For those who can buy one or the other, what are the Pros and Cons? I have had 360's and 430's but betting into my 50's things have changed a bit.
I had the same decision when I purchased my 599. The reason why I chose a 599 was based on the fact that it was much faster and it felt more special.
Cali pros: + convertible + DCT is better than F1 box 599 pros: + V12 + faster + WAY better looking (ok subjective)
Another pro with the Cali, new materials so no stickies. The 599 is sparce on parts that will need refinishing but they do have them. Cali is a little more compact as well, easier to garage I'd think. Better stereo in the Cali, double din screen. CCBs standard on all years as well? I'm going through the same comparison right now but for all I've said am still leaning 599 next, heavily. 599 is a beast. Cali is a more of a beastess. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
My main thought when considering the exact same decision was that ultimately the 599 was much more of a performance bargain because its price on the approved car network in the UK had really taken a nose dive. I was able to purchase a 5 yr old 599 for £95000 and 17000 miles that originally had cost over £220000 with all its options for its first owner. For the same price I was looking at needing an extra £10-20000 for a high mileage early cali, ok a couple of years younger than the 599 but ultimately a car that had been priced ~£70000 less new than the 599 had been. Also a quick check on UK database howmanyleft.co.uk shows there are currently 780 calis registered in the UK but only 290 599 GTBs so ultimately feels like a rarer and more special car to me. On a more personal preference as well I just couldn't warm to the stacked tail pipe arrangement on the cali and not really sure what the back seats are all about, to me seem to be too small to be of any practical use unless front occupants are about 5ft tall and passengers in rear are small kids, feel like car should have either binned them completely or been designed as a proper 4 seater. Don't get me wrong still think cali is a great car and gearbox and satnav/media console are much better but 4-5 m down the line Im still glad I went 599.
My kids are 6 and 8 and I still consider the back seat marginal. It's a shelf with belts. I could make it work, but have to scoot the driver's seat forward more thab I'd like. That being said, that marginal back seat is one of the main reasons the Cali is still on the list. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
wow I'm surprised the responses have been so balanced. I was expecting a more visceral outcome. I liked the comment on 599 + z4... since I have a 599 and m-roadster. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Was in the same boat too. I think others have mentioned the surface levels pros/cons between the two. The Cali also would most likely have more warranty included; in my case it would have been a new Cali vs. the used 599 I ended up with. For me, the 599 is SO much more Ferrari than a Cali. It is a work of art whereas the Cali is a product of its environment : ) And not to knock the Cali...there still may come a day when I have one in the garage too!
I have both which of course is the ultimate solution for the OP Tough choice to choose one, the California is brilliant at everything it does, it's quick, certainly quick enough for todays roads, around the twisties it is fast, fluid and composed, roof down its the perfect open top and roof up a brilliant highway cruiser. The 599, well the power of course, I'd agree it's the better looking car, build quality is a way off the California and it's nowhere near as composed on broken and uneven surfaces, somehow you always feel it'll throw you through a hedge, although to be fair it never has but unlike the California you have to drive it all the time except perhaps highway driving so overall it's more involved and perhaps that's a good thing. I am thinking of selling one and at the moment it looks like it'll be the California, just can't get that V12 need out of my blood Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mark try a set of michelin pilot super sports- the rears will be 10mm wider but they fit and they give you more grip but the real surprise is they help tame the jittery ride a bit. Its kind of like getting v2.0 of the same car. To me the California is a better car to live with daily, but the 599 is more of a traditional sports car. Beautiful cars you have there.
I understand why one would have a 599 AND a California, but I do not understand why someone would cross-shop the 2 cars. It seems that a 458 would be what should be cross shopped against a 599 (if you are sticking with F-Cars, and wanted something with top performance but a different feel). A 458 could be a daily driver if you had great roads where you live. It is (just) civilized enough for that task. It's not that far off from a 599 in that respect. I'm not knocking the California, either. I understand cross shopping a 612 and a California, however, due to the 2+2.
For me, the 599 is just too big a car. It's a very large car in person. Also, there's the whole convertible vs. coupe thing. For me, the cali hits more of the right spots than the 599, but I'd rather a 575M or SA than either, I think. That said, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
Nah, thats just a more pointed way of saying what I pointed out before which is the 599 is more of a hard core sports car. When it comes to sports cars, and especially Ferraris, I think you can really cross shop anything because it comes down to what peaks your interests and that varies from person to person. They are both great cars, but if you want something that needs less service and easier to take more places, thats the Cali.
I have owned a 599. I liked my 430 and 458 better. 599 is a great GT but not the Ferrari experience I was looking for. I did not consider a Cali.
One of the big differences is that the California was normally a $250K car with options, and many 599s were pushing $400K when fully optioned.
The (current) California was originally a Maserati and Ferrari got the design in the (first) Ferrari/Maserati divorce, it has a wet sump engine and was never originally going to be a Ferrari, but I still like the car, it's great to drive IMHO. The forth coming car (also called California) is an original in house Ferrari design with a turbo charged engine based on the Maserati V8 but with a dry sump and it's design language is very similar to the F12.
I drove a 458 on the weekend and I left thinking how awesome my 599 was. This surprised me as when I originally drove the 458 at the factory before I owned my 599, I was truly in besotted withthe 458.
hi Adam, does your 599 have the control to beep exhaust open for sound? I hear many speak of this addition... thx j
