Anyone gone from a 612 to a California?

Hey guys,

has anyone gone from a 612 to a California? I decided to make the switch. Bought the car from FOLI and will pick it up on Tuesday. Those who may have made this switch, I would love to hear about your experiences, things you love about the Cali, things you miss about your 612 etc.

Will post pictures and report my own experiences next week! Till later,

612scag

 

just curious when you say switch did you trade your car in?

 

Doug, yes I traded in the 612.

 

Congratulations - pics please

I am curious how the steering feel compares to the 612, the 612 weighs 4000 lb.s just 250 more than the 599 and the Cali weighs 3600 so please share the difference in feel and performance.

 

Sure Doug, will do. I drove a Cali a few months ago and the performance overall felt more sporty but I don't remember the nuances too well. I'll post a report later in the week after I pick up my car.

A question for Terry or one of the other experts - does anyone has knowledge of the ground clearance of a 612 vs the California? Terry, if you remember I was having trouble with the 612 in my steep driveway with bottoming out so I had the high spots leveled a bit with infrared. That solved the problem for the 612 completely but the car barely clears in a few of the spots. Is the problem likely to come back with the Cali (i.e. is the ground clearance less) or will I be ok? I have the standard 19 inch rims and tires on the Cali and I had the standard 19 inch rims and tires and the 612. Any help or guidance appreciated!

612scag

 

612- Will look at my data when I get home, but in general the California has shorter overhangs so I would expect less problem from it than a 612.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Thanks Terry. Anecdotally, I picked up the car today and had no problem coming down my steep driveway. Will find out tomorrow am if getting out is an issue. Would love to have the actual data whenever you get a chance. Thanks again.

The Cali absolutely rocks. I loved the drive back from LI even though the traffic was enough to drive me completely nuts.

I'll post a full report later this week once I get a chance to drive it a bit more on open roads.

till later dudes,

612scag

 

612- I have a 612 Workshop Manual in the mail, so should be able to generate some data soon.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

great, thanks Terry! I appreciate your help with this. No problem coming out of the driveway today so things are generally looking good. It's definitely not lower than the 612.

 

Please give us a kodak moment It must be great looking after owning a 612 I know you have good taste!

 

612- So much for first impressions. The California actually has more front overhang, 37.4", than the 612, at 33.7". The shapes of the noses, however, give them both pretty much the same approach angles at ~ 10 deg. The longer wheelbase of the 612 (116") vs the California's 105", however, gives the California an advantage as the front tires start to climb an obstruction. Plus the lowest point on the 612 extends well forward of the front tire, while the California's low point is near the tire and rises rapidly towards the grille.

Ground clearance advantage, California. Cylinder advantage (12 glorious ones), 612.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I often scraped the 612. I have yet to scrape the Cali. Does anybody (Taz) have the actual ground clearance?

Ray

 

Ray- R&T says 4.5", which is actually pretty good. They got the number from Ferrari.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Is that for the 612 or the Cali? Sorry to belabor the point. It is nice to have the info.

 

Ray- Cali. Do not have that number for the 612 yet. Maybe in the 612 WSM that comes this week.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Doug, absolutely! I will post pictures and full options this weekend! So sorry for the delay, I was swamped at work the last couple of days.

 

Thanks Terry, great info as always! Would love to know the 612 number if you do get it. I'll tell you from practical experience, I am not scraping the Cali at all in my driveway. With the 612, I still had to be careful about angles but not so with the Cali. Interestingly, the place where I had problems with scarping with the 612 was the fiberglass right below the drivers and passenger doors (i.e. on the side of the car), not with the nose. Cali has had no problems whatsoever, either with the nose, or with the sides. So overall ground clearance advantage definitely goes to the Cali. Cylinder advantage to the 612 without a doubt. I'll post a full report (yes Doug, along with pictures you requested ) this weekend. Do keep in mind that I love all things cars but am not very technical in terms of my knowledge so you may find my report somewhat subjective. But I'll give you all my true honest impressions of pros and cons of both cars.

612scag

 

Definitely Forgehead, it will be very useful to have the info. If anyone can find it, I am sure Terry will! One point for everyone to consider - if you scrape the 612 on the sides, you scrape fiberglass which is relatively cheap and easy to repair. If you scrape the Cali, you scrape your paint job. Although I have yet to have a scarping problem with the Cali,it's only been two days. I do wish there was the same fiberglass protection on the side of the Cali that is there on the 612 (just in case!). Maybe the higher ground clearance makes this irrelevant. I guess I'll find out!

 

Doug, here is the Kodak moment you requested! Driving impressions coming soon.

612scag
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Terry, quick question - I want to post the same pictures to the Cali Forum. Is there a way for me to link the pictures from this post to a new post in a different Forum? Thanks!

612scag

 

612- Affirmative. If you right click on the post number (#19), it will give you a url (hidden) for that particular post and the option to copy shortcut. Paste it in the other forum

Still have not found ground clearance on the 612, but I probably will find it.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Its really a great looking Ferrari

Must be fun to take the top down and hear the sound of a Ferrari - well done and enjoy

 

Great, thanks Terry! I appreciate your help. Do let me know if you find the 612's groun clearance. thanks again. 612scag

 

Glad you liked the pictures Doug! Much more common color combo for a Ferrari I guess but I love it nevertheless!

 

Nice ride! Interesting that you opted out of the Daytona seats. The factory seats look great. I, personally don't see the allure of the perforated cross bands for the cost. Now that is just my opinion. I had Daytonas in my 612 and 360 and I liked them there (probably because I did not spec those cars and decide if I should spring for the extra $$!).
Very nice! Enjoy.