California or 612

That is a very good question! I had a 612. I got out of it right before the s*** hit the fan.
It depreciated like a bomb after I was clear. Whew. The 612 was a bit big for me for a Ferrari. I have a QP as a daily driver and I wanted something a bit more nimble. I really don't know haw to explain it any better. Anyway, I flipped the 612 for a QP and a 997TT.
Naturally, the bug had bit and I really missed the F-car. I had fun with the 997TT, but as it goes, I again began the hunt. I decided that a California would be perfect for me. It has blazing performance, modern Ferrari technology, and all the GT comforts I was looking for.
I could certainly get back into a 612 for much less $$. However, the 612 seems like the Bentley Continental and the California seems akin to a 911 (but with the Passione).
The 612 is certainly fun to throw around a bit, but the California seems more of a sports car and more youthful rather than an about town cruiser.
This is naturally my personal opinion. The 612 is an absolutely beautiful machine.
If you want plenty of room, go for the 612. If you want something a bit more sporty, go California. Drive them both plenty and you will find your way.

 

Seems like a night and day choice of two entirely different images and styles. What is your style?

 

I love the 612, as 4 seater it's my favorite on the market

 

612 is different car, something extremely special.
Calirfornia is more of a sporty style drive.

My pic is a 612, especially at the prices today. You will never look back.

 

Part of the mission of a daily driver is predicated on reliability.
How do the 612 and Cali compare in this area?

 

Jerry, have you driven a 612? Give thought to the luxury/comfort features. My primary driver is a 612 ('08 OTO), my wife's is a GTC; I enjoy both but find the GTC much more luxurious - easier to get in and out of, nicer interior, quieter, etc. Something to think about. I love the 612, but it doesn't pamper you the way the Bentley does.

 

If you're going to use the car as a daily driver, the cost of regular maintenance is something to consider. From what I understand, the 612 will cost much, much more than the California. Isn't the California designed to require less maintenance than past Ferraris because they expect it to be used more often, i.e. daily, compared to previous models?

 

In theory, the Cali is suppposed to have less frequent and cheaper scheduled maintenance.
Time will tell on that point.

One reason to get the Cali is that when the 612 replacement arrives, which is soon, you might not feel so much love for the 612.

 

Maybe you should also consider the 599 GTB, its the most highly regarded of the current front engined Ferrari's, and is a true supercar in a GT package. If you don't need the 4 seats of the 612 or the fold away roof of the California, the logical car would be the 599 GTB in my option..

 

This is just my own personal take on it, but the 612 holds no appeal to me at all compared to sportier GTs. 612 is too luxury/boat-like for my personal style. I don't want to project that image. I want a sports car-like experience in a GT package. The 599 or F149 are more a sport GT to me. 612 is more like a floating barge, just way too big.

I'm sure the 612 is totally amazing, based on owner's reviews and comments, but it's also a matter of image. That is the main point of having a Ferrari anyway: image, ego, sex appeal, status, pleasure. At that level you should get what you really want and want the world to see.

 

yeah why not go with the 599?

 

The 599 is indeed a good compromise. I suppose it depends on the need for the top down. That is an unparalleled experience in a Ferrari!

 

ive never spent time in a 599 but from the friends i have who own them, they say the car is very driveable around town, even to the extent of being able to use bluetooth comfortable when the windows are up. the performance of the car speaks for itself. IMO it blows away driving a bentley everyday.

 

"I don't want to project that image. I want a sports car-like experience in a GT package. The 599 or F149 are more a sport GT to me. 612 is more like a floating barge, just way too big."


Image comments interest me. I've owned both the 599 and 612, and prefer the image of the 612. It's hard to tell what people really think of the cars, but I found young guys seem to prefer the 8 cyl cars and 599, and nearly everyone else prefers the 612. To my eye, the 612 is more understated and elegant than the 599, which tries too hard. Is the 612 big? Oh, yes.

For me, the right mix has become a 12 cyl for the street and a 430 Challenge for the track. I love the 8 cylinder cars, but they're just too flashy for my street use.

 

Yeah baby. You got dat right. Pimpin ain't easy. Best done on the down low.

Dale

 

I'd agree with much that's been said here. It is of course about personal taste, and capacity for depreciation

I love my 612, paid 275 on a 350 sticker when the car had 300 miles on it in early summer 2008. I've easily lost another 100K on that in 15K miles. I've owned and driven a lot of cars and have owned or driven pretty much every Ferrari made since the 308, the 612 is my favorite regular everyday road car that Ferrari makes.

People mostly don't know what it is, and I don't get the hassle at the gas station or the traffic lights that comes with the other cars (599 included).

It really does fit 4 in a way that a 911 could never aspire to. My 7/8 year olds really don't fit in the 911 anymore but are very happy on long trips in the 612.

The Cali is really a two seater in the same way the 911 is, the rear seats aren't too useable. Its a big step down in quality in terms of the switch gear and sat nav etc (although the bose in the '08 612 annoys some).

I'd buy a Gran-Cabrio over a Cali, its 60-70K cheaper to start with, its bigger in the back and in my view its prettier. I'm waiting to drive the demo come spring and will probably get one myself.

I plan to keep the 612 and then replace it with the new 612 when that comes along. But an '08 or '09 612 at 180-220K would be my choice over a Cali.

 

"Yeah baby. You got dat right. Pimpin ain't easy. Best done on the down low."


Hey, Homes.

 

Thats reason enough for me to get a 612. We have been thinking of a California or a Bentley Continental GT. Never thought about a 612 until this thread..but now seems the best choice for us to haul around our family of 4.

 

If you are aiming to use it frequently for 4 passengers, then the 612 is much better suited. The backs seats in the Cali are just like those in my Porsche Turbo. They can be used in a pinch, but don't make sense for anything other than super short hauls (as driver and passenger leg space would also be compromised to make room for the rear passengers.

 

"Thats reason enough for me to get a 612. We have been thinking of a California or a Bentley Continental GT. Never thought about a 612 until this thread..but now seems the best choice for us to haul around our family of 4."


Not sure there's much back seat difference between the 612 and CGT. The CGT may have more trunk space, which could be important.

 

I have a CGT Speed ,have driven 612 extensively.
612 has a significantly larger back seat that can easily fit an adult,while Bentley is a very tight fit.
Getting in and out of the back seat of 612 is much easier too.

 

Absent - would you give up the Bentley for a 612? Just curious. When I drive my wife's GTC, I wonder whether it wouldn't be more comfortable than the 612 for longer trips, and more convenient than the 612 around town. The GT's power is great, and I assume the Speed, which I've never driven, is even better.

 

If you need to accomodate 3-4 adults on a daily basis, I don't know if a 2 door car is a great solution no matter if it is a 612 or Bentley.

In this case, I would think a 4 door car to be the best choice. If you want it sporty, there is the Porsche Panamerica.