AMG GTC or Ferrari California T
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
s550 amg, bentley continental gt supersport
AMG GTC or Ferrari California T
Hi guys
I have been a long time fan of the AMG GTS and now that there is an AMG GTC I was thinking about ordering one.
Assuming a base price of 160, I think reasonably optioned AMG GTC will run me around 180.
I found a few 2016 ferrari california t cars for around 185. Initial MSRP 250s.
I have never bought a used car and I don't know the right answer here and would love to hear peoples thoughts. If someone owns a california T I'd like to hear your thoughts too.
Thinking about it though, I figure since all cars depreciate would I be able to get ahead of the depreciation curve by purchasing the ferrari?
Any thoughts, comparisons, and insight would be much appreciated.
Many Thanks.
I have been a long time fan of the AMG GTS and now that there is an AMG GTC I was thinking about ordering one.
Assuming a base price of 160, I think reasonably optioned AMG GTC will run me around 180.
I found a few 2016 ferrari california t cars for around 185. Initial MSRP 250s.
I have never bought a used car and I don't know the right answer here and would love to hear peoples thoughts. If someone owns a california T I'd like to hear your thoughts too.
Thinking about it though, I figure since all cars depreciate would I be able to get ahead of the depreciation curve by purchasing the ferrari?
Any thoughts, comparisons, and insight would be much appreciated.
Many Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 38
2017 AMG GT
The Californias do depreciate faster than any Ferarri. if you want to get into a non depreciating Ferarri you would have to buy a higher up Ferarri. If you're going to buy a used California, buy from a ferarri dealer. Then after you have established that relationship, get on the list to buy a brand new 488 for 250ish. Now you are in the game. As long as you don't drive it too much, you can sell it and get most of your money back.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 38
2017 AMG GT
just want to add: the special edition Ferraris are the best buy (least depreciation). Even a 488 can depreciate. unfortunately you have to go to a Ferrari dealer and buy used Ferrari or new California > then order new 488 or similar > then order a special edition / limited car. it may take 2-3 purchases to truly get into something that will keep going up in value.
however, Ferrari doesn't like dealers to mark cars up over msrp. so once you have established some purchase history and you are on the list, at least you wont have to overpay to get it.
however, Ferrari doesn't like dealers to mark cars up over msrp. so once you have established some purchase history and you are on the list, at least you wont have to overpay to get it.
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 901
From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
I dont have enough experience with the Cali T to give a real perspective but Ill say that it is a strong improvement over the previous generation in performance and arguable in looks and its still Ferrari in nature but not so much vs the likes of the other models. It does have terrible depreciation so grabbing a used one is your best bet; but its not the worst depreciation F car, that would be the first generation FF.
F cars are event cars so they are more "look at me" vs functional in nature and also carry 3 year warranties so after that expires costs are very high on repairs not to mention servicing. I would find the GTC to be more reliable with a longer term warranty and just a car you can drive and put more miles on vs the Cali T. Its a more usable car so it really all depends on your intent and your appetite for monies spent. Friends that have owned the Cali's have sworn by them up front (gen 1 and gen 2) but then it grew a little long in the tooth for them and they moved on rather quickly. But it was never their first or even 2nd car but more along the lines of 4th and beyond in the lineup. My 2014 458 was my 5th car in the lineup and I just didnt use it all too much but I think I would use the Cali T more often.
F cars are event cars so they are more "look at me" vs functional in nature and also carry 3 year warranties so after that expires costs are very high on repairs not to mention servicing. I would find the GTC to be more reliable with a longer term warranty and just a car you can drive and put more miles on vs the Cali T. Its a more usable car so it really all depends on your intent and your appetite for monies spent. Friends that have owned the Cali's have sworn by them up front (gen 1 and gen 2) but then it grew a little long in the tooth for them and they moved on rather quickly. But it was never their first or even 2nd car but more along the lines of 4th and beyond in the lineup. My 2014 458 was my 5th car in the lineup and I just didnt use it all too much but I think I would use the Cali T more often.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 3
From: So. Kalifornia
17 SL550 (Designo Edition), 08 C300, 13 Mini Cooper, 17 Macan GTS, 18 720s
I have owned 4 Ferrari's and just about everything that can be said about Ferrari's and ownership have already been said. www.ferrarichat.com I personally don't like the look of the California T, I feel it is too much of a "chick" car and frankly is based on an old platform and will be replaced in the next 2 years. For my money, I'd buy a GTC or lease it and drive the crap out of.
Good luck,
MB
Good luck,
MB
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 643
Likes: 92
From: Houston, TX
'15 C63S
I have a family member that has a '16 California T that I've driven on several occasions. And I have seat time in a GTS at an ADA track event at COTA last year.
To compare each, the Ferrari definitely feels more spacious inside. Part of it might be the lower window sills that bring in more light, but it doesn't feel as closed in as the GT does. Removing the top with the GTC might help that out, I don't know.
As for performance, the power/acceleration numbers don't lie, but both cars bring on the power in different ways. The GT does have a beefier mid-range (especially the lower portion), but the California T has significantly more mid-range that what most would be used to with previous non-turbo Ferrari engines. The California T does seem to pull harder toward redline than the GTS did. Can't go wrong with either.
For handling, the California T for whatever reason feels lighter on it's feet and has more steering feedback that what I remember the GTS having. My only complaint with the California T is that it feels a bit too light at slow speed around town than I'd personally like it to feel. I wouldn't fault either car though, just slightly different feel.
One place that I do think the California T is above the GTS is the brakes. When run in anger, the California T brakes feels quite a bit better to me and seem much easier to modulate than what the GTS I drove felt like. Granted the GTS was an ADA car, so who knows how much abuse it had seen.
To compare each, the Ferrari definitely feels more spacious inside. Part of it might be the lower window sills that bring in more light, but it doesn't feel as closed in as the GT does. Removing the top with the GTC might help that out, I don't know.
As for performance, the power/acceleration numbers don't lie, but both cars bring on the power in different ways. The GT does have a beefier mid-range (especially the lower portion), but the California T has significantly more mid-range that what most would be used to with previous non-turbo Ferrari engines. The California T does seem to pull harder toward redline than the GTS did. Can't go wrong with either.
For handling, the California T for whatever reason feels lighter on it's feet and has more steering feedback that what I remember the GTS having. My only complaint with the California T is that it feels a bit too light at slow speed around town than I'd personally like it to feel. I wouldn't fault either car though, just slightly different feel.
One place that I do think the California T is above the GTS is the brakes. When run in anger, the California T brakes feels quite a bit better to me and seem much easier to modulate than what the GTS I drove felt like. Granted the GTS was an ADA car, so who knows how much abuse it had seen.
Last edited by msd3075; Apr 20, 2017 at 04:10 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
