Hiya everyone! I've lurked in the 360/430 section for years and went to buy my first one Friday. Surprisingly, it wasn't what I thought it would be. At first I was devastated. Then the super-smart salesman saw the look on my face and said "If you don't instantly fall in love with the car it is not the right car for you. You are not buying a car, you are falling in love with it." He then whisked me away to look at the GT's. I fell in love instantly. So this is my first post in the California section, my first time even clicking in here. What have I been missing all these years! I am now going on a thread reading binge to get myself up to speed, so I can hunt for my California. I know it's out there.
And I'm in IT (after 32 years in military as well, not IT there). I was on the hunt for a 430 spider when the Midwestern Auto Group salesman said "Why not a California?" I said I've seen the photos and don't like them. He said, Look over there at that one. I about crapped my shorts, what a beautiful car. I asked him if he would start it, he said he would start it, take me for a spin, then let me drive it back. Two months later I got an allocation! Some months later my first of three brand new Californias showed up and I've been in love ever since. Welcome to the group and good luck finding your car.
I also wanted a 6-speed F430 Spider at one time. When I went to check one out, my initial beef was the dated interiors and then I discovered a couple more things that didn't suit me once I actually started driving the car. I have pretty good car senses and amongst other things, I knew at once that car could only work as a very occasional driver, with shorter trips. As your salesman said, you notice these things very quickly, possibly because the cars are so different from normal experience and because they are big purchases. The Calis are much more versatile and fully up to date in relevant technology. Be careful of comments from motor industry journalists, some of them are OK but most of them say stupid things because they are trying to look cool or hardcore ...or they have boneheaded ideas of car ownership, especially since they have no skin in the game. Your salesman has to really know how to drive these cars or you won't experience what the car was designed to do and it may just feel like a nice-sounding fast sports car. The difference is between someone who just drives to work at an exotic car dealership and someone who takes these cars out to country roads or tracks and really work them. Multiple long test drives (at least twice in the same car if you're interested to buy it) are the key but you also need to know which model year suits your interests, budget and needs. In all situations make sure you have at least 1 year of Ferrari warranty to run the car through its "proper paces" so you can flush out any warranty issues without paying to fix them. Even "complete" service records are not necessarily true representations as unscrupulous sellers can easily have repairs done without paperwork. You must have the car PPI'd and the local Ferrari dealer can do a pre-warranty inspection for about CAD 750 so you can use the same service because if the dealer and Ferrari are willing to sell extended warranty for the car, it means they don't see any big issues. Ask for a full report and use that inspection as a condition of sale and since that inspection is needed for a factory warranty maybe also work any needed extended warranty coverage into your buying process. IMO, Calis are unique and there are no other cars in Ferrari's entire history (or any other car maker's history for that matter) that deliver the same level of versatile pleasure of the California models. Good luck!
Welcome to Cali World, Jason! You've come to the right place. In no way could I have made an informed purchase decision without what I learned from this forum and particularly this sub-forum. The Cali as 4th said is unique in Ferrari history. For some that's good, for others, not so much. I'll echo what others have said - try it out in different scenarios - GT style driving with the family, carving up the back roads alone, stuck in a traffic jam, top up, top down. I've enjoyed it in all those circumstances. If there's a nice tunnel in your neck of the woods, blast through that with the top down and the revs up. If that doesn't get you amped, then the Cali ain't for you! Good luck, amigo. T
IT guy as well. I shopped for a California T for about 6 months. Made several offers and purchased one. We don't have a dealer in MN.
Im another guy that wasnt looking at the California, yet ended up buying one. They are really great cars.
I am anxiously waiting to pick mine up. This will be my 4th Ferrari, and second new one. I began with a 550, still wish I had that one, but then moved to a 430, great car, but I wanted more creature comforts, so went with a new 458, absolute great car, but still a little to stiff and more of a go kart for what I want, it was fun on short drives or driving aggressively, but I had it at our second home and it was not at all what I wanted to daily use. Now I am on to the Cali T, more comfortable than the 458/488 but has more than enough go and sound when needed. I am very much looking forward to owning this car. Good luck in the search. In my opinion the search is as fun as ownership! And I am not in IT
Spot on. The 430 is an event car. The California is an anytime car. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As Tomc pm'd me, they are Ferrari's best kept secret. I agree. I can't believe I didn't know or think about them until the Ferrari salesman asked what I wanted in a car, then said "here try this". So versatile. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Exactly. I want it to drive to the office every day. Drive to Niagara on the lake with the wife. Drive to the lake house with the family (two small kids). It can do all that. The 430/458 I can get as a second car to track or something. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Welcome Happy hunting for one. Awesome car that the family can enjoy. Its great feeling to take them out with roof open, roar of the F V8 Kids just giggle and say leave it in sports dad Wife - slow down Is this what type of examples you like setting to them Lol Even when only doing 40km
Same story ... had an F430 Berlinetta for my first, loved it but really more of an event car, not very practical day to day. California can be an enjoyable cruise with the wife or your own personal amusement park on the back roads. Plus, in grigio titanio, it is much more under the radar than the red F430.
^^^^ My 550 and 458 were GT. My favorite color by far but I wanted something off the wall and I kept seeing a white Cali T at the golf course and loved it so I went with white. If/when I get the new 812 superfast it will be GT. GT is a great color and just amazing in the sun.
Actually I tell everyone that the FF is Ferrari's best kept secret, but considering it now the Cali is better in all aspects except two, carrying my model airplanes and the V12 sound
Hey are these the CF racing seats? http://m.autotrader.ca/a/5_29810418 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You have likely seen these threads, but just in case... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/california/542911-carbon-fiber-racing-seats.html http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/california/390791-racing-seats.html T
Nice thank you. The car is 500km away. I will have to go sit in it... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Like many others, I had planned on moving from my 360 to an F430 until I drove the California. I just got my certified 2010 from Cauley last week & couldn't be happier! It is a true modern Ferrari with ample power and engine note that rivals the Tubi I had on my 360. I think its lines are simply beautiful & can't believe how much negative press there has been re its looks... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Congrats, Brad. Looks like classic red over beige. Very tasty! If you spend enough time on F-chat you'll realize that there is no F-car immune from criticism. At least one person has a problem with every model, from the most humble to the halo cars. Enjoy your Cali. T
