I stopped reading that thread when the trolls went crazy in there. Thanks for pointing me back to it. 70k off is impressive to say the least!

The MP4 is a great car but I think the coupes will drop like rocks because of the spider that just came out and the cars are pretty much identical. I'm waiting a year or 2 to see where they stabilize before considering. My only complaint about the car, and it's a big one, is it's like my old Lotus Elise where you are getting in a tub and need to fall in. In the Lotus it was tolerable for a few months but then got old fast.

 

There's the rub - hard to find the all in 1.

Never thought an AM drove as well as a Ferrari.
Never thought a Ferrari looked as good as an AM.

 

I have driven both cars and have to say the top issue is the real difference. Performance wise the California wins and the Aston wins the elegenct GT side. If the price is the same the depreciation should be less on the Ferrari depending on what the actual starting price is on the cars. The Ferrari needs to be low miles as they take a strong hit with very many miles on them. Also, the late 11s and up have the free 7 year service plan available. So all things considered do you want the top to come down or not? Also remember that DBS prices will continue to go down as the Vanquish comes on line. Take your wife and drive both cars and buy what you like best. You will probably want something else in a year or two anyway. The Virage can be a good buy but, plan on owning it a long time as it will be weak on resale.

 

I know I'll get hammered, but here we go. The California is a hairdresser's car. It's also not very good looking. It's very comfortable, and I would admit that it's more comfortable than my DBS. But it's a chick's car. Your wife will absolutely love it. Buy it for her and keep telling that story when you're among other Ferrari owners.

 

Sounds like the Ferrari USP is not really for you. That's what I was saying, the California is not considered a car that is for "REAL" Ferrari folk. It is a car that has been specifically designed to capture an audience that does not fit into the current line up and as Mike D has suggested, as a result its considered a "hairdressers car". Should that stop you from buying it if you love it? Of course not, I have owned Audi TTRS's in the past and they have the same rub.

From what I'm hearing the Aston brand seems to be closer to what you want in a car than the Ferrari brand. The California sounds like a "model" that fits your needs.

Best of luck, its a good problem to have.

 

Ok my subconscious has spoken

 

I always appreciate honesty and candor . Perhaps that's why my wife likes it so much. With that said, the purchase is for 2 people. If it was just me, I'd already have the Scuderia. Also, if I followed what everyone thought, I wouldn't have bought an Aston Martin since I'm not old and crotchety yet .

 

As a 458 owner I am aware of the California being called a chick car but so what? Again, drive what you like. The Ferrari people don't understand why I like Astons but that doesn't stop me from buying them. BTY I love my new V12 Vantage. Great car. It just needs a magnaride suspension to be perfect.
Too many people are polarized on specific brands. Why not enjoy them all if they make something you like? My wife bought a KIA soul to run erands in and its a great little car. I put more miles on it this year than my exotics. Since you already have an Aston the Ferrari would be a nice addition. There might even be fringe benefits to pleasing the wife.

 

Haha! So true! I agree with you. I buy what I like, enjoy it, and then move on. I love the 458 but it's above what I want to spend. I wish they didn't hold their value so well . I've always been a fan of the 430 as well so we'll see. On the magneride topic, that's an option for the newer California's. Is it that good? I keep reading reviews saying it's great but I haven't driven one yet to know.

 

The magnaride is not a deal breaker but, it is a big improvement over a fixed suspension. If you have a choice on the Cali go with the magnaride. They licensed it from GM. Adjustable dampers are the way to go and you will see them on all high performance cars in the future. The new Vanquish has a three way adjustable damper setup. Not as good as magnaride but a big improvement over fixed. Go drive an Escalade with magnaride. You won't believe how smooth that big truck is. Thats why its standard on the 458 and V12 cars.
I had a 430 spider and loved it. In some ways it is a more entertaining car to drive than the 458 because the 458 is so good. The 430 can't compare in overall performance but it is still a great car.
Have fun on the test drives and let us know what you end up with.

 

Go for the DBS. I rented the California in Italy for a week and it was more Maserati GranTurismo than Ferrari. Didn't feel like as authentic as the 430 and it felt more like the Maserati it's built from.

 

Not much on the road can compare to the 458, the 430 in manual trans still appeals to me, the gated shifter!!! love it ... it's the last to have one. If the Scud or CS had a gated shifter I'd want them over the standard 430. I know the trans in the scud is awesome, a student had one at VIR last year, the car is phenomenal on track! ...but I still want a gated shifter

...two things I've wanted since I was a kid in the late 80's/early 90's ... a gated shifter and lamborghini doors!

 

How is the wind noise in the 430 Spider with the top up? I ask because most of the late summer in Maryland is too hot during the day and wind noise drives me nuts.

 

while the non-volante DBS vs the California isn't an apples to apples comparison, I'd pick the DBS without hesitation.

IMHO, I don't call the California a chick car, but I'd pick a different F-car to consider, like those already mentioned. I'd also look real hard at the McLaren 12C Spyder. Having said what I have, everybody is different.
Have fun in your decision, and buy what really speaks to YOU because you will be the driver, not any of us.

 

Ross, since you have the Vantage get the Ferrari. Skip the Cali and go to the 430! Although, I have to say the DCT on the Cali is pretty nice and your wife will probably hate the rawness of the F1 transmission