458 Spider or California T

When you try the 458 spider, switch the Manettino to Race Mode, then you will never want to get into any California anymore. It's like day and night difference, one has sunshine, and the other is dark.
But remember, don't go over Race Mode unless your dad is Anthony Hamilton.

 

For ~10% more you will get a driving experience that is different from most cars. The California is still a Ferrari but with the motor up front and the 2+2 seating layout, its a lot closer to most cars. Since you said your father isn't buying this for daily transport my advice is to pay the premium and get that more sporty driving experience. If he likes to drive, he'll never want to stop driving it. The 458 is really a watershed car.

 

I traded in my 2013 Spyder and ordered a Cali T. I've also owned a 458 Italia and a California. I prefer the GT experience for driving around town. The Spyder, although a great car, attracted too much attention. So much so, I ended up rarely bringing it out anymore. The Spyder is an awesome car to drive, but forget parking it anywhere.

 

+1

 

458 spider from a fellow Italia owner.

Admittedly haven't driven the California t, the first gen was decent but not a sports car if that's what your dad wants.

Sunny

 

I think the answers in this thread has shown you the advantages/disadvantages to each car. Personally the Cali would never come on my radar the spider would. Ultimately, after a test drive your father will know which way to turn.

 

I agree with most of the others. Since the car isn't going to be daily driven, the 458 is the better choice, as the drive will be more special. And don't turn off the driver aids completely unless you've got the skills of Daniel Ricciardo or Mark Webber.

 

I've been driving a friend's 458 around for a while now, and just test drove the California T.

458. Everyday. All day.

Especially if you are not using the car for a daily driver.

It's a no-brainer.

Get the 458.

 

Will it be just the two of you on drives, or will there occasionally be a 3rd person? I could take both daughters to weekend breakfast in my Californa - can't do it in the Spider.

 

Try to drive the 458 spider with roof opened IN RACE MODE to 8,000 or 9,000 rpm, let go the pedal and apply soft brake, downshift at 6,500 to 7,000 rpm (repeatedly), flick the paddle very fast and don't hold it while downshifting. It will sound like a mini F1 with gunshot bonus, EARGASM.
The screaming and downshift sound can be heard from 1 km away. There is no way any California can produce sound like this, even you modified the exhaust.
And for the Cali T, when you drive it at high rpm (turbo kicks-in), you won't feel your pedal anymore. The throttle feeling in turbocharged engine is rubbish.

 

+458

 

Mik, I think Ferrari runs the same program in the Cali30 as it does the same thing - the Cali30 will go BANG as loud as a shotgun going off and the rear end will literally lift off the ground. The Cali30 may be by design, not as loud as the 458 ALL of the time but when you want it to, it can be just as loud, SOME of the time. Revving the Cali30 to 7,000-8,000 rpm will also give you the F1 sound.

I agree about the turbo throttle feel. While it delivers torque with incredible ease, it lacks the raw response of of the NA engine.

 

IMHO the Cali T never sound like the 458, just listen to the F1 cars and other Turbo charged cars like the Maclaren....

 

+1 on the 458.