Why does the California have a bad rep?

It’s a Ferrari. This means it is more fun the 99.99% of the cars out there.

The problem is us old coots. We remember when a Ferrari California was, and still is, the most beautiful car ever made. We wish Ferrari had chosen a different name.


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Over the past 6 months or so I have heard every Ferrari guy I know talk about what a disaster the 296 is to the brand - 'A V6?!??! A hybrid ?!?!? and this is the replacement for the F8?'

I had the pleasure of driving the 296 a couple of weeks ago and it is magnificent! The 296 is a bigger leap from the F8 than the 458 was to the F430. It is the Ferrari to buy at the moment.

Now, the California is a bit of the same story, the 'bad rep' really has nothing to do with the car, the was a huge step forward and into a segment Ferrari needed to be in. It was just not what the Ferrari purist wanted - and keep in mind a huge part of the Ferrari purist do not own a Ferrari and can't afford one

 

The Cali is a great car, it’s a real Ferrari (design, engine, N.A. V8, luxury, presence, performances, handling, …).

Ferrari makes different cars for different people: the Cali is a GT and one of the best ones in the world. What you heard often come from purists who only like hard-core vehicles. But Ferrari has been manufacturing all types of cars since it started (and let’s not forget that Enzo himself preferred driving a Ferrari with 4 seats).

I own one, no regret, wonderful

 

Doesn’t the California have a TT V8, not NA?

Andy



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NA V8 until 2014. In 2015 came the California T with a turbo.

Mine is a 2013 Cali30 (extra HPs). One of the last ones with the NA engine.

 

Great way to see the difference between the Cali and Cali T If you value the HP, Performance, and Handling upgrades, Cali T is worth the extra cost. If you want the more classic N/A Cali I would go with a Cali 30, 2013-2014 MY in the US Love my Cali T!

 

They made a lot of them, and they were priced affordably. That means that people bought them and deferred maintenance. Like old Maserati Biturbos, they were bought by people who couldn't really afford them

Certainly not all. Get a good PPI. But I think that's why the reputation is rather poor.

Matt

 

The California is NA, the California T is a turbo

 

I know some dont like its looks, but I didnt know it had a 'bad rap'. I loved mine. Regret selling it.

 

I heard that comment when I first purchased mine, CA T HS 2017. I was a bit shocked to hear the comment as I had done my research. I attribute it to very early reviews of the car in the press and the bias of the Ferrari doubters of anything but pure pedigree, (many of which are non owners) That being said, it's up to us, the owners to help refute those comments when voiced. I normally ask, why would you think so? No one who has gone for a ride in my car believes it afterwards. And let's be honest all the big marques now making sport utility vehicles have done way more to dilute the brand than moving from a V12 to a turbo 8!

Enjoy your car for what it is, a great vehicle with miles of smiles, and leave the doubters in your rear view mirror.

 

For me, I think the California is a chick car. That is not a bad thing at all but when they came out, they just had an odd attractiveness to the female population.
It was very odd. A client and his wife or significant other would be in the shop, perhaps she was there to pick him up after dropping his car. There would be a Cali in the shop and the women would all be attracted to it. Many would just walk straight over and and start asking questions. I had a friend of my wife stop by to drop off a part for her sons motorcycle that I was working on. She entered the showroom and looked over my shoulder amazed at the Cali. She walked right past me, didn't hand me the part and just stood and looked. The first time my wife saw a Cali I was in the shop on a Sunday to lock up after the floor guy had painted the entryway. My wife knew this and when she walked in she saw the Cali and said, "Wow, what is that?" as she headed right toward the fresh painted floor. I literally had to grab her and spin her around to stop her. The keys in her hand flew and hit the fresh painted floor. Had to use a coat hanger to retrieve them. We laughed about it. I think the design is just appealing to woman. I have had several female clients that own them and love them. I really like the Cali, they drive great, they are comfortable. I think whatever makes them so appealing to the female population maybe has less of the traditional Ferrari appeal.
Just my thoughts.

 

Funny because I always describe the looks of mine as "pretty rather than aggressive", definitely hasn't been an issue for me that women are attracted to it...

 

I love mine, as does my wife! I fell in love when I saw a Cali 30 (Nero over cuoio). It is the right car for us at this point in our lives; a great touring car with a wonderful N/A exhaust! We fall in love every time we open the door to the garage! Nothing but “thumbs up” and great comments!

 

My wife and I looove our Cali30 (Nero over Cuoio too), that’s the right car.

I also describe it as elegant and gorgeous. I did not want an agressive styling, I wanted elegance and beauty. Fortunately Ferrari makes cars for all kinds of people.

 

I think Ferraris are mostly beautiful cars which is what Ferrari goes for, some more than others and some of the newer ones maybe not so much. But the Cali specifically as you said "elegant" is a perfect descriptor.

The other side of the example for me is a Lamborghini, to me they are more aggressive and striking than they are beautiful which isn't necessarily a bad thing at all. But then there is a corvette C8 which looks like they asked little Timmy in 2nd grade draw his dream car in art class and just went with that....everyone has different tastes but that thing is an abomination to me, whereas the C7 looked pretty.

 

The Cali is so gorgeous that it appeals to both males and females. A huge Ferrari success!!

 

I totally agree. The current Corvette IMHO is so ugly, its design is bad as you wrote (the C7 had a nice design). The C8 is science fiction design (but many people seem to like it as the C8 is a commercial success, or may be they cannot get an elegant gorgeous car like the Cali or another Ferrari and buy the C8 instead ).

 

It attracts attention which is paramount for many these days....

I'm seeing multiple on every drive here in Michigan already, soon you'll be able to just go to the dealer negotiate 8% off msrp and pick your color off the lot...

 

I sure hope so

 

It's a production Chevy, they did a good job making it "rare" to cultivate demand for a while which was an outstanding marketing approach but that's already fading away fast. As with every domestic car next quarters numbers will trump anything else eventually and they will cut their own legs off for that shortsighted goal as they always do. In the middle of the C7's run you could lease a base model for $600 a month 0 down here in Michigan by the end before the C8 came out they were at $450 trying to clear the model year out, no reason for a C8 to be any different eventually.

My cousin has one on order, a well equipped LT1 I think it's called. It's supposed to be to him next month but he's going to turn it down when they ask for the final say right now he's just stringing them along to keep his lease extended on his truck. He's a used car dealer and he thought he could drive it for the summer and sell it for a minimal hit. He checks the MMR every day and now apparently there is no way that is going to happen, they are dropping hard.

 

California is a great car I have a 2013 black with sport package and drive it everyday .. it is my maybe 12th Ferrari and my 3rd California.. I do not hide the car it really is my everyday I drive it to the jobsite or meeting with clients .. SO in the last year and 7k miles it has been 100% trouble free and two of my friends have now bought California's Including one guy in my neighborhood his is black also and they love the cars. So have fun...and oh yeah get a non turbo car with the sports package preferable a 2013 or 14...

 

I will admit I was one of those guys that jumped on the I hate California band wagon, I hadn't even seen one in person yet but the way the car was described to the public I think automatically was disliked by the old purists.

Until I saw one in person...I was so very wrong I apologize and eat my own words, the car is stunning, so much so I sold my F-type within weeks of seeing this car and bought it, I love the looks, I love the sound, I love that it fits 2 golf bags FORE!!!! I take it out all the time, it is my daily driver.

Excuse the bad pics it was at detailing shop adding my own flare to it
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People who write car reviews mostly cannot afford Ferraris. When the California came out, it was obviously a softer car, meaning your'e sitting a little higher, it has rear seats etc. Car reviewers who mostly do not buy Ferraris but only dream about them said "This is not the Ferrari that I dream about.

The California came out when I was not a Ferrari buyer, so I also echoed the popular opinion, "not a real Ferrari" "girls car"

There was even a running joke among guys I knew who were starting to make money, "buy the wife a California so I can get a 458, 488 from the factory"

Now many years later the California is starting to look better to more people. The early cars look surprisingly good to me.

I still prefer a 2-seat mid-engine Ferrari.

I am not in the Cali market because I have a Roma.

 

This post is regarding the Ferrari California.