anyone use the back seats in the cali ???

I have had this issue for a while, I have a 360 spider and love the car. BUT I also have a couple of young girls (6 and 3) and the car usually sits in the garage on the weekends. I used to have a porsche 911 and would take the girls out and mommy got a break OR she would come with us to the park, etc.

So just curious of how many of you have young children and use the car with the kids.

 

My 4.5 years old son sits at the back with the help of the specified child seat (romer) and he is ok. Its ofcourse not a good choice for a long run but quite reasonable for up to 30 minutes drive.

 

Plenty of room in the back of a 612???

 

I have a 6y/o and 4y/i. I plan to put them in the back seats. That is one of the many reasons I chose the California. I wonder how difficult it is to change the rear seats to a shelf once they get to big to sit back there. I obviously plan to keep the car for a while!

 

Try searching this forum. I have picts in another thread, of my 6.5 and 8.5 year old sitting in back. 6.5 year old is in a booster.
Found the URL: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260411

 

The rear seats can be used for slender petite passengers. There is enough room to sit upright if the top is stowed. Most first timers don't complain because of the novelty and thrill factor.

 

Yea , I bought my cali as comprise to appease the wife and kids , you have to be kidding me. Buy the bench please, or get a sedan. Buy a Ferrari as a kid carrier?

 

Exactly! That's why I went for the 612. IMHO, it's the only model in the current lineup where the back seat is actually usable!

 

Do you have kids? I do and I love to share my passion for cars with them, just as my Father did with me. Should that be the one and only justification to choose the Cali? No...but by all means I am glad to see that Cali owners are sharing their car with their kids.

 

I own a few different cars - each meets different needs (sports cars: S2000, F430, California GT; MDX for mountains; GS450H sedan for wife/family, etc). The California fills a great niche for me and my family - a top-down Ferrari that I can share with my kids. When I drive my F430 coupe, I have to leave 2 family members home. The 612 does have a better back seat, but the top doesn't go down - something I thoroughly enjoy when tooling around the back roads of Napa/Sonoma or out by Lake Tahoe.

The California isn't for everyone, and it won't fit my family forever, but my kids I'm sure, will have fond memories of riding around in dad's convertible, much like I have fond memories of my dad's and friends' dad's sports cars.

 

Very eloquent reply.

 

+1. Having a family and kids means sharing. My first Ferrari is a 612 scag just because I want my family to share my pride and joy and hopefully someday my kids will share my passion for cars!

Keep on driving.....

 

Like when my girlfriend has to sit in the backseat of my roommate's 911.



However, riding in the car with 4 "adult" men is another story. So the lesson is: buy a sports car and you'll never be asked to drive to the bar again.

 

+2 IMHO, I think the California DID hit the spot. Maybe not as a hardcore like the 430 Scuderia BUT a well performing GT that you and your family (assuming you are 4 as a whole) could enjoy anytime of the year. Top up or down, everybody will have their own smile and DEFINITELY, an experience as a whole. Ferrari admitted it anyway from the start, it won't be performing like the other Ferrari but this California is a niche or its own. For those who might not like the way it looks, a little cosmetic may do the trick. Courtesy from Flickr and the original photographer.
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NICE car!!

 

i took 2 kids in the back this afternon for a short run with the top down. wow! what smiles!

with the top down the cali is quite versatile and great fun!

 

I take my 13, 11, and 9 year old in mine all the time. They fit fine but we do have to keep the front seats forward some. I'm sure in a few years they won't fit and will have their own rides anyway, but yes, for now, we are having fun and making some memories...

 

I took my 6 y/o daughter to school this morning. She loved it. Later, I broke triple digits with the top down. I love this car! It was made for me!

 

we have 2 medium size dogs, 25# each that love to ride in the back seats of our cali. i simply spread out a black towel over the seats to protect the black leather. they rode back there from florida to maryland, happier than clams! this would have been difficult in an f430.

 

My two daughters ages 5 & 6 ride comfortably in the back for short trips and always want to ride with the top down with big smiles on their faces!

 

it sounds like that experience alone should pay for the price of the california!

 

I tried taking my 4 and 6 year old in the car today, but the car booster seats could barely fit in the back (the seat is too narrow to fit the booster). Does anybody else use booster seats for their kids, and do they have the same problem? I might try and shop around to see if there are smaller booster seats.

In Canada, it's mandatory that small kids sit in booster sits.

 

this seat will fit your 4 y.o

http://store.ferrari.com/en/kids/accessories/car-seats/kid-s-car-seat-quot-cosmo-quot.html

a bit pricey like everything made by ferrari.

your 6 y.o would probably do best in the seat itself which is, in fact designed for a child. a simple cushion may perhaps allow the 6 yo to sit higher but would not be needed for safety.

ignacio

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=139047560&postcount=8

the combi dakota fits in there pretty well...

My 6 (almost 7) and 9 year-old fit back there. I'm not tall (5'6"), so they get some leg room for their legs to dangle.

Best,
Jim

 

612:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281652