Why so much Cali hate?

I firmly believe FIAT is selling out the Ferrari legend in producing the Cali, and I've probably forgotten more than some know.

I can't understand how anyone who understands even a cursory biography of Ferrari; the man, the team, and the company; can see the Cali as anything more than a avaricious seduction of striving dilettantes.

Three-Card-Montezemollo has said as much himself, professing to deliver the Ferrari Mystique to all, regardless of taste, talent or aptitude, provided their checks clear.

So, now we see "Ferraris" that shift themselves, steer themselves and, finally, have the fastest (if hardly the lightest) folding hardtop known to all of valet-dom.

Anyone know the Modenese for "...huzzah"?

 

Only the Cali outperforms any Ferrari Road car from the 246 era including the all-hallowed Daytona. One hell of a Dino...

 

Then you are blinded by your wealth of knowledge. Enzo Ferrari was a simple man who loved to build race cars. He built his road cars to generate cash for that purpose, and to give the rubes a thrill. "...when they step on the gas, they **** their pants." The Cali is a thrilling motorcar, no matter whose name is on it! Would I prefer a coupe that is lighter? Yes, but I still prefer the Cali over the 430 simply because a front engined car is more to my taste - the handling is more predictable to this rube! The Cali has a better power to weight ratio than any of the 12 cylinder Ferraris I grew up worshiping. If you want a true "enthusiast's car", buy a Lotus. Their road cars have always been far more true to the enthusiast aesthetic than Ferrari road cars. But the idea that simply because the Cali fulfills Enzo's priorities: makes money, thrilling, and then goes beyond those basic requirements to be comfortable, luxurious, rakish, and broadly marketable does not constitute grounds to call it a sellout. If any Ferrari might ever deserve that term, I suppose one could point the finger at the Mondial 8. It was a little short on thrills after all, but that didn't seem to bother Enzo much when he sold them with his name front and center. Hmmm?

 

Once Ferrari sold road cars to finance racing and now they race to sell road cars. The Ferrari mystique is a major part of the experience but that mystique could have been jeopardized by many cars over the years. I've owned many Ferraris over the last 25 years, from 308s to a 550, a 430 and a Daytona with an odd Mondial Cab in between. Each one a different layout, purpose and character. If I have any criticism about the new California it's the same criticism I have for the 599. They are just not drop dead beautiful anymore. You can explain how this duct increases downforce or this spoiler reduces lift but are the ugly solutions the only ones. Looks aside, the Cali is no more a sell out than the Mondial the Scaglietti or the many 2 plus 2s built over the years. The Cali promises great performance and I for one wouldn't mind a car I could use every day but until they stop designing Japanese look a likes there will be haters. The Cali is a Ferrari. Just not a pretty one. With all the other great performing cars out there beautiful coachwork will always be the thing that seperates Ferrari from Porsche or Nissan. Leonardo Fioravanti we need you now.

 

This is the part I just don't get. My Mondial t is an extremely sanely engineered piece of equipment that performs wonderfully in a manner that is almost sensuous. I don't really care who built it. Well, I don't now anyway. I went to buy it because I always wanted a Ferrari, not because everybody goes, "Oooh, Ferrari!" but because I always had a feeling that I would really enjoy driving one. I wasn't 3 minutes into my test drivek when I knew that I really, really enjoyed driving this Ferrari anyway. So I bought it and it does not disappoint me! If a Honda was really that great, I would probably own a Honda instead. They are good cars, I owned one, but they just don't have the feeling or the thrill that I get from my Ferrari, plus they are much harder to work on. That was the unexpected bonus: My Ferrari is the most enjoyable car to work on I have ever touched.

That's the one thing about a Cali that gives me pause personally: I doubt it is that easy to work on, though that may not be true. We'll see someday...

 

My Mondial T Cab was not my favorite car but what it lacked in some areas it made up for with good looks. Every Ferrari I ever owned had to appeal as much to my eyes as to the seat of my pants. The great ones are art. Will the Cali and 599 be classics? My Daytona makes my knees weak even when I'm not drivging it.

 

So contrary to my post, you're saying that the Dino IS NOT universally loved and admired, In Terms of Beauty?

I have never met anyone, from 1978 when I bought my first Ferrari until now, who did not love or admire the beauty of the Dino. But it's always possible, I suppose. So I will amend my statement to "In terms of beauty, the Dino is near-universally, admired and loved".

Not trying to argue, but you responded to my post. Neither the 308 nor the above list of models have anything to do with my statement, so not sure why you mention these models re: my posts. Nor does the fact that TR owners may have looked down on the Dino in the past, since they were often not considered "real" Ferraris at that time, and were considered too underpowered to be Ferraris. I also remember those days.

I'm only speaking of the Dino vs. California. I have never met anyone from 1978 'til now, who does not consider the Dino gorgeous. Not then, and not now. I'm saying the California will never achieve the near-universal admiration for beauty that the Dino now enjoys. Not now, not ever. Of course, you're welcome to a different opinion. Only time will tell. I doubt I'll still be around in 40yrs to judge then, though.

 

How the hell is that relevant to anything? Finding a new car that outperforms a 70s Ferrari is not difficult. Several of them are even four-doors.

 

When Ferrari becomes just another FIAT nameplate, when the Cali and then the rest of the line experiences Maserati Coupe-level depreciation, and it will, you'll be sorry.

And you'll have no one but yourself to blame.

 

wtf? you should really think before you post. so i guess you're not going to make a thread asking for one to come to cars and coffee?

 

Dude! Are you nuts?! I am counting on the Cali experiencing Ferrari level depreciation, as that is the only way I could bring myself to buy one, i.e. untill it sells for about 1/2 to 1/3 of the retail price like 6 year old Ferraris do now I couldn't justify spending that much money on a car. My Mondial sold new in 1990 for $120k. That is insane: it's a wonderful piece of machinery, but 120k in 1990 dollars?! No! So, 18 years later I paid $35 which was really about 1/4 since I overpaid about $5k considering the car's true condition. Thank god for depreciation!

So, my friend, 6 years from now as I am whistling down the road in my "new" Cali, I will remember what you said, and thank myself for my astonishing foresight and strategic genius!!

 

The californy is a kick in the nuts to real ferrari enthusiests, it doesn't deserve the badge its a sell out. Ferrari has made this type of car before with the mondial but never in such large numbers

 

It's relevant in that you certainly don't accuse Daytonas of being sellouts. So now in 2009 we have a bottom of the line Ferrari that out-performs the Daytona in just about every way, and yet somehow this sorry piece of machinery is a sellout? I don't get it.

Hold it now, I'm not done: Let's look at the Cali's performance compared to the 2008 line. Correct me if I am wrong, but the Cali has sig. more hp than a 2008 430. Yes? That sounds like development money well spent, which hardly smells like a sellout.

Frankly this is pretty much of a religious argument any damn way. Could you please define exactly what the concept of sellout means to you, cause I don't think either one of us even has a definition for the word?

 

No, you don't, and I haven't the time nor inclination to teach you elemental logic.

Suffice it to say, among the dozens of 2009 model cars which exceed 70's-Ferrari performance the Cali is not exceptional, other than it's logos and, most importantly, not the most desirable from an enthusiast frame of reference.

Yes, "it will wow them on Rodeo drive" but, who wants to be "one of them"?

 

You don't strike me as a digital systems engineer and one that can keep your deferred maintenance Cali running, six years from now, is going to cost you dearly.

 

Large numbers are yet to be proven, and if indeed come to pass, then Ferrari made the right car for the market that buys the large numbers.
You may not like it, want it or even care about it, but Ferrari is a for-profit corporation today, not Enzo's private hobby anymore, and anything that sells in large numbers and makes profits is indeed the right thing for the Ferrari company to do.

I'm sure there are more than enough vintage and late model Ferraris out there to keep you happy forever, without ever having to resort to buying a California.

 

LMAO

 

Then what's the point of paying so much more for a car that offers nothing in looks or performance or exclusivity over the competition other than a brand name that soon is just an expensive label to show off to the Joneses.Ferrari used to set the bar for all others as they said we are the competition. They have made a true hairdressers car here I am not alone in my opinion you like this car good for you I am sure you'll receive nothing but compliments from other owners in person as most will never comment to any owner in person what they really think of the cali

 

Instead of getting so negative about this car. Forget about it. Concentrate on the upcoming 2010 F430 replacement!

The F430 replacement is supposed to have great hypercar looks, will be produced in smaller numbers that the F430 for exclusivity, and will be more considerably more expensive than the F430 and according to your criteria, worth it.

 

Just expressing my opinion, if Ferrari SPA reads this site maybe they'll learn something from all that posted here as well and as one potential buyer here changed his mind on this car from the comments from the majority that's good as well Ferrari never should have badged this car it should have been Maserati

 

OK Dr. Logic, where's that definition? Surely a paragon of rational thought such as yourself would not have put post after post up arguing over whether something is or is not a "sellout" when you have no clear definition of the term "sellout". Surely not.

Also, why do you keep bringing up the word "enthusiast"? Do you really think that Ferrari ever gave a damn about "enthusiasts"?

 

Hey you have every right to your opinion and to change your mind again.

Ferrari has decided to offer a front engine v8.

They offer 4 versions of what most FChatter have embraced as a proper Ferrari: F430 coupe, F 430 spyder, Scud , and 16m.
I don't see the problem with offering something different rather than a fifth version of a F430.


Maybe they should have offered a convertible 599 with an MSRP of $470,000? Or a convereible 612 for $500,000.

 

You're right, and I'm sure they monitor what is said here. But, you are a "inverse barometer" of market research. This car was not meant for you. So, the more you dislike it, the more they know they were correct.

 

LOL!

 

They do care what everyone thinks they want people lusting after their cars they love the 2 year waiting lists. They are Ferrari not BMW or GM one of the top execs on the 599 world tour commented he was hurt no one was paying attention to the car Ferrari is like the insecure beautiful girl who is not used to any criticism at all, they also realize critical threads like these on the car can effect sales the Ferrari community is very small they'll probably need to attract new buyers perhaps advertising in Cosmopolitan will work or tying in with a Sex and the City type event