Hey guys. Have rapidly become a rabid Porsche fan over last 8 months. Now on my second Cayenne Turbo (2011 off the lot, and new custom ordered 2012). Now have a new dilema.

We have been very fortunate the past 2 years. Practice really taking off, etc, etc. I am getting ready to buy a third car. Have two vehicles I am considering.

1). Custom order, last of the build, Turbo S (White with Cognac seats, black contrast stitching, black full leather with cognac stitching, etc).

2). Custom order Ferrari California.

Now, I know two different cars in a lot of respects (GT/convertible vs Coupe/true sports car). I also know this is a Porsche forum. I have spent a lot of time in the California. Really love the styling, love the engine sound and the driving characteristics. I really dig the car. I don't need, nor really desire a convertible. However, it wouldn't be a bad thing at all to have.

The Turbo S was sort of always a dream car of mine. I think I would be ecstatic about the car. Only thing that is holding me back is the 991. Now, I know we won't know what the Turbo 991 will look like, likely, for a while. Likely a year or two before available.

Part of me says get the Turbo S. Drive the hell out of it for 2-2.5 years and upgrade to 991 Turbo. Save the 75k difference and use it elsewhere. However, if I got the California, it would be likely I would keep it 4-6 years. So, less money there as far as changing goes.

Looking primarily for opinions regarding people who have made similar decisions, driven the car(s), and owners of Turbo S's.

458 Italia out of question as I want/need rear seats for my kids. Would hate not to be able to have them experience the car with me.

Thanks,

J

 

turbo no brainer.

 

turbo no brainer x2, now if it was a 430 scuderia, that will be a tough decision. The only thing cool about the California is that it's a retractable hardtop but since you don't really care about it, there is nothing cool about it.

 

Decisions decisions. Man I would love to be in your shoes lol. I am hoping my practice starts to take off or at least pick up soon as it has been slooooow going. Either car would be great in all honesty. I think go with whichever your heart desires more. I personally am not a fan of the California so in this case I would get a turbo S. What about a DBS or DB9?

 

Turbo no question over a California. Now a used 599 in the same price range would get my vote.

 

If it's for the kids experience, get the turbo s. They will love the boost

 

Turbo S definitely

 

Turbo S in my opinion. The car is amazing! Obviously, I am a little biased :-)

 

+100

 

What is the allocation situation with the Turbo S? Is it reasonably straightforward to get a custom build slot for a 2012 from a dealer?

 

Have you asked this same question at FerrariChat?

I love Ferraris but I'be been in love with the 911 Turbo since the 993 came out. So its a no brainer for me too.

Much like with Computer technology you are going to have to pull the trigger for the next evolution will be faster and better, to some at least. I've been sitting on my hands about the turbo since December 2009 when I was fitted for a custom 911TT at the LA Autoshow of that same year. I just knew I was going to want the next version. Not to mention I was hedging funds for the 918. Well after Porsche announced the pricing for the 918 I dropped plans of buying it and have moved on to another fantasy of mine. Getting that damned 959S I wanted since I had a poster of one on the wall of my bedroom in my youth. That and taking it to the Targa of Newfounland. Aiming for 2013, will be taking resumes for a navigator soon enough.

 

I have not asked this question on FerrariChat, mostly because I have spent a lot of time over there discussing the car. I have a meeting with a Ferrari dealer in a week. I am just afraid the window on finalizing the spec for the Turbo S would close.

The advantage to the Turbo S are many. Faster than a 458, all wheel drive making it truly able of being used year round, less pretentious than a Ferrari (I live in a small community and despite 5-10 Ferrari's in the area, sometimes this is not a good thing), saving about 75k, and slightly bigger on inside.

You are so right about always having the next, bigger/faster thing on the horizon. I have got to get over that.

Got to think this over.

Thanks for the comments guys. Keep em coming.

J

 

I would get the California as I think that will give the most thrills to the kids (whom I assume are very young to fit back there), with the engine sound and open top.

I would get the Turbo S for Daddy as I think that will be the better experience for the driver.

 

I recently purchased the 911 TTS (2011) Cabrio. I also considered the California. I really liked the Ferarri and it sounds great and the hard top was very kool.

Bottom line for me was that the Ferarri was very sexy and sounded sick it just does not come close to performing anywhere close to the 911 TTS period. I am glad I shopped the F car first because they are shameless on the cost of options.

Porsche is not much better but less than F car's. Kind of prepared me ! I know if you can afford the car don't complain about the options! This was my first leap into exotic territory so it took some getting used to. I work hard for the $ and the deviated stitching looks sick but come on-they have to stich the seats anyway right!

Both great cars but I would have broken the Ferrari by now for sure. Reminded me of my Mom's Jag XJS V12-Lots of looks no go-go.

Had this car been for my wife it would have been a no brainer..she loved the look of the California. BUT it is MY TOY not hers..about the only thing in this world that it truly mine.

Get the Porsche and you will never have any buyiers remorse.

 

How often are you planning to drive it? I used my tt as a daily driver for 6 months and Porsches are just much more user friendly for frequent use than other exotics. I would also think a lot about your pretentiousness concerns. I live in a large city (Dallas) and my business partner only kept his Ferrari for about 4 months. He said that no matter what he did you always felt like a ****** (for lack of a better word) whenever you pulled up and got out of the car. I know that will upset some people, it was just the way he felt. Probably would feel different if we lived on the west coast or somewhere where Ferraris are much more prevalent...

Update: just noticed the board auto-edited my post and replace a word with asterisks. Let's just say that he felt like a device used by women to squirt water for hygienic purposes... lol