My wife loves the California. She insists it was designed with intentions to attract women buyers. Back seat, trunk, very easy to drive, some real soft color combos, etc. I was at the international car show in Miami today and really fell in love with one they had on display. It was red, had a black almost glasslike top, black interior with red stitching, a ton of carbon fiber including the beautiful racing seats. I am going to meet with dealer and test drive this week.

Being that I had a lambo g, bently, mercedes, bmw,and about 8 porsches but never owned a Ferrari I am interested in your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

I'm a big, burly guy but I would drive one (if I could fit in it).
A VW Beetle is a girls car, or young boy. Not a Ferrari anything. Doesn't mean a girl can't drive it. I did see a woman driving a Benz/McLaren SLR that looked odd to me. After a few blocks, she looked right at home and very comfy. It just seems weird this keeps coming up. A Ferrari being called a girls car! I don't get it.

 

jajajajaja... Yes for me... But

I will take one anytime

 

"Softer" and "more refined" than a typical Ferrari (599, 430, 458, etc.) doesn't mean that it's soft. The car is a sports car, as every review I've read is quick to point out. Is it as track-worthy or hard-core as a 458? No, of course not. Nor is it a Chrysler LeBaron. Yet it is far more serious and hard-core than an AMG SL. New models will come with increased horsepower (+30hp) as well as changes to the infotainment system, which most reviewers agree are necessary. If you can afford it, and it makes you feel good to drive it, go for it! Let those who would consider it a "chick car" watch as you blow by them.

 

^this +1. It's a beautiful piece of capable machinery!

 

lets just say, If i'm in the market for a Ferrari Convertible, I'd get a 458 Spider....

 

Now a V6 Mustang is a "Chick Car" !!

 

I consider it a chick car.

And I have 'blown by' more than one of them.

(Well, two to be exact, but it sounds more impressive if I don't add this last part )

The performance may be there (in typical Ferrari fashion), but the styling is wayyy to Celica-ish. Out of all of the Ferraris that have been out for the last 20 years, it is the ONLY one, I would pass on (unless it was a gift).

And +1 on the V6 Mustang. I hate all watered-down versions of the real thing.

 

Or a 16M (Scud convertible) !!

 

What I don't get is the car looks almost identical to the Maserati sport coupe and no one calls it a chicks car.

 

As evidenced by your own ride, style is a matter of personal taste.

 

Perhaps to you...

I view the Maserati as longer, wider, better proportioned, etc...

The California looks like a narrow front end, removing the masculine lines that are on other Ferraris.

What's up with the stacked tailpipes? The star rims? C'mon... I could go on, but I don't want to start a bashing session.

 

it doesn`t look very aggressive, almost friendly, even in black.
maybe thatīs the reason why itīs got a bit of a feminine touch to it.

 

Being as it was designed to attract more female buyers to the brand it would naturally be considered a chic car by some. I have driven one and it is very nice but no match for a 458 which I have. My next convertible will be 458 spider which I think will be the best convertible on the market. Ken

 

NO not a chick car, but less hardcore then other ferrari's. I got to drive a friends for about an hour, and a few months before, I drove his TTS cab. After getting out of the California and in to my C2S I felt my car was not inferior in anyway. But after driving his TTS cab and getting in to my C2S, it felt like my car was stuck in wet cement...thats how much faster the TTS felt in comparison.

I loved the way it looked (red over tan leather) and the exhaust note was loud enough to set off many car alarms. And if it costs 150 to 180k then I would consider it a great car. But at 220k you could have a used GT2 and a nice convertible valued at 100k for the price of 1 California....its not that great. Actually would take a GTC speed convertible instead.

We see a lot of high end cars in our area, but the only time my wife texted me a pic of a car and said this is what I want, it was a California. Certain cars like this really attract females, along with Range Rovers and many other brands or models that are not feminine at all. So again this car is not a chick car it just gets their approval more.

I understand that if you get it over a more hardcore sports car then your wife would be able to enjoy more with you and to me that is an important consideration.