Serious dilemma: Cali30/FF/612 (pros, cons, age, wife, budget)

I think the FF still has a long way to go for it to hit the bottom of the depreciation curve. I would stay patient and get the exact spec you want. If you wait long enough, the GTC4Lusso could even start getting into striking distance. Ferrari is about obtaining a dream, don't dilute it by compromising. Get exactly what you want, even if it takes some time.

 

Given your area of use, I would suggest one with pontoons...given the recent turn of events ;-)

 

Actually, for a DD - a Panamera or Rapide makes more sense IMHO. Ferrari is more appropriate for an occasional car.

 

Knock on wood..both the Gallardo and Huracan have proven to be reliable cars. I'm not a fan of the Gallardo over all..but I cannot say anything truely bad about it mechanically.

The Huracan doesn't seem to exhibit the same gearbox problems the Ferrari units are having..and seem pretty damn built proof. We have a couple rental huracans that come in..and you know damn well thise are put through the ringer daily..and so far no real issues. The Ferrari 488 they have..well it's just not holding up well at all. I think they have stopped renting it out..or it goes out very sparingly for photoshoots etc.

 

To the OP: a Ferrari is an irrational purchase. At some point you will be hit with a painful repair bill. The only thing that will make it somewhat less painful is if you absolutely love your car. Buy the one you really want. Don’t settle.

 

\close thread


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Interesting that a Ferrari to you has 4 seats. Just the opposite for me. Oh well. I suggest you talk to a Ferrari mechanic about the effort required working on your options. I did that comparing a 360, 430 and 458. (the 458 is much easier to work on)

The Portofino has an "occasional back seat". Maybe that is an option.

 

458 easier to work on then a 360/430? Who told you this? 458 is start of the wost line of Ferrari's for a tech or anybody else to work on. Simply awful. Add the convertibles to the mix and it only multiplies.. the 360/430 is like working on a 1950 Ford f100 incomparison.

 

Got it and thought so. Between the two I would go FF. It’s a more modern car and more practical but I know the styling can be divisive. It felt more sporty to me than the 612. I do love the looks of the 612 but I know it can be a bit plain for some. Not sure on the upkeep of the 612 but the FF should have or be maintained at the dealer for 7 years so u have comfort there. Hard choice!

 

Buy whatever car you really want— no decision is irrevocable; if you change your mind downstream just sell it— even if you lose some money so what— you will die with money in your pocket anyway and life is short (nasty and brutal as well according to at least one philosopher). Good luck in your decision.

 

Discussion with a Ferrari mechanic at Ferrari New England during open shop day. Many jobs with the older cars require pulling the engine, not so with 458. My question to him was "which one would you rather work on, which one is less a pain in the ass?" But not arguing the point, matters not to me.

 

I would go with the CALI 30 that would be a 2013 or 14 and with the HS package if you can find one I have one it is my third California . I drive it daily and it is a fun car with no real issues .. the last of the NA V8 .... and I like it works perfect for a daily driver...and has a great sound..

 

Something i do not understand is why all the DCT problems with any Ferraris It is the SAME TRANSMISSION as the Porsche PDK and I have not had any issues with either car a Ferrari DCT or a PORSCHE PDK have had much more mileage experience with Porsche and zero problems .... Now I did have a power transfer unit (PTU) go bad on a Porsche cayenne which I assume is similar to the Ferrari design but do not know (2016 cayenne Turbo) it was fixed for free out of warranty by Porsche..

 

I thought PDK was ZF and earlier Ferrari DCT was Gertrag? Not sure if they're same.

My recollection re the early Cali discussion on F-chat is that it was more of an issue of where the sensors were located in the DCT - insufficient cooling leading to failure of the sensors due to heat cycling - rather than inherent mechanical flaws. Also, initially, the DCT could only be replaced en toto not cracked open and repaired. Hence the fox was $$$$ if out of warranty.

FWIW, your experience has been exactly ours with Cayenne/Tiptronic, 911/ PDK and Cali / DCT.

T

 

You may be right ZF VS GERTRAG. Re the sealed transmission that was a good idea .,, never had a PDK or DCT problem on any of my cars
Re the PTU yes that was on. Cayenne turbo..I have also owned about 8 or so PDK 911s turbo S …GTS and S
In either case sounds like the problem was a ferrari related problem

 

For south Florida roads, I don't think dailying any of those three is going to be anything other than an exercise in frustration to be honest.
That said, I'd look perhaps a bit older. 550/575 (or 456 if you need the rear seats) is a great grand tourer, and easy peasy for anyone to repair. Looks better too in my mind.

Either way, buy whichever tugs at your heartstrings the most when you look at it, sit in it, start the engine, etc--and then get the best one you can afford. As others said that's the only way to buy a Ferrari. If it means waiting a year or two, it'll make the moment even sweeter.

 

In a 10 year ownership you will have at least 2 major services for each of the models you are researching. A timing belt service is not a failure, its just a major service for a 612. I owned a granturismo for 11 years (similar to california in that it has a chain driven wet sump v8) and the major service were nearly 5k so not that different from the 612. The cost of failures will be highest with the FF, then the California, and last the 612 as it is the simplest car from a technical perspective.

My 612 is an OTO with the upgraded F1 and I think she shifts just fine in nearly every circumstance, barring stop and go city traffic on a steep uphill slope. Clutch wear is 68% against 55k kms driven.

As others have said…find the nicest example that you can afford and go for it. And remember, you have to own a Ferrari V12 at some point!