575M and California

A friend bought a 575 after testing a California & cancelled his order

One is more modern (interior & gearbox) and has a convertible roof plus token back seats

One costs 25-30 % of the other and will not suffer such depreciation and has a larger trunk

On the road they are about the same size and have similar fuel consumption

It depends what you want

 

Different cars IMO. I do not own a 575, but was close to picking up a 550. The obvious-the Cali is a convertible. That is soooo nice to have. There is nothing like a drop top Ferrari.
Does it justify the increased cost? Only you can answer that. The Cali is so much more modern, again if that's what you want. It is what I wanted. My opinion, if you are considering it, get the 575 and drive it for a while. If you yearn for the Cali's attributes, trade up. You may be very satisfied, and save a bunch of clams in the meantime.

 

I currently own a California and had a 550 several years ago. IMO, the California is a much better car for several reasons:

Faster 0-60, (yes slower top speed, but how often do we go 200+)
Lower maintance costs (no belts or clutch to replace)
The California handling is by far better.
The California is a great daily driver.
The California sound better.
More storage for those weekend trips.
And yes, HARD TOP CONVERTIBLE!

I could add to the list if I had time. You will not be disapointed with the California.

 

umm...the California is daily driver. A Porsche 911 substitute with style and noise and even more comfort. Will the 575 M be your daily driver? Would you need satnav (very useful) bluetooth (for doing business on the road), ipod connector (for tunes in the twisties) and sattellite radio (Stuck in traffic of away from home) in your daily driver? If its just for Sunday cruises a 575M sounds perfect.

 

The 575M is still very old school. All the money was spent on the engine and chassis and none, really, on driver luxuries. There was an optional satellite navigation system, but it is pretty crude by current standards and there was a Hi-Fi option with an amp and one extra set of speakers and upgraded speakers. No idea on fidelity, since I never turn my stereo on. So here is what you get in the way of modern conveniences:

Memory Driver's Seat
Clock
Thermometer (push to see)
Trip Odometer
Climate Control (works great, but no passenger side differential)

That is it.

There was a big change in interior amenities with the introduction of the 612 in 2003 and the California is a whole generation newer with all the stuff we are accustomed to having, like Home-Link, Blue Tooth, cruise control, parking sensors, good Sat-Nav and radio, remotes that are not scarey, plus all the California bennies like the folding top and DCT transmission.

A California will eat a 575M's lunch off the line in acceleration and the 575M will blow by at 125 mph or so, which is kind of useless in day to day driving. Rolling starts are probably pretty even until the higher speed ranges. The California sounds great box stock, while the 575M usually needs some help for a really good exhaust note for early 575Ms, but is a beautiful V12 sound with the late exhaust and especially with the HGTC exhaust.

Take your choice.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I wish 575's were that cheap!

They are more like 50% of the cost of a cali:

575 asking prices on cars.com right now range from $93k to $136k.

Cali's asking prices are $200k to $240k.

Range is $47% to 57%; Mid point to mid point ($114.5k to $220k) is 52%

 

I have to say it seems apples and oranges to me in that one is a convertible and one is not (not to mention that one is a 12 cyl and one a V-8).

If you want something to compare the Cali to, I'd consider the Maser GT and (although a sports car and not a GT) a 430 Spider. A new Maser GTC is likely $150k, while you could get a very low mileage 2008 430 spider for less than $200k (cali price) too...

 

Maybe he was lucky : in the UK a new California lists at just over £ 150 000 with a few extras and he bought his 575 for less than 30 % of that and that remains more or less possible

 

The lowest price I have seen for a 575M in the last year or so was $70K for a nice one that had been in an accident and the highest was $137K for a nearly new HGTC, of which less than 50 were built.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

575 is fantastic to drive and look at. I personally would rather have one of these over a California. I am not 100% sold on the Cali looks or concept. I view the 575 as a timeless design and 100% Ferrari. Good luck with your decision.

Obviously I vote 575.

 

Unfortunately I can't comment from an owner's point of view on either of both, but here's my opinion as a Ferrari-enthusiast:

Based on looks and price, I'd certainly go for the 575. The California looks too soft for me, too much of a girlie-Ferrari (sorry to all owners). No doubt it's a very good car, very fast and well handling too. But it looks narrow and high, which is not what a Ferrari should be imo. And it will surely depreciate heavily, especially once a facelift or replacement arrives.

If open-top driving is what you like, you could also go for the Superamerica, which combines the looks of the 575 with the open air experience of the California, although at much lesser numbers built. A limited edition open-top V12 front-engine Ferrari! If you buy one with the GTC package, the sound is great too! Yes, that would be my choice for sure

Ciao,

Lars T.

 

Lars, the only thing I can agree with you is that the Cali needs a 12 cylinder engine ... not for a need of additional power which of course would be nice, just because a Ferrari should have 12 cylinders. However this transmission blows away the older F1 or any silly six speed manual, and it really sounds great making a beautiful Kapow sound when you shift between 5K and 7K ... great for blowing the eardrums out of the Prius driver that I just passed. I am sure though that they both would draw an equal crowd.

Rick

 

The used 575M and California are not competitors. The California comes with a warranty, modern creature comforts and amenities, a folding top, and lower maintenance requirements and costs. People are buying Californias who would never have considered a 575M or Superamerica, and that is a good thing. More happy owners are good for the community.

Taz
Terry phillips

 

Hi Rick,

I´m certain the California is a great car and will be a delight to drive. It´s purely the looks that I´m not very impressed with: and these are just a matter of individual taste of course. I´ve seen a few Californias in traffic here in Munich lately and all I felt was "ah, nice - a California". A relatively neutral reaction, which is in contrast to my usual much more excited feelings to suddenly seeing a Ferrari in traffic. The shape is nice, but I think that "nice" is just not good enough for a Ferrari. In my opinion the California would need some training in the fitness studio to make it look as powerful as it actually is. A bit wider, a bit lower, a more agressive front - it´s all too soft for my taste now. But... of course I fully respect all other opinions too! I´m happy for anyone who chose to own a California and enjoys his/her car

Ciao,

Lars

 

In a Fifth Gear review from last year the reporter says that the California has the backside of J Lo after a visit to the pie shop which may be true. I have seen the 458 in person and to me it has that very low, very wide rear end look of the Testarossa, VERY cool indeed.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoMzZ-eYNTo[/ame]

 

To me, the Cali is perfect without needing more aggressive looks. It is a beast under a gorgeous disguise. Its like that time on golf course and I see this guy waering converse hightops and jeans and Wilson clubs from Dicks. We were all quite amused until he smacked the ball within 20 feet of flag a la tiger woods.

 

+1

 

The subtle look of the California might be a plus for some. In colors other than red it might be overlooked or confused with something else. Some don't like a flashy car and don't buy a Ferrari to show off. Some just want an awesome daily driver to enjoy curving country roads or to cruise the wine country and make them smile, to enjoy the noise and the luxury you wouldn't get from say a Porsche. Of course if you want a showy Ferrari it would seem the 458 Italia is much better or course it would be better in the curves too, but you might not want to drive it that often.

 

The California and the 550/575 have nearly the same dimensions. The California weighs 4000 lbs. I would love to grab one at today's 550 prices in ten years (unfortunately I will be a grayed hair man by then). The one concern I have are all the electronics. What will it be like in ten years to maintain? Its still a new car and I'll be waiting for the reliability reports.

 

Wayne- There are about the same number of ECUs in a 575M as in a California, so same issue for both cars. Plus a busted ECU in a California is a trip to the dealer for a free replacement. In general, though, the 575 ECUs have been very reliable.

A better comparison might be a Superamerica and a California in price and both have hard tops that open. Still the same issue on warranty. The newest Superamerica is over 5 years old. With only 559 Superamericas built, 10 years from now, no doubt about which would be worth more money.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

This is a really great point. I must admit that the California has really been growing on me lately but there is something soooo appealing about the (newer) SuperAmerica. For practically the same money - it makes for tough choices.

 

Do a search. There have been some problems with the roof on SAs.

Dale

 

Dale- We have a better handle on those problems now. Most actually stem from something as simple as the hydraulic struts, which need to be changed regularly.

Taz
Terry Phillips