California Thoughts (2010-2013)

[ChrisQP09]

Think I’m going to trade up into an California soon, need some general advice before I bark on Ferrari forums like a complete novice.

Looking at a car with between 25-40k miles. Do all the cars have carbon ceramics and what other things might a novice look for? Eg do they need rust treated like the GT?

 

[Bebs]

Think I’m going to trade up into an California soon, need some general advice before I bark on Ferrari forums like a complete novice.

Looking at a car with between 25-40k miles. Do all the cars have carbon ceramics and what other things might a novice look for? Eg do they need rust treated like the GT?

Pretty sure the Cali chassis is all aluminium thus no rust issues. My 1999 360 is all alu chassis and I have never rust treated in 22 years of ownership and 120,000 miles.
Don’t get hung up too much on mileage, same as a GT, history and condition is far more important.
I believe all Californias came with carbon ceramic brakes.

 

[ChrisQP09]

Thanks mate. Man math tells me that saving on routine rust treatment and that, the expense of a Cali would probably be on par with the GT for the general servicing and stuff. The tech isnt that complicated so shouldn't be anymore temperamental than a GT

 

[Bebs]

Thanks mate. Man math tells me that saving on routine rust treatment and that, the expense of a Cali would probably be on par with the GT for the general servicing and stuff. The tech isnt that complicated so shouldn't be anymore temperamental than a GT

I agree. Don’t think a Cali is any more expensive to run than a GT.
Recently I’ve found the Ferrari parts I needed were far more reasonable than maser parts.
£280 plus vat x 2 for new fan assemblies for the 360.
Compare that to £300 plus Vat x 2 for two new hand brake cables for the GT!
Go for it I say

 

[ChrisQP09]

Will be a summer purchase if I proceed.

 

[SE_123]

The rear seats (2+2) are literally a joke

 

[Ebenezer]

Fabulous! I really like thr California too!
Eb

 

[williamsmix]

The rear seats (2+2) are literally a joke

Yes, like a lot of sports cars - such as Jaguar XKs and even the Porsche 911(?) - the rear seats were never seriously conceived as seats for adult passengers! They are very useful if you happen to be touring as a couple for extra storage … Even in my 3200 I could never persuade adult friends to take a ride in the back; far too claustrophobic and cramped for them!

 

[strictly]

Enjoy, i have promised myself a Ferrari either on the day I retire OR before if I get lucky and can afford one.

On the 4 seats that is one thing the GT does well, of course when I buy a Ferrari it will be a 2 seater! I will still keep my GT for those reasons

 

[Scaf]

The rear seats (2+2) are literally a joke

As are those in my Vanquish, but apart from giving free prom rides, no one have ever been int he back so I don’t miss them.

 

[Dman666]

Think I’m going to trade up into an California soon, need some general advice before I bark on Ferrari forums like a complete novice.

Looking at a car with between 25-40k miles. Do all the cars have carbon ceramics and what other things might a novice look for? Eg do they need rust treated like the GT?

Been looking at CalI for is also

 

[williamsmix]

I’ve looked at the California: Was it actually conceived as a Ferrari from the outset? I like it well enough but, if I’m honest, there’s just something about it that doesn’t seem totally Ferrari to me(?) … Besides, it’s in the same price zone as a 360, which is what I would really like and that does seem ‘totally Ferrari’ to me!

 

[Ewan]

I’m with you Mike. I’d take a 360 manual coupe over a California. That said, the California is a very good car at the price they are now.
Go for it. And before the summer comes and the prices go up!

 

[Tallman]

The Cali is a bit like the hairdresser’s Ferrari for me. A front engined Ferrari should have a V12. The Cali/Portofino/Roma are all a bit the same for me in that regard.

 

[ChrisQP09]

At today’s prices, they have bottomed out and wont lose money like a GT. I just need the right one to come up

 

[Ebenezer]

I'm obviously a hair dresser as the Portofino and Roma are lovely looking cars too!
Eb

 

[williamsmix]

I love the amazing fold away roof on it, but I’m wondering if it compromises storage space in the trunk, which would be important to me for touring(?). And, how reliable is that roof mechanism as I imagine that repairing it would be quite costly … even if they have ‘bottomed out’.

 

[Nibby]

I’m not sure how common it is but the dct gearbox on my brother’s California T and 458 Spider both got the dreaded problem which I do believe is down to some sort of big cable tie wearing through the cable inside the box. Fortunately he had Ferrari warranty on both cars but if he had to stump up himself the cost was eye watering.

 

[safrane]

I love the amazing fold away roof on it, but I’m wondering if it compromises storage space in the trunk, which would be important to me for touring(?). And, how reliable is that roof mechanism as I imagine that repairing it would be quite costly … even if they have ‘bottomed out’.

You will find, roof stored, that it is less than the 3200.

 

[ChrisQP09]

I’m not sure how common it is but the dct gearbox on my brother’s California T and 458 Spider both got the dreaded problem which I do believe is down to some sort of big cable tie wearing through the cable inside the box. Fortunately he had Ferrari warranty on both cars but if he had to stump up himself the cost was eye watering.

What dreaded problem is this? If its the one Im thinking of, I think it only affected 2012+ cars