Justifying my once impulsive buy on the California...

I saw a Nero waiting to be delivered, 2 Bianco Avus demo and 1 Nero Daytona, 2 Rosso Scuderia. The Rosso Scuderia looks good in person and in metal... so I think I am set on Rosso Scuderia with Black interior and red stitchings, 20" rims and yellow tachymeter and yellow calipers. Debating though if I should get the ipod connection. Can someone shed lights on this option and its usefulness. I ain't a music guy and I don't ipod much but would I miss it if I don't get it? Anyway, looking at the California, I think I have really made the right choice. This car speaks Ferrari to be honest.

The california is a beautiful and amazing car. It has been desigend by Ferrari initially intended to be branded as a
Maserati. However, they made it too good, putting key featurers into it that they couldn't make it a Maseraty anymore but instead it deserves the Ferrari logo.

The way I see it, it earned it's batch and if you look at the sales records, the California is one of the best selling and highly appreciated Ferraries ever. This is the car that to some extend assured the survival of Ferrari in the downturn as all other sales fell off a cliff. At least over here, there are 4/5 being delivered every month out of the 100 delivered and more.

It will be hailed in the future as a key vehicle in it's history. Something like the legendary Daytona, which in it's days was also considered not a real Ferrari. Now it is one of the most sought after versions.

The California has style, technology, performance and fully fits into the Ferrai portfolio. It is "the" technology driver for Ferrari (like the Mercedes S class for Mercedes, or the Porsche Turbo for Porsche) as it is the first to use the DCT gearbox that will be used in the future (see 458) in all Ferrari's. It is the first to use the direct injection technology. The first with a folding metal roof and the first with a multi link suspension.

Although my purchase was impulsive and emotional without even looking at the SLS and test driving the SLS or R8... I think it is the right choice.

I turn this around and ask myself the followings... which true super car is like it? Speed wise, the GTR and many others surpass the California... but if we want cheap speed, there are plenty around and you can always make a car goes fast by souping it up but as a package with good handling and all... none like California.

Split into three groups based on engineering/parts done by MASS market companies.

The Lamborghini? Engineering done by Audi.
The Bentley? Engineering done by VW
The Rolls Royce? Engineering done by BMW
The AMG? Engineering done by Mercedes
The Audi R8? Engineering done by Audi

The Astons? All use derived Jaguar engines and to some extend still Ford and Jag/Landrover parts. They will use Mercedes Engines in the future.
The Porsches? Has been using BMW/VW (body parts/stampings), VW (AC condition), Audi (Tiptronic) parts for many years and is now apart of VW. Don't even mention the Cayenne.

The Maserati's? Engineering done by Ferrai and Maserati

The McLaren? Engineering done by McLaren with Engine developed by Ricardo

The Ferrari's? Engineering done by Ferrari

So, the only people that should ever say anything about the California are people that own one, everyone else, basically buys cars that are with different pedigrees.

The California is built in Maranello. I don't think there's anymore I need to know...

 

Well, I am a pending California owner to be and it's my first Ferrari but these are my silly 2 cents and analysis. There are plenty of people that are Ferrari California haters, naysayers, disblievers and I am sure they will hate me for what I said and think I am justifying myself for my purchase. However, that's really my objective analysis and judging from the sales figure, I think the California is here to stay. It has opened up a completely different segment for Ferrari and the sales figure so far says it is a success at least over here. It is a rare gem still and you will be surprised to see them around and I have seen 5 so far in town and second hands are usually asking around list. At first I wasn't so sure if this will fail but so far the sales said nope... it is a top seller and it outsells the 599 and 612 (maybe price, maybe needs, whatever... but over here... California is not cheap and only around 15% less than 458)... So far 100 had been delivered and since my ordering one (which will mean Jan prod March 2011 delivery), a bunch were sold and delivery is now into next summer so sales is there... it is not NOT selling. Of course, 200 of 458 were sold and only around 150 California but still... it is impressive enough. I did have a few acquaintances making some comments about how I paid double for a maserati rebadge and how I bought a fake Ferrari or how I got this cos I couldn't get the 458. Honestly, I like 458 as well and in the ideal world, I would want to have both but if I could only have one, I think it will be the California because I know I will drive it more. They are just apples and oranges and a 458 beside a California wouldn't make the California disappear into thin air because they are so different. With a 458, I will enjoy the thrill but I wouldn't drive it more than 1x or 2x a week as it is more nerve wrecking and with the traffic jam and all, there really is no reason. The California, I know I can drive it indeed 5-6x a week and still enjoy it very much so... in a relaxing way. Maybe it is a self-fulfilling prophecy but I think I have summed it up. Nonetheless, I see a lot of controversy around this model which I bought and controversy happens for a reason, the shape, the look, the setup and the concept... well to me, most of those who made comments on my purchase never owned a Ferrari and most of them bought cars of a lesser pedigree but they are entitled to their opinions. Maybe that's why they never own a Ferrari California cos they really dislike it who knows. Let me own it first for a year or two and I will see but so far it is growing on me and without taking delivery, I go into the showroom just to see it... that's how attractive it is to me. It is a work of art to me and even if I can't drive it to work, I can go down and look at it and that's all the money well spent. I guess a lot of hardearned money goes into my purchase... Despite that... I know life is filled with challenges and hardwork in exchange for very very short moments of happiness... and for those short moments of happiness, it is worth a lifetime to remember, this applies not only to a car purchase, it also applies to non material matters like family times and moments with my little daughter... these moments no matter how short lived, is worth my lifetime to remember.

 

Rick, I can't PM you. Is your car RC or Scuderia red? Just out of curiosity.

 

I really can't decide. Scuderia seems more MOD and orangy and may look better under sunlight. Corsa is more blood red and more retro 355 style... this is really tough now... I know I can't go wrong with either one but Scuderia maybe too sporty or racy for a GT california.

 

Agree as a good choice but it will take me 3 extra months... knowing the italians... stretch it out to june 2011 delivery... full 12 months.. now it is march 2011... hopefully. the wait is gnawingly painful enough. However, I do suspect the wait is part of the catch... it makes a Ferrari more special... you walk down to Lambo, you can get one off the rack tomorrow... then it's a lot less fun... how do you put it... it's like the expectation of a Ferrari after a hard purchaes decision becomes part of the fun and process and enjoyment but I could not rule out the possiblity that when it arrives, I will have an anticlimax... it's always like this... the pursue part and the dilemma in picking colours... is actually the best part of the whole catch. Only Ferrari has this magic at least in my city... no other cars would make you wait this long... not even Lambo... Lambo just isn't popular here and it's always less in demand than Ferrari although it is still a low volume producer... just the way it is... not as much heritage I guess...