Car Statistics: Ferrari - California  Series 09 (4 stars)

Styling (3 stars)

Heavy rear not helped by Ferrari's sometimes over the top detailing. It grows on you though and is very colour sensitive. It has to be a metallic, in a dark colour and it looks best with the roof up.

Handling (4 stars)

We expected a boulevardier but got a sports car. Ferrari's chassis people have worked their magic with the California. Beautifully poised and exploitable, it's also supremely comfortable when you want it to be.

Comfort (4 stars)

Sensationally trimmed in the finest materials the interior is supremely comfortable for two. Forget taking passengers. The ride quality is superb given the California's agility.

Quality (4 stars)

It's largely hand built and Italian so it's going to go wrong, right? Wrong. It's unlikely to be entirely hassle free. Ferraris are meticulously constructed these days and a trip to a Ferrari dealer is never really going to be a chore is it?

Performance (5 stars)

It's a Ferrari, albeit a slightly softer, less hardcore one. It's still got the pace to frighten off all but the most exotic and wild of its rivals.

Roominess (3 stars)

Lots of space for two but not much more inside. Leave the roof up and you've got estate-car levels of bootspace too.

Costs (1 star)

There's a silver prancing pony on the front grille. You've dropped over £140,000 to buy it so any expectations that it'll be cheap to run need to be quashed. It shouldn't be too bad on fuel though, honest...

Value (2 stars)

Supercar used values are unpredictable at the moment. Previously you could be sure this car would be worth list price even at six months old. Options pump up the price, too.

Stereo (1 star)

Traditionally a failing for Ferrari and this ones no different. The California features the same sat nav and entertainment system as Chrysler. It's no good there, so it's hopelessly out of place in an exotic.

Other

Overall Rating (4 stars)