the steering (so razor sharp. amazing).

+ The color (Grigio Alloy) attracts crazy amounts of attention. I had heard about it but until you see it you cannot believe. I "disappeared" in my 911TTS and most of my other P-cars (the GT3 would draw attention for sure, but nothing like the California T).

+ I absolutely love the versatility of the car. In "bumpy road" mode, it absolutely dampens the increasingly poor road conditions here in North Texas. The hardtop is great for bad weather days and the car is just an easy daily driver -- no question.

+ I elected to pay MSRP and am still happy with the purchase even with concomitant depreciation. It was worth it to me as I (i) like to order my cars a certain way and (ii) I like to break my cars in a certain way.

+ I shipped my car to the mountains this summer and you cannot imagine the top down fun on mountain roads. I will do this again and again and again every summer from now on. The handling and the sound in the canyons (still on stock exhaust) are just awe inspiring.

+ I will be in market for a track car in the next few years. I just see that approach as something entirely different. I will be considering a GT3/GT3RS and even a GT4. I may also look at the new Camaro ZL-1 and/or Viper ACR. Why? To me a track car is more about what kind of "feel" and "sense of speed and cornering control" you want with a car. It is also about how much money you want to piss away (or not piss away). The fun thing about the new ZL-1 and ACR is they are super cheap to maintain and if you happen to end up doing some "agricultural racing" during a off-camber turn you just say to yourself "so what".

I am fortunate to have logged over 100 "really interesting" laps in both the 956 and 962. I love Porsche. As I have gotten older, I have not necessary felt like I need to just stick with the brand -- it is more about the experience.

I can tell you right now that the California T is a very special car. Sure, several ladies drive them. So what. My transport guy had another brand new white 488GTB that he said was owned and driven by an "older lady" in another part of the state. Good on her and she sounds like a cool person to me.

Still love the T -- you cannot go wrong. Oh by the way, the Grigio Alloy color is a "secret killer" color. Don't tell anyone. There are very few of them in Texas.

 

Nice. I have always loved Grigio Alloy since I first saw it on a 360. Looks hot on 599s and F12s too.

 

I have paid over MSRP twice in my life for things I have really wanted and both times I lost very little money on the sale and was happy with purchases during their ownership. Life is short and money comes and goes - wasting another good driving year+ waiting is not how I like to live. Quick summary - I really wanted a 488, the response, and experience is a notch above even the CalitHS. However I need the back seat for the kids, need the boot for the golf clubs, and need the wifey to want to drive it (she loves the Calit). Further being 6'3 with long legs made the 488 uncomfortable particularly for my left leg as the rest step is brought inwards to make room for the wheel arch (I presume) and my leg was constantly in an uncomfortable bent position. After a one hour traffic ridden drive (my buddies car) it got sore and so I just bailed on the idea - same happened in the 458. I am fairly fit but I have an ACL repaired knee and being bent for long periods of time is just not comfortable.

Anyhow my current stable has an FFV12NA (and a GT4, selling for Cali). IMHO the standard CaliTis great if you are not use to use to these visceral cars- its very fast, relaxed, and very enjoyable on any road. However because I was looking for more of a 488 experience in a Cali form the HS made sense - an amazing blend of GT with a sport touch. I drive downtown Toronto about 85% of my commute and the traffic is awful so you need something that sounds good going slow and gives you bit of rush, pop etc. when you need it. Yes if your end goal is a 488 spider, grab the coupe as it will depreciate less then the Cali (in my opinion) but then again prices for CaliTs are holding stronger then ever in our market so a very personal decision of what you want to own and drive. Best of luck, I jumped all over the place before making my final choice.

My CalitHS config (still contemplating nero versus tdf)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqeS3pBLD9k

Nice HS Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZgb1Yut_mc&t=580s

 

The Cali-T is awesome. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the car - it's a perfect everyday Ferrari. As the post says above, razor sharp handling, awesome power (a detuned 488 motor), great car for the family to enjoy (your wife will love it), and of course, it's a hard-top convertible. It felt, to me at least, worlds ahead of the previous generation California.

Funny story about the "girls car" comment - a friend would always say the Cali was a girl's car. One drive and he was hooked - he now wants to find a first generation car (he can't afford a T).

 

If you plan on the 488 and track it, I'd bring a helmet to test fit. You are a bit taller than I, and with the sport seats (non-race seats), head room is a little slimmer, at least in my experience in many 458's.

 

Very true ... my wife would not even get in the F430 Berlinetta I had but she will go for a ride in the California. (If I drive it in granny mode. It can be a very Jekyll and Hyde car.)

My 2013 Cali 30 is still on the block, with bumper to bumper factory warranty through June of 2018. I want to see if my wife will ride in a 458 Spider ; )

 

Wow! That Cali T is stunning. Once of the best specs I have ever seen on one.