Why so much Cali hate?

You are honestly a tad out of touch if you think that recent Ferraris set the bar for anything. There are better performers for less money and better looking cars for less money. The 360 when it was first introduced, was scathingly criticized for being ugly, underpowered and a sellout to core Ferrari values. It was compared to the BWM Z8 which had the same power output, looked a lot better and was cheaper by 50K.

The unique selling proposition of Ferrari is the mystique that came from the history and the mythology of Enzo and his quest for racing success at all costs.
So please spare the hand wringing over the ordinariness of the California. Two years from now, when it is an unqualified sales success, its detractors will have either been converted or will be skulking in the corner like a junkyard dog who won't part with his mangy bone.

 

I'm really struggling on why so many use such weak arguments to fight the right for this car to exist.


Is it because it's designed to be a daily driver? Well, what about the 330gt or 400 or Mondial 8? The California is not the first to try.

Is it because it's more of a boulevard cruiser than and all-out track performer? Well, wasn't that the idea of the original California?

Is it because it's designed to increase production numbers? Well, what about the 308 GT4 and all of it's followers?

Is it because it's not pretty enough? Well, don't tell me this is the ugliest or most controversial looking car they've ever made. It's not.

Is it because it appears to some to be "not completely Ferrari"? Well, what about the 246 Dino and all cars made after the Fiat deal?

Is it because its engines are made on the same production line as the Maserati? Well, what about the F430 then? So, an F430 is just another "Maserati"?

Is it because some women may like it? Well, anybody remember Christie Brinkley in Vacation? That didn't seem to upset anyone.

Is it because of it's performance numbers? Well, anyone compared it to any other GT in the market? It's darned impressive.

Is it because the yearly production numbers will increase? Well, what about the 308/328 and the 360/430? Production increased dramatically in the 80's and 90's and nobody complains about them.

Is it because of the fear that it will depreciate rapidly and diminish every car in the brand? Well, do low 308 GT4 prices effect the resale price of an F430? Nope.

Is it because there will be potentially another 4 thousand Ferrari's on the street? Well, has anyone noticed that 4 thousand cars in global market has a statistical value of ZERO.

Is it because it's "the end" of Ferrari? Hardly. We've heard this a long time ago. The F430 replacement will put an end to this myth.


OK, I've just debunked every arguement in this thread. I'm DONE.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

No one mentions the one thing that makes owning a Ferrari worth the effort for me: how it responds to me when I drive it! I've driven a lot of cars over the years and nothing else I have ever driven comes close to providing the feeling of total control, the smooth and intuitively correct feedback, that I get from the steering wheel, the brake pedal, the clutch, and the throttle. (One caveat: my car could use more powerful brakes, but that's besides the point, plus I only notice it when I am driving much faster than I should.) I don't doubt that there are cars that I have not driven that have that quality, but I do doubt that they are among those that "have the same performance for much less money". Ultimate performance means zip: I am not on the track and don't drive with a stopwatch. It's the sheer pleasure of the experience that means everything, and my Mondial t has tons. I don't doubt that all (or most all) other Ferraris have it too! I do doubt that a Maserti coupe has it at Ferrari levels. Porsches are OK, but they don't have it, not like a Ferrari. My lightly modified '95 Audi S6 is a superb piece of engineering: 275 hp out of a 2.3 liter, 6 speed, and all wheel drive that never lets you down, but it doesn't have it!

From the reviews, no one is complaining that the Cali does does not "feel like a Ferrari". In fact, judging by the tone, I surmise that the Cali has it more than any of other V8 models to date. That's what I expected based upon the more predictable for ordinary mortals front engine layout and all I need to know. I want!

 

Crikey! Have either of you ever read anything about Enzo?! The "avaricious seduction of striving dilettantes" was in his mission statement. Sure, the purpose of the greed was to ensure the production of great race cars, so no shame on him. Now the purpose of the greed is to ensure the survival of a great icon of modern Italian culture, and no shame there either.

I know that you "enthusiasts" picture yourselves as Fangio reincarnated, but you, like me, are rubes with an E-ticket. I'm having fun - you need to get over yourselves already. Or buy a real sports car and go racing. Then you can complain about sellouts to the sanctioning bodies of whatever series you grace with your presence. Or just 'fess up and admit that your Ferrari is nothing but a fun way to get from A to B and enjoy the fricken ride.

Like, hold it now, watch this: like everyone who buys a California will be doing too!

 

I'm finding this thread to be increasingly hilarious. Folks who have not driven the car, whose own Ferraris will be easily spanked by this and yet who dismiss it vehemently as "too soft" or which ruins Ferrari in some way? Please!

Naturally, if one doesn't like the styling, that's a personal judgement and is a very valid criticism (although the tail size is required for the top). But given the reported performance of this car, the rest of the comments lead me to believe some "group think" is at play here.

 

Here's what you get for free: "The Daytona is a sellout car because the 25year-newer Cali meets its performance" is a ridiculous proposition.

Ferrari cared about enthusiast drivers up until the 512/TR series, the Cali is the nail in the coffin.

 

The Cali has electronics do do all that steering, shifting, clutching and braking for you, and "the world's fastest folding hardtop"; you might as well be Paris Hilton for all the driving panache you'll exhibit.

 

To some extent yes, but he didn't compromise the cars to do it.

"We had to destroy the village to save it"?

...Really?

 

Here's the question that's interesting to me. No one for saw what's happening.

Ferrari's January sales YOY were down over 50%. In Europe "used" California's are already for sale. When the California was green lighted things were a bit different. The one billion $ + investment to add capacity to build the California and increase yearly sales from 5K to 10K can not be undone. The US msrp. will IMO be 225K+. In light of all of this I wonder if they could wind back the hands of time would they have green lighted this car? 225K for a car that you have to explain why it's butt is not ugly. Not 4 me.

 

Read through this thread... Too funny.

 

Fangio was pretty good, but he would have been better with a few tips from me.


OK, seriously, whether or not you like the big butt, Ferrari has stepped squarely into Mercedes SL territory with the California. If Ferrari had been on the verge of bankruptcy, I would probably accept your conclusion. But we already know, from the F430 Scuderia, that people will queue up to buy a two seater with visible welds, no carpets and minimal luxuries. Ferrari did not have to go here to save the company, and as Napolis posted given the current economy this may be a decision they wish they could retract.

It does feel a bit like selling the badge, though -- like Ferrari were taking their lead from marketing instead of from the F1 division.

I'm sure the California is a great car, but does seem as though they traded away a bit of their soul.

Problem is, you have to load the custom luggage by hand, lifting it into the boot. Where is the automatic luggage loader?

 

Jeeves in in the Pantry.

 

It is a Maserati... that's the problem.

It was born a Maserati, and all the adoption papers in the world won't change its DNA

 

And a 246 Dino is just a Fiat, and a Rolls is just a BMW, and a Bentley is just a VW, and a Lambo is just an Audi, and a Corvette is just a Chevy...blah, blah, blah.

WEAK.

 

No... you are weak! LOL
Look more carefully at your logic... this is not the same old "parent company" arugument. I did not make fun of Ferrari for being a Fiat, or Lambo for being a Audi

I'm talking about a Maserati "design" that was taken from Maserati for the sole purpose to re-badge as a Ferrari, to vastly increasing sales volume or MSRP

IF you want me to be a "wise guy" about it.... What Ferrari should have done, was buy a bunch of Caymans for $50k and re-badged them as THE NEW DINO for $175k
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The re-badging of the Maser into a Ferrari was because the car couldn't be sold profitably as a Maser. They needed the Ferrari badge to make the numbers work.

This car began as a Maser. The 599/430/612 began as Ferrari's.

 

I agree, but I'm still going to call them out on it.... as a primary reason that a thread like this even shows-up on F-chat.

I still might follow Ferrari's leed, and buy a 09 Cayman and put a Dino/Ferrari badge on the back. Then I can tell my wife how much money I saved over a classic Dino ( or as Ferrari calls it... made the numbers work)

 

Engineered by Ferrari, built by Ferrari, powered by Ferrari, sold by Ferrari, serviced by Ferrari.... Hmmm..that's enough for me.

I heard all this baloney with the 246 and again with the 308 GT4. Sorry, this ain't the 80's anymore. There's always cross sharing in any automobile manufacturing. For crying out loud, the 400 had a GM automatic box installed. Yes, even while Enzo was still alive and kicking, a bland slush box was put in one of his cars. Oh the horror!

Get over it.

I have one great piece advice for the haters of this car. Don't buy it. That's your vote against it. And, if enough agree with you, then you win. Simple.

Those of us that do like it, let us live in peace.

 

Why wouldn't we want you to live in peace? So long as you pull over when we want to pass so we don't have to look at that VOM Butt all will be fine.

 

Ha ha LOL

 

Well let's see here: according to one anti-Cali poster the sellout started with the 512TR. So, unless you own a 288, I don't think you'll be passing many Calis, as they are faster than just about any pre-512 street car built by Ferrari. Not even sure that a 288 could pass a Cali - certainly not at the stop light as they have to build boost first.

And what's all this nonsense about automatic everything? You can get a Cali with a 6 speed. You can turn off all the traction control and stability stuff. You guys write about it like it was a damn Cadillac or something. Strawman much?

 

OK I don't want to get everyone even more upset. But when the Maserati Granturismo came out, I was at the service center and starting asking the mechanics what they thought about Maserati in general and the Gransturismo.

I asked them how similar it was to Ferrari. They told me that it is basically all Ferrari. The way the cars are designed, the systems, and the parts are very similar or identical except for cosmetics between the two brands.

I didn't really like hearing that answer. I wanted to hear that Ferrari was a class higher.

 

This is silly. Ferrari didn't invent the automobile. So all Ferraris began as Alfas by this reasoning.

In other words, what difference does it make what it began as? The important thing is: how is it as delivered???

From what I hear, it is a wonderful Ferrari!!!

 

It is: look in the engine compartment! That is NOT a Maserati engine.