FERRARI California Review

You will fully fill the difference between “Comfort” and “Sport”. From the exhaust valves to the throttle mapping, suspension and steering, the California switches from GT to sports car, despite not quite offering the edge for any of the two.

In between performance driving maneuvers like the aforementioned ones and a much more suitable six-out-of-ten use, you’ll notice that the optional carbon ceramics have a pleasant modulation, catering to any possible situation.

We are on our way back to the city now and we’re leaning on the optional JBL audio system, which provides a respectable experience.

Maranello has made quite a bet with the California, creating some sort of a baby Ferrari. Alas, cars like Ferraris already ask you to make plenty of compromises and so adding another one tips the balance too much.

The California is nice if this is your first venture into the world of performance automobiles, but it never quite manages to shine and this is the worst part of the car.

Especially with the standard suspension and seats, there’s not enough comfort to call this car a GT. Moreover if we’re only left with the sporty driving part, then things are a tad too soft.

As for the best side of the Ferrari California, this is undoubtedly its Feng Shui. It’s not often that a car of this kind offers such brilliant packaging.

The Ferrariness of the thing is also nice, with the V8 engine and the steering instantly connecting to the driver in you.

Unfortunately, you can not live with just that. At least not when Ferrari comes with a MSRP of USD198,100 (plus sales tax and destination charge), or EUR180,000 (20 percent VAT included) for the whole package. There is really no point in paying that for what the California has to offer, so the value for money score sits at four out of ten.

The California then reminds us a bit of Hollywood - life is not exactly what you see in the movies.