Head says California T, Heart says 458, Balls say F12...

So a decade ago for my 40th birthday my amazing wife took me to Rome and hired an F430 Spider for me to drive. Julia Roberts sat at the next table for afternoon tea at our hotel but that's another story! Anyhow I was bitten by the Ferrari bug and it's never gone away.

Recently I watched the drama "Devils" and one of the main characters was driving around in a black 599 which just looked so cool. I looked it up and realised that I could own one of these incredible cars for £90K which seemed like an awful lot of car for the money.

So I started to research in earnest. I live in the outskirts of London so although most of my driving is of the "school run in traffic" variety I have easy(ish) access to country roads. My time is largely my own so I could go for a blast out in the countryside pretty much whenever I feel like it. I have a 7th Gen Golf R (which I love) as my daily driver which I would keep. I don't expect to track the Ferrari regularly but it might be fun to experience the car on the limit occasionally. I would probably buy from an official dealer for peace of mind.

As the title suggests, my research has led me to three very different (in Ferrari terms) options.

A California T seems like the most practical option. I appreciate that it doesn't have the same "theatre" or driving dynamics as a 458 or the NA V12 grunt of an F12 but it is still seriously quick; relatively cheap and has the advantage of being a convertible for when the sun shines. I can afford a decent specced late MY car (HS perhaps). I don't need the +2 seats but I guess they are useful for luggage when the roof is down.

A 458 is more akin to the F430 Spider that I first fell in love with and seems to offer the best driving experience of any Ferrari in my price range. Being the last naturally aspirated V8 I suspect it might represent a "good" financial proposition in terms of depreciation although I expect the running costs to be higher as it's a much older car. Somewhat bizarrely I think rust might be an issue on some cars!

An F12 - although the most expensive - looks to be a fantastic proposition. What may be one of the last NA V12 engines with a ridiculous amount of torque and the comfort for long drives of a true GT. It also has a genuine automatic gearbox (for me, the downside of a 599) and doesn't seem to have any mechanical issues like eg the dampers on a 599. I love the idea of driving across Europe with my wife in the passenger seat, although maybe this is just romantic thinking! I would expect to spend a lot of money on petrol and tyres among other things...

Anyhow apologies for the long ramble. I have never driven any of the three cars that I'm looking to choose from but I thought I would throw myself on the mercy of the fantastic Ferrarchat community to see what wisdom might be forthcoming.

Thanks in anticipation!
Rob

 

Welcome - as you are in the UK so a little will depend the use pattern to which you refer - if it includes more track days a 458 might suit better - if its just UK touring the California - if its Euro tours maybe some roads are better suited to the larger faster F12 - you really need to try all three but remember that due to age 458 & California in particular can be found outside the dealer network (and have a factory warranty added) - spend some time looking all over this site at the upsides and downsides of the three cars and I'm pretty sure there have been similar comparator threads previously which would be worth looking for

 

Well, hmmm . . . let's see.

Do you have kids? Do you like them, are they great? If you do, and they are then trust your balls. If you don't or they're not, well, not sure I can help you on this one.

Another way of looking at it. If you can't trust your balls, what can you trust. In my case, my balls have never let me down, so I consider them very trustworthy.

Ok, I kid. Go with your gut, drive 'em all, if you can afford any one of them, then the only decision should be which one gives you the most visceral experience, and/or which one fits your driving style and needs best for a fun car.

Funny, I'm living in Southwest Florida, and there just isn't anywhere that I can find that would make a Ferrari fun and interesting to drive on a regular basis. It's more of a Mercedes kind of atmosphere. Gobs of power is nice but needs to be combined with cruise-ability as just about every road I drive is wide, flat and straight, (With a cop hidden here and there along the way) not exactly Ferrari territory.

And there are plenty of threads about this, but I think you need to get some seat of the pants testing in.

D

 

I own a California, and it's been a great car that my wife and I thoroughly enjoy, but if your heart says 458, listen to it. If you can easily afford not only purchase, but maintenance, and unforeseen major repairs - go to it. Nothing about owning a Ferrari is rational. Better yet, so what I did, let your wife choose!

T

 

You’re looking to recapture that Ferrari magic you experienced when in Italy; forget the Cali.
The 458 ticks all the exotic car boxes, the F12 gives that legendary Ferrari V12 experience. IMO both experiences are different but equal, only you can decide what you are likely to find most satisfying.

 

Having driven in the UK, I think the 458 is the best option. not a Cali fan, and the F12 is fantastic, but with the tight roads, I think you may find it a bit more difficult ... seeing curbs etc... driving in London if at all, is easy because the speed is about 30KPH... average.

with the 458 - you have great visibility and better maneuvering. I've driven all the above, and love the F12 - you should have a V12 at some point... if you were out in Wales or up in Scotland - the F-12 would be still hand full on the roads, but worth it. in the populated areas where you have to park in tight areas and maneuver in the tight village - country lanes -458.

 

Sometimes "wanting" is as much fun as "having." Enjoy the search. Take your time.

I agree with the importance of test driving them all to decide for yourselves.

All modern Ferraris are tremendous cars; there is no shortage of performance in any of your options.

Me? I love the old mechanical antiques. I own a 308. It is acceleration capability is slow by modern standards but it does everything else just fine and its looks are still sex on wheels. Never selling.

 

458 or F12. I bet if you drive both you'll know right away.

 

For the money 458 brings... Buy the f12

 

Within a minute of the tires being warm you’ll know. I would usually say start with a 458 as a first Ferrari, but if you want a GT that can do everything then go for the F12.

 

Since you are married and your wife has your balls now, go for the balls….

Seriously, the F12 is great. If you are okay with the size, go for it.

 

Always go with the heart on love.

 

In your initial post you mentioned the Cali was the practical choice.

There’s nothing practical about buying, driving or owing a Ferrari. It’s purely a fantasy.

Fulfill your fantasy like the rest of us have and buy the one that keeps pulling you in. Buy the one that makes you smile just looking at it. Buy the one that kids in the sidewalk just stare at with their mouths open.


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My vote is for the F12, but in reality, you should always buy the one that sings to your heart. Go see them all and test drive if possible. They all are quite different in design and purpose... and great in different ways.

 

I own a 458. I love this car more than anything. However I’m getting the V12 bug as well. Don’t have the garage space to add an F12. Been debating whether to sell the 458 while the market is up and go for an F12 or not.


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Interesting. The California was the entry level car and the F12 the Ferrari flagship. Just don't see anyone cross shopping the two.

 

I can speak a bit on the subject as I have owned all three vehicles (458, Cali and F12) and recently traded my 2019 488 spider for a low mile my second 458 Italia. I suspect its much like that 430 experience. I was fortunate enough to own the 458 and F12 at the same time and while both are incredible. The 458 gives me that race car/fighter jet feel while in the cockpit. Good luck with your high class problem. It’s truly a privilege to own a prancing pony.


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Skip the cali. Get the 458 or F12. I currently own both and have driven them extensively on track and off. Both great in their own right. If I had to keep one it would be the 458

 

Thank you for all of the great replies. I spoke with my (amazing) wife and she reframed the question by saying “which should you get first”.

So I decided I should get a Cali T first and then an F12 and then an F8 (by which time it should be more affordable.

I managed to find and buy this California T.

https://video.citnow.com/vtg3yS0kqPX

It’s an HS Atelier car and still has 2.5 years of servicing and only 11K miles. So far I’m overjoyed with it - it is absolutely mint and way more of a handful than I was expecting!

I am thinking of it as the first course in my Ferrari banquet!

Thanks again,
Rob

 

Beautiful and CONGRATS!! The yellow rotors really pop with the shields against that color - nice spec - Enjoy the heck out of her - Cheers

 

Congrats on your new Cali! She looks like a beauty.

 

Sweet looking spec. All the little details on the interior really make it special. Enjoy...T

 

Thanks all - I love that it's an Atelier car and totally unique. It's even got Seb and Kimi's autographs (in yellow of course!) on the carbon sill plates which is a nice touch!

 

Congrats. Tell us your impressions after you take possession.

Very nice spec.


Drive it well.


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You will not be disappointed with a Cali T HS. Not even comparable to a regular California.


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