She doesn't mind the SportShift II so the F1 is no issue. The areas that will deter her are the fit and finish of the F430. It's a great car, but when compared with the California she will ask the obvious question of why spend the same money for a 430 when the California is a hard top convertible, almost as fast, still under warranty, a better transmission, and with a much better fit and finish? My answer right now is the California is lacking the core Ferrari soul which means just a little above 0 to her.

In the Spring I'll be driving whatever car I get 8 hours to Carolina Motorsport Park for a private track day, then to the Biltmore, and ending with a trip through the Tail of the Dragon on our way home. The car will have to be able to keep her from killing me on that road trip! This is the primary reason that the Scuderia was knocked off the list

1BlinkGone, I'd definitely consider the 12C Spider or 458 but it's 300k and I'm looking for cars in the 200k and less range.

I think your wife's "obvious" questions are the problem with the California. Those aren't the kind of priorities the brand was built on. None of those question would be "obvious" to me. The F40 has none of those things and is ten times the car.

Your instincts are right, but it sounds like the car is actually your wife's (sorry if I'm wrong on that assumption) she should buy what SHE loves.

My wife never really gets involved in my purchases. Mostly because our priorities are not the same and she never drives my cars.

She did tell me she did not understand or like the Ford GT and I ended up buying a Vantage V12 instead, so she may have more pull than I think.

I get what you are saying but my wife and I do a lot together and I want her to enjoy the car and be happy with the purchase as opposed to the "do you really want to take x car out?". If I wanted just raw numbers and fun to drive, I'd keep the Noble I had or buy a Z06.

Also when you look at the Ferrari of today, fit and finish is a priority. The 458 and 599 are perfect examples of this. They have all of the performance numbers but Ferrari is definitely paying more attention to detail.

The real issue with your DBS/Ferrari decision could be based on the kind of guy you are:

-If you have things hanging in your closet with Brooks Brothers or Burberry's labels on them purchase the DBS.

- If your taste runs more to gold neckware and open shirts to show them off buy a Ferrari.

Why not a 599 then? You can get a nice, low miles one for less than a Cali and it's so much more a Ferrari than the Cali. It even has a usable trunk!

Haha! I own no gold neckware but I do own many clothes that are "higher" end so to speak. Sounds like a DBS lol!

I considered it. Since this isn't a Ferrari sub forum I'll say the 599 just looks like an old California to me. It does have the Enzo v12 but the car just looks dated.

When my wife and I go on car meets and date nights, we take the 430 Spider. She loves the convertible (we're in SoCal) so we drop the top most of the time. But when up there is a bit of wind noise but nothing that prohibits a normal conversation in the ****pit. I'd say there is more noise from the engine (though I have the plugs pulled so it can be quite loud in a Spider) exhaust note - maybe this is good if I'd rather hear the exhaust rather than my wife j/k

Another reason that I don't like the CA...agree it looks too much like the Mas GT. if considering a CA, I'd almost rather spend half the $ and get a Mas GT MC Stradale. Though I almost got my wife the Mas GT - she didn't want it. She'd rather keep the 430.
I just can't see the CA as a true Ferrari heart and soul.
Regrading the 599, that V12 has Ferrari blood in it to the bones. It is a comfortable Superfast GT.
Looks are subjuctive, but I like the looks of the 599 way better than the new F12.

Here's a good question for you that'll help me out. Date night, what car do you take? The DBS or the 430? Is your wife ok with wearing a dress and getting in/out of the 430?

Get the DBS;
The California is almost a Fezza, a nice car for the wife, but the DBS is a real Aston.

FF

I know this is not FChat, but holy sh*t fire, I can't believe you just said that a 599 looks like an old California. The California isn't good looking at all, which is one reason why Ferrari people don't like it. Another reason is that it's mass produced (for Ferrari), with lower quality materials. Another reason is that it has a detuned engine. What previous Ferrari has ever sought to produce lower performance? It may be only my opinion, but one cannot compare a 599 with a California.

I think that most of the people who bought and STILL own the California would never have looked at a 430 or 458. I say that because every Ferrari owner I know who had previously owned a Ferrari and who bought a California has subsequently sold it. The California was conceived to compete with the Mercedes SL and the Bentley GTC. Personally, at those price points, I think the competition is better. I do not think the secondary market will be kind to the California.

I know I called the California a chick's car, which I admit was a little unfair. It's a very nice car that both men and women like. I personally think it's not very good looking. For background, I think the SL (whether entry level, 55, 63 or 65) is a chick's car. BTW, I bought and paid a premium for the SL55 when it was introduced. But, in my own defense, I sold it within 6 months at a huge loss.

The McLaren MP4-12C is a spectacular car and nowhere near as expensive as a 458 or even a 599. It may be the bargain supercar at the moment. However, it is not anything like a California. By that I mean that the cars are completely different and intended for different purposes. I think most would say the same thing when comparing a 430 or 458 with the California. The cars are not in the same market segment.

I have an old 360 spider that I still like it a lot. I appreciate that by today's standards it's nothing great.

I also have a DBS Volante that I drive every other or third day. I love it, but it's a completely different experience from the 360.

My wife hates the Ferrari (in fairness, I have a Capristo valveless exhaust) but likes the Aston. She won't drive either, but she'd rather wear a dress in the Aston.

For NYE day date day we will probably take the 430 - moreso because she likes the car. During sunny days (which are a lot in CA) she prefers the 430. She'll wear a dress or anything - not too difficult getting in and out other than the car is real low. But the DBS isn't much different - it's pretty low as well on entry and egress.
But keep in mind I took my wife when she was 8 mos pregnant on a 3 hour drive to Vegas in a tiny Lotus Elise. She did need help getting in and out of that car.

I understand there is a compromise when trying to satisfy the wife. But in the end, really, this will be primarily your car and what gets your adrenaline going. You have two brilliant choices but get the car that You want and I guarantee you'll wife will be happy sitting beside you in either car.
But take heed of what us gear heads have been through.

Lots of good information and observations. I'll add a few. The 430 is not too loud with the top up. The F1 trans is better than any Aston sport shift. For date nights we take her BMW or one of the Astons. They are more comfortable as a car than the Ferrari and attract less attention. If I could get a great deal on a cherry 430 spider I would probably take it over the Cali. The Maser is also an option. They depreciate pretty well so you would need a great deal to make it an option in my opinion. If you really like the DBS have you thought about selling the V8 and buying the DBS? Then you would have the best of both worlds. THE date night car the DBS and a convertible of whatever brand. Decisions Decisions.

Nice to have all these decisions