New Member & a soon to be owner of a California

Congratulations and welcome!

Post pics or details of when she arrives

Regarding do's or don'ts, any direction/area you have in particular?

 

Dive in ... Look over the options carefully ... they are all pricey but in the end they make it YOUR California. Ask your dealer if there are additional options not on the list. I would have ordered the stitched prancing horses in the head rests if I knew they were available. Backup camera for sure. It just makes backing a no brainer. Magnetic shocks are great too!

Be sure to let us know how it is finally configured! Then photos when it arrives.

You won't believe the power and the sounds ... you will quickly get addicted to the exhaust note and that beautiful sputtering POW when you shift above 5K with your foot in it. I hear that every day and can not get enough.

Good Luck!

Rick

 

I didn't get the backup camera because I thought it was pretty expensive. And I don't plan to drive the car every day anyway, so it wasn't a big priority. I'm not sure what the magneride does, but I guess it is mainly for track purposes. I didn't really think I would get much benefit from that, so I didn't order it.

I did order the full electric seats, but in hindsight, it is really overpriced. It includes lumbar support, adjustable side bolster support (both not much use to me), heat, and memory. Of all those things, I'm pretty much paying for only the 3 memories, so not really worth it in my opinion.

All the other options I got were cosmetic like the coloured brake calipers and special stitching. But otherwise, the car is amazing. You'll love it.

 

Rainforest is right about camera and mag shocks ... but mine is a daily driver and the camera is well worth the money. The shocks in the comfort mode are very soft making for a quite comfortable ride. In sport really tighten up for more fun! The full electric seats are also well worth it for daily driving, especially the heated seats this past winter! Even on the 60 degree days, the top down, heat on full, and electric seat heat makes for a perfect drive.

Your color choice sounds perfect! We all can't wait for the photos.

Rick

 

Welcome to FerrariChat Robert and best of luck with speccing the California.

Please post pics when she arrives.

Happy posting!

 

That is very exciting! I agree with the above. Magnaride is fantastic. When it is in comfort mode, it rides like a dream. When you hit it a bit or take a hard corner, it maintains its composure perfectly. In sport mode it is tighter but even better! Rear camera is extemely useful. I have seen some posts on f-chat where one was installed aftermarket for half the cost. Apparently the wiring harness is there an ready to be connected. I don't know if the infotainment system needs to be programmed or if it instantly recognizes it. I did not get front parking sensors but wish I did. I got the high fi upgrade. It sounds good, but I really don't have a good comparison. Worth 5 grand? I don't know. The i-pod interface works quite well. Special stitching is a nice way to customize. Electric seats definitely. Stitched cavallinos in the headrests. I would have also gotten the electrochromatic mirrors if I did it again.
Good luck and post pics ASAP!

 

As for the backup camera, I called the Seattle dealer where one of the members installed his after market backup camera. The dealer informed me that it is actually a very big job, and that certain panels and seats have to be removed in order to wire the camera. There is no wiring pre-existing which they hook the camera into - wiring must be done from scratch.

 

I got the full electric seats as well, but in hindsight, I just can't understand why it is so expensive. Heat and memory come standard on so many cheaper cars, and it barely costs anything on a Toyota. I would have thought that this option would come standard, as it does on most other luxury cars. But then again, it's a Ferrari.

 

Speaking about ridiculously expensive options, I got the $1200 cruise control and I am glad I did.

 

Consider yourself lucky because that is a $2500 option here in Australia.

(Cant confirm that, but if its anything like the price of the car itself.........it would cost double here. )

 

robert
congrats!

where in australia are you?

 

Yes. Cruise control is another ridiculous one. A $25,000 Toyota comes with it as standard. But I guess the more you pay for the car, the less you get!

 

I would expect all of the Ferrari options to be standard on a Toyota or Cadillac... they have to do something to sell those piles of crap. The Ferrari ... well there is nothing like owning a Ferrari, I finally know ... except for possibly making love to Jennifer Aniston ... and the Ferrari will not complain to me! So, who cares about the price of the options! Get as many as you can afford, they will come in handy ... and the stitching, caliper paint, etc all make it YOUR Ferrari. Toyota and GM just do not compare. Notice I did not use the stupid IMHO or IMO or whateverr ... these are simply facts.

 

Yes, the options are ridiculously priced. However, I agree that there is no feeling like driving a Ferrari. The sound and the attention you get on the street are as addictive as drugs!

 

Part of the fun is selecting your options, although you will probably be put under pressure by the sales representative to choose options that enhance its resale potential. Your only problem is going to be the Australian traffic cops. Here in the UK, we can generally drive between 80 and 90mph (in the dry) on our motorways without being stopped. Also, we have a 10% speedo error in our favour, so even though the national speed limit is 70mph, you would never get stopped and prosecuted for doing 77mph. So, when I was stopped in Australia (on the motorway from Sydney to Canberra) at 73mph, I was aghast to have been given a ticket. My California (a replacement for my 612) is due in June and, like you, I intend to enjoy it.

 

WHOOOA Rick! Your inner lusts are coming out!!!! Ferraris, I mean. Heh! As Enzo would chime in, the cost of a Ferrari is in the engine and the diving experience. If you want anything else, you're gonna pay for it. I am sure he would roll over in his grave if he knew about cruise control!!
I tried to draw the line somewhere, but WTF, I should have gotten every damn option. My only regret/gripe about the car is the options I didn't get!!!!

 

Yep, I missed stitched prancing horses in the headrests that would look way cool. Maybe I should ask the dealer how much to get that done now? But then I would be without the car for a month or more. Nope, that will not happen!

Today is a great day, the Cali is back and here in the parking lot ... just trying to find an excuse to drive somewhere. Too bad I am working on invoices to send to customers.

 

The invoices are priority-especially if you're shooting for a 599! Send out the invoices and let the checks come in while you're doin 110 in the Cali with the top down!!
I ought to have mine back hopefully tomorrow.

 

Oh...Had you even thought about wireless back up camera system? it get better and more better in about each 6 months so look around to see which one much better even it should able upgrade to better one in future if like one better.

 

Yes, I would like a wireless backup camera, but which one is a good one?

 

The question is, will it integrate into the infotainment screen? With all the problem I am having, I, personally, would be reluctant to monkey around with that. I was thinking of putting an add on amplifier to enhance the music capabilities, but I am loathe to disturb the delicate balance.

 

Do you think we can fit a sub somewhere? I think that's what it needs, but might be too much then. Not sure...