Should I get a California?

Nailed it.


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This would presumably be the Cali 30 based on the year. If so, it’s a great car, 30 more hp and 30kg lighter. I’ve had a lot of fun with ours, and the best part is bringing the kids along and enjoying the NA V8 roar.

The back seats will probably become unusable at some point though, and with the kids getting bigger, will probably shift to a mid-engine convertible and keep a true 4 seater (FF/Lusso) for the family.

 

The California suffers from the same stigma that the Cayman suffers in the Porsche lineup.

In the case of the California, it's not a V12 or a mid engine V8 (in the Cayman case, it's not a 911).

For hoi polloi Tifosi, the California is basically a car you buy to get another Ferrari.

But at the end of the day, you should be buying the car for the only person that matters. You.

If you like it, buy it.

If you don't, don't.

It really is that simple.

 

Like a lot of firsts, the California represented a shift from the past with Ferrari and it wasn't well received at first (myself included), but is now beloved by many including people who also own more hardcore models.

Everyone generally seems to have their line when Ferrari stopped making 'real' Ferraris. You have the 308/328 guys, you got the manual guys, we'll soon have the naturally aspirated guys, and so on. The FF was also punished when it came out but it's such a great car and by the time the lusso came out, the criticisms and jokes seemed to had disappeared.

I would say a couple other cars where the core customers fought but ultimately lost would be the Porsche Cayenne (can't make an suv!), Lamborghini Gallardo (it's an audi and doesn't even have lamborghini doors!), and the Cadillac Escalade (cadillac makes cars and this is tacky!). The only radically different cars that were well received by Ferrari community were probably the 360 and Enzo.

I wish I was more open-minded when the car came out, I went to a training outside Vegas and honestly should've enjoyed the drive more than I did, but I was a snob about it at the time and caught up on things that are irrelevant now (wet sump motor, dct, etc.). It's a nice car, very fast and capable and it hit the target Ferrari was aiming for.
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I liked mine. I regret selling it.

 

People wave at us and give us “thumbs up” all the time! What’s not to like?

 

I love my 2014 California 30… so much so I decided to trade up to a Portofino M (on order) over a 296 GTS.

I have had many Ferrari’s over the years… 308 GTS, Testarossa, 360 Modena, 430 Spider, and 488 Spider. I enjoyed all of them with the 430 Sider being my favorite of these mid-engine sports cars series.

I have come to appreciate the front engine hard top convertible with a little more interior space. I do miss the power of the 488 spider which is the main reason I am upgrading to the Portofino M.

 

Makes for a great "dailyable" ferrari without all the extra drama

 

Ben, I’m curious as to how you posted your question. Is this car the first Ferrari you’ve considered? Remember that owning an exotic car is a commitment of time and money. You may think that a California is an entry level Ferrari, but all Ferrari’s have their pros and cons, and maintaining them is not cheap! If your biggest concern is respect from the Ferrari “community” I think you need to read as much as you can about the California and other Ferrari’s that interest you. Someone else’s opinion, in the end, does not matter. Do you like the car, and can you afford to maintain it? That’s the bottom line.

 

Is a California the most sought after model - no. If you like the car - buy it. I'd love to have a 458 Spider but not in the cards financially at this time. I bought a 2011 California 14 months ago. Personally I love the style & plenty fast for this 61 year old. Trust me this car is VERY recognizable as a Ferrari. Get thumbs-up every time I drive it.

 

This thread is typical F-chat comedy gold!

OP & others thinking about taking the Ferrari plunge - keep in mind not only purchase price, but maintenance/service costs.

FWIW, our '11 Cali has been pretty reliable after 7 years and 30 K miles. But, if & when something goes awry, expect repair bills that are easily $$$$ and if something goes really haywire you can get repair bills that would pay for a used Toyota Corolla...T

 

Good analogy. Purists may scoff, but the Cayman is a great car, and I've never met anyone at PCA meetings who regretted buying one. Full disclosure - I own a 911, because my wife said so!
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Joe - I have a Porto and am actively shopping for 488 Spider. I’ve heard all about the 458 is probably more collectible but the 488 I find better looking and obviously more powerful, so that’s the focus.

Was the 488 an easy car? Any major issues worth checking out? I have eyes on one where the New Power will go out until 2025 and it’s the right spec for me. My Porto had the TFT go out within the first month so I’m worried specifically about electronic gremlins not covered by the new power. So, any thoughts would be welcome!

 

Get the car if you like it. A lot of hate from people who don’t have and never will have a Ferrari. Lot of hate from people who only buy exorbitant Ferraris. But I have 11 cars (aiming for 12 soon) and my Portofino fits the exact mark I wanted - it replaced a 911 because I have boys who love cars. I’d rather have my boys with me in a “fake Ferrari” than be alone in a “real” Ferrari. Buy it love it and live life. Godspeed my friend!

 

My 2018 488 Spider was an amazing car. I ordered it new and the only minor issue I ever had with it was a defective battery. I sold the car in 2020 as I was not driving it enough due to Covid restrictions and used the capital to start another business.

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Unless you plan to join the local Ferrari Club, or have multiple friends who own a Ferrari, you will never meet a person who looks down their nose at a California. I’m not a lifelong Ferrari owner. I have owned a ‘13 Cali for over three years and people always go out of their way to come over and drool over the car (figuratively, of course), often asking to take a picture with it, or honk and give a thumbs up out the window with a huge grin on their face. I have never met anyone who thought the car was anything less than spectacular. As for costs, if you buy a nice new car today it will be worth half or less what you paid for it in a few years, so why not get something that makes you want to drive it anytime and anywhere. The Cali - 30 is fast, sounds fantastic, handles well and my friends think I’m a rock star. It’s worth every penny.

 

The OP has not responded. I guess we gave him a lot to think about!

 

I own a 2013 Cali, go for it. I have other models from the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and the Cali 30 will remain in my stable.

 

First you have to ask the haters what they think about the 365, 400, 412, Mondial, many won't even know how they look. If so, they don't know their Ferraries. I you only know the most popular and sought after models ...

Many of the haters don't have a Ferrari, can't afford a Ferrari and 99% of the haters have never driven a Ferrari.

The California is the first of many things in the Ferrari world. The first to have a front mounted V8, the first to have the dual clutch gearbox, which all models since the introduction of the California have etc. etc. etc. The California is a daily driver and it loves miles. The California is a great car even it did not have the Ferrari badge.

 

We’re taking ours to a Cars and Caffeine event this morning! Can’t wait!

 

Spring has finally come to the frozen north, Alex?
T

 

Ive had a 355, 360 and California and to me, the California was a great car. I didnt care if people respected it or not. Im not so insecure I care what others think. It was a fantastic car, and shouldnt have sold it. Probably get another or a Portofino.

 

If it's the right Ferrari for you don't worry about what other people say. I moved from Maserati to my California and was asked by someone I knew from that group of owners "why a California". The reason for me was that I use mine for touring and wasn't quite brave enough to buy a V12 engined car. The ability to have the roof down is a bonus. I've done around 20,000 miles so far and the smile is still on my face.

Last year's trip to Italy through the alps more than justified my choice to me

 

It’s a sad fact, but as I have got older I have realised that I am less interested in how fast a car can lap the Nurburgring, or whether Michelin tyres have better limit handling than the Pirelli equivalent. So it is with the actual vehicle, I am a little sad to say that I have grown out of the mid engined V8’s, I have grown tired of arriving at my destination feeling like I’ve been in the washing machine on fast spin. That was fine in my 20’s and 30’s, but not any more. Don’t get me wrong, I still have some fire in my belly, I’m not ready to roll over just yet, I’m in my 50’s, and hardly “old” but I just want to dial it down a few notches.

With that introduction, and for those reasons I decided to buy a California T a couple of years back and I am very happy with it. I find it comfortable, plenty fast, just the right level of aggression and I can drive the whole day straight and still feel good at the end of it.

So, in summary… the Cali and Cali T are outstanding sports tourers that you can drive fast all day long and not be broken at the end. If you want to drive everywhere with your hair on fire then buy a mid engined F. car. Whatever, they are all great cars for their intended purpose.

 

Welcome OP.
I was really intrigued by the Cali when it came out but tbh didnt love the styling and was put off by all the negative reviews.
The T seems a great improvement (except in the sound department) so have recently bought one - although its been stuck in Ferrari Lisbon for almost 4 weeks waiting for a rubber seal! A piece of rubber is standing between me and my dream of joining the Fezzer club.. sigh. Although the end is in sight and it should be ready for collection this Friday.
I recently sold a 992C2S Cab because frankly it just left me cold, didnt love the looks and it never made me feel special behind the wheel.
I decided I was ready for a Ferrari and for me it was really between the Cali T and a 488 Spider (it has to be open top driving for me) and an 812 GTS - oh if only!!!. Ultimately I decided I wanted something that was practical for some European road trips and wouldn't leave me battered and bruised every time I took it out. And at 53 I think a GT better suits me now.
I also considered the Portofino but I may be one of the few that actually prefers the styling of the Cali T - although I appreciate the Portofino is a better car in every other way.
The 488 would have been fun to track but hey me and a few friends are on the hunt for a Radical SR3 and that will more than scratch that track itch.

There's a large expat community in Southern Portugal and I have plenty of friends with various Ferrari's, Lambos, 911's, Astons etc. and I can say that not a single person has been disparaging about my choice of a Cali and in fact are really excited to see it and get a drive in it.

It may be a 'lesser' Ferrari but it will be all mine and I know I'll smile every time I see the shields so I say to hell with the purists - if its in your price point and you can afford the annual servicing and new power warranty (together the cost of a small family car haha) then go for it and tick that bucket list item