A drive in (a) California

[BigFoot]

Friend of mine here in Tokyo (where I am on a short visit) bought a few months ago a California and gave me a ride around town yesterday.

Very, very smooth car with plenty of poke but incredibly civilised and well behaved when driven lightly.

The styling has grown on me and it's full of toys (which actually work!).

I must say, it's a very tempting thought...

 

[Andyk]

I didn't like this car hwen it came out but like you it is growing on me...In the right colour and on the right wheels it has louds of pressence. Not sure about the stacked exhaust and I prefer it with the roof down...But it seems to be a Ferrari that could be used daily.

 

[Torenno Performance]

Did you know the the California was originaly meant to be a Maserati, designed and built by them and then Ferrari liked it so much that they kept it for them selves.

Heard that from a few credible sources, if you look at the front wings it does have a very Maserati GT look to them.

 

[conaero]

Did you know the the California was originaly meant to be a Maserati, designed and built by them and then Ferrari liked it so much that they kept it for them selves.

Heard that from a few credible sources, if you look at the front wings it does have a very Maserati GT look to them.

That would back up Loz's thoughts. When he visited the factory a while ago, he saw a 2 seater spiyder type car and was told that it was the new Maserati, then it never materialised. That is a shame that Ferrari have the power to pick and choose though.

...and then came along the GranCab, better car for Maserati IMHO.

 

[Torenno Performance]

Yep, i heard from someone else who went to the factory aswell and also from my Indy who has a contact inside.

 

[Paco]

I bet it is well built and nice to drive but two things strike me, in every magazine test the cornering shots show it rolling like a deep sea trawler, and well... I just think it's a bit ugly, especially in the flesh!

The California should be lithe and elegant, not fat and dumpy. I think a Lexus badge would look about right on it.

 

[OzzieAl]

Interesting topic guys, I agree this was supposed to be the next masserati but when fiat told ferrari they needed to re dress the business model they had to sell back maserati to fiat who then put it into bed with Alfa Romeo.. The new bosses decided the new car ex ferrari was not for them so went back to the drawing board. Ferrari in the meantime now had all the development costs and decided to run with the car themselves as a different/cheaper ferrari..as they were convinced of their market share for the model.

I don't like what fiat are doing with Maserati at the moment. The maserati GS is in my book a full ferrari and in time I think will prove to be one of the all time greats for maserati

I find it interesting while Jaguar are getting away from their old image and finding a new younger client, maserati seem to be heading down the former Jaguar road. What put maserat back on the map was Ferrari know how. Hearing that they now want to build a cheaper maserati to compete with a BMW 5 series is taking the brand down hill. Which is a shame maserati is 90 years old while Ferrari and Jaguar are just babies at 60 and 75 years approx. All the true maserati engineering is drifting away.

lets hope I am wrong..

 

[BigFoot]

Yep, agreed that the Cali was initially developed as a GranTurismo convertible, in fact there were pictures floating around a couple of years or more ago of a GranTurismo mule with a folding hard top (sadly chucked away apparently) but then Ferrari took it over.

One thing that puts me off the car is the not very Ferrari look and the pricetag, which is similar to the price for a second-hand 430 Scuderia. You get less performance, two unusable rear seats and some warranty? I'd rather get a Scud I reckon.

All hypothetically speaking of course.

 

[Andyk]

See I just dont' like the folding hard top convertables....Too much weight...give me a soft top anyday....

 

[mowlas]

Saw one parked on the road the other day in red. Hear what everyone is saying but at the end of the day it did look very, very special.

 

[Andyk]

Saw one parked on the road the other day in red. Hear what everyone is saying but at the end of the day it did look very, very special.

Agree Shak....not in my top 10 but it has grown on me and the one I say at the Auto sport show this year did look very desirable.

 

[mowlas]

IMHO kind of reminds me of a 599 that's been on anger management and has taken some weed...

 

[Andyk]

Ha love it...you could have something there Shak...I now I'm not normal but I would have the Cali over a 599 unless it wasa GTO.

 

[mowlas]

I know where you are coming from and looks wise I actually think it will be more of a classic. I am not sure I could ever handle a GTO. The chap in HR Owen kindly revved one up for me and it is pure savagery... like nothing I've ever heard.

 

[Andyk]

It's just so right in so many ways...Odd that the standard car does nothing for me.

 

[BigFoot]

The Cali should be a daily driver and all rounder with manageable running costs compared to a v12 Ferrari which will be terrible to drive un te city and a moneypit.

 

[GransportFan1]

599 is a stunner.

 

[dem maser]

theres a woman that drives a california here i see her everyday, sexy sexy sexy, dont like the car much
i want a 599 ahead of the california anyday

 

[Andyk]

Dem, I would so no if I was given one mind....But I would have one if I had to buy one...Think I would have a Lambo LP640 first.

 

[GhostyDog]

Biggie, what was the sound like? One went past a carpark I was in pretty fast in the dales but it didn't sound special at all. In fact I only caught it as I was facing the road, I wouldn't have turned to look.

Personally I think it's a nice looking car but for Ferrari it's a dilution of their formula for building special cars.