[ShotGun]

I hope this is the correct forum :-)

I am a 8 year Maserati owner (QP/GT) and was considering switching to Ferrari.

I'm looking for either a 2008-2009 F430 or a 2010-2011 California

Any tips on what to expect or what to look for when buying will be greatly appreciated!

thx

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by ShotGun

I hope this is the correct forum :-)

I am a 8 year Maserati owner (QP/GT) and was considering switching to Ferrari.

I'm looking for either a 2008-2009 F430 or a 2010-2011 California

Any tips on what to expect or what to look for when buying will be greatly appreciated!

thx

Welcome to FL, ShotGun. Nothing to be scared of here. Intro yourself and ask away. Any reasons for choosing that particular model ? w/ smiles Jimmy

[tazandjan]

SG- Welcome to Ferrari Life. You have chosen two very different, but very competent, cars. Owners of both love them, so it really comes down to how do you intend to use the car. As a daily driver, the California is hard to beat. For a weekend only car, the F430 is perfect, and also makes a good daily driver. Both attract a lot of attention, especially the F430.

Lots of owners of both here can give you honest appraisals.

[StefVan]

Hi, very welcome to FerrariLife It's a bit difficult to answer your question as it really depends what you're looking for. The F430 is a very different car compared to the California. Somehow, the California would be closer to a QP. Is this car going to be a daily driver? If yes, the California may be a better choice. If you're looking for occasional musculed drives giving great sensations, then the F430 would be a better option.

Did you had already a test drive on both cars?

Please, let us know a bit more what are your expectations.
Stef

[tazandjan]

Stef- Great minds think alike, and what are you doing awake at this hour in the morning?

SG- Incidentally, Stef is the F430 expert on this site.

[ShotGun]

Thank you for the warm welcome and quick response.

i would say a semi daily driver since I have 3 other car and a motorcycle.

I love the QP I currently have and handling is great, so I would like to have something similar.

I love the way the 430 looks and sounds but the inside is a bit on the "naked sport" feeling with no gadgets it seem.

California is the opposite, looks great inside, sound great but not to in love with the way it looks.

I didn't test drive a ferrari so far so...

How is the maintenance on it? what should I look sof ror ask?
I wasn't smart enough to ask before i got my first QP and costs were insane on it since I got it with 90% worn out clutch :-(

[StefVan]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Stef- Great minds think alike, and what are you doing awake at this hour in the morning?

Terry, that's exactly what I thought about you when I saw your post I'm quite a early bird I must say (and late bird too )

[StefVan]

Originally Posted by ShotGun

I love the QP I currently have and handling is great, so I would like to have something similar.

I love the way the 430 looks and sounds but the inside is a bit on the "naked sport" feeling with no gadgets it seem.

California is the opposite, looks great inside, sound great but not to in love with the way it looks.

You're very welcome here

Clutch wear is definitely something to check on both cars but especially on the F430 as well as the condition of the exhaust headers. In terms of handling, both cars have a great handling but very different character. Maybe the California would suit you better as you'll spend more time inside then outside The California has also a double clutch gearbox of the latest technology (identical to the 458) and will gear in a much smoother way then the F430. The F430 is a pure sport car with brutal gearing and requires more involvement of the driver.

Go and try them out, it's the best way to make up your mind

[430Addict]

SG, welcome to Ferrari Life!

If you already have three other cars, then reward yourself with a 430. You don't need another daily driver. You won't go wrong with either. Both are very fine specimens of Ferrari's best.

[Killer58]

Originally Posted by ShotGun

I am a 8 year Maserati owner (QP/GT) and was considering switching to Ferrari.

Switch?! Why put yourself through the agony? Keep the QP and get a 430. Best of both worlds.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum.

[louman3]

I drive a 06 GS and 04 360 coupe and agree with most of the other posts. One additional thought though, if I had to give up both for just 1 replacement, I would consider a 612 (or if I could give up the +2 a 575, which I like much better from a styling perspective). Have not driven either though. Re costs, I found that the cost on the GS is slightly less, but it seems to need much more unplanned repair than the 360. Maybe because it is my daily driver, but quality seems a tick below the f-cars. Good luck.

[Barry]

Shotgun,
Welcome to Ferrari Life. You've come to the right place for a completely unbiased opinion

I echo the comments below!!

Originally Posted by StefVan

Go and try them out, it's the best way to make up your mind

Originally Posted by Killer58

Switch?! Why put yourself through the agony? Keep the QP and get a 430. Best of both worlds.

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by StefVan

You're very welcome here

Clutch wear is definitely something to check on both cars but especially on the F430 as well as the condition of the exhaust headers. In terms of handling, both cars have a great handling but very different character. Maybe the California would suit you better as you'll spend more time inside then outside The California has also a double clutch gearbox of the latest technology (identical to the 458) and will gear in a much smoother way then the F430. The F430 is a pure sport car with brutal gearing and requires more involvement of the driver.

Go and try them out, it's the best way to make up your mind

Somehow I am leaning towards you getting a CA Shotgun. It would have just enough sport to satisfy your needs and get you extra fun with top down and technology. I'll post later if needed but a CA sporting CF seats etc. looked great and would make a much better DD.

Originally Posted by louman3

I drive a 06 GS and 04 360 coupe and agree with most of the other posts. One additional thought though, if I had to give up both for just 1 replacement, I would consider a 612 (or if I could give up the +2 a 575, which I like much better from a styling perspective). Have not driven either though. Re costs, I found that the cost on the GS is slightly less, but it seems to need much more unplanned repair than the 360. Maybe because it is my daily driver, but quality seems a tick below the f-cars. Good luck.

You should test drive the 12's. You might have another problem you didn't expect: A third choice

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Granucci

You should test drive the 12's. You might have another problem you didn't expect: A third choice

Hell, drive a classic too... choice no. 4

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by ShotGun

Thank you for the warm welcome and quick response.

i would say a semi daily driver since I have 3 other car and a motorcycle.

I love the QP I currently have and handling is great, so I would like to have something similar.

I love the way the 430 looks and sounds but the inside is a bit on the "naked sport" feeling with no gadgets it seem.

California is the opposite, looks great inside, sound great but not to in love with the way it looks.

I didn't test drive a ferrari so far so...

How is the maintenance on it? what should I look sof ror ask?
I wasn't smart enough to ask before i got my first QP and costs were insane on it since I got it with 90% worn out clutch :-(

Drive them both and then decide. They are very different cars. The California is much closer the Maseratis you know, the 430 is a more focused sports car.

[masher44]

I went from a 2006 Coupe GT to an 05 430.

Totally different cars. 430 is way more sporty and an eventful drive but yet it is a daily, very very comfortable driver, like my GT.

You win either way.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by masher44

I went from a 2006 Coupe GT to an 05 430.

Totally different cars. 430 is way more sporty and an eventful drive but yet it is a daily, very very comfortable driver, like my GT.

You win either way.

Welcome to F Life Jim.

[Granucci]

welcome Jim, introduce yourself more and tell us more in the intro section.

[ShotGun]

Thx for all the amazing comments here!

One Q why I can't seem to find a F California section on this forum... no love :-)

I have my test drives set for this coming saturday so crossing fingers.

[tazandjan]

SG- Will ask Andrew to add the California to the modern V8 section. Good catch.

Most California owners love their cars. Either is a great choice.