I had the same experience regarding the rear engine V8's Take both the Cali and V12 (that is in your budget) for a test drive Then a clear decision will be made Best of luck
The look of Ferrari's V12s are difficult to digest. They have very good looking V12s (Enzo, LaF), but they don't want to sell it, at least to me. LOL
430s in budget don't like it. Only older pre 2012 California's are in my budget. Nice ones are in 458 territory. There's two cali's in Quebec I like the specs. One at Porsche, one at Ferrari One has Daytonas, one has Racing seats. Both pretty low km. One CPO the other has Ferrari service until 2019. I'd love to sit in the racing seats California before deciding but it's 500km away... FOO only has a too-expensive-for-me T. World Fine Cars has two but wrong colours. James Simpson said he will look too not sure what that entails. US cars too expensive with duty and shipping. My gut says to put a deposit on the Quebec Dealer one, contingent on extended warranty inspection results, then fly out and drive it home... but my ass wants to try out the cf racing seats first.
I don't know about 430, but I know exactly that once you have driven a 458, you will never want a California. It's not about the speed and power, but the rawness (connection between driver and car). 430 should be similar to 458, but less power. But good thing is that California is using dual clutch, means not so much sudden-$$$ to surprise you. And older California is actually better than the turbocharged.
I want a daily car not an event car. I couldn't see myself all scrunched up in a mid-8cyl driving to the office in the rain. And I have two young kids so the Cali is aimed directly at me. I am finally a demographic! Must be getting old. So hunting a GT.
If you're now wedded to a 4-seater DD, I would recommend a 08-10 Cayenne for about $22k USD, or perhaps a 996... and for the event car get a 360 F1 for around $60k. Best of both worlds for less than a 3pedal 360. For about $20k more upgrade to a 958 cayenne turbo
Dude. You're never going to buy a Ferrari. Not a 360. Not a 430. Not a California. Just sign-off and join the BMW forum. Prove me wrong.
