Controversy without failure

The California has been a model frought with controversy.
Many old time owners have objected to the fact that it's body work lacked the hard edge style they had expect and become accustomed to from Ferrari. Journalists echoed this concern- one in particular, called it the least desirable Ferrari of all time.

As an owner who has now logged more than 7,000 miles I feel I can offer a genuine opinion of the car.

It is not the "2010 Mondial" which will soon be dismissed and forgotten as a unremarkable model. No offense to Mondial owners who love their cars.

Quite the contrary, the California, inspite of the many early criticisms, is a remarkable model in that it offers so many important innovations. The transmission is a game changer. The direct injection engine offers real improvement in torque. The info Navi phone system makes the Cali the vehicle of choice when embarking on a long trip to an unfamiliar destination. Sorry but the 599, 612, or F430/360 aren't even in the minor leagues by comparison.

A lot of the DNA in the Cali will be echoed in the Italia. One of the reasons I will be ordering an Italia (spyder).

 

Quite the contrary, the California, inspite of the many early criticisms, is a remarkable model in that it offers so many important innovations. The transmission is a game changer. The direct injection engine offers real improvement in torque. The info Navi phone system makes the Cali the vehicle of choice when embarking on a long trip to an unfamiliar destination.

+1

 

I really look forward to a 599 replacement or upgrade with the new transmission. I have been VERY fortunate lately to have been offered a drive in a brand new 599. Torque and comfort was amazing ... the delay in the shift with the F1 transmission was a dissapointment in an otherwise spectacular car compared to my California. But because of the tranni I will stick with the California.

 

I have to laugh at this. When the 599 came out people were absolutely flabbergasted with the speed of the transmission. Incredible how quickly technology changes.

 

very true. just look at how the Scuderia made the CS' tranny feel dinosaur aged as the kids these days would say: it's "ghetto" compared to the Scud and especially the 458. nonetheless, that's one 'oldie' i'd still love love to have

 

Just wanted to clarify that in this sentence I was referring to the Sat, Navi, Music, Phone,Blue tooth integration systems of the 599, 612 or F430/360.

 

I haven't driven it yet but I've seen a few around LA now and they look great. I don't understand the initial hate for it really. It's a nice car, the curvaceous body is attractive. The exhaust sound is excellent.

 

The 612OTO's, late 08's and on, all have the Sat, Nav, Bluetooth, Ipod, HDD, etc. The stereo is a bose unit and sounds way better than the Cali. I have owned both and prefer the info system in the 612 way over the Cali.

 

It may have been me and the day ... it was rainy so I was not able to put my foot in it during a shift, assuming it shifts faster when the power is on.

 

As a Mondial owner, I hate to break it to you...But your car IS the 2010 Mondial. Now you just have to decide how much value you place on other people's opinion, or if you are comfortable enough in your own skin to recognize the fantastic elements of your car and let the criticism role off your back.

If I may illuminate, the Mondial was also a test bed for innovation.
First with anti-lock brakes, first with adjustable suspension, first with automated clutch, first with power steering, the first with a separate rear subframe. It was also considered the vehicle of choice for long trips to unfamiliar destinations.

Oh, and like the California, it was also criticized for its subtle styling at a time when Ferrari had aggressive designs.

Also, like the California, during its day, among those that test drove it, the later Mondials were loved by the automotive press, at least from the three dozen or so articles I have secured.

Whether the Mondial turns out to be loved or unloved down the road, who knows, I can think of a handful of other 4 seat Ferraris that went from unloved to loved overnight.

FWIW, the guys who bought the Mondials in the 80's had no idea they would get dumped on twenty years later,but probably endured some level of ribbing at the gate, as California owners are now.. You are a modern Mondial owner in denial...I just hope that time is kinder to your car than you have been to others....

I wouldn't try distancing yourself from the Mondial like it is some kind of pariah. The car is fantastic....its the snobs who believe they are the only arbiters of taste who criticize it (and of course have never driven one). Sound familiar? It should, because its exactly what is happening right now with your California.

 

Yep, the Cali took a bunch of heat until they started to spread around. Your Mondial comments made me look at them in Cars.com ... looks like it is a fun drive, and not for a ton of money ($25K - $45K is really a bunch for a 25 year old car but not a Ferrari). Hopefully I get offered a ride here NW Ohio someday.

Rick

 

The Cali is good looking car, and white present well!
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+1
I've got 1,000 on my Cali now. I was worried i'd regret trading my 07 430 in for it. Fortunately, i really love the Cali and it really fits my style. The two things i'm still getting used to are 1) seating position and constant adjustment and 2) exhaust note. I just loved the sound of the 430. Yes, the Cali is good, different, but seems less exciting to me. One exception is under higher rpm that 'pop' is really cool.

Regardless of the data, the Cali seems just as fast as the 430. Maybe cause of the new tranny and extra gearing. ?????

 

Yes the tranny and gearing help a lot.

 

I've had my Cali for two months now, it's a sheer joy to drive. I receive nothing but compliments on its looks and performance...

 

+1

 

Some people have criticized the Cali as looking too conservative compared to the 430 or 458. But everybody in the forum seems to love the styling.

My friend complains that the passenger seat bolsters are too tight, even on the widest setting. He's quite tall at about 5'11 or 6ft tall, and he says the bolsters squeeze his butt uncomfortably. Wondering if anybody else has experienced this.

I am very thin, so I don't feel the bolsters at all (gotta start working out more!).

 

It won't compare with the speed of shifting in the California, but if it was dry and you switched from wet to sport or race set up on the car, it will tidy up the shifting time quite nicely

 

Hopefully I get the offer again when it is dry!

 

For me the seat bolsters have taken some getting used to. I plan to exercise more and eat more properly for my New Years resolution!

 

I have also noticed the seat feels a bit narrow. I am 6'2" and in pretty good shape. I'm not sure which seats I have though... I noticed on the configurator, that there are three sizes available.

 

I traded my 07 430 spyder for the Cali. The Cali is way more driver/traffic every day driver friendly. If you want a super car it is not. If you want a driver that does everything great its the car for you....The car is a better version than the Sl-65......Cheers

 

Enjoy it while it's current.

I remember when the 355 F1 was the game changer and the "best car in the world".

I'm not a Mondial fan in particular, but I imagine their manual gearboxes, manual tops, simple K-Jet, etc., will be around long after our nav systems, DSG, and so on start to look like a Commodore 64.

 

Yes have enjoyed the AMG SLs before and have to say I much prefer the feel and looks of my California - have about 3,000 km on it so far and touch wood - no issues so far.

 

It still is!