Thinking about getting a Cali - help please

Sorry can only answer one question:

start/stop is an option and is not standard (yet). It Is on automatically when you start the car but you can turn it off with press of button. Someone must have found it annoying to have to deactivate with each ignition and thus it was "disabled"

 

I don't have any first hand experience with a California to know if it would be a satisfying track car. But I do know that they have CCBs, which if used on the track would wear relatively quickly compared to street use. Consider that CCB rotors cost $3500-5000 EACH to replace, and pads around $3000-3500 for a set of four when weighing your dual use car.

Personally, if there was a financial way to do this, I'd keep the CS, and replace the Maser with a used Cali.

As for must have options, it depends a lot on your intent to re-sell the car, and how bad the roads are where you think your future buyer will live. I'm told the only real "must haves" for Calis are Magnaride and shields. Daytona vs. diamond is a matter of taste; the seats are the same and only the center sections differ. That said, if you intend to use the car as a DD or almost DD, then you will probably want all the amenities that other luxury GTs (that cost far less) have, such as cruise control, heated seats, Homelink garage door opener, and rear parking camera. The rest seems a matter of personal taste (carbon fiber bits, LED steering wheel, extra leather on this or that, 20" wheels, yellow or red tach face, caliper color).

Interesting choices people made when ordering cars - you can see that in the cars on the used market. If I were ordering car for GT use, I'd spend my money on Magnaride (roads around here are awful) and shields, and then all of the convenience items (cruise control, heated seats, Homelink garage door opener, and rear parking camera). If any money was left in the budget, only then include the "personal taste items".

Oddly it seems to me, people ordering the first couple of years' productions (judging by the equipment on the cars on the used market, unless those who ordered well still own their cars) skimped on the convenience items (before you laugh, have you ever tried driving long distances on the freeway without any cruise control? not as easy as you'd think - or have more than one garage door or gate to open, and have to shuffle through your glovebox to find the right one?), but spent $$ on extra leather on the console, etc. So as a result, many used cars out there lack one or more of the basic conveniences that would be standard on, let's say, a Jaguar XKR or BMW M6, yet have a number of luxury or "personal choice" features you probably could easily live without (leather lined A-pillars, for example).

Thus, it could be a challenge finding the "right" car. This reminds me a lot of looking at Aston Martins not long ago, with an eye to using as a DD or near DD. Astons are all about choice in options, and not surprisingly, not everyone has mainstream tastes or thinks about their choices carefully. So, for example, you'd find a car with odd color combinations, or an otherwise nicely optioned car with bright tan leather dash - pretty to look at, but a nightmare to drive in daylight with all the glare coming off it. I gave up and decided if I had to put up with expensive maintenance, etc., I'd rather have a Ferrari anyway.

Finally, as for new vs. used, it depends on whether saving ~$30k+ in depreciation is significant to you in comparison to getting exactly what you want in color and options. Your perfect car "might" be out there on the used market, but you also might be waiting a long time or if you get tired of waiting, will need to compromise on options. Or, you may be of such financial means, it doesn't matter, so you will just order to your spec.

 

In the handling the department, the Cali will be closer to your Maser than the CS. In the long run, I think you 'might' end up missing the hard core feel. Of course, if you are going to get a dedicated track car, that should help.

What type of track car are you looking for? I used to be an instructor with the BMW CCA and NASA so I might be able to help with that too.

I'll be bringing the Cali to the March Car's & Coffee so let's try and meet up there and talk.

Adam

 

The Daytona seats take a while to get comfy. So don't be alarmed if they feel stiff in the beginning.

The DCT box had problems due to electrical glitches. Getrag seems to have fixed the problem. If you get an early car with low miles the problem may not have had enough time to be uncovered. A warranty or extended warranty is suggested.

Otherwise, there haven't been any major differences between the model years. Of course there have been a few campaigns the most notable was with the exhaust headers (not leaky, just redesigned to help handle the carbon soot) However I'm sure all the cars have gotten these things done.

After the car gets broken in, it is a lot of fun to drive.

 

What are you thinking about for the race car?

 

I disagree. I have the Maserati GTS and the California. The California is by far closer in performance to the CS. The Maserati is big and heavy and it feels that way. The California may be heavy for a Ferrari, but it performs and feels light.

I've tracked my car once at the Ferrari Challenge races at Infineon. I proved that the California can be a great car on the track. The California is by far the best all around Ferrari I've owned.

 

What kind of wheels are on your Cali. Rather beautiful.

 

I'm fairly certain you still have to pay extra for it.

 

Correct. On a 2012, it was a $1078 option.

 

Good questions. My responses to the questions to which I have experience:

2. Depends on how customized you want your car, how important its provenance is to you and how long you intend to keep it. At the time I bought mine, there wasn't much of a price premium to get a custom-order, so I went ahead and personalized to my tastes and knew exactly how the car was treated. If you're interested in Rossa Corsa/Beige with a typical set of options, then you can get into a used car sooner and avoid the first year of depreciation.

3. I agree with Need4spd's thinking.

5. I don't believe there is much of a difference between 2010 and 2011 models. As previously noted, there are some service campaigns for 2010 and earlier models. To me, the 2012 with the 7-year service plan would be attractive for re-selling to a first time Ferrari owner.

6. My diamond seats are comfortable, although I'll admit my longest drive has been 2 hours.

8. Do you need the back seats for kids? If not, I understand 458s are reasonably docile around town yet would have more "intense"performance when opened up. The California gives me flexibility to bring the family so I can use it more often than my 2-seater, yet has plenty of performance.

Good luck.

 

coming from owning a Cali and then immediately trading up to a 458 in 2 months, I must say that they are very different cars and if you must have a convertible that can track, you should buy the Cali, Rick can enlighten as he tracks his. Do consider the other side of the coin, coming from a CS, the 458 will bring a wonderful experience to you as a daily and track car.

For me, my one is mid engine (very docile and practical still using super car standards and benchmarks) and it has a lot of "X" factor and for my purpose al fresco is not a factor so I pick a more track focused car despite not tracking it (I did have to get the Cali to get a 458 ultimately). Cali is a very cool and classy convertible GT that can be cool and rapid in a more understated manner if done in darker colors.

Cali is one of the coolest GTs. It's also one of my favorites alongside with Aston Virage, Bentley CGT but since you like a dual purpose car, my 2 cents would be Cali for sure.

Admittedly, the new one is definitely what I will buy if I have to do it again.

http://www.ferrari.com/English/GT_Sport%20Cars/GT/Pages/120215-car-geneva-debut-for-lighter-more-powerful-Ferrari-California-with-new-handling-speciale-package.aspx

It bears resemblance to the SA Aperta in Blue. The two tone top (which I also have on my 458 now) is a must to me. I have seen a very cool Red with Black top Cali and it is very unique and nice.

This California still have 4 years to live so a new one is well worth it. My 2 cents. I don't have much experience and coming from owning only 2, I can share my bird's eyes view. Note, I don't track my car.

 

That is precisely why the California is more "useable" than one of the mid-engined cars and compares so favorably with Aston Martins and Bentley Continentals. There is no doubt that the 458 will out-perform a California and looks so much more exotic. But for many people and for much of the time, driving a 458 (or other mid-engine Ferrari) is just too much. Read up on the threads where doctors and other professionals cringe at the thought of having patients or clients see them in their (mostly mid-engine) Ferraris. But I'll bet the same people might think it OK if they were seen in a dark color California (at least that's my hope!).

 

Agree. Very much agree. It's quite a dilemma though as any Ferrari is an art that strives for attention. I think you don't have to hope as you are correct.

Admittedly, there are stereotypes on Ferrari drivers and owners so owning any Ferrari as a professional maybe corporately incorrect. With that said, a run of mill Lexus or Bimmer 7s would be a better proposition but if you must, California speaks well for a professional as much as the Bentley and Aston. Take it in Giorgio or Nero, it would be a handsome car that will be less frowned upon by clients who care what you drive.

In this day and age, I guess driving a Ferrari may work for or against you depending on your clientele. Some may think of it as a symbol of success while others may think of it as a symbol of mal practice (overcharging clients... etc.). The latter is unjust and uncalled for but stereotypes exist for a reason.

Long for short, you are correct. (e.g., now try being seen in an Aventador if you are a plastic surgeon, that's a stereotype... in MIAMI...)

 

I am quite inexperienced a Ferraristi until I joined this forum in 2008 planning for my California and I am still most thankful towards all others like Rick and DM 18 and up till today, I still lack much knowledge so I am unsure how much my sharing makes sense. My experience back then was that Fchat is filled with lots of experts who helped me a lot. Admittedly, I had your same dilemma back in 2008/09 when I was told I could not get a 458 (yet I wanted a Ferrari as I was grossly disappointed at my C4S PDK purchase) but I could get a Cali within 6 months. So I took on the car and found that it was a very cool ride despite I knew then it was a stepping stone to what I really wanted. With that said, there was a reason that the California was a good seller as it filled a good space. It is, to me, a very capable and rapid GT and it is very very comfortable as well with a metal roof, you cannot deny that satisfies a newly done up demand curve.

I drive my 458 a lot as a daily rain and shine and it is very very good and 10 years ago no one could've thought of ENZO performance in a usable package. Of course, it is no where near my 740Li with all the techno gadgets and camera and keyless go but it is as close to a daily as it can be alongside right up there with Cali and SLS.

Cali it is if you want a GT that can do well on a track. Although another candidate could be the SLS or better yet the new SL 65 AMG? If you want handling, I doubt Aston and Bentley would fill your shoes but the SLS or SL 65 AMG are serious contenders to the new face lifted California?

I may not be right but I hope I share my 2 cents.

OTOH, I doubt that the current range of LAMBO can be nearly as usable spider or coupe as current Ferraris even the Aventador being so new and manageable so I heard.

 

GFG wheels.

I may be selling the wheels. I've got a March build for a new 458. The dealer doesn't want the wheels when he gets the Cali back.