YES, The Ferrari California IS INDEED a REAL Ferrari 

This guy is the real deal. I hope to do business with him one day.

Brought my Ferrari California at the age of 66 same day as I got my UK bus pass. Hopefully I will not need to use my bus pass ! A Ferrari is a Ferrari is a Ferrari and all those who think its not can gladly borrow my bus pass . I'll take the Ferrari thank you.

Most under appreciated Ferrari of the last few years. Great video!

This is the natural upgrade path from my Granturismo.

Great vid Dan. I have one now and I absolutely love the car. They are one of the few Ferrari models that were designed to put a lot of miles on. I am a bigger guy and after having driven 458/488 I can say you can drive this long distances and not worry about a sore back when you get to your destination. The car gets plenty of attention whether you want it or not and for all the people who are harsh on it being a Ferrari-the majority have never driven one. Also keep in mind the car is revered because the majority of people will never experience a Ferrari. I can tell you I have made people quite happy by simply letting them ride in it. Their reactions are priceless! Also, as you point out Ferrari has made v6 and hybrid models. An NA v8 will probably become more desirable with time

I own a 2011 Cali. Everyone I meet appreciates that it is a legit Ferrari. Plenty quick and great for road trips with the wife. When I want raw power I break out my R code Mach 1.

I don’t care what anyone says, it’s a damn good looking car.

I’ve always had a theory that the “cheapest” model of any exotic brand is not considered a “real” model of that brand because it’s the cheapest. That’s all. And I think there are three types of people that it bothers. One, rich people who walk into the showroom and ask for the latest and greatest, price not being an issue, and so they don’t care about the more affordable models or the people buying them. Two, people who shit on the people who buy the more reasonably priced models to make themselves feel better because they can’t even afford the “cheap” model themselves. Three, purists who have some made up standards of what qualifies as a Ferrari (or whatever brand) based on the specs of whatever era they prefer in the brand’s history. All three groups suck, but I prefer the rich group, because at the end of the day, they buy these things new, eat the depreciation, and then make them affordable for the rest of us. So if they want to be snobby, I’m all for it.

Such a great spec...unbelievable deal you're offering... so many smiles per gallon for the right buyer !!!

I've always been curious about this Ferrari Thanks for all the info!

I never get tired of Dan’s joyful laugh when driving the Ferrari.

Great video, thank you. I’ve had this car on my radar for quite awhile now. Still planning on purchasing one day. I think they’re one heck of a bargain if you’re looking to get into owning a Ferrari.

"It is so choice! If you have the means, I highly recommend one!"

Whew!!! 🥵🥵Just read all 159 comments, and it’s interesting and mind boggling to me how the people who have probably never owned or driven a Ferrari or a Ferrari California can criticize the Ferrari California or compare it to a Chevy or a Toyota!😱😱🤮🤮 Having personally owned many Porsches, BMWs, AMG Mercedes, and multiple Ferraris from the mid-engine ones with the fun and gated shifter transmission, to the front mid engine ones like my Ferrari California with the lightning fast and smooth paddle shifting 7 speed DCT transmission, and the most comfortable but firm ride even in sport mode, I can tell you in my humble personal opinion that the Ferrari California is the real deal Ferrari that offers you not only the exhilarating sound and feel, happy open top driving experience with my Honey, it gets a lot of attention, compliments and admiration from so many people every time I attend a cars and coffee event, or just pulling into a gas station to get gas. And it’s not because it’s the sexy Ferrari Rosso Corsa red. And as for the way it looks, pictures and videos does this beauty absolutely no justice at all! You just have to see it, touch it, and feel it in person, or drive it. Enough said! Getting my Cali Baby ready for the next cars and coffee event. Happy Ferrari California weekend to you all!👍👍😎🏎️

Great video Dan and great spec on the Cali. I have a 2010 Cali in Mirabeau Blue with black wheels and I love it. Mine has been lowered and it looks like this one is lowered too. Is that correct? Many smiles per mile await the next owner!

Always nice to see reviews of different cars apart from the usual mid engined cars. Californias start at $130K USD in Australia just for comparison so you guys in the US are lucky. We have to pay more for cars over here

People said the same thing about the 246 Dino back in the day. Price a Dino today! Great video, Dan.

Love the fact that you're clearing this up because the California t is one hell of a good car. Definitely on my radar to purchase in the future.

Man.... 3rd time watching.... fell in love with a unique spec on car gurus....grigio Silverstone with cream interior & dark gray inserts on the daytona seats....absolutely gorgeous....a lot more car vs 360.... that transmission is incredible...curious what an IPE exhaust would sound on it.....

hey Dan good video!! I was going to add (but you already sold it!) that I now have 48,000 miles on my '11 Cali. Around 30k things you need to look out for next time are 1) blown headers - mine went bad at 30k and had to had them removed and re-welded at the collection points on both sides (where they go from 4:1); 2) rear shocks - check for leaking - known problem for these cars (only the rears); I also replaced the engine motor mounts at 30k as well as the oxygen sensors (just front sensors). Good stuff!! cheers

Had to watch this a second time.... it's really a great looking spec and in great condition.... the only thing i would do is yellow break calipers.... that engine bay is Ferrari glorious !!! Sure would make a great poster !!! You're making me rethink things with this review.... thanks for all you do !!!

This is my favorite Ferrari

I heard about a lot of issues on early California's and 458's dual-clutch gearbox. Any experience with it?

I love the Cali! Perhaps one of these days I will be able to have one.

I have never heard people say it’s not a real Ferrari because of the V8 or placement. I only know of it because of its development history with Maserati.

California is very nice and sleek design.

Absolutely hilarious that your dealer tag starts out “1BJ!” Tell me y’all did that on purpose? 😂

Wait I thought this was the EAG complaint channel?😂 What is this delicious content being served up?😂😂

Still lookin’ back on that ultra low mile Cali you had a couple of years ago. Glad you got to drive this one! Double check your website on the price though.

Love the red/tan combo. The only thing in the looks department is the exhaust pipes being at an angle. Not a deal killer though. Isn't the DCT basically the same that Ferrari used in the 458? Ooops, should have watched a bit longer for the DCT. 😆

Yeah the California wasn’t on my radar at first but on the suggestion of several fchat users I rented one several years back so my wife wasn’t uncomfortable and I was hooked and became a fan. Only reason I don’t have one now is the back seat size and our youngest didn’t like the room. At her age now she would absolutely hate the back seat room. Sure it’s not gonna drive like a f430 or 458 but it’s pretty darn nice. It’s a touring car and is quite comfortable, something that you want for driving longer trips. They also are a pretty good bargain for what you get. Not as good a bargain as an FF but again those are cars that people either love or hate.

Ugh, I was actually in the market for one of these and you have the EXACT same spec that I was looking for! Couldn’t find any out here in California and ended up getting a 911 about 3 weeks ago.

I see you made the point I made to you yesterday on Facebook, lol, it being a “real” Ferrari, haha.

I’ve always admired the California despite the stigma around it…

Never took a ride in one but they look kinda fun

Dan, would you think it would be possible to fit the DCT system out of a cali to a 430 with not much fuss seeing same engine??

EAG and you were brought up during Switchcast last night.

I haven driven the California and it does give you that special Ferrari feeling. That said, I would only buy the California T with the extra 100 hp (over the regular NA California).

Great looking car.

Hey Dan, I'm curious: Is there a tune available if someone wants to do it?

is it reliable ? More than a F430? Thanks

your opinion on California vs California T ?

Very nice car 👍

Great presentation, the author says is under $100k 12:25 but what is the price for this beauty ?

I think the software/sensor in that transmission got a factory upgrade in 2012. I'm not a 100% on that though.

I am selling my F430 spyder manual (in Canada) as it's just a bit painful for me to live with. I live in a rural area with a lot of hills which sucks the fun out of the manual. I don't get enough time to enjoy it myself. My wife also cannot drive it and we can't take it for road trips since there is no cargo space. There is also no room for bringing along our kids, nieces, nephews... I was thinking of getting the California 30. It's really the only vehicle in Ferrari's line-up that would fit what we are now looking for. The improved reliability of the California would be nice as the nearest dealership is 2 hours away. I haven't driven one yet but was curious about the exhaust note... how does it compare to the F430? My F430 is stock and I love the sound. With the cost savings since the F430 would sell for more than the California would be to buy I can upgrade the exhaust and still have money leftover.

'Cause it falls apart? Or because it's ridiculously expensive to repair?

an exhaust and a tune and it would be a fun little car that doesnt break the bank

I like them. And fairly realistic I could own one day.

DCT? I thought this had the same F1 system as the F430. The Cali T went to DCT?

Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari California? For 2011/2012 models. In my country Gallardo around $200,000. And California around $170,000 😊.

Dan, being a touring car, would it make a good daily driver ?

I think the biggest hit on the Cali is that it looks like a Vette

I love the look of this California. The T that replaced it wasn't as good looking IMO. The Portofino definitely brought back the beauty. And now the Roma Spider with a soft top... yuck.

How reliable is the Dodge Ram radio lol

I actually like the look of the California with black rims More then most models

I dont see the vehicle in your inventory Dan

Guys I have a 2014 30 HS DCT.. it cost $243k. It is fast!!!

When it came out, big red flags. Now it’s a gem!

I want one

I like the Cali's. H3ll, who am I kidding, I like all Ferraris. lol

i think it was because it was way more expensive than other cars it competed with and was significantly worse. like the mercedes amg gt. but it seems like a great first time ferrari.

Why should front engine Ferraris not be real Ferraris? Historically Ferrari started with front engine cars such as the Ferrari 125. And there are of course the glorious models like the 250 GTO, 250 SWB, 275 GTO. Are those deniers nuts?

Sorry, Here in Scottsdale the California was, and is known as a girl's car... Still a Ferrari though! The Portofino was a definite improvement over the modern day California....

William Chen is the champion of willows that beat Randy Pobst, who I heard was going to buy your 458 if it had cats

Ha! I looked at that car on your site last night thinking of a California as reasonable Ferrari to own if I had to have a Ferrari in my car lifetime. Do you like this or the FF? I’m the type to drive a car like this to the grocery store, not having it as museum piece. Updated - then I see you say a few moments later - Gotta run to Home Depot. Exactly! Normal guy indeed.

I really really want a california. I was started looking in 2020 and in 2021 they where 70-85 all day than covid happened and they went up to 90+ I have been seeing them now for 70-80's. I got a porsche 981 and customized it a lot and drove it on a 8,800 mile road trip for three month. No issues *Ever* I daily drive my Porsche and i want to daily drive a ferrari California. I put 34K miles on my Porsche in one year. I want to daily drive it. I may get a Audi R8 V10 instead as its daily drivable. I just want a ferrari that isnt gonna break and will start everyday.

308GT4 Owner here, so I know the not a real Ferrari argument. For the California, it felt more like a Maserati GT that was rebrand re-badged, and they dropped in the Ferrari V8 motor. It is a real Ferrari. It just sort of feels like the Lexus to the Toyota or a shared platform car. I can’t think of any other cars that Ferrari has done that with.

The tail light fiasco was pretty hilarious. I can't believe Ferrari didn't know that tail lights couldn't be mounted on a trunk lid

I can buy a 2013 Corvette in Toronto with 25k km for 65k. 2013 California for 130k. Both front mid engine plus torque tube. Similar HP. But come on... The Ferrari is drop dead gorgeous, has a DCT, handles like a dream and has that flat plane crank engine. No contest, the Ferrari even at 2x the price. If I look for a C8 Z06, it is $260k. Now it sounds similar, but it is fugly by comparison to the Ferrari and the power train is far from proven.

In Europe these are still over a 100K to bad

Ferrari as a manufacturer started building cars and they were only front engined. Mid engine came later, so u could argue front engine is more pure to the original Ferraris. Tiny clue 250 gto? So anyone that says it’s not a Ferrari as not mid engine has no idea what they are talking about tbh.

It has softer lines which give it a “Secretary” vibe. It doesn’t really fit look-wise with the rest of the lineup is probably why it gets so much hate.

Dans going topless woo! 😂

I'd drive it.

Is it wrong that I actually prefer the look of a California? 😉

4,069lbs..... Two tons.... 600lbs heavier then a C7 Z06. It weights as much as a Scat pack Challenger

The California is the REAL DEAL. it’s FAST and sounds as GOOD or better than a 458. and the ride doesn’t break your BACK.

In 30 years ppl will probably be paying triple f430 prices for these.

I think my Wife would like it

Maserrari?!

It is real

I think any final judgment on whether the California is a real Ferrari has to await a pronouncement from Meg.

It says Ferrari on the tin 🤔😂

It's a Ferrari let's do some Ferrari stuff go driving,go rally get some speeding tickets

Its a bit like the porsche panamera, no one wants it but you have to buy it to get a gt3

It is but just for a women no real guy that can afford a more expensive version would buy a California over a 458 or better.

I've never said its not a Ferrari, but i've always said its a Women's Ferrari. I'm willing to die on that hill.

599 is a better deal

Nah, it’s the fake Ferrari you buy your girlfriend or mistress. 😬

The California is the ugly duckling of the Ferrari world unfortunately - always has been, always will be. Anything built to fit into a niche category and to a price point is not ideal instead to the best it could be like the 430 or 599 of its time. Best of luck with it gents!

It's a chick car.

Can’t deny the facts. Ferrari made this car to attract women to the brand. Construction is horrible. The trans and starter are almost guaranteed to fail. Buy at your own risk

Its fake!!!!!!

It's a real Ferrari but black wheels isn't it. I feel the only people that like black wheels are people that have them. Otherwise nope.

A Real ugly Ferrari.

It's not pretty like 430 or 360

It maybe better just not as beautiful as 430 even it's fastest on earth shifting 430 all day pretty

No dry sump means it's safe for Jiffy Lube 🙃