California or MP4-12C?

This may sound like a real joke, but it’s in fact a genuine question I have. Both models are roughly priced the same in my market (12C a tad higher) and while they are completely different cars, made for different purposes many would say, it’s puzzling me a lot.

I have always been a big fan of the 612 HGT-S (pre-OTO) but there are many downsides compared to the 2 other options:

1. t’s not as modern, I have no problem whatsoever driving F1 gearboxes (I daily drove one for a few years and if the PIS is set right, they work fantastically well, included in the city), but a dual clutch would be a smoother option.
2. It’s priced higher than both the other ones while it should be, in my opinion, price about the same as a Cali that is from the next generation.
3. The engine is surely great but it still has belts and consumes about twice as much at the 2 previous options and will require more maintenance.

At some point I was considering the 599 GTB but it’s a bit more expensive, you lose 2 seats, although you get a real supercar. While it’s more modern than the 612 and no more timing belts to think about, you still need to deal with a few downsides.

Being rationale and cost conscious, again in my particular market, the MP4-12C and the Cali have very good appeal.

Since I started racing cars, I completely lost interest into tracking road cars, and let’s be honest, that is not what they are made for. Keep in mind, I will definitely daily drive, or almost daily drive whatever I end up opting for. I also always like GT cars, and while the McLaren qualifies as a supercar, it does ride like a GT. Last, but not least, I don’t really like or care about convertibles, particularly Italian, because every odd smell from outside becomes a real worry. Yes, it’s getting complicated

Cali wise, I am still a bit concerned about the DCT box, because there is a good chance I would end up with a 09, 10 or 11 car. I think about it as a Coupe, with an extra convertible car coming in for free. I quite like the looks (it’s elegant ang GT like), the engine (after all, that’d be my third iteration of the F136), the 2 fake rear seats because my kids are young enough to fit on short trips, and it’s fast enough for what I want to do. I am still inches away to switch though because I am a bit done with the Italian quirkiness and issues.

MP4-12C wise, I would get a coupe, which is my preferred option. The performance is incredible, I love the looks as well, the practicality for what it is. I am very excited about the carbon tub as well and the spec sheet is still impressive today. The downsides would be that it doesn’t sound as good as the Cali but completely make up for it with the stratospheric performance; and the major one would be not to have rear seats, but in fact that would probably be an annoyance only a handful if times per year. Also, the doors could be a bit of an annoyance in our hyper urban environment, but it may be worth it!

All things being equal, and in my opinion, the 12C is more of a collector I guess and more car for the money, while it may be a bit too strict for some, and lack a bit of that Italian randomness that we love somehow. It’s also sound in terms of being lightweight, and I would be alone in the car most of the times. It may become a bit philosophical: head or heart? Is it really what it is about, because there are many things to love about a MP4 as well?

I see the comments coming that will say that the MP4-12C should be compared to a 458 Spider and I get that, however, I’d be interested in getting real world opinions, maybe from an owner or previous owner of both cars, to help me weight the pros and cons, and feed my reflection. Thank you!

 

One thing I would note is that even though the DCT gearboxes do have a reputation, the repair pathway is pretty well established and there are providers across the world to do them.
The Graziano gearbox isn't known to be bulletproof either, so I would call that bit a tie.

Apart from that, two completely different cars. Hard to compare apples to oranges. I don't like MP4-12C styling, but I appreciate the engineering and performance. I love California styling, and I can live with the lack of engineering and performance