So, to all those ordering Cali's...

It's a smart move by Ferrari to get production up to 10,000 units. Ferrari is using in-house parts and technology. It's a smart move. Most Ferrari buyers are not hard core track guys; it's a user friendly Ferrari. That's been Luca's marching orders from the beginning. I like it. I don't like taking a race car to the store.

 

Posts like this one makes you wonder why people buy Ferraris in the first place?

So an ideal Ferrari is one that's very exclusive, not designed for women, has characters (which means it breaks down regularly), not practical, not designed by a committee, must be limited production, way too expensive, has a 'race mode,' and not comfortable. A TRUE Ferrari must have a race mode because Ferrari owners are required to race their cars otherwise people might think we buy cars only to show off. (Though I am pretty sure 90% of the F car owners on this board go to the track regularly to race, thus the requirement for that all important race mode)

Give me a break, the California makes more sense to more people than a big V12 2 seater or a track designated midengine racer. The Dino was not a Ferrari, had a puny 6 cylinder engine mounted in the wrong place and priced too little to be considered 'exclusive.' Today the Dino is one of the most important road car in Ferrari history, one that gave birth to a whole generation of mid-engine road cars from 308 all the way to the F430. So what if it wasn't badged as a Ferrari and priced like a condo? I am sure people cried the sky was falling when the Dino was released but instead it started a whole new era for Ferrari. IMO the California will do the same for Ferrari in 2008.

 

the bottom line is Ferrari wants to increase market share, revenue and return to investors. This car be it success of failure will enable them to do all of those things. Even if it fails it has allowed them an entry level car which in turn has allowed them to move the F430/F4XX "up market", and will probably move 599 and 612 up a bit too. So they have added to their fleet and will increase prices. Ferrari wins. Regardless if you love or hate the new car it has a place in the line up. Deny that if you wish. I would love to have one, and if I had the cash I would order one tomorrow. I think at the heart of the matter we all know that it will be a great car for its intended use, and will likely satisfy those in the market for this car. If you are not in the market for it I am not sure what purpose your discrediting it serves. We haven't even seen it live yet so it is tough to make a final judgment until you see/drive etc. I bet it will measure up to its intended purpose just as the F430 did, the 599 and the 612. You might not like the purpose of all of those cars, but lets not deny that each is better than any like kind alternative in their respective markets. The California will as well.

 

Dear Frunkey, i agree with you fully on your position regarding the California, they should have found a name that has less expectation attached to it. Perhaps Ferrari are not sure enough and wanted a name that would secure the car's position in the minds of buyers through the historic link!

like you, i don't like people who react defensively and start labeling people as "ignorant" and 'insecure" just because they don't share the same veiws .

at the end of the day we all have our own opinions, and we don't all agree on everything, that is why Ferrari has 4 models on offer now !

and buy the way for those who look down at non Ferrari owners, i hope that you can understand that Ferrari passion is not about ownership, and people who don't own a Ferrari are not necessarily jealous of you or insecure or ........... as i have read in some of the posts that appear often here.

and just to confirm, I am an owner of a Ferrari amongst many other fine top of the line automobiles, and I think that Frunkey has more passion than many owners here.

just my opinion.


Frunkey you have my respect.

 

The 246 DINO had a mass produced engine by Fiat, did not have a V-12 engine, was designed to go directly after the 911 market, had a targa top literally copied from Porsche, was supposed to open up a lower priced segment and higher volumes...

It was "a dawn of a new era".

Therefore...... Everyone who bought a 246 Dino was either really stupid, ignorant, or somehow contributing the the demise of Ferrari according to your analogy.

Look, you don't like the car, don't buy it. But, don't tell the rest of us we don't know what we like or try to make it seem like we are not doing are civic duty by boycotting it.

WARNING: FLAME COMING. Get your asbestos suit: What kind of crack is the girlfriend comment? Hey. I let my girlfriend drive my F430. What's the big deal? Yah, she looks great in it too (actually MUCH better looking than me -- remind me to send some pics) and I love it. I'm supposed to be Mr. Macho and tell her to go cook me dinner or clean the bathroom while I hide the keys? It's against some male law that girls can't drive a Ferrari? Give me a break.

I have some issues with the California too. But, I still like it very much and I would never tell anyone else they are somehow making some kind of mistake in purchasing what they want.

Be "extemely disappointed" all you want. The same was said in 1968 with the Dino, in 1977 with the 308, in 1999 with the 360. People were "extremely disappointed' then. Are they still today?

My advice: Deal with it. Oh, and maybe find a time machine to go back to 1965 to buy your "real Ferrari". Apparently, the company died that year-- in your book.

Over and out.

 

wait...so this thing won't be limited production?

 

Every Ferrari is "Limited Production". By definition, based on the production capacity of Ferrari all of their cars are limited in relation to any other car manufacturer they compete against, including Porsche, Jaguar, Aston Martin and even Maserati. They simply can't build more than 10,000 cars per year across their entire range, including the California and the using the new production line.

I really am amused by any comments predicting the demise of Ferrari every time a new model is introduced. The 599 was "ugly", "heavy" "not Ferrari like", whatever that means and was certain to bring Ferrari to its demise. Now the California is a car destined to be driven by women, God Forbid, and anyone with manly pretensions won't be seen in one. It's like a Saturday Night Live skit listening to this kind of twaddle. With due respect to the OP, I respect his opinion that he personally thinks the California is too "girlie" for him, but the extrapolation to the end of Ferrari and manhood is bit much IMVHO.

 

I respect people who disagree with my opinion. No worries. However, when people make cracks about your girlfriend and the "real" Ferrari, comments about the car has to be of a racing lineage, etc. etc. shows a high degree of ignorance of the marque and the purpose of this car (as well as past Ferrari models). At Ferrari meets my lovely wife actually fell in love with the older California. Does that make that car "feminine" or not a real Ferrari?

I nowhere insinuated that anyone was insecure or ignorant because they do not own a Ferrari. Give it a rest. You are a master at reading things into other people's words. I, and others, don't share Frunkey's insecurity about this car being "feminine" or if my wife wants to drive it so be it. She drives my current line up of sportcars occasionally so why should this be any different (she'd also take a number of my male friends on a track day . I respect it if Frunkey doesn't like the new California. Then he shouldn't buy it. I could personally care less. I for one really dislike the 348.. but I don't troll the 348 sites saying how much I hate the design of the car.

People should buy what they want. If Frunkey doesn't like the California then here's a tip. Don't buy it. But when he shows his ignorance or shares his chauvanistic opinions expect some people to react. I prefer people to have passion also to have some perspective.

Let's just all let it go... enjoy the marque for what it is. Let's enjoy what each of us finds pleasing without having to tear others down for it.

 

The California is a powerful business move for Ferrari which will undoubtedly bring more money to put toward their racing/road car efforts, which is the true bottom line, isn't it? Cheers![/QUOTE]

Ferrari is a business. It's a business of selling cars.

 

How do you know yet? We have not seen one in person, or I doubt you have nor have you driven it. It may appear to lack passion, but my guess is when you turn the key and step on the gas it has plenty of passion. I think I would tap the brakes on saying what the car is and/or is not until it is seen live in the flesh and you have driven it. JMO.

 

Technically, I wouldn't decline a California if it was to be offered to me (primarily because of its cost and that I could sell it and have alot of spare $). I am saying that If I had the $ to even BUY one, my choice would be a 348/355 territory. I would rather spend the rest for something else...like 3 cars that I have in mind...

355
Ariel Atom 3
1967 Pontiac GTO

 

A dream of girlie Ferraris: to get my daughter comfortable driving my 330GTC, have her grow to love it, then ... when the time is right ... give it to her. Watching her drive off would be amazingly satisfying.

 

All this excitement about the car! And it's not even about its performance. Sheesh. Yep, I am disappointed by the CA, but for a different reason. I see the factory going down a direction that in no way includes Enzo's vision. He would probably have allowed for some of the luxury oriented GT cars that Ferrari has and continues to develop. Hard to say just how far down that road he would have allowed the company to travel. However, there are really no cars in the stable that maintain his Ferrari-ness. Remember that Enzo was more attuned to developing race cars and street models closely resembled them. He distained those well heeled that had to have a Ferrari for image, even though, through Chinetti, this formed the basis of his business model. After all, not having clientele to sell cars to would have severly impacted his racing and development efforts. So there was that polarity that brought us those many interesting cars of the 50's and 60's.

So, where is the current version of Enzo's vision? The F430 is the sports car of the factory; the Scuderia is the ultimate expression of this offering. Everything else is a GT car of varying performance and luxury orientation. Heck, I feel that even the F430 is a watering down of Enzo's vision. Certainly that's not so bad in that Luca's vision allowed for financial stability, but I feel they went too far and strayed far away from the path laid down by the founder. Where's the snarling mid-engined V-12 monster? We had the Enzo, then what? Where's the answer to the Gallardo, the Muci, the other high end performance coupes?

Then, where's the car that introduces new owner's to the new car Ferrari experience? Wasn't that supposed to be the CA? Not at that price point! So there's my critique in a nut shell -no legacy model(s) true to Enzo's vision and no entry level model. Yes, I appreciate that company's evolve and the world economics are changing demand for high end automobiles. Still, there will be a time when we will not recognize the cars that the factory produces as Ferrari's.

 

The 599 is probably the closest to Enzo's vision a front engined 2 seater V12 was always his preference. Remember his quote "the horse does not follow the cart" referring to the garagiste's mid engined racers.

 

The 599 is a true sports car. there is a car with front engine with better performance?
599 forever. Wait successor to the Enzo

 

I would only agree if there was a stripper high performance version that did not come will all the electric gee-gaws. As it is, I see it as a high performance GT car - a pretty high performance version at that. Not to take anything away from it, cuz it is a gorgeous piece of machinery. It's just not what I would think would be a current version of the cars Enzo designed or had designed under his watch. I think they are too GT and not edgy enough. They do not seem to compromise anything for their sportiness and performance. Great cars, just further removed from Enzo's conceptions, IMO. We need a GTO or an F-60 or maybe a Club Sport model. Something that is a bit closer to the track than the cars in the current line up.

How about the 149 engine, a 6 speed manual in a coupe only body of CF, fiberglass, aluminum and steel? One that doesn't have climate control or traction control or navigation or any console controls and might even substitute alcantera for leather. It can have a sound system and A/C - after all I'm not a Philistine! Something light, quick and really really nimble. Heck, maybe I'll just make one - a 4.0 liter 308 with a GTO body kit.

 

I wouldnt trade my 07 Corvette Z06 on it

 

I guess it would be hard to take any Ferrari after the Slutmobile

Having said that, if someone who could offered you a straight swap I think it would happen, in my very subjective opinion. Personally I'd take a Prius for a Z06

 

Honestly, IMHO no one should pass judgement on this car until it's seen in the flesh. The 599 looked like an abomination in the first "official" photos but now we herald it as the best car in the stable. Same goes for the 612, it just doesnt photograph well. My feeling is that the California photographs better than the 599, 612 and the Enzo, so odds are it's going to be jaw-dropping in the flesh.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Thus creating the ultimate poseur-mobile.

 

agreed

 

I saw the California in Maranello last week, and it does look much better in the flesh. The small details that people harp on (the stacked tailpipes, headlights, wheels) actually look quite nice in person. The tailpipes, for example, are a much smaller detail than I had imagined. The car resembles a cross between a Masterati Granturismo and a 599 in my opinion. I have a much greater appreciation for the car after seeing it than before. Just give it a little time.

I will say this though: I think this car will look best in a darker color, as it gets hides the plastic bit on the back between the two lower lights. A dark color makes the back look much less "busy."

 

I agree with the dark color suggestion. I was thinking the dark metallic red but unsure about the interior color-- maybe black? I'm hoping they have CF options on the metallic interior parts. Only time will tell....