California Thoughts (2010-2013)

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
317
I’ve looked at the California: Was it actually conceived as a Ferrari from the outset?
Apparently not according to EVO magazine (this is copied from a recent article) :

Perhaps that’s because it wasn’t really a Ferrari at all. Instead, this car was originally conceived as a new flagship for Ferrari’s sister company, Maserati. As a replacement for the old Coupé and Spyder, it would have been logical, also being a front-engined, V8-powered car with a grand touring bent. But when horse and trident went their separate ways in 2005, cash-strapped Maserati couldn’t justify launching a brand-new model on a bespoke platform with an all-aluminium shell, a folding metal roof, and an expensively specified powertrain. All it could really afford was a cutdown Quattroportechassis using existing tech clothed in a new steel body, which is what it gave us with the hastily developed GranTurismo of 2007, leaving Ferrari with an unwanted but almost-completed front-engined car of more exotic spec.

Rather than throw it in the bin, the visible parts were restyled and, hey presto, Ferrari suddenly had an entry-level car. But ‘entry level’ never sounded right for this Ferrari. Not because it sounded cheap, but because it sounded like we were about to get a new Dino rather than a heavy, front-engined cruiser with some odd chassis tuning, an awkwardly proportioned rear end and a strange lack of identity that could be blamed on its difficult conception. Of course, purists will tell you the Dino wasn’t really a Ferrari. But in heritage and personality, neither was the California.
 

Nibby

Member
Messages
2,268
What dreaded problem is this? If its the one Im thinking of, I think it only affected 2012+ cars
The California T I think was 2013 but thought the 458 was earlier but don’t hold me to that. It was the same gearbox used on both of them I know.
I think the California looks great. Best of luck.
 

Nibby

Member
Messages
2,268
Just found a photo of the California T before the private plate went on, the 458’s plate has changed since he sold it so not sure what year that was. It was 14 plate.
IMG_1172.jpegIMG_1172.jpeg
 

philw696

Member
Messages
28,133
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
I promised myself a Ferrari before I was 50 as my Dad had a 330 GT in his 40's.
I got my 456 when I was 48 and then the 360 at 50.
No regrets both were a nice occasion.
 

BJL

Member
Messages
1,384
I had a Cali in 2012 and kept it for nearly 3 years. Did nearly 20,000 miles in it up and down Europe and thought it a great little car. The Cali T moved the game on quite a bit and with prices for a good early T where they are today it is a steal. Most owners of properly serviced ones say they are bullet proof but beware of multi ownership ones from Arthur Daley type sellers. Prices have certainly bottomed so no great worry about massive depreciation.
 

strictly

Member
Messages
229
I promised myself a Ferrari before I was 50 as my Dad had a 330 GT in his 40's.
I got my 456 when I was 48 and then the 360 at 50.
No regrets both were a nice occasion.
Nice! I had to make the decision of the 456 vs the GT, in the end I bought the GT, which I love.

I very much like the 328, 348, 355, 360, F430, and will buy which ever I can afford in RHD coupe form when the time comes. It might be 57 years old for me if I can draw 25% percent of my pension then (about 9 years from now)f. I need a bigger garage first!

EDIT...i still very much like the 456 and the California. I would genuinely be happy with any of the above, although of course each have their merits
 
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williamsmix

Member
Messages
837
Apparently not according to EVO magazine (this is copied from a recent article) :

Perhaps that’s because it wasn’t really a Ferrari at all. Instead, this car was originally conceived as a new flagship for Ferrari’s sister company, Maserati. As a replacement for the old Coupé and Spyder, it would have been logical, also being a front-engined, V8-powered car with a grand touring bent. But when horse and trident went their separate ways in 2005, cash-strapped Maserati couldn’t justify launching a brand-new model on a bespoke platform with an all-aluminium shell, a folding metal roof, and an expensively specified powertrain. All it could really afford was a cutdown Quattroportechassis using existing tech clothed in a new steel body, which is what it gave us with the hastily developed GranTurismo of 2007, leaving Ferrari with an unwanted but almost-completed front-engined car of more exotic spec.

Rather than throw it in the bin, the visible parts were restyled and, hey presto, Ferrari suddenly had an entry-level car. But ‘entry level’ never sounded right for this Ferrari. Not because it sounded cheap, but because it sounded like we were about to get a new Dino rather than a heavy, front-engined cruiser with some odd chassis tuning, an awkwardly proportioned rear end and a strange lack of identity that could be blamed on its difficult conception. Of course, purists will tell you the Dino wasn’t really a Ferrari. But in heritage and personality, neither was the California.
So according to EVO, the California is actually a Maserati(?)! … Does anyone know if that 4.3L V8 in the early cars is basically the same as what Maserati were putting in the GT and QP at that time? And same for the transmission?

UPDATE: I see there’s a thread on Ferrari Chat about this … https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/t...nia-originally-meant-to-be-a-maserati.612707/
 
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hashluck

Member
Messages
1,586
Makes a lot of sense
Actually to confuse the issue, all Vanquish were 2+0 as standard with 2+2 seating an option BUT pretty much 100% of Vanquish had the 2+2 box ticked (I expect the dealers had a hand in this as the default and convincing owners of the 'just in case' scenario, whereas in reality they are useless and the space much better suited to storage). The exception was if lightweight seats were fitted (think 2-seater Stradale) where 2+0 was the only configuration. Only 9 Vanquish (both 6-speed and 8-speed variants) were fitted with lightweights.
 

MrMickS

Member
Messages
3,985
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?
I bought my '09 Cali about 4 years ago to replace the Levante. It was a post COVID purchase and I've enjoyed driving it immensely. I do drive it though, currently at 56k miles after buying it at 19k. It has had one or two issues, but nothing that's put me off keeping it.

As has been said already the rear seats are a joke. The thing that does bug is the suspension is a little soft, even in sport mode. I've lost count of the number of times I can scrape the strakes fitted before the rear wheels on a compression. It has me tensing up when pushing on country roads. I would look for a car with the handling pack fitted if I was looking now.

I've had to replace the exhaust manifold, a cracked gearbox oil pipe, and have the parking brakes cleaned to get grit out of them which made a horrible squeak at low revs. Also the rear parking sensors are fun. I've replaced 2 of the four and have another one failing now. As they are used by the system to work out if there's enough room to open the roof you have to ignore it, press again and hope you've judged the space.

There are reports of issues with the roof mechanism and the gearbox failing. I've only had issues with the roof until I learnt to keep everything tidy in there. Nothing loose that might get caught. The gearbox issues, touchwood, aren't something I've seen. That said I don't push until everything is warm, and even then mostly drive in auto.

The issues I've had had hefty bills with them, the gearbox pipe needed the gearbox out to fix it so labour was an issue. Other than that servicing etc is a slight uplift on what they were for the Ghibli/Levante.

If you've any specific question feel free to ping me.
 

MrMickS

Member
Messages
3,985
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’.
The space is compromised. I can get three soft bags, a laptop bag, and a vanity case with careful packing. We had a 16 day tour down through Spain, over to Sardinia, and back through France last September without any issues. You just need to pack sensibly.

I've not had any issues with the roof beyond early fun with loose paper getting jammed. Once I worked out what was going on I made sure that there was nothing that could move to obstruct it.