California v California T

I have a 2013, so I am biased. It's hard to beat a naturally aspirated Ferrari V8. It's tone is one of the things that make the car. And, the price jump to the turbos is not insignificant. Both versions seem to have the same big gremlins (DCT and kinematics of the roof). But, the earlier versions do seem to be more prone. I'd go with the '13 or '14 to get the extra 30 hp and lose 30 kg of weight. They also seem to not be as prone to the DCT issue as the earlier versions.

 

I still have a 2011. I think the DCT issues are over reported. I've got 40k+ miles on my car. Other than a roof failure - car had been pretty reliable. Top issues will be the same risk on a Cali, Cali-T, & Porto. As above - if you can find a Cali-30 by all means get it. Great car.

 

I have a T, and I do like the looks better than the original. But I have my T because it was the best deal that dropped into my lap.

The only compelling reason to get a T is that they are newer, and thus more likely to be in better condition. But the gremlins are the same, mostly. The Ts have the oil leak/turbo problem, and the original has the problem with the LED buttons falling out in the headlights.

 

I recently bought a 2015 T. My first Ferrari. It was the newest, least expensive Ferrari on the lot. 40K+ miles. Wasn't pristine, but not abused. Already been back to the dealer twice for right paddle not engaging first. The infotainment system is being upgraded. I haven't seen an earlier Cali, so can't compare. Still coming to grips with the Ferrariness vs my Porsches. Overall, I like the car. But, that's me

 

FWIW,
I have a '10 that is my first Ferrari and I use it as a daily driver. Just passed 63K on it and, so far, nothing to report regarding the DCT or roof. I spoke with a master technician and when I asked about the trans, he asked the mileage. When I told him, he was taken aback and said "you won't have any issues...".

 

I loved my 2013 California 30 (and would never have sold if it hadn't been necessary at the time). It sounded great, felt measurably faster (midrange) than the 2012 I compared it to, and was a beautiful car.

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A couple years later, I bought a 2015 Cali T and it was everything the 30 was plus a lot more torque and power. It didn't sound quite as good, but I put the HS Speciale exhaust on it which improved it a lot, it had a deep throated bark to it. I missed the rifle report shifts from the 30 but other than that it would have been very difficult for me to go "backwards" into another Cali 30 after owning the T, just because the T felt that much more powerful and responsive and you get used to that in a hurry. Objectively I liked the looks of the front and rear of the Cali T better, as well.

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I really don't think there's a wrong answer here, but I would not buy a 2009-2012 before sampling a 2013-2014, it's a really nice upgrade.

Now I have a black 458 Spider which is sensational but I do miss the under-the-radar aspects of the California, as well as the more comfortable ingress and egress at my advanced age, so I may wind up going backwards anyway

 

Sorry to digress, but the paddle issue is likely a small fragile plastic actuator in the mechanism which hits the microswitch to activate the shifts that has cracked or broken ... do not let the dealer replace the whole assembly for $4k ... you can glue it back together, buy an aftermarket replacement piece or have one cast or 3D printed and fix the whole issue in an hour. Ferrari, of course, does not sell that little piece separately.

 

I chose a 2014 Cali 30HS due to upgraded transmission cooling and I didn’t want to deal with turbo or oil leak issues that are potential issues with the T. No regrets.

 

The car has a warranty and was fixed twice by replacing the plastic actuator.

 

I am comfortable with higher mileage cars that have been taken care of and has a service history. I have more experience with Porsches where 100K miles is usually not an issue. But your comfort level may be very different from mine.

 

Personally I'd look for the ones that have already had the transmission repairs done, or in the case of the T, the oil leaks resolved. If you're going to use it as a daily driver and dog hauler, mileage doesn't really matter.

 

I also prefer the look of the original Cali compared to the T (the major difference is the front). I would buy a Cali 2013, it comes with the HS package (extra horsepower, better handling, …).

I sold my 2013 Cali HS earlier this year to buy a 2020 Lusso. I’m in love with the Lusso, it’s phenomenal, absolutely no regrets, hope to keep it for many years. A part of me misses the Cali, should have kept it alongside the Lusso and have the 2 cars in my garage.

 

Better buy a car with a higher mileage. Low mileage for cars that are about 15 years old = garage queen = generally issues to come that have not been seen before.

I drove about 5,000 miles a year with my Cali30 HS. Daily driver, they are made to be used regularly.

 

Hello, I just purchased a 2013 Cali 30. It’s perfect and I have 2 year CPO. I drove Porto’s, T’s but chose the 30. I actually rented a T for 4 days. It was nice but I like the Pinn. design, normally aspirated and the looks (plus about $30-40k) I think it’s much better looking, has more than enough power for me.

 

I have owned a 2011 cali and 2013 California 30HS.. i daily drive my 2013 for the last couple of years minimal problems and I just love the car. I like the looks of the original cars better ..I would also say to get a 2013/2014.
The little extra of the 30 is nice…

 

The first generation was split between the California 2009-2012,
And the cali 30 2013 and 2014. No visual difference to amount to much
But weighs 30k. Less and has 30 more hp. THE 30 may include some 2012 cars but not clear about that ..also you may see some 2013 /2014
California with silver gills they were meant as a way to differentiate the HS package but they became an option on all2013/14 cali30s..
I think the cali 30 sounds better and felt better ie sportier.

 

[QUO TE="anunakki, post: 150272334, member: 24927"]I cant find any visual difference between first gen. and the 30. i only see the differences once it went to the T. Can you tell me what is different on the 30?[/QUOTE]

Visually very little .... I think the side intakes were silver? But the car is 30 kilos lighter with 30 more horsepower, and the gearing takes good advantage of that, feels much more lively.

 

Ok dumb question but are all the Cali30's of a certain year? I've read 2012,2013? Please help

 

Yes, the Cali 30 is 2012 and 2013, I believe the T (turbo) came out in 2014. I have seen numbers on the threads before, but there were somewhere around 2980 made (not sure of the exact amount). The Pininfarina design and the naturally aspriated engine make a 30 a great Ferrari

 

In the US, the Cali 30 was 2013-2014 ... Cali T came along in 2015.