Should I buy another California?

Hello all – you may remember I was the guy who received the first Ferrari California in the Midwest but was disappointed that I didn’t get the shields. Long story (link below), but the board helped me with my decision to keep the car as-is and not try and retrofit shields onto the car. Well, I did love the car; the way it drives, the creature comforts and the looks it received. But every time I would walk up to it I was reminded of my missing Scuderia shields. As a result I decided to sell the car after having it a little less than 3 months.
Now to my question: Should I buy/order another? I’ll be ordering the 458 as soon as humanly possible, but I’m curious if I should order another California and enjoy it until the 458 arrives, which could be May or December of 2010. Who knows, that’s Ferrari after all.

Any opinions?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=138796501#post138796501

 

My suggestion: get over it.

Sorry, just some tough love.

 

Perhaps I should have been a little more specific with my question. I was able to sell the car for what I paid for it – 100% recovery, freight, etc. So the way I look at it was I had a FREE California for 3 months. And since I don’t know when the 458 will be available I’m wondering if I should order another California so I have a nice car to drive next spring while I wait for my 458. However it is my assumption my next California will depreciate, and therefore there will be a hold cost. Curious if anyone has any insight into the demand for California’s, etc.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Ok, well, then go for it if it will make you happy.

Personally, the shield thing is being way too overdone on my opinion. (I have an issue with 80's cars that have shield labels slapped on them -- they seem out of place to me). But, if it matters that much to you, by all means do what makes you feel best.

I'll tell you something though. I ordered my Maserati Spyder in the wrong metallic gray color. When I got it, I was shocked. Then, the more I saw it and the more people commented on it, the more I liked it. Now, I'm glad for the mistake.

 

OUCH !

I would be so pissed at myself

 

At first, I was. It was clearly my mistake.

Then, I started to like it. Now, I love it as most people do when they see it. In fact, if I hadn't had the Maser already in that color, I would have ordered the F430 in it. I'm just happy I decided to not order it in Yellow as I originally did. I've seen them in yellow and really don't like them (sorry any yellow Mas spyder owners out there!)

I had a bigger issue with the Cambio gearbox. When I first got it, I hated it. Then, they updated the software and the hydraulics and put in new clutch and it worked like a charm.

But, for the first few months of owning the car, I was kicking myself over that one. 8 years later, I still have it and enjoy driving it.

Anyway, let's get back to the thread. Sorry for stealing it!

 

Saw one stopped by me at an intersection this morning. Black with shields.

I like it.!!

 

THERE WILL BE A HOLD COST ON YOUR NEXT ONE. NO DOUBT. FERRARI OF DENVER CAN GIVE YOU HIS THOUGHTS. MY GUESS IT MAY BE A LITTLER STEEER THAN YOU ARE READY FOR. ALTHOUGH, ARE YOU GETTING A 458 COUPE OR SPIDER. IF THE LATTER, YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT MUCH LONGER, SINCE IT WONT BE OUT UNTIL WELL AFTER THE COUPE

 

Shelds = race car ... California is most definitely not a race car.

There are already millions of Ferrari badges all over modern Ferraris screaming for attention, no need to scream any louder ... but your car. Such a weird reason to sell a perfectly good car to me.
Pete

 

Gotta love those shields!
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If you can't live without having OEM, stamped shields... get a new car.
Personally it's not worth the hassle to me.

 

OMG! A FERRARI WITHOUT SHIELDS!

Sell it immediately. A Ferrari without shields is not a Ferrari.

 

First, don't buy another Cali GT. Wait for the 458. Second, you didn't know it but shields are passe now. At the 458 unveiling all three cars were sans shields. Even Ferrari thinks the shields are not needed.

 

hmmm....

the 458 is going to be a tough ticket to get!!

i bet if you go in and order a new california...with the agreement (in writing) of being number XX on the list for a 458, you would insure getting a 458. Plus you will enjoy the California till it gets here!!

good luck!! nice dilema to be in!!

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone, as usual there are plenty of opinions on the subject I agree that shields are not as important for resale (after all I got 100% of my money out of the car). Like many of you I order cars for what I like. And, I like Scuderia Shields. Plain and simple…

As for ordering another California or waiting for the 458, I suppose I’ll wait to see what my dealer says about the expected delivery dates for the F430 replacement.

 

Please let us know about what your dealer says is a realistic US arrival time for the 458 Italia. I am thinking about getting this car too.

 

Personally I would care that I didn't have the shields on my Ferrari. But would this be worth the depreciation of some thousands of dollars? No way. I understand that you don't like it, I wouldn't either but that doesn't account for "burning" your dollars on depreciation. Keep the California and go for the 458 if possible

Just check the order of the new 458 Italia very very carefully

 

I love the shield, but since it is the shield of the Scuderia, IMHO it should only be put on cars with a racing pedigree or purpose. If you track your car, it earns the shields, if its a 430 Scuderia, Stradale, or 355 Challenge car, it earns the shields. Otherwise, I am content to just have a Ferrari.

Just my .02

 

Sell the California and get your money back. Order a 458. Buy a CS to keep you busy.

 

I say get what you like.

If the Cali drove badly or was somehow a disaster and you didn't know that then getting the opinions is useful. As it is, the opinions are just that. Once you get past the financial side, this is a decision to be made with the heart IMHO. FWIW I like how the shields look on the Cali.

 

I second this.

 

Much ado about nothing.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I'm on your side, I love the look if the shields and wouldn't have a car without them. I think of it as paying homage to the racing history. But in the end you have to do what makes you happy regardless of what others think.


PS bdelp, I am now very curious to see what your maserati looks like.

 

You could have had a body-shop place the shields in the same way the factory does it.

 

Huh ... I didn't even notice!

I guess it's like the Marines say--if you're late, nobody misses you til you get there.