[Rangerat1]

OK so I am finally in the position to purchase my first Ferrari and interested in peoples thoughts.

I am debating between a used 458 Coupe or a California. The 458 has such beautiful lines. But the California has the availability to take her top down. I am looking for a fun car to take on long weekends into the mountains and such. A car that is fine with longer trips would work well too. I just plan to drive the daylights out of the thing. I am not interested in reselling her. I wanna put 100K on her.

Budget....trying for $250K cash. Knowing all about cost of insurance and maintenance. What year started the 7 year warranty?

I am torn between Red for her or Grigio Silverstone. I really love the diamond seats, but Daytona are nice as well. I love the storage space in the California but the 458 has quite a bit as well. Very much torn.

I previously owned a Porsche 996 S in Kuwait. Which I must say is a great place as I was able to really work that car out!

[champagne612]

Welcome to FLife

Here is one I was looking at the other day - gives you an idea as I too love the diamond seats.

Suggest you take both your options for a ride - can't go wrong either way.

Ferrari : 430 Ferrari : 430 | eBay

[tazandjan]

Welcome to Ferrari Life. Both good cars and you could order a California just like you want it for $250K. Not sure there are any used 458s for $250K yet.

There is no 7 year warranty on any Ferrari unless you pay extra for one. The 2012 cars come with a 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty and 7 years of free time-related or mileage-related routine service. If something breaks after the warranty period, you pay for it, but your oil, etc changes are free. The 7 years of routine maintenance passes on to future owners.

The two cars you have selected are very different. Be advised there is a new, upgraded California coming out this spring/summer and new 458 Spiders with retractable tops are already hitting the streets. It will be much easier, and much cheaper, to pick up the updated California than a 458 Spider.

[wetpet]

this is a question?

[Barry]

Originally Posted by champagne612

Suggest you take both your options for a ride

Good advice. I'd guess your mind will be made up pretty soon after.

Welcome to Ferrari Life. Let us know how you get on.

[Scottish16M]

I have driven the 458 many times now, it still doesn't do it for me. I have also owned a California, for a very brief 7 weeks, and it doesn't do it for me either, albeit I liked the idea of a folding hardtop & that's why I ordered one without taking a test drive, expensive mistake as the Cali is quite soft and drives more like a standard Maserati GranTurismo, so it's a GT car, not a focussed drivers tool....these two are daily drivers for sure, not something you can say about every Ferrari, but I'd buy neither!

Upshot is, if you want to thoroughly enjoy a twisty road then a 458 may very well be for you, as it will also cruise all day long.....however, I'd recommend you also drive both the F430 coupe and F430 spider, as IMO they're much better drivers toys and I'm pretty certain you could buy good examples of both for your budget....then again as I have a 16M, a very focussed drivers Ferrari, that says it all to me and countless others too, its also a limited edition model & theyre currently great value so I really think you want to try one of these too.

Any used Ferrari will come with a warranty from an official dealer, here in the UK the warranty is 2 years, dont know what it is over with you.

Go kick some tires and enjoy the process, it's great to have choices, you'll know which Ferrari is for you the minute you drive it!!!

[Boxer]

I have driven a California multiple times and it just does not do it for me, too solf and too heavy. The 458 is a much better drivers car but is crammed full of technology. For something a bit rawer, I would also take a look at a 16M.

[Rangerat1]

Yah guess since its my first Ferrari and due to cost of any issues that come up I am pretty interested in a warranty if I can get one. Or is this not so much of a worry on these newer cars. I just wanna be able to drive the daylights out of her and not sweat going on a road trip at all. I am though very focused in on the 458. The Cali is nice and all but just does not have the same sexy/aggressive look and feel. I am still overseas so when I get back i have planned time with my dealer for a good run through on everything. I will as some of you advised give the 430 a go and look as well.

[tazandjan]

Ranger- That solves that problem. Now you just have to find the correct car. Are you based out of Ft Collins?

[Rangerat1]

Am in the Denver area.

Now am torn between a red one with black roof or grigio silverstone with black roof. Definitely going for carbon steering wheel with LED.