Your thoughts on Portofino?

Go with your heart. Its your toy.

 

If it were me, I'd buy a Cali, assuming you're not planning on doing major tracking of the car. They're screaming good deals right now, and have more than enough power for the road. They can be driven daily - comfort/auto for a night in the town with the wife, sport/manual to enjoy attacking twisty roads, and everything in between. If after a few years of driving it, if the Ferrari reality matches the dream, then move into something else your heart desires - V12, mid engine V8, etc. Just my 2 cents...T

 

Get the 458.

 

This is your first dream car correct? Then follow that dream and give it a full send. Get the car you WANT! We are all dying, don't be another statistic that dies without living.

 

Hi Kris, I believe I may have spoken with you and your 2 small beautiful daughters as I was leaving the Redmond Cars & Coffee in my red Cali as I was on my way to this same Ferrari Portofino promo event. It is good that you are going to these gatherings of sports car enthusiasts and picking their brains. As was said previously here, unless you are going to do serious track time, the Cali/Portofino model will give you plenty of Ferrari style and performance for the street and you can still have the ability to take your daughters along. As a relatively new Cali-30 with HS Pkg owner, I was impressed with the Portofino smooth ride and seamless shifting as well as the updated interior and ability to operate the roof below 20 MPH. Only you can determine if it is worth the extra $125K to buy the new Portofino over say a late model Cali-30. Either way, it is tough to make a bad decision that won't put a smile on your face every time you drive it!

 

458 looks like a ferrari. a portofino looks like a Japanese car trying to be like a ferrari.

 

458 or Portofino.... both look great. Go with what your gut and heart desire.
Better yet, ask your daughters which they prefer and get it. That way the car had a little sentimental touch.


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I test drove one in San Antonio and came away greatly impressed!!
The CCF brakes pulled me down so fast, I was glad I was belted!!
She insisted I quit babying the car, and pound it thru the gears!!!

It really is a personal decision, the front vs. rear engine question, but no doubt the Portofino is a very fine offering.

As long as you did not get too crazy with options, (the passenger data screen was $$$$) and stayed within Color Range, I felt it "good value"....you could get a pretty jazzy two color interior, within the base specification, IIRC.

 

Now, I do have to say (on behalf of your young daughters), when I mentioned or even compared the Portofino to a 488, my son said:

"No way Dad, get that 458, in the corner of the showroom!"
So, there is that!!

Last of the normally aspirated cars...

 

Sounds like your decision is made!
T

 

Yes, go with your gut, and test drive both.
But don’t drive the Portofino after the 458
I have a 458 and did test-drive a Portofino. I myself would not switch

 

I really liked my Californias they sounded great and were fun to drive just enough for dinner with the wife and maybe your child if you have one.. I have 2 daughters and they loved the California so did the wife ...none of them care about any of the other cars in my garage... I drove the Portifino and it was fast and nice did not have the same sound but really liked it....

 

You said it yourself, it does not look like a Ferrari when you think Ferrari. I understand why Ferrari is making them but they personally do nothing for me. I would buy an FF over a Portofino (which also doesnt look like a Ferrari).

Get a nice 458 which looks and sounds like a Ferrari. And wont drop like a rock.

 

Whats scary u can get a 458 and ff for price of a loaded porttofino


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your heart already spoke......
get the 458

 

The Portofino is a beautiful car. 600 HP, easy to drive and best of all with the roof down a really great convertible experience. Better than the 488. I have both. two different cars.

 

Ferrari apparently has a long history of making cars that aren't Ferrari's... 166 Inter, 250GT, 330, 365, Lusso, Mondial, 400,412, 308GT, 456, FF, 612, GTC4, 206, 246, California, Portofino...

 

Welcome!

As far as your question:

You answered it already yourself:

\

Go with your heart my friend.

 

Without knocking the Portofino or its "appropriateness" as a first Ferrari (a concept that's never made sense to me; it's just a car!), get the one you really want.

Trying to rationalize one's purchases, especially to align them with one's perceptions of others' opinions, is both pointless and beyond futile. If you want the 458 (it sure sounds that way), get one.

 

Good luck - just went through this same decision process about a month ago. My sons loved the portofino and so I had them sit in the back with me for a test drive. They loved being in the car but were cramped with their knees facing outward in order to sit in the back. Ended up buying a 488 spider as I liked driving it and have been very happy with it so far and my sons like sitting in the front although they have to take turns.


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9 times out of 10 a young person will pick the overt sportiness of a mid engined 2 seater that says supercar all over it.
A portofino is aimed at more practical buyers.

 

Larry I always imagined you as a Tesla model s guy for the family sports car lol, no $250k paid in full Tesla roadster deposit for 2027 delivery?

 

Personally, I like the way the whole California series looks. Reminds me of a smaller Maranello. In fact, I'd like it more if it was smaller. But, then again, I like front-engine, RWD cars. (I came of age in the '60s.) But, I'll never buy one because you can't get a stick shift.