DRIVING THE NEW CALIFORNIA

HAS ANYONE DRIVEN THE NEW FERRARI CALIFORNIA YET? I DROVE IT YESTERDAY AND THE BEST I CAN SAY ABOUT IT IS THE NEW 7 SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION IS INCREDIBLE. HOWEVER IT IS SO GOOD IT IS ALMOST AS SMOOTH AS AN AUTOMATIC. THE TOP UP AND DOWN IS REALLY FAST. THE CAR DRIVES TERRIFIC, BUT I THINK IT LACKS THE SOUL OF FERRARI. MAYBE IT IS JUST ME, BUT THIS CAR IS SO GOOD DRIVING, I MISS THE THRASHING AND THE METTALIC NOISES AND THE LITTLE QUIRKS THAT THE OLDER CARS HAVE. I GUESS THIS IS PROGRESS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 

I drove it last night and I thought it was a fantastic car. The shifts were incredibly fast, at one point I had to look down to see if I had really changed gears. The overall ride of the car was very smooth but don't let if fool you there is a soul of a Ferrari under the hood and this car will move. Handling on the California was also very impressive. The level of comfort on the interior was great and the ability to access all the controls while driving was very easy to do. All in all, I have to say it is just a great car to drive...I would buy one.

J

 

I haven't driven it yet..........

But, IMO, Ferrari is really straying from its roots of building cars for true driving enthusiasts and instead making cars for the masses. I think they're trying too hard to 'mass produce' in order to hit short-term profitability goals, and in that process are giving up some of the exclusivity, exotic-ness, and bad-azz-ness of the brand itself.

 

I didnt want to get out of the drivers seat! The time i spent behind the wheel went so quick! I was very impressed at how much power it produced with the slightest touch of the pedal!
The shifting was so smooth and it turned on a dime! Not to mention, the sound was amazing!! The brakes were def put to the test and nothing was compromised! Great experience!
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Heather, I would have bought you one.

 

WHY is this past tense???? Did i miss something??

 

Heather was really stealing the car...thats why the cop car was right behind her...lucky I convinced them to let her go...lol

 

Well, yes, I am now spoken for.
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^ tease

 

I got a ride in one like 2 weeks ago!! AWESOME!!

 

I have to agree with Fred. I drove the car and I found it to be comfortable and very well built. A perfect car for somebody in the Mercedes SL market. Transmission was fantastic but I felt it was underpowered and the steering was too light. I have mixed feelings about the looks of it, but I certainly like it more than an SL. Would be a great car for the wife. I'm sure it'll sell but it's just not my type of car.

 

Typically, front engined Ferrari's have not had the same owner demographics as the mid-engined cars. Reality, a convertible with the weight of a "hard" top in lieu of a soft top, is not meant to be in the same category as the Scuderia, even the 599.

And obviously not intended for the same audience.

 

How did you all get to drive one?
Where did I miss out?

 

My WORDS / THOUGHTS exactly.
I had the opportunity to drive one yesterday and I was impressed with the transmission. I also felt that it was lacking the sports car feeling / emotion.

Very nice, the finishes and details will allow it to compete with the SL. BUT when I think of ferrari, I think of their race cars and speed and just bad ass cars. NOT a car I would take to the grocery store or take the kids to the movies. BUT with having 2 little girls, our 360 spends most of the weekends in the garage. This car would allow for us to go out with the family and still get an opportunity to enjoy the F-car. Still on the fence.

I am sure with some stickers lowering the suspension, rip the exhaust off, 20" wheels and misc mods, you could make it a machine.

 

I drove it this past Friday. I liked it but not enough to really turn me on. Maybe because I only drove it on Route 1 in Ft Lauderdale!
Can't get over 50 mph. But overall, I do like the look. Fell in love with the front end of the car.

 

What a sissy car.

 

HAHAHA, this coming from someone who has ALWAYS bashed ferraris

 

I have a Ferrari, I think I am entitled to my opinion. I can see this car being a hit among gay hair salon owners.

With that said I'm sure it's an excellent wifey car as well.

 

......
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Sprite is absolutely right. This thing is a ladies car. It's something for the wife or a gay hairdresser. It's competition should be the SL, but it's so overpriced it won't be considered as such. Ferrari has no business going in this direction, this thing should be at least $50-75K less and badged as a Maserati... And Ferrari desperately need some new designers, it's ugly as hell!

 

EH... not a huge fan of the body style. Its like a old look with a modern twist, I just dont think it was pulled off too well.

 

I agree...though I don't think it's hideous, it definitely resembles a Maserati more than a Ferrari.

 

LOL...haha. Elton John would buy one.

RMX
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Was the drive put on by Ferrari - Maserati of Fort Lauderdale? Just came across this and was about to post until I saw this.

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/Search/DRauSearchDetails.aspx?itemid=649488

 

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/...?itemid=649488

Ferrari of Fort Long Island? Hmmm? Must be a new dealership! Gotta go check it out. Wonder how you get there?