Portofino vs California T

I have driven both the California, own a California T and driven a Portofino.
Huge difference between the two California motocars. The Portifino feels to me about the same unless you really push it. Since illI never push it to where I could really see the difference it's a mute point. I guess if you're going to track or if you are on the west coast where you can really push it through the mountains sure the Portofino might feel a little bit better but in my neck of the woods I could seldom push it to where it makes a difference.
Interior Portofino is a little nicer again matter of opinion. Steering maybe a little stiffer. the big question would I spend another $30-$40,000 difference based on what you can buy a 17 California T for. No
Unless you have money to burn I still think the T it's a good deal for under 200k.

 

I currently have a Cali T HS and am waiting for a 488 Spyder. I was lucky enough to take an extended test drive of the Portofino. What follows is my opinion:

The Portofino has a nice upgraded infotainment system. The Cali T HS is more of a minimalist but it does your basic directions, streams spotify, and the apple carplay is interesting.

In my opinion, the Cali T HS looks beautiful. Non-Ferrari owners and Ferrari owners alike comment on how beautiful it is. In my opinion the Portofino is more muscle and aerodynamics than beauty. Its similar to shift between the 812 vs the F12, and I like the F12 more than the 812.

The Portofino sounds pretty similar to the Cali T HS. They both sound good. The HS has a special exhaust and my valves are open. It still doesn't sound like the 488.

Idk about the leg room, I'm 6 2 and so I put the seat all the way back. There is probably more leg room.

The Cali T HS steering is pretty good, I prefer it to the Portofino.

I agree with Wreck111, I am not convinced enough to get a Portofino.

 

I think when it comes to these cars Ferrari is walking a fine line. They are GT cars but they are also sporty, but they cannot be real sports cars like the 488. The Portofino has a more updated interior and it may have more torsional stiffness, be lighter, more powerful have bigger (but still mostly useless) back seats, etc, but it still needs to be what buyers want which is a Ferrari you can use (almost) everyday. Spend 4 hours driving a 430 and then spend 4 hours driving a CA/Porto, you will know exactly what I mean. The CA models sold a lot of cars for Ferrari, they are going to mess with the formula too much.

 

With regards to your question about the boot space, a lot of journalists have got this wrong.

The California had 340L boot space when roof was closed and 240L when open.

The only Portofino figure I have found is 292L, which I'm sure will be with the roof open. I have seen a number of comparison pictures and, as you have stated, the boot is not as wide in the Portofino.

 

Well I owned a 17 Cali T HS from new to this past May. I think it sounded great, looked great and really liked it a lot. I got to test drive the Portofino and decided that it wasn't worth spending $275k to get the Portofino so I found a new 2018 488 Spider and bought that. To me, that is the next move up but it also depends on what you are looking for. The 488 is a really good track car, I have had mine at COTA twice now. It is also a good DD but it only has two seats so you lose space to put things like groceries at the store. I don't take it to the store so that isn't a problem.

The 488 sound is sooo much better than either the Portofino or the Cali T HS IMO but the Cali T has more pops and barks the way they set it up. However, the 488 sound is way better than the Cali T when you drive around with the top down. The other benefit on the Portofino is that you can open the top while rolling and the 488 Spider has the same capability. When it comes to handling and speed, I don't think there is that much difference in the Portofino and Cali T HS as I took the Portofino through some curves at speed where I also had driven the Cali T HS many times and I think there was maybe a little oversteer but he car definitely felt less certain in those curves at those speeds. I would have to drive the Porto at the track for a full comparison but the 488 is massively better in corners at the track because it's so much more stable and is lower than the Cali T HS.

Between the Cali T HS and Portofino, you will get more bang for your buck buying the former, IMO.

Here is a revving contest between the Cali T HS and the 488 the day the 488 was delivered.

 

Plenty of Cali Ts can be had for $150k.....so much going for it at that price.

 

I actually still miss the cali t hs... So elegantly sporty, with both roof up and down... Yes, for the price, it's a great bargain.

 

it's more than that. The Port feels more playful when driven at 7-8 10ths. I drove out CT back to back with the Port and felt that the driving dynamics were 20% better. It felt like a sports car vs the CT that feels like a GT...the Port felt more like (dare I say) a Ferrari in the sports car sense. With the CT on the Port would oversteer and have way more fun. The CT, not so much.

99.9% of buyer won't ever feel the difference between the CT and the Port. It will come down to aesthetics and money.

Our CT was higher spec vs the Port we drove so to me our CT was 'nicer' interior wise. However, there is no doubt the Port with the same stuff as our CT would be better.

For 150-180 the CT is a walk away no-brainer. You won't be disappointed. There are no other cars for sale that come close. Elegant, fast, fun. Maybe the best overall Ferrari avail.

Well, until the Port.

We have a Port on order.

 

I thought the steering in the Porto was much "tighter" and more direct than in my 2011 Cali. In fact, that was the biggest diff that hit me; full disclosure, my Porto test drive was mostly around town on surface streets. Have not driven a T so cannot say how the steering feels vis-a-vis the Porto...T

 

Totally agree with that. Steering for me, again based on short launch event drive, definitely fealt tighter, more precise, than my Cali T. More like my 488. But reminded more still of my old 991.1.



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CaliTHS was a fun special whip and there are days I miss it and have no idea why I sold it, such is the life of a downtowner with limited garage space. Anyhow I drove the Porto and the CaliTHS back to back and I will say that they are very similar in driving experience but my conclusions are below.. I will definitely grab a Porto at some point but the T-HS or T is the Ferrari bargain right now.

T-HS Win: Sound of exhaust is louder, firmer suspension, interior has more detail, and I prefer the overall shape at some angles.
Porto Win: Slightly better play and handling (slides more), engine revs faster, better tech, and I love the new steering wheel and controls (like our Lusso), back seats are mini improvement.

 

Keep in mind if a reviewer trashes a car in their review, they won't be invited back by the manufacturer for other cars in the future. This is why the only opinion that matters is yours and you need to determine that on your own.

 

I dunno. Jeremy and the boys can be pretty doggone harsh.

 

But I view them as entertainers, not car experts. But agree, decide for yourself via test drives and with owners.

 

Summarizing the above the Cali seems to be the better choice if you seek for maximum suspension comfort in a modern Ferrari, right?
My only Ferrari driving experience so far is a one hour Portofino ride all in comfort mode through the hills of Maranello and it felt way too stiff for my personal taste.

Yes, I could go for Merc or Bentley, but these weigh much more and look less nice.

 

I have a 2019 Portofino with the base (non-adjustable) suspension. I have 18,000 miles on it,and most of those miles have been on Novitec's lower and stiffer springs. I can't imagine a genuine car enthusiast thinking that the ride is uncomfortable even on California's poorly maintained roads.

 

tastes differ