Paris Auto Show: Ferrari California Sold Out 'til 2011

Justin Berkowitz
by Justin Berkowitz

I’m in the minority. While I think the Ferrari California is not only ugly, but unfaithful to the priceless Ferrari brand, others do not. Some of us shower regularly. Others like this Ferrari California. Where I see a competition with the Mercedes SL for buyers, others see some kind of gorgeous and practical roadster. How many others? Enough that the California is sold out until 2011. That’s not a surprise; every Ferrari model sells out. But what is surprising is that 60% of California buyers will be new to the Ferrari brand. And what do you bet those folks won’t be repeat customers?

TTAC’s Martin Schwoerer, attending the show in Paris, writes:


If for no other reason, the Ferrari California would have made it worthwhile to come to Paris. In the flesh, it looks absolutely stunning. I was prepared to criticize the retro, Ferrari-heritage inspired style, but it works out fantastically. Andrea Pininfarina, before you left this world, you made it a bit more beautiful.

Justin Berkowitz
Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

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  • Ande5000 Ande5000 on Oct 03, 2008

    JB is exactly right. This is the perfect poncey ride for ponces and poseurs. And it ain't the first one to roll out of Modena either: Mondial, Testarossa, 400i, 308GTB4 anyone? Doesn't matter, though. Ponces and poseurs with more $$$ than sense have already plunked down their deposits to be the first to cruise Rodeo Drive in between botox and Tai Chi appointments.

  • Samuel L. Bronkowitz Samuel L. Bronkowitz on Oct 03, 2008

    Ugly is in the eye of the beholder...

  • Matthewsimmons Matthewsimmons on Oct 03, 2008

    I don't think the California is that beautiful. I definitely think the Maserati Granturismo is better looking. And from what I have been reading they are coming out with a convertible version soon.

  • JEC JEC on Oct 04, 2008

    So? If you want one, it will show up on Ebay one week after delivery begins. Probably at a significant markup, but if you are dumb enough to buy into the whole Ferrari myth and desperately try to claw your way into a multi-year waiting list then you'd likely be dumb enough to pay more than MSRP for a car. I'm not a fan of Ferraris. The 430 is a nice driver's car, but the whole load of BS that surrounds their ownership experience is too much for my (expensive but humble) taste. You either have the Enzo mentality of "**** the customers" or the proliferation of drop top American poseur-mobiles like this thing. Not to mention the highfalutin attitude of 99% of Ferrari owners, be they aloof Enzo owners or the impoverished caretakers of ratty 308s who show up at club meets and irritate "real" Ferrari enthusiasts.

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