First time buyer: Would like input on F430 vs California

Yes, for longer trips, FF/Lusso/612/456/412 etc...

 

Someone did mention a 612 to me recently and I just started looking at them. It certainly looks like a great option.

 

If looking for an F430 the most popular options were

Daytona seats, electric seats, shields, color stitching, Challenge grille, Challenge wheels and F1 gearbox. Today those options probably don't increase the asking price of the car but back in the day, this would have set you back another 20 grand when purchased new. So if you find one with those options know that they weren't free.

Its extremely difficult to find any F430 with a manual box and when you do, they are more expensive to buy. I think only 6 Californias were made with a manual box.

 

Best point yet I think. Kids will grow out of the Cali, but grow into an F430.

 

If you stretch a little the California T is a good option. I had one for a couple of years and loved it, fantastic performance, great interior and practical.

But the key part if your question is driven by the ‘nay sayers’ who accuse the Cali of being a GT and not a sports car. And in truth they are right, it is a great car for being a GT. I probably listened to the dark voices a bit and changed out of my beloved Cali into a 488 spider....love this car just as much but it is a sports car and different from the Cali, my wife loved the Cali more....

Your choice is between two great cars but they are different.

One other thing to think about is depreciation, I’m no expert but think the Cali is still higher up it’s curve than the 430 so will probably lose a bit more money.

 

fun factor goes the 430 all day.
comfort factor to the Cali.

 

I like the California a lot for sure. I test drove one and I think it would make a perfect "second" car or something like that (for me, nothing wrong with others who have it as their primary F car). But, the 430...is a special car. It does come down to the "mission" though, as others have said. Do you want an awesome GT car or an awesome sports car?

I've had 328,355,430,458 and now I have a 488...so I have a pretty good frame of reference. The 430 will make you smile every single minute. Period. If i had room, I'd have one with the 488.

 

You're not comparing apples to oranges, but rather apples to orangutans . . .

 

You can’t do this in a “sports car” though

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Glad I searched forum before posting as am considering similar options.
Would the arguments be the same now:
Cali/CaliT - extra 2 small seats, more space for touring, more comfortable as tourer.
430 - mid engine, classic looks.
The Cali would have the newer dual clutch, but the 430 will have the older gearbox.
The heart says 430, but the head says Cali

Anyone had both of these?

 

It's a use case issue.

What's your mission?

Daily driving type stuff?

Weekend warrior?

If it's daily driving and touring it's Cali or Cali t

If it's weekend warrior only then 430.

I love the Cali t. I think it's one of the best cars Ferrari ever produced

 

Drive both. Buy the one you love. I have a Cali T, but there's a certain F430 in the area that I will make mine if it ever comes up for sale. In addition, not in replacement of, the T.

 

I have had both as well … 06 F430 Berlinetta, 2013 California 30 and 2015 California T. Put about 40k miles on the Californias, the T is a really great car. I recently drove a very nice F430 Spider but did not really like the F1 transmission compared to the DCTs in the Calis, it felt a little ponderous and jerky (brand new clutch). My F430 was a gated manual but they are crazy expensive now. A good Cali T is a great GT that still gives you plenty of Ferrari performance. If you plan to actually drive the car frequently, you’ll be more comfortable in the California T.

 

The answer is F430

 

Easy answer, the F430, we were in the same boat, in 1 day we checked both, F430 first then the Cali after hearing the Cali start we already decided it was going to be a F430 because of the better sound it has, and didnt even bother looking at the cali any further and waste their time...

 

If a back seat is important for kids then the Portofino is said to have 2” more knee room .
Doesn’t sound like a lot but it is .
I was window shopping California Ts but a “real” Ferrari is mid engined . Even the front engined V12s feel weird to me .
A 08 or 09 F430 converted to manual is on my radar but that changes monthly.

Also don’t buy a dream car because you think it may please another: wife or kids .
Buy one that pleases yourself because you are the one that will have to live with it .
Buy an additional SUV etc “for them”.

 

I am a big fan of the california30 with HS… this was built in limited number in 2013 and 2014 .. I have owned 2 of them. It drives better then the std cali with quicker steering and better exhaust sound .. plus most of them were loaded ..I have owned maybe a dozen Ferraris over the years from a early california to a PISTA ,a 599GTO and others
Even a 246 dino GT.. the car that gets driven the most is the cali30HS…and truthfully it looks great.

 

I have a Cali 30 HS and have driven but not owned 430. Prefer the Cali.

 

F430 Spyder.
Ciao.
Nic

 

Definately an 08 as they have the Ceramic brakes usually a 10-15 k option....I have an 08 and man is is the best car I every owned and driver. Everything is old school no electronics to figure out and I am old school as well Just got it last year for my 80th birthday.....

 

That’s quite the endorsement!